Jin Zhan nearly couldn’t conceal his surprised expression. Fearing Chilin would detect the flaw, he quickly put on a stern face and pretended to calmly watch with everyone else as “Xiang Su” ran toward Dong Tianyun with quick steps.
In terms of appearance, this “Xiang Su” could be said to be transformed to perfect likeness. Even though Jin Zhan knew it was fake and deliberately looked for flaws, he couldn’t detect the slightest abnormality. The voice when speaking, the posture when walking, even Xiang Su’s slightly playful innocent expression—all were imitated to perfection.
The only difference was that this “Xiang Su” wore a lilac purple dress. Jin Zhan had to admit the impersonator knew how to dress well. The style and color of this outfit fully displayed the advantages of Xiang Su’s figure and appearance—ethereal and charming yet not lacking in pure beauty. With every glance and turn of her eyes, she had a bit more indescribable allure than the real one.
“Xiang Su.” When Dong Tianyun called her name, everyone around who knew him heard a trace of trembling. Xiang Su’s importance to him was self-evident.
Chilin’s face, already lacking blood, instantly flushed with a shallow layer of pallor. She pressed her lips tightly together, coldly watching as “Xiang Su” ran quickly to stand before Dong Tianyun.
“Junshang…” Xiang Su’s steps were light. Her exquisite countenance, originally difficult to describe or paint, adorned with clear tears, made everyone around her fall silent as she ran toward Dong Tianyun, secretly sighing in their hearts. No wonder she could capture Shenghuan Dijun’s heart—she was truly unparalleled in beauty.
Dong Tianyun’s constantly cold face showed gentle contours. His eyes watched deeply as her graceful figure ran near. One hand gripped Guwen while his other hand was already raised, eagerly anticipating this person he’d longed for fifty years to throw herself into his embrace.
Xiang Su paused noticeably before leaning against his chest, her hands encircling his upright waist and back. “Junshang, you’ve finally returned!”
Dong Tianyun’s lips trembled slightly. Beneath the Abyss River, countless times when he felt he’d exhausted all options, what he thought of was nothing but this slender, warm body. He lowered his head almost greedily to look at her face, her eyes, her tears… If he truly disappeared like that, who would protect and cherish this useless yet delicate her? What supported him through these fifty years was this unwillingness and reluctance.
Xiang Su buried her face in his chest. He felt the warmth of her tears and wordlessly tightened the arms embracing her.
“Junshang, if you couldn’t return… Xiang Su would never be free from this guilt in this life! It was me back then, it was me who didn’t listen and ran out of the barrier, which let Bi Lian find us…”
Dong Tianyun shook his head, indicating she shouldn’t continue. He was slightly disappointed—he hadn’t expected Xiang Su’s first words would be an apology. He thought she would be like him, only wanting to pour out the longing from these fifty years.
“Junshang…” Xiang Su released her hands and stepped back half a pace, saying somewhat shyly: “There’s someone… I want you to meet.” She turned back and beckoned to a young man standing far away, almost swallowed by the crowd. “Longzhun, come over.”
The young man was refined and elegant, with delicate features, walking over politely and bowing with cupped hands to both the Celestial Emperor and Dong Tianyun. Qingsui looked at Xiang Su inexplicably, always feeling something wasn’t quite right though she couldn’t say what. Seeing her look at this person called Longzhun with tender affection, Qingsui felt like there was a huge knot in her heart, twisted until her whole body felt wrong.
“Junshang, this is my husband, Yan Clan Young Master Longzhun.” When Xiang Su said this, she even lowered her head and smiled sweetly—the manner of a young woman mentioning her lover was quite pitiful.
A light “crack” sound came from Guwen in Dong Tianyun’s left hand bracing against the ground. He just looked at Xiang Su, not speaking a word for a long time.
Qingsui felt somewhat anxious. She walked to Xiang Su’s side, looking at her with incomprehension. “Husband? Xiang Su… hey… what are you playing at?” Though they hadn’t seen each other in decades, she absolutely wouldn’t believe Xiang Su had found a husband even if beaten to death.
Tuoying’s reaction was even greater than Qingsui’s. He not only stepped back half a pace but his expression changed. Even disregarding the Celestial Emperor’s presence, he said loudly: “Impossible! Xiang Su! That’s not what you told me a few days ago! You said… you said you’d wait for Shenghuan Dijun…”
Chilin’s clenched fists shook violently. She never imagined Tuoying would have feelings for Xiang Su, and they’d even met a few days ago.
