The Fuguang Palace was spacious and empty. Even with the people from the Ten Great Sects standing in the hall, it still seemed desolate.
This was Qiu Hua’s first time stepping into Fuguang Palace. Looking around, she saw dense layers of various formations. Stiff and lifeless puppets stared blankly, their eyes devoid of emotion, watching each and every person who entered.
When Immortal Lord Fuguang was brought to Fuguang Mountain, she was traveling abroad. When her master passed away on Fuguang Mountain, she was unconscious, so she had never met this Immortal Lord.
She touched the mask on her cheek uncomfortably, her brows furrowing slightly. Bringing a newborn baby to this place, letting him grow up in such a place, absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth day after day, year after year, and then transferring it to the Ten Great Immortal Cauldrons…
Qiu Hua turned her head to look at Bu Ting, who was being supported by Nan Feng, and struck him in the chest with her palm. Bu Ting immediately coughed up blood.
“Master!” Nan Feng helped Bu Ting sit on the ground, his eyes red as he looked up at Qiu Hua. “Immortal Venerable Qiu Hua, you…”
“Your master offended the Immortal Lord. Even if the Immortal Lord no longer holds it against him, can you really feel at ease?” Qiu Hua bent down and lowered her voice, speaking slowly and deliberately. “Open your eyes and look at this Fuguang Palace. Can your heart truly be at peace?”
For years, she had been evading it, evading the Ten Great Immortal Cauldrons, and evading Fuguang Mountain as well.
Now she understood that avoidance could not solve any problems. Although there was no place in this world that she was reluctant to leave, it was still something that Mu Qi had die to protect.
Nan Feng lowered his head in pain. He looked at his master, whose expression was pale. He fed him a pill and said nothing more.
Of course, he could see that this palace was a tomb without freedom, a cage that imprisoned Lord Fuguang. Just stepping into this place, he felt suffocated, and Lord Fuguang had lived here for more than five hundred years, more than 180,000 days and nights.
As usual, the people from the other sects pretended not to see the conflict between Qiu Hua and Bu Ting.
Fuguang waved his sleeve, and many cushions appeared in the hall. “Sit down and talk.”
Everyone was too ashamed to lift their heads. They walked silently to the meditation cushions and sat down cross-legged. The hall fell silent, and the cold wind blew into the main hall, countless snowflakes falling on their shoulders.
No one spoke. Fuguang lifted his robe and sat down on the cushion in the upper seat. He raised his hand, and the layers of gauze curtains in the hall were all rolled up, revealing the entire hall at a glance.
He looked back at the direction of the bed. The bed curtains moved slightly, and the eyebrows and eyes hidden under the silver mask softened instantly.
No one knew that the radiant and upright Immortal Lord Fuguang had a young girl hidden in his bed.
Jiu Hui poked her head out from under the bed curtains, chose a comfortable position, and watched quietly.
“Bu Ting violated the master’s orders and disturbed the Immortal Lord’s cultivation. We failed to stop him in time. Please punish us, Immortal Lord.” Qiu Hua stood up from the meditation cushion and bowed deeply to Fuguang. “As the number one sect in the cultivation world, the Qinglan School failed to prevent this from happening. I feel ashamed.”
Bu Ting, who was clutching his chest and coughing up blood, opened his eyes and glared at Qiu Hua’s back.
The other sects were terrified when they heard this. In recent years, Qiu Hua had rarely participated in the affairs of the Ten Great Sects. Aside from the time when she had been at odds with Bu Ting and refused to budge an inch, she had always been very peaceful in her actions. But today, in front of Lord Fuguang, she had declared that the Qinglan School was the number one sect in the cultivation world. What did this mean?
The Palace Master of Changshou Palace looked up at Qiu Hua in surprise. She and Qiu Hua were very close, and she knew better than anyone how much Qiu Hua detested the so-called heavenly mandate and heavenly tribulation.
