Everyone began discussing among themselves. Lord Kaixuan’s eyes were blood red, gripping his fists and trembling constantly. General Marquis stepped forward and announced loudly: “Victory and defeat are decided. Little Princess wins. Now, Lord Kaixuan, please hand over the Suozhao seal.”

“Hehe, it’s not over yet.” Lord Kaixuan felt around his chest, suddenly smiled sinisterly, and abruptly drew out a purple-gold sword. “Luowei, since you want to ruin my good fortune, don’t blame me for mutual destruction!”

Starlight fell from the sky, wrapping around the sword’s body and bursting forth with dazzling golden light. The Grand Priest said, “This is the primordial spiritual treasure, Slaying Immortal Sword! Originally, the treasure of Demon Ancestor Luohou—how did it end up in his hands?”

The sword slipped from his hands, forming a towering vortex on the ground. In the blink of an eye, the radiance scattered, and a purple-gold evil dragon flew out from within. Lord Kaixuan pointed at me, completely mad: “It’s her! Devour her! Then devour everyone here! The Demon Lord originally ordered this place to be slaughtered anyway! Eat them all! Don’t leave a single one!”

The dragon gave a long roar, spewing dark blue poisonous mist from its mouth. Like a snake, it twisted its body and dove toward me. Looking at me with crimson eyes transformed into flames, it opened its mouth, revealing teeth, and moved at an astounding speed. I flew backward for a distance, dodging its several attacks, but it pursued relentlessly. In this short time, its scales had already smashed countless palace towers to pieces. All the people cried out in alarm, fleeing in all directions. The magic cast by the Spiritual Arts Marquis was like an itch to it. It only stared at me relentlessly—I simply couldn’t outrun it. Finally, unable to escape in time, I was cornered in the center of a mountainside. Throwing caution to the wind, I used my last ice wall technique for protection. It crashed into the ice wall, actually making the entire mountain range shake twice. After several heavy impacts, even the thick ice wall was shattered. The final time, it opened its long, bloody maw and sprayed dense, poisonous mist directly at my face.

At this moment, my spiritual energy was insufficient. If I continued flying upward, I might fall and be smashed to pieces, but staying here motionless would be sending myself to death. I could barely endure ordinary attacks, but this poisonous mist—I had prepared to rot in the toxic gas when I heard a fierce tiger’s roar echo through the mountain valley!

In an instant, flood water surged upward from below, washing away the poisonous mist and also forcing the poison dragon several meters away.

Then a red shadow flew over from a hundred li away. I saw a ball of fierce flames rushing down, burning red the valleys of Suozhao in the dark night.

Standing before me was a crimson tiger as large as a hill, with wings that covered the sky growing from its back. Its pair of eyes were pure crystals refined from a furnace. It crouched, alert, looking at the poison dragon with murderous intent. After a moment of standoff, they clashed like wind meeting fire, fighting and struggling in the air. Only poisonous gas and ice water splashed everywhere, with the rough panting and low roars of the mighty beast echoing among the mountains. Besides this, there were no other sounds.

Finally, this battle ended with the red tiger biting open the poison dragon’s neck. The poison dragon’s long wail resounded through the night sky as it fell heavily and destructively, transforming back into its original sword form.

Everyone stood in place, shocked, their eyes unable to leave that heaven-reaching red tiger. Then the prime minister and I spoke simultaneously.

He said: “Qiongqi?”

I said, “Xuanyue?”

The red tiger turned its head, gazing at us calmly, approaching step by step. Everyone was so frightened they retreated repeatedly, but it grew smaller as it walked, finally becoming a small white tiger in front of me, lying at my feet.

I picked it up and hugged it tightly: “Xuanyue, how did you become so powerful? You can even kill poison dragons! Truly, my well-raised good child!”

Xuanyue lazily squinted her eyes, acting spoiled in my arms, licking my face with saliva. Suddenly remembering that Lord Azure Dragon had previously touched Xuanyue’s head, I realized he had unlocked her seal while preserving her ability to transform freely. Lord Azure Dragon was truly thoughtful.

