I immediately became interested but felt a bit embarrassed to show too much interest, so I twitched the corner of my mouth: “Marriage destiny?”

The old immortal said profoundly, “That’s right. If it’s not accurate, no payment is required. With the Divine Lord here, this old fool wouldn’t dare speak carelessly. If the young lady doesn’t believe me, extend your hand for me to see.”

I glanced at Yinze and, seeing no strong reaction from him, extended my palm. The old immortal lecherously felt around my hand, but got pierced by one of Yinze’s ice arrows.

He cried out “Ai-yo” and glared at Yinze: “Today’s children are getting more and more impolite. Back in the day, even Haotian feared me somewhat.”

Yinze frowned: “Peach Blossom Buddha, why haven’t you cured your habit of teasing young girls?”

Peach Blossom Buddha said, “These old bones enjoy looking at young girls. You milk-scented brat should mind your own business.”

I admit I was truly scared like a sparrow on a knife’s edge, afraid this Peach Blossom Buddha would collapse the next second. Who knew Yinze wasn’t offended at all and only pulled me back a bit. Peach Blossom Buddha raised his eyebrows and looked at me, then at Yinze: “Young lady, want to hear the results?”

“Yes!” The moment I said it, I met Yinze’s glaring eyes and shrank back: “No, it’s fine either way…”

Peach Blossom Buddha said: “Your face is like powdered makeup, your eyes carry drunken smiles—we call this a peach blossom face. These facial features are extremely appealing to boys.”

“Really?! This… this is so embarrassing…” I felt my face heating up involuntarily, twisting and fidgeting with my legs swaying, but got poked in the back by Yinze’s magic, the pain making me stand straight immediately.

“Wait, don’t rush to be happy. Although you attract many romantic opportunities, there’s a major nemesis on your marriage line.” Peach Blossom Buddha looked at the top of my head, pulling and tugging above as if there were tangled threads there. “This nemesis is quite formidable—I’m afraid it will even bring bloodshed…”

I said: “Blood-bloodshed?”

“Exactly.” He said seriously, taking out some thin things from under his stall. “Want to try my exclusive secret peach blossom dog skin plaster? It has the effects of promoting blood circulation, reducing swelling and pain, and nourishing the spleen and kidneys.”

I said in surprise, “You also sell dog skin plaster?”

Peach Blossom Buddha coughed dryly twice: “These days, many immortals have moved to Tianshi City, driving away us small village folks too. Making a living isn’t easy… part-time work, part-time work.”

I said: “Which is the part-time job? Selling boots, fortune telling, or selling dog skin plaster?”

Peach Blossom Buddha pulled out a flower basket from under the table: “This is the part-time job. Floating Pagoda flowers, local specialty, two stones per flower, buy two get one free. How about one flower?”

When this flower basket appeared before my eyes, I couldn’t look away: it was filled with plump pink flowers that looked like cherry blossoms, but in each flower’s center, instead of soft stamens, were glowing, dancing stars.

I reached out to touch them, and these stars splashed onto my hand like water droplets.

Peach Blossom Buddha picked two flowers and smilingly attached them to my twin tails: “Look, how charming and moving this is—only two stones.”

“Great, great, I want them.”

Fu Chenzhi had given me some immortal realm currency this afternoon. I felt around my waist, but Yinze finally couldn’t tolerate it and tilted his chin: “They’re just Floating Pagoda star fragments magically set in cherry blossoms—where are there any Floating Pagoda flowers? Let’s go.”

“Ah, is that so…”

Though somewhat regretful, master’s commands couldn’t be disobeyed. I looked apologetically at Peach Blossom Buddha and pulled Yinze’s silk sash to continue flying forward with him. But we hadn’t flown long when I heard Peach Blossom Buddha’s voice in my ear: “Young lady, young lady.”

Turning my head, I saw him flying beside me. I almost cried out “wah,” but he made a “shh” gesture and pulled out a Floating Pagoda flower from his basket, handing it to me: “I’m giving you this flower. Give it to that brat Yinze as a gift.”

I took the flower and whispered: “Hm? Why give it to Master? I don’t think he’d want it.”

“This boy has a different personality from Haotian—he’s very concerned with face.”

Peach Blossom Buddha said: “Because when a disciple first takes a master, they must give the master a flower—it’s an unwritten rule in the immortal realm.”

I see! No wonder Yinze was so unhappy earlier—it was because I didn’t give him a flower. I happily took the flower, and Peach Blossom Buddha immediately disappeared into the clouds. Looking back, there was no trace of him. Azure Dragon Sky was truly a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers—even a fortune-telling old immortal was so mysterious that Yinze hadn’t discovered him.