“The actions of others have nothing to do with Sect Master Qiu.” Fuguang reached out and supported Qiu Hua. “I am an old acquaintance of the other sect masters, but this is my first time meeting Sect Master Qiu.”
“Five hundred years ago, your master once offered a Silent Bell to the Fuguang Palace. The Fuguang Palace has many barriers and countless formations, so the Silent Bell is useless to me.” Fuguang raised his hand, and a huge bell flew out of the side hall. It spun rapidly, transforming into a thumb-sized magic weapon in Fuguang’s palm: “Sect Master Qiu is the number one cultivator in the world, so I will return this magic weapon to its original owner.”
The Silent Bell was actually in the Fuguang Palace?!
The Silent Bell was also known as the Little Eastern Emperor Bell. Only the strongest could control it, so it was also a symbol of power and status.
The Immortal Lord bestowed the Silent Bell upon Qiu Hua, did it mean that he recognized Qiu Hua and the Qinglan School’s status?
In recent years, the Jiutian Sect had been the leader among the ten major sects. They never expected such a change to occur.
“Thank you, Immortal Lord.” Qiu Hua extended her hands and solemnly accepted the Silent Bell.
She turned to look at Bu Ting, whose face was pale, and smiled faintly at him.
“If it weren’t for the Moon Essence wine bestowed by the Immortal Lord, I fear I would not have been able to successfully break through my realm.” Qiu Hua lifted her robe and bowed deeply to Fuguang. “Thank you, Immortal Lord, for your great kindness.”
“You were able to overcome your inner demons because of your own enlightenment. It had nothing to do with me.” Fuguang raised his hand. “Let’s not speak of this again.”
Qiu Hua bowed again and said, “Yes.”
Moon Essence immortal wine?carpreads.pages.dev
Nan Feng looked at Immortal Venerable Qiu Hua in surprise. He hadn’t expected Immortal Venerable Qiu Hua to be someone who would also flatter the Immortal Lord.
The jug of wine that the Immortal Lord bestowed upon her was nothing more than tasteless snow water wine, right? How could her advancement have anything to do with the Immortal Lord?
Before Nan Feng could figure it out, the other sect masters had already prostrated themselves on the ground and kowtowed to Fuguang: “We beg for the Immortal Lord’s forgiveness.”
The last time Bu Ting went to Fuguang Palace, they didn’t know. This time, when they learned that Bu Ting was going to Fuguang Palace again, they had to rush to Fuguang Palace as quickly as possible to apologize to Fuguang.
Five hundred and six years ago, the decision to imprison Fuguang on the mountain was made jointly by the Ten Great Sects and Zhenxing Tower. Now that Bu Ting had provoked the Immortal Lord’s displeasure, they could no longer stand idly by.
With the Immortal Lord’s current cultivation, if he were to leave Fuguang Mountain without a care, they would not be able to stop him. The only thing that could make the Immortal Lord willingly stay here was the life and death of all living beings in the world.
If there was cause and effect in the world, then their ten great sects had already planted countless evil causes.
If fate had debts, the ten major sects had already owed the Immortal Lord countless debts.
“All of you, rise.” Fuguang raised his hand and used his spiritual energy to help these sect masters stand up. “I have lived alone in this Fuguang Palace my entire life, and I do not care about these mortal customs.”
Lived alone for his entire life?
Everyone was ashamed and had no face to show. It was clear that he had been imprisoned here for his entire life.
“The Immortal Lord may not care, but we cannot be impolite.” Qiu Hua took out a gift box from her storage ring. “Please accept this gift, Immortal Lord.”
“Please accept this gift, Immortal Lord.” The other sects had also prepared gifts of apology, so Bu Ting, who had come unprepared, felt very awkward.
He looked at the gift boxes that these sect masters had carefully prepared, and took out a wooden box from his storage ring: “Bu Ting has offended the Immortal Lord, and is filled with shame. Please punish me, Immortal Lord.”