“Where’s Lord Kaixuan?” Hanmo looked around. “How come Lord Kaixuan has disappeared?!”

It turned out that everyone had been attracted by the earlier battle, and no one noticed where Lord Kaixuan had gone. When we truly began searching the entire city for him, we discovered from various traces that he had long since fled far away. I told all the ministers what I had seen in Lord Kaixuan’s palace and the otherworld, and drew the appearance of that brocade banner on paper.

After some speculation, the ministers determined that this banner was also a primordial spiritual treasure called the Primordial Chaos Banner. By casting magic on it, one could access an independent space.

Judging from the scenes within the banner, it was either the demon realm, the devil realm, or possibly the ghost realm. Combined with Lord Kaixuan’s previous mention of the Demon Lord, it should be a space from the demon realm. Lord Kaixuan’s connection to the demon race reminded me of brother’s eyes on that night he went mad… No, Master had already said that was evil possession and should have no relation to this.

Actually, during the ten years of Lord Kaixuan’s tyranny, the people had long been full of complaints. So knowing he had left and that political power had returned to us sisters seemed to have become what everyone hoped for. However, through this battle, Second Sister was also forced to see Lord Kaixuan’s true face. Originally, my return could have somewhat alleviated her condition, but her husband’s abandonment and day-and-night waiting caused her to be plagued by illness once again.

With this illness, another eight years passed.

In the early summer of the eighth year, plums had yellowed, the city was full of floating catkins, rain fell on wild roses—already quite rare scenery. Because a great drought had erupted between heaven and earth, unprecedented in history, affecting all six realms. Suozhao couldn’t escape either, though it was slightly better than elsewhere.

During these eight years, I assisted Second Sister in governing the country and bringing peace to the world, finally allowing the Suozhao people’s lives to emerge from their impoverished past. At the same time, I brought back to Suozhao everything I had seen and heard in the immortal realm over ten years, along with immortal texts and literature, allowing the Suozhao people to begin learning water-based immortal arts beyond water manipulation.

This year, I happened to turn sixty and would complete my coming-of-age ceremony.

On my birthday, Second Sister dressed and adorned me before the mirror. She wore light gauze, her shoulder blades thin, occasionally coughing lightly. However, her mood was exceptionally good. After pinning my ceremonial hairpin properly, she lowered her head and smiled at me slightly in the mirror: “Look, my little sister has finally become a grown woman. This hair color is truly beautiful.”

Looking at myself with shoulder-length hair for the first time in the mirror, I suddenly realized my hair had become moon-white like the sky, even lighter than Second Sister’s hair color, not at all like a girl just coming of age. In Suozhao, this hair color usually belonged only to highly respected elders. But during the ten years of cultivation with the Master, my magical power had greatly increased. Combined with diligent practice after returning to Suozhao, I had unconsciously become like this.

This was originally a good thing, but precisely because my hair color was too light and my status lofty, many men were intimidated by me. Even princes would rather pursue Second Sister, who had been married, than me.

Regarding lifelong matters, I originally wasn’t anxious and had never had anyone I fancied, until this day when I saw that person.

Second Sister retied my hair again and ordered the maids to dress and adorn me.

At this moment, melodious qin music drifted from outside the window, its lingering notes like orioles singing, gentle breeze caressing faces, sometimes fierce and overwhelming, sometimes passionate and melancholy, causing all the birds in the city to sing along in harmony. I listened in fascination, murmuring to myself: “Suozhao still has such heavenly immortal music. Who is playing?”

The maid replied: “Answering Little Princess, it’s the new palace musician named Kongshu.”

I nodded without responding. But after listening a while longer, I couldn’t resist pulling aside the curtain, pushing open the casement window, and poking my head out. In the courtyard was a figure in deep blue, ornate robes. He sat before a pavilion playing the qin among roses, his ornate robes spread like rivers and seas, wearing a jade thumb ring on his finger. That concentrated, lowered-head appearance made my heart suddenly tighten.