However, this Peach Blossom Buddha mentioned Haotian twice, showing that Haotian must be quite a figure.

I asked curiously: “Master, who is Haotian?”

Yinze said, “The Heavenly Emperor.”

“Oh, actually the Heavenly Emperor! The Heavenly Emperor also had his fortune told by him, no wonder Peach Blossom Buddha is so…” I exclaimed in shock: “Wait, the Heavenly Emperor gets his fortune told? Even marriage destiny?!”

Yinze laughed coldly: “He even thinks it’s very accurate.”

I hadn’t expected the Heavenly Emperor to truly be as Fu Chenzhi said—a passionate person who didn’t force emotional matters and even found an old immortal to help him decide. I turned back to gaze at the path we’d come: “Such regret. I should have asked Peach Blossom Buddha a few more questions earlier…”

We hadn’t flown long when several more stalls appeared ahead. One was a bookshop where the book-selling immortal arranged books like an array formation, making them float in the air around himself, leaving only a door-sized gap for customers to enter. Yinze stopped and casually picked up a book to browse. The book-selling immortal saw Yinze and said attentively, “Divine Lord Yinze, my shop has many new books. Are you interested in taking a look?”

Yinze said, “Bring them to see.”

“There’s ‘Heavenly Rites and Zhou Laws,’ ‘Purple Light Arts,’ ‘Vermillion Bird Sky Travelogue,’ ‘Jiuzhou Cuisine’…” He pulled out several books, then whispered: “And the latest three good books: ‘Female Lodge Horror,’ ‘Fragrance Exploration Record,’ and ‘Fox Woman Legend’—the Divine Lord understands.”

“Oh?” Yinze lightly raised an eyebrow with an ambiguous smile at the corner of his mouth.

Seeing this reaction, the book-selling immortal’s eyes lit up. He quickly pulled out several books from the bottom: “There are text versions and illustrated versions. Among them, the illustrated version of ‘Female Lodge Horror’ is a masterpiece imitating Yunxiao Immortal Lord artistic style. Which set would the Divine Lord like?”

Yinze said calmly, “The text version of ‘Fox Woman Legend’ and the illustrated version of ‘Female Lodge Horror.'”

‘Fox Woman Legend’? No matter how it sounded, it was like a novel’s title, but Yinze didn’t look like someone who would read novels. Perhaps this book was a manual about fox demons. After this, he picked several other books and made me carry them all as manual labor.

Leaving the bookshop, I looked down at ‘Fox Woman Legend’ on top and flashed admiring looks at Yinze: “Master is amazing—even understanding fox women.”

Yinze said, “Ordinary understanding.”

Seeing him so calm and composed, I became interested in this book instead. I blew hard at the book, making the pages flutter open to the middle, and read aloud: “The sash loosened and belt divided, dark fragrance beneath the silk skirt. Double dwelling becomes double flight, like immortals yet heartbroken. After one spring breeze beneath the flowers, the young master picked an apricot blossom branch from the tree and placed it into that fox woman…”

With a “snap,” the book was closed. Yinze said: “If you touch these books again without my permission, I’ll throw you down.”

I said: “Master, what does this poem mean? Why can’t I understand it?”

“You don’t need to understand.”

“Is this another book only immortals can read? Hmph, don’t think I can’t understand a single word. This apricot blossom young master and fox woman have such an intimate relationship—otherwise, why would he give her flowers?”

Yinze was silent for a long moment, then said: “You’re right, they’re the best of friends.”

“I never expected the fox woman in the book to be so emotionally deep and meaningful.” I suddenly remembered what Peach Blossom Immortal said and took out the Floating Pagoda flower he’d given me, waving it in front of Yinze: “Master, this flower is for you.”

“When did you buy a Floating Pagoda flower?”

“Peach Blossom Buddha told me to give it to you. He said that in the immortal realm, new disciples must give their masters flowers.”

“He was probably just tricking you into buying flowers.” Though he said this, Yinze took the Floating Pagoda flower. “Since you have this intention, your master will accept it. Don’t spend money carelessly in the future.”

“Yes!” I smiled happily: “I only hope that in the future, Master and I will be as close as that fox woman and apricot blossom young master.”

Yinze’s hand, receiving the flower, paused. He seemed to want to say something but held back, finally silently pinning it to his waist. We were about to leave when an immortal woman approached, glanced in surprise at the Floating Pagoda flower at Yinze’s waist, looked at us both, and said: “Congratulations, Divine Lord. Felicitations, Divine Lord.”

Yinze said, “Why the congratulations?”

