A month later, Yinze finally took the initiative to find me once. It was during Tianshi City’s most frigid time, heavy snow covering brocade robes. He met me at Bagua Peak, pointing to a deep cavern below. I had heard him mention before that this was the cave where he kept his beloved fire qilin.

This cavern was over a hundred meters deep, but standing outside, we could still occasionally see sparks jumping out, hot air rising, and hear the giant beast’s long, deep breathing. One could imagine this divine beast was truly divine—its true form must be as unbearable to look at directly as an emerging sun.

I didn’t understand why Master, who governed water, would go get a fire beast to tinker with. Wasn’t he afraid of water and fire being incompatible and conflicting? Of course, he couldn’t hear my internal criticism. He only said with slight regret: “My fire qilin seems unable to withstand the extreme cold of the Room constellation. It’s now ill and needs medicine to cure it.”

This medicine was Su Lian’s lotus seeds. Su Lian was the name I borrowed from the Su Lian cakes I loved eating as a child. Su Lian was actually a type of lotus with red petals and golden stamens, growing on nameless islands in the East Sea. This was a magical plant that would create bewildering water formations to disturb the sight and hearing of those who approached, for self-protection.

So I, who could control water, was undoubtedly the first choice as a guide. Knowing I could help Master, my mood couldn’t have been better. Following a group of senior brothers, we killed our way to the nameless island Yinze had designated. Heavy snow falling from the nine heavens also buried this uninhabited, isolated island.

Under the guidance of my water-controlling arts, we quickly found the secluded valley pool in the island’s center. The air was suddenly cold, heavy snow chaotic, yet the pool water was warm. In the center of that pool grew not only a glowing red lotus, but a snow-white giant python coiled around it.

The giant python reared up high, flicking its tongue at the Su Lian, its fangs sharp, gleaming coldly in the misty snow.

A senior brother said, “Terrible, this python wants to devour the Su Lian. Quick, stop it!”

Then the senior brothers all flew over to surround and attack that snow python. The snow python was no match for them and was defeated in several rounds, forced back to shore. One senior brother held the snow python at sword point while others quickly harvested the Su Lian seeds, then all gathered around, planning to kill the python and take its gallbladder.

At this moment, the snow python looked at me with pitiful eyes, as if seeking help. I quickly stopped them: “Wait, senior brother, this python cannot be killed.”

“Why?”

“It’s a snake Master raised—can’t be touched. Let it return to the forest.”

Bringing up Yinze, naturally, no one dared voice opposition. They released their hold, letting the snow python return to the forest. I looked back again at that golden, radiant Su Lian: “When leaving the island, you must go first. I need to walk behind to rearrange the bewildering water formation to ensure Su Lian’s safety.” They nodded and departed first.

Then I playfully raised my eyebrows, flew by water to the pool’s center, rolled up my sleeves: “Sisters who understand life’s pleasures like me are truly rare. Su Lian little sister, many apologies.” After speaking, I pulled the Su Lian up by its roots from the water.

I had already asked Master whether I could take this Su Lian myself. He said as long as I took the lotus seeds, I could dispose of the Su Lian as I wished. Such a beautiful flower—how could I not take it? I would plant it in the back garden of my quarters and lovingly tend and admire it daily.

However, as soon as I returned to shore holding the Su Lian, something ice-cold wrapped around my waist and dragged me into the forest. I screamed, but that thing coiled around me tighter and tighter. Looking back, it was that snow python from before.

With my throat constricted and unable to breathe, I said furiously: “Beast! Beast! I saved your life, yet you repay kindness with hatred. Truly, snakes and rats are family—not one good thing among you!”

Just as I was about to use magic to strike it down, the force embracing me didn’t lessen, but the sensation completely changed. The snow python suddenly shrank, and what held me tightly became a young master with frivolous, seductive eyes.

His clothes and hair were snow-white, wearing a golden crown on his head. His voice was also light and floating, both gentle and dangerous: “Miss, you may misunderstand me, but comparing me to vermin is your wrong.”

I said, “Oh, you can even transform into human form! Quickly release this little princess, or my master Divine Lord Yinze will descend from heaven and chop you into snake soup!”

He extended his thin tongue tip and lightly licked behind my ear: “By the time he arrives, our raw rice will already be cooked. Then with my eggs in your belly, I’m afraid even the Divine Lord couldn’t save you.”

These were improper words, yet I wanted to laugh hearing them. I turned back to look at him coldly, raised both hands slowly, and used “Drifting Waves Surging Tide.” Rotating water waves surged around us, striking directly at his face. He cried out and was knocked back, falling to the ground.

