Whitewashed walls and green-tiled roofs. Trees spread shade across the village.
Morning.
The dew still clung to the earth as villagers stepped out into the rising sun. Young men carried hoes over their shoulders, ready for the fields. Elderly folk walked with fishing rods to the creek. Children gathered in groups to study their lessons.
In the neighboring village, Jiang Shengxiang led the disciples of Biliu Sect to raise a towering stone stele. Three characters glowed upon its face: Bishui Village.
Meanwhile, atop Gu Ling Mountain, three figures had also risen with the dawn.
Yao Ranyan laid a scroll on the ancient banyan-wood table, her tone calm yet sharp. "When do you plan to repay the spirit stones you owe me?"
Tang Xiangyin hesitated as she picked up the list. The numbers made her chest tighten until she nearly fainted.
"And the rumor that I'm about to ascend," Yao Ranyan's gaze swept over them both, "which of you spread it?"
Tang Xiangyin and Xiao Rong shut their mouths tight. Neither dared make a sound.
Yao Ranyan's eyes narrowed knowingly. She picked up her brush, and with elegant strokes added a note to the list. "Spreading baseless rumors about me… each of you will pay one hundred spirit stones as punishment."
Xiao Rong quickly tattled. "Xiao Jiang was in on it too!"
Brothers were meant to be sold out when necessary!
Yao Ranyan set down her brush, opened a fresh slip of paper, and wrote. "Jiang Shengxiang, one hundred spirit stones. Due within one month. For every day late, interest of one percent accrues."
She handed both slips to the two before her. "Deliver this to Jiang Shengxiang."
They obediently accepted the punishment notes. Tang Xiangyin's face twisted with worry as she stared at the mountain of debt hanging over her.
…
The stele of Bishui Village now stood three zhang tall.
Young villagers, working the slopes and fields, set down their tools and gathered at once.
Jiang Shengxiang, accompanied by Zhou family father and daughter along with Biliu Sect disciples, began their return to Longyin Village.
Along the way, more and more villagers fell in with their group. The elderly stopped fanning themselves, children halted their games, and one by one, they joined the procession.
By the time they reached Longyin Village, the villagers of both Longyin and the new Bishui Village had gathered.
Jiang Shengxiang faced them all. "I thank you for your trust. Today, I accept the role of Longyin Village Chief and the temporary position of Bishui Village Chief."
He turned eastward, bowing toward the high mountain peaks. His voice rang loud. "None of this would be possible without Fairy Ranyan of Gu Ling Mountain. She saved us and revived villages that should have long since perished…
But as for Biliu Sect," his voice turned flat, carrying a trace of disdain, "their sect should have already been destroyed."
He now understood the truth: Zhou Shengqian had moved the sect here because Biliu Sect had stirred up trouble outside. Unable to resolve their mess, they dragged their enemies right to Longyin Village. Several villagers had nearly lost their lives because of them.
If not for the supplies the sect had donated—materials sorely needed for the village's growth—he would have begged Fairy Ranyan to expel Biliu Sect on the spot.
Zhou Shengqian knew his actions were shameful. Yet in these days he had also tasted the warmth of the villagers' hospitality. His heart was torn between guilt and secret joy. For Fairy Ranyan truly possessed the power of a Yuányīng Zhēnjūn. With her presence, Biliu Sect had nothing to fear for generations.
Looking at the radiance enveloping the village, Zhou Shengqian's face flushed red with excitement. This protective formation was the dream he had pursued for a hundred years.
Zhou Lili gazed at Gu Ling Mountain, recalling her first meeting with Yao Ranyan. She touched the wounds on her body, now slowly healing, and lowered her eyes in shame. If not for Yao Ranyan, she, her father, and Biliu Sect itself would have already been wiped away.
…
"Up ahead is Longyin Village?"
On a slender, translucent flying needle, Pu Yehai stood with cold, unshakable bearing.
From his wide sleeve, he raised a pale left arm. With a flick of two fingers, the air rippled faintly. A sharp needle struck the invisible barrier, halted mid-air, then spun back.
Pu Yehai caught it calmly in his palm. His gaze pierced the barrier. "Prepared in advance? So, she anticipated my arrival."
He let his left arm fall and raised his right hand. A golden bell floated above his palm, its surface gleaming ominously.
"The Taiyi Divided Eye Bell. A seventh-rank treasure. Breaking this formation… only a matter of time."
…
At Longyin Village, Jiang Shengxiang lit an incense stick and knelt toward Gu Ling Mountain."From this day forth, Longyin Village will no longer worship ancient temples. We worship only Gu Ling Mountain."
The villagers followed, holding incense and kneeling in unison. "We will not worship gods or Buddhas. We worship only Fairy Ranyan."
Only the Biliu Sect disciples remained standing, waiting for Zhou Shengqian's decision.
Through his divine sense, Zhou Shengqian saw even three-year-old children kneeling quietly, eyes filled with pure devotion toward the black mountain.
At last, Zhou Shengqian cast aside his robe and knelt hard. "Biliu Sect disciples are grateful for Fairy's grace. From now on, we worship not our ancestor, but only Fairy Ranyan!"
The Biliu Sect disciples eagerly followed suit. "Not the ancestor, only Fairy Ranyan!"
"What? You're abandoning your ancestor?" Some villagers were stunned.
Grandma Zhang scolded them. "No matter how good Fairy Ranyan is, you cannot abandon filial piety!"
Zhou Shengqian laughed loudly. "Grandmother, do not be angry. Our so-called ancestor deserted us long ago, fleeing with the sect's treasure vault. We Biliu Sect disciples ceased worshiping him from that day forward!
Now that Fairy Ranyan has descended, protecting our sect and giving us new life, she is the one we honor as our true ancestor."
Jiang Shengxiang cast him a sidelong look. "Do not be too quick to cling to her name. This is simply your private devotion."
Zhou Shengqian's forehead paused mid-bow. He thought bitterly, "This man sees straight through me…"
…
On Gu Ling Mountain, after Tang Xiangyin and Xiao Rong left, Yao Ranyan sat alone upon a swing woven from Xiao Rong's vines, decorated with fresh flowers gathered by Tang Xiangyin.
The light fragrance of blossoms drifted in the air. Yao Ranyan gazed at the lush mountains when tiny motes of light began drifting in from the distance.
Curious, she rose. The lights gathered into soft threads that fell into her palm, sinking into her limbs and bones.
More lights streamed in, swirling around her feet, lifting her gently into the air. The flowers' fragrance lingered as Yao Ranyan felt the kindness within the motes. She knew at once this was no dream.
…
When Xiao Rong and Tang Xiangyin strolled leisurely into Longyin Village, they found the villagers prostrated, all worshiping toward the east.
Had Yao Ranyan stood there, she would have seen the soft lights rising from each bow, gathering in streams that chased after her, flowing across the sky.
…
Outside Longyin Village, a tiny crimson bird crashed into the barrier.
Pu Yehai extended his pale hand. The little bird, no larger than his fingertip, landed on his palm. Its beak clutched a folded white slip of paper.