Central Continent.
Wuxiang Sect.
"News has come from the Eastern Wilderness. The Suhong Tower Master deceived us all—there is more than one Che Lingzhi!" Han Huijun's face was grim, his brows heavy with authority.
"That cultivator who obtained it… still has more in hand?"
Morning light broke through, warm radiance spilling across the cold jade-white face of Shen Yuefu. Yet no matter how bright the sun, it seemed frozen before him, unable to melt the chill that lingered there.
Even the miraculous Che Lingzhi could not stir the faintest ripple in Shen Yuefu's gaze.
Han Huijun muttered regretfully, "If it were only one or two fragments, it would be manageable. The problem is that cultivator somehow ended up with a whole, complete Che Lingzhi! That witch Qin tried to keep it hidden for herself, but it slipped through her grasp. No one knows how."
"Now it drifts across the Eastern Wilderness. With the news exposed, everyone covets it. Any sign of Che Lingzhi draws swarms of cultivators like moths to a flame. We moved too late—snatching it now will be nearly impossible!"
"I am furious, absolutely furious!" Han Huijun stomped his foot. The palace trembled, dust sifting down from above.
Shen Yuefu calmly opened his spirit parasol, sat upon the throne, unmoved.
The gatekeeping disciples could not resist their curiosity. One quietly lifted his eyelids to sneak a glance inside.
There he saw Shen Yuefu seated in dignified poise, his stone-blue robe draping with noble grace. A porcelain-blue parasol revolved gently above, drawing away every mote of dust. No matter how the palace shook, no matter how the Sect Master raged, he remained composed. He lifted a black-glazed tea cup with quiet elegance, sipping leaf-bird tea, savoring fragrance and spirit alike.
"Sect Master, if fate decrees it, it will come. If fate denies it, forcing it serves no purpose. Why trouble yourself over what was never yours?"
Han Huijun's fury flared. "Easy words! If I don't fight for it, will the Che Lingzhi simply walk into Wuxiang Sect on its own?
You're still drinking tea? Let me see how you drink this!"
Ceasing his stomps, Han Huijun swept his arms in circles. Dust from every direction surged forth, condensing into a miniature whirlwind. With a fierce push, he hurled the tornado toward Shen Yuefu, who was still holding his tea.
Han Huijun smirked crookedly. "Elder Shen, does the spirit-dust tea taste good?"
Shen Yuefu replied, voice as clear as mountain spring, tone utterly calm. "The tea is fine. But the scenery before me leaves something to be desired."
Han Huijun's brows tightened.
The whirlwind dissipated. Three hundred and sixty Lushuangyun Immortal Swords circled the throne, their tips radiating an icy aura. Snowflakes formed midair, crystalline and flawless, sealing the chamber in pure cold.
Shen Yuefu sipped lightly, his judgment as cool as his sword array. "The taste of this tea is a little flat. Neither astringent, nor crisp, nor tender."
Han Huijun: "…"
The gate disciples gaped. "S-so dignified, so cold, so untouchably elegant!"
"If it were any other Elder, Sect Master's little tricks would have left them humiliated. From ancient times until now, only Elder Shen stands undefeated before the Sect Master, dissolving every attack with effortless grace. He truly lives up to his reputation as the most handsome man in Central State!"
Boom, boom, boom!
"Why is my heart racing like this!?"
Too dashing!
The disciple clutched his chest, feeling his heart nearly leap from his ribs.
Shen Yuefu set down his cup. Mist veiled his eyes, cold and indistinct. "By the way, Yao Ranran is returning?"
Han Huijun, still smarting from his lost face, huffed. "Yes. Do you know who called her back?"
Shen Yuefu looked straight at him. "You."
Han Huijun nearly choked. "...Nonsense! I gave the order, yes, but it wasn't my will. Yao Ranran is far too scheming. Letting her remain in the Eastern Wilderness kept trouble at bay. I never wanted her back!"
The mist in Shen Yuefu's eyes thickened. "Then who insisted on it?"
Han Huijun lounged lazily on the seat of honor, crossing one leg over the other. "Heh. Guess."
Shen Yuefu's fingers twitched. The surrounding Lushuangyun Immortal Swords angled sharply, all their biting tips aimed at Han Huijun's face.
"Zongzhu, has the Heaven's Secrets Hall divined that you face bloodshed today?"
Han Huijun waved a hand, grinning. "A fine question, Elder Shen!"
"It was Yu Weifeng, Patriarch of the Yu Clan. He donated vast cultivation resources, absolved Yao Ranran of her crimes, and pressed me to send men to escort her back!"
"So…" Han Huijun leaned back, neck craned. "Might you recall those Lushuangyun Immortal Swords now?"
Shen Yuefu's gaze shifted. The three hundred and sixty blades fused into one, flashing cold light before returning to his waist.
"What is Yu Weifeng scheming?"
Han Huijun spread his hands helplessly. "How should I know? Does he fancy her?"
Shen Yuefu swept him a glance as light as snowfall. "Xing Rui is not dead. Would he dare take another concubine?"
Han Huijun groaned. "Heaven's Secrets Hall assured me I face no bloodshed today. As for the Yu Patriarch's thoughts, I have no idea!"
"Then I will take my leave." Shen Yuefu rose.
Han Huijun exhaled in relief, but then called after him, "Are you… afraid of Yao Ranran?"
Shen Yuefu did not slow. "She is unworthy."
Han Huijun muttered with a sinister chuckle, "Heh, when she returns, I'll arrange her residence right next to yours."
…
The endless journey stretched before her, like stepping back to the days right after she first crossed into this world.
Back then, Xiao Rong was still at her side.
"Fairy Ranran, is Wuxiang Sect really so powerful? Even that Suo Tower Master dared not provoke them?" Tang Xiangyin, still in the form of Che Lingzhi, curled up in her arms, voice soft and timid.
Yao Ranran pinched her cheek and corrected, "Not Suo Tower, but Tower Master Qin from Suohong Tower. And yes, Wuxiang Sect is formidable. With a Divine Transformation Zūnzhě presiding, and Shen Yuefu, the first Nascent Soul cultivator able to battle across realms, their foundation is deep, their power unmatched. They are not like the fledgling forces of the Eastern Wilderness."
Her stomach rumbled. She swallowed back drool.
"So delicious… what should I do…"
Tang Xiangyin shivered, curling smaller. "But once we reach Central Continent, what about Xiao Rong and the others?"
"Before we left, Shopkeeper Sun slipped me a mustard-seed paper. I already sent word that you are safe with me. They should have received it by now. We'll see what Central State holds first. If we cannot return… then Xiao Rong will finally be free. Shouldn't he be happy?"
Yao Ranran gazed at the quiet forest, so much like the grove where Xiao Rong had once been tricked.
"Sigh." Tang Xiangyin let out a long breath. "Freedom may please the trees, but Xiao Rong is lazy and mischievous. Without you to shield him, how many days could he survive in the Eastern Wilderness?"
Yao Ranran: "…" She's… not wrong. I have no rebuttal!
Wu Changde and his companion soon returned with food.
Tang Xiangyin darted back into Yao Ranran's sleeve, giggling. "Good thing I followed Fairy back. If I had stayed with Xiao Rong, I'd probably have been eaten alive! So scary!"
Wu Changde held up a plump white rabbit, smiling as he offered it. "Fairy Ranran, this rabbit is for you."
Yao Ranran blinked in surprise, then accepted it. "Thank you."