I approached him step by step as he retreated step by step: “Miss, I meant no offense. It’s just the nature of us Snow Snake Clan—when facing a life-saving benefactor, we must pledge ourselves. Miss, please don’t misunderstand. I truly want to lay eggs with you…”

I said: “Say one more word and I’ll chop you to pieces!”

“Yes, yes, yes, I was wrong, I was wrong. Miss has already saved me once. This time, you absolutely cannot harbor killing intent, or my five hundred years of cultivation will…”

I said: “What? You’ve already lived five hundred years?”

Snow Snake said, “Not every demon can live this long. But I’m naturally gifted. As long as I cultivate diligently, even if chopped back to original form, in five hundred years I’ll be a good snake again.”

“If you try any more dirty tricks, I really will chop you up.” Hearing him nod repeatedly begging for mercy, I said fiercely: “Really can’t tell—a rogue demon like you can live five hundred years.” For demons who cultivated for thousands of years, this number might not be so shocking, but for me, it was unreachably distant.

“Is Miss an immortal? Immortals can live much longer.”

“Of course not. I’m a spirit.”

“I see. You spirits can’t live very long. No matter how you cultivate, you’ll eventually return to your original form.” After speaking, he glanced at the Su Lian I’d thrown on shore. “Moreover, some spirits’ original forms are just as detestable as when in human form.”

Hearing him say this, I felt somewhat dejected. I was a water spirit with no particular original form—when dead, I’d just be dead. I said, “Yes, demons are so good, able to live so long.”

Snow Snake smiled: “Then why doesn’t Miss consider spirit-to-demon transformation?”

“Spirit-to-demon transformation?” These three words echoed in my mind like a spell, full of temptation.

“That’s right. Your power isn’t small to begin with. Willingly remaining a spirit is truly wasteful.”

“Shut up. I don’t want to become a demon.” I made a decisive decision, flew to the Su Lian, picked it up, and left without looking back.

“Miss, I’ve always lived on this island. If you change your mind and want to lay eggs with me, come find me anytime…”

Returning to Tianshi City, I planted the Su Lian in the back courtyard and found its vitality far exceeded my imagination. Two days later, it rained and snowed. The new lotus jumped in the rain like falling teardrops, then thrived in its new environment. I had read in books before that Su Lian was an immortal lotus with an extremely long life. If it grew well, living one or two thousand years was no problem.

In the boundless, auspicious snow, I sat by the carved window rail, looking at this lotus flower, and once again felt endless regret in my heart.

Even a plant’s lifespan was longer than mine—this world truly had no natural law. Comparatively, mortals were truly fortunate. Though their lifespans weren’t long, they didn’t coexist with gods, immortals, and demons in the same world. Without comparison, there was no pain—relaxed, carefree, and unrestrained.

Xuanyue, like me, loved this Su Lian that glowed like a night pearl, constantly flying around it. One afternoon, Goddess Qingwu passed by and was also attracted by this Su Lian. She had someone contact Yinze, planning to take it.

Hearing this news, I immediately rushed to the courtyard, only to see both Yinze and Qingwu there.

Yinze seemed to have just arrived. Seeing me come, he said: “This lotus isn’t mine—it’s Luowei’s. If you want it, just buy it from her.”

Before Qingwu could answer, I said: “Sorry, Goddess. I just obtained this flower and am treasuring it—I haven’t planned to transfer it.”

Qingwu waved her hand and smiled: “Miss Luowei, don’t misunderstand. I only found the Divine Lord because I thought the flower was beautiful—I didn’t say I wanted it now. If Miss Luowei doesn’t mind, in four or five hundred years, I could help you care for it.”

I was stunned. Four or five hundred years—she said it so casually…

Logically, she was being kind, but why did my heart feel so empty…

I forced a smile: “Good, thank you, Goddess. I have many things around me with lifespans much longer than mine—like my flowers, this little tiger—they can all live over a thousand years. If I die, I worry about who will care for them…”

Hearing this, Qingwu’s eyes lit up: “You’d worry about this little tiger too? No problem—you can entrust them all to me in the future. I love small animals, and the divine realm’s Changrong Heaven has the Six Realms’ strongest beast cultivation grounds. I could take it there, then—it might even become a legendary beast.”

Xuanyue looked at her, then at me, suddenly burrowing into my arms with a whimpering cry, as if weeping. I held it tight and nodded: “That would be wonderful. Thank you, Goddess.”

Yinze said, “Discuss these matters in two hundred years. It’s not that long anyway.”

Repeatedly emphasizing my lifespan like this—was it interesting?! I was furious and didn’t want to look at him at all, turning and leaving. If not for that conversation, I would have almost forgotten that Xuanyue was a Qiongqi with a thousand-year lifespan—it too would outlive me.

