“Junior Brother Fucang!” Zhi Xi breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, he’d arrived! She glared hatefully at those several Shenjuns and said angrily: “They went too far! Not only did they slander Junior Brother Gu Ting with their words, they even tried to lay hands on Xuan Yi!”

Gu Ting’s expression was complex as he let out a long sigh: “Forget it… This is Zhuxuan Dijun’s residence. It wouldn’t look good if things escalated.”

Fucang swiftly withdrew Chun Jun. Those several Shenjuns immediately scattered like birds and beasts. He turned his head to glance at Xuan Yi. She was propping up her chin, putting on the appearance of watching a good show, not having moved at all. She was truly audacious beyond measure.

Watching them run far away, Zhi Xi still felt somewhat unwilling: “We’re really letting them off easy!”

Gu Ting said in a low voice: “To squabble with them over such matters—wouldn’t that mean we’ve fallen to their level? Let it go.”

He looked toward Xuan Yi, a trace of a smile appearing on his face: “Thank you for venting my anger for me.”

Xuan Yi returned the courtesy elegantly: “Senior Brother Gu Ting needn’t be too polite. If you absolutely must thank me, I have only one matter to request.”

Gu Ting said curiously: “What matter?”

“After returning to Mingxing Palace, please don’t instruct the immortal attendants to send me Comprehensive Tonic Soup anymore.”

Seeing her serious and earnest appearance with such dignified bearing, he’d thought she was going to say something proper. Gu Ting was both angry and amused: “You speak of mischief, yet are quite endearing. You speak of being sensible, yet are so arrogant! Just now, if Fucang hadn’t intervened, wouldn’t you have suffered an unexpected calamity?”

Xuan Yi said slowly: “Drawing swords at the slightest disagreement is the behavior of brutes. I’ve always disdained such actions. Even mortals know that superior warriors kill with the tip of their brush, middling warriors kill with the tip of their tongue, and only inferior warriors brandish stone clubs to fight and kill.”

A bellyful of twisted logic. Fucang stared at her, evaluating without courtesy: “No combat skills whatsoever, yet spouting such arrogant words.”

Xuan Yi raised her head and smiled at him, the smile strangely sweet.

“Don’t I still have heroes like Senior Brother Fucang to rescue me? Senior Brother saved me—I’m infinitely grateful. In the future, I will certainly repay this kindness.”

Seemingly sincere thanks coming from her mouth—why did they seem so insincere? Gu Ting hurriedly changed the subject: “All right, let’s go back.”

He pulled Fucang aside to prevent the two of them from fighting again.

On the jade platform, countless divine beings had already stopped to admire the displays. Below the platform, ceremonial tables had been spread out, laden with fine wines and delicacies in dazzling array. Xuan Yi saw there were many pastries on the tables and hurriedly drifted forward to select some. As she chose, she secretly shook her head. Even the extravagant and lavish Zhuxuan Dijun had his weak points. How could these refreshments be used to entertain guests? They were nothing more than mediocre items like mung bean cool cakes and red bean soft cakes. The slightly better ones were merely Five-Scene Wisteria Cakes, far inferior to the Ten-Scene Wisteria Cakes that Yan Xia had prepared that day.

Just as she was about to ask for a cup of tea to drink, she suddenly heard the ceremonial announcing official call out in long and resonant tones: “Announcing—Divine Maiden Wangshu arrives, Feilian Shenjun arrives.”

With a buzz, the assembled gods turned around one after another to look.

That Zhuxuan Dijun could invite Divine Maiden Wangshu—his prestige was truly not small. Back at the Imperial Daughter’s wedding banquet, even the Heavenly Emperor hadn’t been able to invite her. This Divine Maiden Wangshu was even more elusive than Baize Dijun. Even many of the older generation Shenjuns and Dijuns had never seen her appearance. Rumor had it that her icy bearing was transcendent and unstained by even a speck of dust, causing countless celestial gods to be entranced by her. But who knew if the rumors were true?

Soon, Feilian Shenjun with a full head of silver hair appeared on the white jade avenue, his expression solemn. With his movements, the crimson gold bells tied to the ends of his hair made crisp ringing sounds.

Behind him, the legendary Divine Maiden Wangshu seemed to float like a phantom. She was only wrapped in robes of extremely simple green gauze, yet her entire body was enveloped in clear and serene moonlight, displaying a kind of unusual purity and tranquility. No one could see clearly what her features looked like. Atop her head hung fine silver tassels that blocked her eyebrows and eyes tightly, revealing only pale thin lips and a fair chin.