The immortal woman said, “The Divine Lord has always been single, but today you’ve pledged love in Floating Pagoda Star Sea—naturally, we must come congratulate you.”

Pledged love in the Floating Pagoda Star Sea? I looked left and right but didn’t see anyone around, then gradually stiffened—the person she was talking about couldn’t be me, could it? I said: “Immortal sister, you can’t say such things carelessly. The Divine Lord and I aren’t what you think…”

“Little sister, don’t be shy. We all saw you give the Divine Lord a Floating Pagoda flower just now. Look, my sisters are all blessing you both.” She pointed to a group of immortal women giggling at us in the distance.

I waved my hands repeatedly: “No, no, no! I gave him the Floating Pagoda flower because I’m his disciple, not because of what you’re thinking.”

The immortal woman covered her mouth and laughed: “Still being shy. Floating Pagoda flowers are tokens of love, especially giving flowers in Floating Pagoda Star Sea—that’s a declaration of love. Divine Lord Yinze has already accepted the flower and agreed to you, so why are you still shy?”

Now Yinze was also stunned: “Floating Pagoda flowers are tokens of love? Why have I never heard this?”

The immortal woman laughed until her branches shook: “Is even the Divine Lord being shy? Well, this is your private matter—I’m just an outsider and shouldn’t ask too much. Anyway, congratulations first.”

Seeing Yinze’s expressionless face, my scalp truly went numb. I frantically explained: “No, it won’t do! Master’s kindness to me is as weighty as mountains! He’s like my fath…”

Speaking to this point, I unconsciously glanced at Yinze. Sure enough, the look he gave me wasn’t quite right. I knew the critical moment was approaching. Last time I said Master was like my father, Master was also displeased for a long time.

Thinking carefully, I was presumptuous and powerless.

Master might be even older than my grandfather—was he grandfather, great-grandfather, or great-great-grandfather… This was terrible, I had no idea how old he was.

At this moment, cold sweat broke out on my head. Finally, in my desperation, I thought of the most wonderful answer. I said, “Master is like my grandfather’s ancestor!”

Sensing Yinze’s suddenly freezing gaze, I took a breath and stammered: “I’m too young—logically, I shouldn’t be talking about romance. And Master is… advanced in years, so you should… respect the elderly and love the young…”

Yinze’s gaze had almost turned into ice blades piercing through me. I felt my back was nearly soaked with sweat, praying to heaven and earth with no response. Fortunately, the immortal woman was kind and said: “Eh? You have a grandfather?”

“Oh, no, no. He’s already passed away.”

“How enviable! My sisters and I were all born from morning dew in the immortal realm—we don’t even have parents, let alone grandfathers. What’s it like to have a grandfather?”

Discovering that Yinze had gone to browse books nearby and wasn’t paying attention to me anymore, I finally relaxed and smiled easily: “He treated me very well. He taught me all my basic techniques, but he was also very strict. I was especially filial to him, massaging his shoulders and legs daily, serving him tea and water. Sigh, unfortunately, his health was poor in old age—he walked with a limp, so wherever we went, I would move chairs for him and help support him…”

After chatting for a while, I told the story of Peach Blossom Buddha from beginning to end. It took great effort, but I finally convinced the immortal sister that Yinze and I truly had a master-disciple relationship. Fortunately, the immortal sister wasn’t a busybody—she just told me to be very careful since this involved a girl’s reputation and so on.

After listening to her teachings, I breathed a huge sigh of relief and happily returned to Yinze’s side, wanting to reassure the old gentleman. Yinze said, “Luowei.”

“Master, this disciple is here!” I stood straight, already proudly preparing to claim credit.

Yinze said faintly: “I just heard you say you served your grandfather tea and water, massaged his shoulders and legs.”

“Yes, I also supported him, just like I support Master!”

“Indeed, a filial child.” He flipped through the ‘Essential Techniques of Zen Medicine’ in his hand and tossed it to me. “I think this book is good.”

My mood couldn’t be better now—I flattered him like a fan hanging on a horse’s tail: “A book Master finds good should only exist in heaven!”

“Go back and copy it ten times.”

A bolt from the blue. I stared blankly for a long time: “…Why?”

“I told you to copy it, so copy it. Less talking.”

The book-selling immortal said, “Young lady, your master cares about you and hopes you’ll learn more knowledge.”

Being punished to copy for no reason, I felt somewhat stifled and could only sigh: “That’s true. Master is doing this for my good. When my Father King was still alive, he also loved punishing me by making me copy books…”

Yinze said, “Copy it one hundred times.”

“…”

I didn’t dare say another word. I don’t understand—Master’s heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea. Master’s temper is getting stranger and stranger.