How laughable. In the immortal realm, probably even mayflies in ponds could live a hundred years. When would Master ever stop being angry with me? Probably since his lifespan was long, even his emotional fluctuations lasted longer.

If he got angry once and ignored me, most of my life would be gone. If he got angry again, I’d be ready for my coffin.

That midnight, as snow fell heavier and heavier, I wrapped myself in a coat and knocked on Fu Chenzhi’s door. He opened it, looking at me with some surprise: “What’s wrong? Can’t sleep?”

I said: “Brother… is there some reason you’re good to me?”

“Because I like you.” He answered so quickly, as if he’d never thought about it.

“If I were a demon, would you still like me?”

“Yes.”

“What if I were a devil?”

He placed his hands on my shoulders: “Weiwei, no matter what you are—even if you were flowers, birds, fish, insects, wild grass, or withered trees—I would like you. So stop asking these silly questions and obediently go back to sleep.”

I was moved beyond words. After he escorted me back to my room, I finally made my final decision.

The next day, I left a letter and departed alone by roc, returning to the East Sea’s nameless island. Within half an hour, I found the snow snake again and asked him about demon transformation methods. Then he took me to the seaside to meet their elder.

The elder brought a group of snake shamans, made me drink some strange things, and performed magic dances before me all night, then had me return to the water. As soon as I reached the beach, my whole body felt burning pain. The detailed changes in my body were both unbearable and terrifyingly disturbing.

I touched my face and said to the snow snake: “Am I beginning to transform into a demon? Why? Why do I feel even my face is changing?”

Snow Snake said, “You’re too nervous. Relax. Cultivating into a demon is a wonderful thing. Just sit here quietly and wait to become a water demon.”

“Water demon?!”

“Yes, you’re a water spirit. If you become a demon, what else would you be but a water demon?”

At this moment, unbearable memories suddenly flooded my mind. Huangdao Immortal Lord and Ruyue Weng had come to Suozhao precisely under the pretext of eliminating water demons. And I had made this decision, turning myself into what I least wanted to become.

But if asked whether I felt regret, the answer was no.

I didn’t want to deeply examine why I so wanted to live longer.

Nor did I want to investigate why this terrible desire would make me pay any price, even hurt myself.

I only knew I didn’t want to be so weak anymore. I didn’t want others to wait for me to die like waiting to drink tea, then take away everything belonging to me.

Pain spread to my hands. Looking down, I found my skin had turned light azure, the same color as my hair, with small scale-like patches on the backs of my hands.

This situation was very wrong. I ran to the water’s edge to look at my reflection and was startled by my appearance: my entire face’s skin had become light azure scales, my eyes were golden yellow and slightly bulging. If one didn’t look carefully, my previous appearance was completely unrecognizable.

I said incredulously: “What’s happening? Why have I become like this?” Even my voice had changed, becoming coarse and unpleasant, like a drowning duck.

Snow Snake said: “Miss Luowei, I know you love beauty, but you must think—you’re only fifty-some years old. A demon with fifty-some years of cultivation can hardly transform into human form. You can barely maintain a human shape because your spiritual power is high. Next, you’ll need your efforts. If you cultivate diligently, within two hundred years, you’ll become as beautiful as before. Don’t worry—even though you’re so ugly now, I still like you very much and want to lay eggs with you.”

He settled me by the seaside, comforting me until nightfall, then returned to the nameless island to rest. He would come for me in seven days because that would be when my demon transformation was complete. During this time, I had to remain quiet and stay in the water. The demon’s body was very different from the spirit’s body.

My magic had weakened considerably. I could control water, but could no longer ascend to heaven. However, my physical strength became extraordinarily robust. No matter how much I ran, jumped, or swam, I felt almost no fatigue. Regarding water affinity, rather than saying it improved, it was more like I’d become a fish. Breathing underwater was completely fine, and I could absorb water into my body and spray it from my mouth for attacks.

This completely new and unfamiliar self made me feel very fresh, though with considerable regret—for example, I no longer wanted to see my reflection.

The ocean floor at night was darker and colder than anywhere else. The feeling of merging with water didn’t give me more security. On the contrary, only boundless loneliness remained.

When the cold moon faced the sea, shadows stretching ten thousand zhang, the firmament often seemed particularly lofty and ethereal. Where those clouds drifted to the far east, seven constellations connected in a stretch. I counted here and found the middle one—the Room constellation.

That was where Tianshi City was located. The azure heavens there, misty painted towers, Fahua Cherry Plain, Floating Buddha Star Sea—all would take over a hundred years to see again. To say I didn’t feel sad would be a lie.

But I didn’t feel regret…

On the fifth day after the demon transformation, immortals came to the seaside. They used magic to pull several unformed water demons from the water, used thunder orbs to blast them to smithereens, then brushed off their sleeves and departed gracefully.