“Tuoying!” Yumu glanced at Tuoying, interrupting his words with authority hidden in his smile. Though Tuoying could barely maintain composure, with immortals surrounding them and the Celestial Emperor beside them also showing displeasure, he could only pale and say no more. “Immortal Xiang Su has had numerous pursuers these years. That she didn’t choose you… haha, you can only accept it with grace.” Yumu’s joke was somewhat cold—only he himself laughed.
“Jiyun Dijun.” Xiang Su seemed apologetic, but between her brows and eyes was clearly a cool distance. “A few days ago, your kind intentions… I couldn’t accept. Fearing you’d be hurt, I made some placating remarks. Consider it Xiang Su’s mistake. I apologize here.” With that, she casually curtsied to Tuoying.
Dong Tianyun gripped Guwen tightly, the patterns on the sword sheath pressing deeply into his palm.
Waiting for him… was that also a placating remark?
Qingsui frowned looking at Xiang Su, unable to say anything.
Yuanhou walked out at this time with a grinning expression, though deep in his eyes was full of doubt. “Little Su Bing, you really gave us a huge shock. When did you get together with this Yan Clan Young Master?”
Xiang Su didn’t answer. Instead, Longzhun smiled and picked up the conversation: “A few years ago, when I was traveling, I met Xiang Su. Seeing her alone, I accompanied her. Later…” His fair cheeks reddened as he trailed off.
“Oh? Where did you meet while traveling?” Yuanhou got to the bottom of it.
“Qiuyan Mountain.” Longzhun answered without hesitation, then smiled. “Xiang Su and I have already agreed to settle permanently at that place where we pledged our love. We request that Dijun and all the immortal lords honor us by coming for wedding wine.” The Yan Clan belonged to the Earth Spirit realm, and Qiuyan Mountain was indeed Yan Clan territory. Yuanhou laughed dryly and nodded.
“Xiang Su.” Seeing even Yuanhou had nothing more to say, Qingsui raised her brows. Why hide and conceal—she wasn’t afraid to say this in front of everyone! “Dong Tianyun has returned! How can you… how can you…” Looking at the refined Longzhun, Qingsui’s latter half sentence got stuck again. She couldn’t very well say in front of so many people that the Yan Clan Young Master couldn’t compare to Dong Tianyun at all. Moreover, back then she’d been determined to jump into the Abyss River, then lost and despondent waiting by the river… how had everything changed in the blink of an eye?
Xiang Su smiled slightly, seeming both sentimental and indifferent. “After decades of bitter waiting, I finally understood that nothing compares to a stable, tranquil life with… always having someone by my side.”
Dong Tianyun lifted his sword and walked toward Xiang Su with measured steps. Qingsui truly feared he would stab Xiang Su dead with one sword thrust. Dong Tianyun’s face was expressionless, as if all the previous conversations had nothing to do with him. He didn’t draw his sword, only raised his hand with two fingers pointing at Xiang Su’s brow. In an instant, his face paled as he stepped back half a pace, even more wordless.
Jin Zhan lowered his eyes. It seemed Dong Tianyun had also grown suspicious, so he checked whether “Xiang Su” had his spirit blood. When he emerged from the Narcissus Tomb that day, he discovered Dong Tianyun’s blood pearl had been taken by Chilin. It turned out she gave it to this imposter—this way, even Dong Tianyun believed she was Xiang Su.
“Dong Tianyun…” Yumu walked over, consolingly patting Dong Tianyun’s shoulder. Dong Tianyun paid no attention. “Right now, the most urgent matter is still helping you restore your immortal body.”
The Celestial Emperor also spoke at this time: “Restoring an immortal body requires using the Five Elements divine artifacts to recreate immortal essence. Yuanhou, Chilin, Tuoying—producing your realms’ divine artifacts is naturally no problem. Qing Ze… his wandering period is almost complete. Only the wood spirit…”
Yumu clasped his hands respectfully: “Father Emperor need not worry. We will naturally help Qingsui recover the wood spirit divine artifact. This can both restore Dong Tianyun’s immortal essence and resolve Father Emperor’s years of worry over the wood spirit realm’s lost artifact—killing two birds with one stone.”
