Central Continent.
Yu family.
"Yu Weifeng, do you even know what you are saying?"
The woman had jet-black hair swept into elegant temple locks, fine brows, and a straight nose. A faint dimple appeared by her cheek, a touch of sweetness upon her oval face, yet her thin lips carried words so sharp they twisted that beauty into something harsh.
Yu Weifeng's features were even more striking. His nose was tall and refined, sword-like brows balanced perfectly above narrow phoenix eyes that shimmered like flowing spring water. His skin was pale and flawless, making him appear even more beautiful than the woman before him.
He rose to his feet, tall and upright like bamboo. "Xing Rui, I know exactly what I am saying. Yao Ranran's mother, Yao Yanliu, was my lover. Yao Ranran is my flesh and blood daughter."
For the first time, Yu Weifeng admitted the truth of those years past to his own Dao companion.
Xing Rui's pupils widened in disbelief. "Yu Weifeng, have you lost your mind?"
Of course she knew that Yao Yanliu was the shameless woman he had once kept outside. The first time she saw Yao Ranran, it was like seeing that woman reborn. Worse, the girl's beauty had already outshone her mother's. Jealousy drove her mad. She had longed to tear that face apart.
But who could have guessed that Shen Yuefu, usually cold and aloof from worldly matters, would actually protect Yao Ranran? Several assassination attempts failed, and she could only watch helplessly as the girl flaunted that unrivaled beauty before her eyes.
Luckily, by following the suspicious behavior of another disciple, Pei Xianqiao, Xing Rui uncovered proof that Yao Ranran had deceived Shen Yuefu. She secretly revealed the truth, causing Shen Yuefu to despise her. He crippled Yao Ranran's cultivation and exiled her to the barren Eastern Wilderness.
Yet today, this weak-willed husband suddenly found his backbone. He declared that Yao Ranran was his daughter, and that he intended to bring her back, writing her name into the Yu family genealogy.
How could she possibly accept that?
With graceful ease, Xing Rui stepped forward, her toes barely lifting from the ground as she lashed out toward Yu Weifeng's pale ear.
But Yu Weifeng shifted his stance, his step gliding smoothly. He spun half a circle, his sleeve flicking elegantly as he swung open the door. Standing at the threshold, his figure outlined by the light beyond, he spoke in a calm, steady tone.
"Wife, Yao Ranran is my daughter, and Yao Yanliu was once the woman I cherished. I will bring them both back to the Yu family."
The vast room lay in darkness, its windows tightly shut, save for the stream of light spilling through the open door.
Xing Rui stood cloaked in shadow, her eyes cold and venomous. "Yu Weifeng, if you really have the guts, close that door and say it to me again."
Yu Weifeng's frame stiffened. He took half a step back, then crossed the threshold. His voice remained steady.
"Wife, this is something I must do. While we await Ranran's return, you should take this time to calm yourself."
"Get back here!" Xing Rui reached out, but the door slammed shut with a heavy thud. The sunlight was cut off, leaving only oppressive darkness.
Her gaze bore into the closed door, her eyes like stagnant water.
"Yu Weifeng, what gave you the courage to say such things to my face? You want to bring that wretched girl back? Then let's see if she even has the life to enjoy it."
=
Eastern Wilderness.
At Grandma Zhang's home.
"Fairy didn't let us go. Xiao Tang is staying with her." Xiao Rong stared at the slip of paper again and again, only now realizing he couldn't read the words.
Jiang Shengxiang managed, with some difficulty, to piece together Yao Ranran's meaning.
"Fairy Ranran wants you to take care of the spirit plants. With Miss Tang gone, only Rong-yé can handle this important task."
"Important task?" Xiao Rong tilted his head. "That's true. Anything that costs spirit stones is a big task."
Jiang Shengxiang stroked his beard. "Exactly. Rong-yé must not leave."
Zhou Shengqian analyzed word by word. "From what Fairy Ranran wrote, she has the confidence to return. Otherwise, she wouldn't have entrusted Rong-yé with the spirit plants."
Xiao Rong furrowed his small brows. "But I want to be with Boss."
"Then let me find Master and bring her back! Believe me this once. I can really enter Wuxiang Sect!" Nie Rong jumped onto the wooden table, hoping to draw everyone's eyes.
Xiao Rong tilted his head toward the door and shouted, "Grandma Zhang, someone's standing on the table you eat off of!"
"Who? Which brat is causing trouble?" Grandma Zhang rushed in, thumping her cane on the floor.
Nie Rong scrambled down, hastily wiping the table with his robe. "No one, no one! Grandma Zhang, it was an accident!"
Grandma Zhang tapped the threshold with her cane. "No next time!"
"Yes, yes, yes!" Nie Rong nodded obediently.
After a few more stern warnings, Grandma Zhang left again.
Zhou Lili studied Nie Rong's expression. His sincerity seemed genuine, even pure. Perhaps he was only boastful, but not truly malicious.
"Rong-yé, Father, Village Chief Jiang, among us, Nie Daoyou has the highest cultivation. He is also Fairy Ranran's would-be disciple. If he is going to Central Continent, let me accompany him and keep watch."
The room fell silent.
Nie Rong was stunned. For once, the noisy man had no words.
He had not expected anyone here to actually believe him.
After a moment, Jiang Shengxiang said, "Sect Master Zhou, would you truly let your daughter accompany an unknown man, one who seeks to cling to Fairy Ranran as a master, who lies constantly, and who is but a mere Golden Core cultivator, to Central Continent?"
Nie Rong: "… " "So that's really what they think of me?"
Zhou Shengqian looked at his daughter, then at Nie Rong, and spoke slowly. "Li Li, Father will respect your choice. If you believe in him, then so will I."
Nie Rong held his breath, his throat tightening.
A dignified Nascent Soul elder, reduced to mixing with mortals day after day. He wanted to bow to a master, yet she rejected him. He tried to enter the mountain, only to be told that Lone Star Peak was forbidden. The moment he dared to set foot there, some unknown restrictive spell punished him.
He knew it was a secret ban set by his master. Any ordinary person who touched it would suffer its retribution.
He had never dared approach again. Yao Ranran never came out, leaving him to wander aimlessly through the village. He even bought a house, registered in Longyin Village, and officially became a villager.
All the while, rumors spread of him being nothing more than a braggart.
For the first time in his life, he was forced to live in humiliation, and no one believed him.
"I believe him," Zhou Lili said firmly, her eyes clear.
Nie Rong's heart shook violently.
She was the first person, in all his time in this village, to truly believe in him.
He almost wanted to cry.
"Li Li…" Nie Rong stepped forward, his voice choked with emotion.
But Zhou Lili turned to her father. "Didn't you acquire a forbidden technique the other day? The one where, as long as you keep a drop of someone's blood essence, you can control their life and death? If we take Nie Daoyou's blood and leave it with Rong-yé, then if anything happens to me—"
Nie Rong: "Shut up! Are you even human?"
Xiao Rong shook his head. "I'm a tree."
"You've thought of all this, but have you thought about whether Fairy Ranran even needs you?" Grandma Zhang entered again, carrying a tray of freshly washed fruit.
"Most likely, Fairy doesn't want you running off to make trouble."
Everyone: "…"
It made sense. Too much sense. But none of them wanted to admit it.