Second Sister sighed: “I’ve long heard Kongshu is brilliantly talented, but didn’t expect him to be so young.”

I asked: “Is he from Suozhao?”

Second Sister replied: “Yes.”

Why did it happen so quickly? I felt surprised. Previously, no matter what kind of men I encountered, I had never figured out my feelings regarding whether I liked them. But at this moment, I knew clearly and distinctly that my heart had been moved.

During these eight years, brother’s letters were constant with several visits, so despite the great distance, I felt he was right before my eyes. As he progressed step by step from Spiritual Being to True Person, True Person to Spiritual Immortal, he would come to see me each time, showing me his new robes and new immortal seals. I often teased him in letters, saying even wild ghosts in the underworld don’t reincarnate as eagerly as you. Becoming a Spiritual Immortal at such a young age—how will you spend the rest of your days?

He said above Immortal Lords, there were still Immortal Lords, Heavenly Lords, Superior Lords, and Immortal Supremes—there were still days to live. If he could become a god, he would find a way to let Weiwei live for over a thousand years, too. Though I knew this couldn’t be realized, being told this warmed my heart. In comparison, Master hadn’t sent even a single letter. I could only vaguely learn of his situation from my brother’s letters.

Even so, I still remember that conversation from eight years ago as if it were yesterday:

—”Master, you must believe this disciple. This disciple worships you and respects you, but truly has no improper thoughts toward you.”

—”Well said, continue.”

—”This disciple understands propriety well, always hoping to return to my homeland in the future, marry a Suozhao man, and live a peaceful life.”

Looking again at the qin player below, that budding feeling in my chest had never left. After a while, Second Sister went to the altar first to prepare the coming-of-age ceremony. I lifted my skirt, jumped down from the window casement, and landed gracefully.

Kongshu keenly sensed the change ahead, interrupted his qin playing, looked up at me once, and bowed submissively: “Greetings to Little Princess.”

I smiled at him: “The melody is quite good. What’s it called?”

He didn’t dare raise his head, only burying it deeply: “Answering Little Princess, this piece is called ‘Water Moon Debt.'”

“Water moon—is this the water moon of ‘flowers in the mirror, moon in water’?”

“Answering Little Princess, precisely so.”

“Water Moon Debt—good name. I wonder if it refers to a love debt.”

“Answering Little Princess, yes.”

While speaking with me, he always responded question by question, never daring to raise his head. No matter what he said, he always added “Answering Little Princess”—truly quite boring. But seeing him with his head deeply buried, from my perspective, it was unexpectedly pleasing to the eye. I’d temporarily forgive his lack of romantic understanding.

I circled him, asked him several more questions, then laughed lightly: “Young Master Kong is so cautious—is it because you bear a water moon debt and dare not face other young ladies?”

Kongshu’s face flushed as he said softly: “Answering Little Princess, Kongshu dares not be presumptuous.”

I finally believed that between people, there truly could be love at first sight. His personality wasn’t attractive, but he had a face I particularly liked. Every time I saw him with his head lowered, I had the impulse to marry him immediately. Wasn’t this exactly what I had always hoped for most—returning to my homeland, marrying a Suozhao man, living a peaceful life?

Calculating that I wasn’t young anymore, why not bring this young master into the palace and have him play music for me daily?

Thinking this, I felt my idea was truly ingenious. I reached out to lightly hook his pointed chin: “Thinking this way is correct. Young Master Kong should know that this Little Princess is very different from other young ladies. In the future, you’ll gradually discover this.”

“Little… Little Princess…” Kongshu’s face was nearly tomato-colored, his small face almost buried in his collar.