I stood behind rocks, breathing rapidly while supporting myself against the stone, so frightened that my legs went weak.

I thought I’d escaped disaster, but someone shouted: “Senior Brother, look quickly—there’s another water demon there!”

I turned to look and found several Cangying Sect disciples flying in the air, one pointing at me: “Monster! Still trying to hide? Come out and die!”

A ball of lightning rushed toward my face. I leaped up, sprayed water that froze, stabbing that disciple’s hand seven or eight inches deep, then jumped into the sea.

When my body was immersed in the icy sea, I heard someone above say: “Senior Brother, this demon has strong magic and is in the sea that favors her. I’m afraid we’re no match. We should return to Tianshi City first and report to Master.”

“Good!” After speaking, this group of disciples returned to the immortal realm.

The master they mentioned should be several Master Uncles. I thought water demons were numerous and posed no threat, so they shouldn’t go to great lengths to personally descend and eliminate harm. So I anxiously waited for the final demon transformation.

But I was completely wrong.

On the sixth night, just as the last dawn was about to pass and everything would be set, at the moment that should have been most foolproof, I saw the most impossible person appear.

“Divine Lord, that water demon appeared around here.”

“Fine. You go back first.” Yinze said indifferently.

Just looking at his silhouette under the moon made my nose sting, and tears wanted to fall. But I couldn’t see him, or everything would be wasted. I hid behind rocks, quietly waiting for him to leave. Strangely, though I’d become a demon, logically, I shouldn’t be as weak as before.

But why did I feel the distance between us was even farther than before…

I shouldn’t think this way. The master had no prejudice against demons. As long as I could live, anything was possible.

I secretly poked my head out from behind the rocks, wanting one last look at Yinze, but his trace was already gone.

He had already left…

This parting would probably mean we couldn’t meet again for over a hundred years.

Away from water, under moonlight, my unformed body began to ache. I turned around, back against the rocks, looking toward the high, distant night sky, toward those eastern Azure Dragon Heaven constellations. Even my chest hurt so much I could barely breathe. I took a deep breath and forced back my tears.

Just as I was about to return to the sea, I heard a voice behind me: “I couldn’t find you for so many days because I never imagined you would choose demon transformation.”

I whirled around and found Yinze standing on my other side. I froze for a moment, covered my face, and jumped into the sea, but was violently grabbed by a divine force. Then this power yanked me hard and threw me on the shore. I rolled on the ground in pain, not only failing to reduce the pain but being bound even tighter.

Then Yinze slowly descended from the air, stopping before me, his black hair also floating down on his long robes: “Look at my disciple—so understanding, doing things one more admirable than the last. Luowei, I’ll give you one chance to explain. If reasonable, I can consider breaking one less of your legs.”

His tone was still as stern as always, these words not gentle at all, yet like a demon-revealing mirror, they exposed my sorry state of recent days.

I cried: “Master, please, spare me, let me go! I don’t want to be your disciple anymore!”

But he was very angry, bent down, grabbed my collar, and dragged me up from the ground: “Look at you—not only ugly now, but your voice is extremely unpleasant too.”

“If you despise me, then let me go!” I struggled trying to escape.

However, being away from water too long, not only did I feel terrible all over, but my voice became increasingly hoarse.

Yinze pressed down on my shoulders: “I’ll change you back now. Don’t move.”

“No! I want to become a demon!” I desperately pushed him, but my hands were caught by his.

Yinze said angrily, “If I must take a demon as a disciple, I’d rather kill her.”

“Then, Master, kill me! I don’t want to live so weakly! I’d rather die than live like this!”

Hearing this, Yinze looked at me, actually speechless.

Finally unable to endure anymore, I bit my lip as large tears fell: “Master knows what you’re thinking—disciple knows it all. You don’t need to deny it. Disciple isn’t wrong. Disciples’ birth isn’t good; they can’t become immortal, can’t become a god. Is it wrong for a disciple to want to live a bit longer…”

There were many, many more grievances that couldn’t be vented. The indescribable depression in my heart about separating from Master also couldn’t be explained in words. Finally, I covered my face, left only with uncontrollable sobbing.

Yinze said softly: “Neglecting you during this time was this master’s fault.”

I sobbed: “You just despise disciple…”

“No.”

“You just think disciple is neither understanding nor obedient, and short-lived, so you don’t want to waste time on disciple.”

“No.”

“You just look down on disciples, think disciples aren’t worthy to stand beside you.”

“No!”

Suddenly, Yinze forcefully pulled me into his embrace: “Wei’er, stop crying.” He paused, then tightened his hold: “Really, stop crying.”