The Celestial Emperor nodded approvingly and asked Qingsui: “What do you think?”
Qingsui laughed coldly in her heart. This father and son sang in harmony—and still asked if it was good? Could she say it wasn’t? “Thank you for Celestial Emperor’s concern.” Qingsui smiled perfunctorily.
“Excellent. To celebrate Dong Tianyun’s return from the Abyss River, a banquet will be held in the Celestial Palace the day after tomorrow. It’s been so long since we’ve had such joyous news.” The Celestial Emperor nodded with satisfaction as the immortals echoed agreement. “We shall take our leave first.” The Celestial Emperor nodded to Dong Tianyun. Dong Tianyun remained unmoved as if he hadn’t heard, allowing the Celestial Emperor to depart surrounded by the crowd.
Qingsui, Yuanhou, and others naturally wouldn’t leave. Though other immortals wanted to stay and watch the excitement, Dong Tianyun’s expression was truly frightening. He’d just ignored even the Celestial Emperor—if his demonic nature erupted soon, staying would be too dangerous. Thus they departed completely.
Xiang Su took Longzhun’s hand and smiled at Dong Tianyun: “Junshang, then we’ll also take our leave.”
“Wait.” Dong Tianyun said in a heavy voice.
Xiang Su seemed not to have expected him to call her back, looking at Longzhun somewhat awkwardly.
“Xiang Su.” Dong Tianyun acted as if he hadn’t seen her glance at Longzhun. “I… have returned.” He said with restraint. Words of retention didn’t leave his mouth, but the meaning of retention spread from his dark eyes, projecting directly onto Xiang Su.
Before Xiang Su could react, Qingsui’s heart wrenched and tears flowed. She hastily turned her face to secretly wipe them away. That Dong Tianyun could say such words was already going all in.
Dong Tianyun slowly raised his hand, as if waiting for Xiang Su to walk back so he could immediately grasp her. “Come with me. From now on… we’ll be together.”
Chilin’s expression was miserable, her shoulders shaking continuously. The pearl chains hanging from the phoenix beaks swayed incessantly, making soft collision sounds.
Xiang Su looked at that pale, slender hand for a while, then sighed: “Junshang, Xiang Su… has wronged you!” With that, she pulled Longzhun’s hand and fled in panic on a cloud.
Dong Tianyun’s hand slowly fell after a long time. No one spoke—at such a time, no words could count as consolation.
Dong Tianyun suddenly transformed into a swift wind and departed. No one pursued, and no one called out to stop him.
“How could this happen?” Qingsui still completely couldn’t believe it. “Xiang Su shouldn’t be like this!”
Chilin spoke coldly at this time: “Fifty years have passed. Perhaps she’s long since changed.”
“Impossible!” Qingsui quickly rebutted, but immediately fell silent. The facts were right before their eyes—so unreasonable, so inexplicable.
What should have been a reunion of lovers reunited had become an eternal separation.
“Rather than puzzling over Xiang Su, you’d better put more effort into finding the Shen Nong Ding.” Chilin said coldly, then also summoned Jingyu to depart.
Qingsui curled her lip. “This child is even more annoying than before!”
Jin Zhan snorted in agreement.
Yuanhou sighed. “Actually, Chilin wasn’t wrong. The past… we’re powerless over. We should each do what we can.”
Qingsui smiled proudly. “I found Qing Ze!”
Yuanhou looked at her without speaking.
“I’ll go find him right now.” Qingsui waved her hand, throwing all the previous vexation behind her.
“Qingsui…” Yuanhou pressed his lips together. “He hasn’t completed his tribulation yet. Seeking him at this time…”
“You also heard what the Celestial Emperor said. To help Dong Tianyun recreate his immortal essence, Qing Ze needs to return to his position. We’ll find him and bring him to the Celestial Palace the day after tomorrow, requesting the Celestial Emperor to complete his tribulation then.” Qingsui said somewhat stubbornly.
Yuanhou frowned and shook his head. “The Celestial Clan’s attitude toward Dong Tianyun… you know it too. We’d better not interfere too much. This may not necessarily be good for Qing Ze either.”
Qingsui pondered for a while. “At least I must go see him!”
Yuanhou let out a long sigh. “Very well.”