“So shy, tsk tsk. Alright, I won’t frighten you. You may withdraw. At the coming-of-age ceremony later, I want to see you.” After he turned and walked a few steps, I called again: “Tomorrow at the same time, I wonder if Young Master Kong would be interested in tasting wine, appreciating flowers, composing poetry, and playing qin with me here?”

Kongshu paused in his steps—now even the skin on the back of his neck had turned completely red.

I couldn’t help covering my mouth and laughing, lifting my skirt to return to my room. After preparing everything, I went with the priest’s ceremonial procession to the altar.

Previously, my brother had told me in a letter that he had important matters today but would attend my coming-of-age ceremony. Walking up to the altar, I scanned the attendees but didn’t see him. Just as I was inwardly criticizing him for breaking his word, I inadvertently noticed an elegant figure standing beside the Grand Priest.

I instinctively looked back and discovered the person standing there was Fu Chenzhi, wearing a trailing immortal robe. In an instant, with gentle wind and soft dust, flowers blooming like embroidery, grass-colored immortal robes with wide sashes like flying willows—I felt I had truly seen an immortal among immortals. He also wore his hair loose with a tall purple crown, his entire being emanating that ethereal aura unique to high immortals.

He was speaking with others and seemed not to have seen me. Only after being reminded by others did he turn around. At the same time, Second Sister came up and undid my hair. A breeze carrying flower fragrance blew over, my moon-white long hair falling like spring water, my silk dress trembling in the wind. Brother’s wide sash also danced in the wind. Our gazes collided, and we both froze momentarily.

The Grand Priest said: “Little Princess, look—Immortal Lord Tianheng was promoted in immortal rank today yet specially came to complete your ceremony. Our Suozhao’s honor is truly great.”

Brother walked over, took the coming-of-age crown, and placed it on my head, smiling faintly: “With your hair down, you’re completely different from before.”

I said dazedly: “Brother… such a big event and you didn’t even tell me.”

“What event could be bigger than Weiwei’s coming-of-age ceremony?”

I admit I was moved almost to tears, but still stubbornly said: “The Immortal Lord’s robes don’t suit you, you-you’re too young.”

“Then I’ll go change them in a moment.”

“No, no, no, I was joking. You look good in anything. This outfit is quite immortal and heroic.”

After the ceremony, we returned to the palace for the banquet, just in time to see Kongshu playing the qin in the hall. Amid the congratulations, seeing him again with his head lowered playing the qin like a celestial being, I couldn’t help but be entranced.

Second Sister came over and whispered in my ear: “Weiwei, let me secretly tell you a secret… I’ve fallen for someone.”

I said joyfully, “Congratulations, Second Sister, finally emerging from Lord Kaixuan’s shadow. Who is it? Tell me quickly.”

Second Sister’s jade hand quickly pointed at the person playing the qin. I was stunned for a moment and laughed dryly: “It’s this little qin player. Second Sister, such a man is fine to look at, but truly loving him might be beneath Sister’s dignity.”

These words were so sour that even my teeth nearly fell out. At the same time, that sourness I hadn’t felt for years gradually spread in my heart. I remembered years ago at Floating Pagoda Star Sea, first seeing Goddess Qingwu standing shoulder to shoulder with Master under an umbrella—I had felt this way then, too. And that sadness was even worse than now. Every time I saw them together afterward, this feeling would torment me again.

Perhaps because I was young then, innocent of worldly matters, experiencing great joys and sorrows, I even had possessive feelings toward Master.

What a pity. The first time in my life I fell for someone, he happened to be Second Sister’s chosen one, too. Second Sister was the ruler and physically weak—naturally, I couldn’t compete with her. Fortunately, nothing had started between Kongshu and me, so no conclusion was needed.

The next evening, I saw Kongshu standing anxiously among the flowers below and had someone convey a message to Second Sister. Before long, Second Sister came rushing over in stockings and gold hairpins, instantly becoming a forty-year-old maiden before him.

Kongshu was very confused and happened to look up, just catching sight of me.