Xuan Yi clearly heard several divine maidens behind her discussing in low voices: “Does she look good? You can’t even see her face—what transcendent icy bearing? I heard she’s over a hundred thousand years older than Divine Maiden Xihe…”

“You don’t understand. It’s precisely this appearance of being shrouded in clouds and mist, ethereal and illusory, that attracts people.”

“Haha, look at that little divine maiden sitting in the soft chair up front—she’s also learned to imitate quite well, covering her eyes with a black gauze.”

“Hmph!” Feilian Shenjun seemed to hear these scattered whispers and suddenly gave a cold snort. The crimson gold bells on his hair rang even more crisply.

Xuan Yi quickly shrank back, trying not to let him see her.

Who knew Divine Maiden Wangshu seemed to sense something, slowly turning her head in her direction. Even with silver tassels covering her eyes, Xuan Yi still felt her invisible gaze fall on her own face, lingering for an instant before quickly withdrawing.

It didn’t seem like a hostile gaze, but rather carried some inquiry and assessment. Xuan Yi couldn’t help being slightly surprised.

Not far away, Zhuxuan Dijun, who had been chatting and laughing with other celestial gods, saw that Wangshu and Feilian had arrived and immediately approached with a smile, cupping his hands: “For Wangshu to come today truly gives this seat enormous face. This Zhuxuan Yuyang Palace of mine can be said to be graced with radiance!”

Divine Maiden Wangshu bowed gracefully. Her voice was unexpectedly somewhat hoarse. As she spoke, the fine silver tassels swayed ceaselessly across her face: “Zhuxuan Dijun is too kind.”

Zhuxuan Dijun turned to smile at Feilian Shenjun: “What Shenjun has tied in his hair—could it be Baize Dijun’s Heavenly Sound Crimson Gold Bells?”

Feilian Shenjun had always most disliked being asked about matters related to his “hair.” His eyes immediately rolled upward as he said in a strange tone: “That’s right. He gave them all to me.”

Zhuxuan Dijun was extremely surprised. He had long coveted Baize Dijun’s discarded Heavenly Sound Crimson Gold Bells, having tried countless times to request or exchange for them without ever achieving his wish. Who would have thought he’d actually given them to Feilian Shenjun for free?

He instinctively searched for Baize Dijun’s figure on the jade platform, but who knew this Dijun had long since hidden himself from sight. Even his disciples had all turned their backs, pretending not to notice what was happening here. He felt surprised in his heart, temporarily unable to guess the reason behind this.

Divine Maiden Wangshu ascended the jade platform. Her ethereal figure was quickly swallowed by the various treasure lights and auspicious clouds. Suddenly circling around a crystal stand, she bowed gracefully in greeting: “Teacher, your disciple Wangshu pays her respects.”

A petite figure quickly emerged from behind the crystal stand—it was indeed Baize Dijun. He looked at her with a smile, saying: “Wangshu, you actually came.”

Wangshu said flatly: “Your disciple came today for two reasons—first, to repay a debt of gratitude; second, to establish a karmic connection.”

Baize Dijun was stunned: “Repay gratitude? Karmic connection? Wasn’t it because this seat wrote you letters that you came?”

Wangshu laughed lowly: “After so many years apart, Teacher is still so witty. In my life, what I hate most are two things—first, romantic promiscuity; second, coercion through violence. Zhongshan Dijun has already committed both. Never mind Teacher writing letters—even if the Heavenly Emperor mobilized, I would absolutely never submit.”

Baize Dijun was even more astonished: “Then why did you come?”

He was somewhat uncertain of her thoughts. Only Wangshu could control the essence of moonlight. After Xuan Yi was injured, he had written to her, hoping she would intervene out of their fellow-student relationship. Who knew that after sending three or four letters she hadn’t replied at all. He’d originally thought there was no hope, but unexpectedly after several months she suddenly wrote back. She didn’t mention healing but only said to bring Xuan Yi to meet at Zhuxuan Yuyang Palace, otherwise why would he laboriously mobilize and bring a whole group of disciples here?

Wangshu said in a low voice: “Your disciple said just now—to repay a debt of gratitude. A certain Dijun who has shown me kindness entrusted me to intervene. I couldn’t very well refuse. Moreover, between Princess Xuan Yi and myself, there is still a karmic connection.”

Baize Dijun was left completely confused by her words. He was still hoping she’d explain a bit more when this former outstanding disciple of his bowed again and then turned to leave.