I saw clearly what he looked like with his head raised: it was a face with delicate features, possessing orchid-in-empty-valley beauty, but also an extremely unfamiliar face.

Once he raised his head, that heart-fluttering feeling completely disappeared. But when he shyly lowered his head again, the strange feeling struck once more.

Finally, I discovered a tragic fact.

What I liked was the head-lowered Kongshu, the Kongshu whose dress resembled someone from the past, the Kongshu with noble and outstanding temperament. This naked, unreserved affection wasn’t because of this beautiful newcomer, but because of that heartless person from the past.

All along, I had deeply hidden this feeling, unwilling to let anyone discover it, including myself. Deep in my heart I knew we had absolutely no possibility. Therefore, even during spring sorrows at dawn or lonely plum-rain nights, I never revealed the slightest melancholy, armoring myself with fortress-like strength.

Perhaps my subconscious thought time would dilute everything, letting me forget with the years. But unexpectedly, after eight years apart, this feeling was thick as wine, only increasing, never decreasing. What use was realizing this now? He was so omnipotent—if he truly cared, he would have come to visit me long ago.

Soon, the good news of Second Sister and Kongshu being together spread throughout Zichao Palace. Presumably it would soon become a folk tale too. I tried to avoid meeting them. Not because their relationship made me jealous, but because I didn’t want to discover that person’s shadow in Kongshu anymore.

After the coming-of-age ceremony, my brother gave me very precious congratulatory gifts—classics and historical collections from the immortal realm. I had people move these things to my sleeping quarters, fondly examining them one by one. Immortal Lords were indeed different—many document titles I had never heard of.

Later, one day, having nothing to do, I casually browsed a “Record of High Gods.” This book was very interesting, recording brief biographies of upper-ranking figures in the god realm, including deceased high gods. The first page was “Heavenly Emperor · Haotian.” After flipping several pages, “Water God · Gonggong” appeared. Many more pages later was “Water God · Yinze.” Yinze’s record read as follows:

Divine Lord Yinze, supreme water god. Born in the Water Domain Heaven of the god realm, governing cosmic waters, possessing the azure dragon form. Initially, a divine lord, after Gonggong angrily struck Mount Buzhou, took his Cangying divine position in his place. During the ancient war between gods and demons, he had great merit in the world, earning the Heavenly Emperor’s appreciation. By the Yellow Emperor’s time, nearly five thousand years old. Nature cold yet fiery-tempered, fond of wine, close to demons…

I couldn’t read the rest. I only noticed that phrase “possessing azure dragon form.”

Gazing at this page of text, my eyes couldn’t leave for a long time, and my fingers couldn’t move for a long time. It turned out that deep feelings for someone weren’t about thinking day and night, but not daring to think. During the ten years by Master’s side, I suppressed and concealed, constantly deceiving myself and others. How did I know Master also had the same concentrated sorrow? Or rather, he thought further than I did.

Because he had asked me that final question.

—If he wanted to marry you as his wife, would you agree?

I remembered that before leaving Tianshi City, I felt deeply sinful just looking at Master a few more times, wanting to burn incense, worship Buddha, kowtow in confession. When Lord Azure Dragon brought up that matter, I cried for a full hour. It included remorse for offending Master, as well as disappointment I hadn’t even detected myself.

In my heart, Master was an adult, an elder who would mock me disdainfully even if I wore a head full of peach blossoms. Who knew that when he saw me like that, he, too, was unwilling to stop at that point?

Thinking of peach blossoms, I happened to see several peach trees outside the window. Only the peach trees had long since borne fruit, their branches bare and rough, no longer showing flower shadows. Under the scorching sun, wild roses bloomed magnificently. Eight years apart with no contact—while I could still hear news of him from my brother, he had probably forgotten me. Master’s cold and unfeeling nature was something I had long known.

Our peach blossom had probably withered eight years ago.

Thinking this, I felt such delayed sentimentality was truly futile. Since we had already missed each other, why add empty regrets?

The only blame was that we broke off at that point.