Fuguang raised his hand, and the expressionless puppets took the gift boxes and walked towards the back hall.
He didn’t even glance at those gift boxes, as if it made no difference to him whether they contained spiritual treasures or mere rocks.
Only Jiu Hui saw that under Fuguang’s sleeve, two fingers secretly stretched out and beckoned in her direction, then quickly retracted into the sleeve.
“I have received your gifts. Is there anything else you need?”
They exchanged glances with each other, and finally fixed their gazes on Qiu Hua.
“Today, we have come only to apologize and would not dare to bother the Immortal Lord with worldly affairs.” Qiu Hua performed a deep bow. “We sincerely ask the Immortal Lord to take care.”
Standing in this luxurious cage, she didn’t know what else she could say except for a word of farewell.
“Bu Ting has asked to step down as the Sect Master of the Jiutian Sect as a form of atonement. I have agreed to his request, so there is no need for you all to be upset about this matter.” Fuguang reached out and caressed his mask, his tone indifferent.
“I do not know your faces, and you do not know mine. We are like ships passing in the night, even if we were to meet, we would not recognize each other. Unless there is a major event, there is no need to come again.”
Upon hearing this, their consciences were flooded with endless guilt, even more so than when Bu Ting volunteered to step down from his position as sect master.
“All of you, step back.” Fuguang stood up and turned his back to the crowd.
“Immortal Lord, please take care. We will take our leave.” Qiuhua led the others in a bow. As they turned to leave the Fuguang Palace, she suddenly stopped and turned her head to look in the direction of the bed.
The bed curtains fluttered gently, but there was nothing there.
“Master.” Nan Feng supported Bu Ting, walking at the end of the group. Suddenly, he heard a loud crash. The auspicious beast golden incense burner closest to his Master fell to the ground, making a piercing sound.
The puppets turned in unison, their gazes falling upon the incense burner that had crashed to the ground.
Everyone also stopped in their tracks, looking at the incense burner rolling on the ground. Their gazes gradually moved upward, seeing the incense ash that had gotten on Bu Ting’s hem.
“Immortal Lord…”
“I punished Sect Master Bu, so it’s normal for him to be dissatisfied with me.” Fuguang looked at the incense burner on the ground and said calmly, “You guys can go back now.”
“Immortal Lord, this matter was not done by this subordinate.” Bu Ting frowned, looking at the incense burner on the ground.
“I understand.” Fuguang flicked his sleeve, sweeping Bu Ting out of the main hall. The main hall’s doors slammed shut in front of the crowd from the ten major sects.
Everyone looked at Bu Ting with mixed emotions. The usually good-natured Sect Master of Wenxing School couldn’t help but speak up, “Sect Master Bu, you really shouldn’t have done this today.”
Bu Ting said coldly, “The incense burner fell down on its own. It has nothing to do with me.”
“All the furnishings in the Fuguang Palace are reinforced with formations, so how could they fall to the ground on their own?” Qiu Hua sneered. “I wonder if Sect Master Bu is dissatisfied with the Immortal Lord or with me? If you’re dissatisfied with me, then after you leave Fuguang Mountain, you can put on your airs as an Immortal Venerable again, and I’ll be sure to keep you company.”
“If you’re dissatisfied with the Immortal Lord…” Qiu Hua removed her mask, making no attempt to hide her disgust for Bu Ting. “What gives you the right to be dissatisfied with the Immortal Lord?”
Everyone fell silent, all feeling that Bu Ting’s actions were truly inappropriate.
Bu Ting clutched his chest, spitting out a mouthful of blood in anger. “I said, this matter has nothing to do with me.”
“If you need to vomit, go back to your Jiutian Sect and do it slowly. Don’t dirty the roads of Fuguang Mountain.” Qiu Hua lowered her eyelids and said coldly, “When we return, we should pass down the Ten Sects Order to inform the entire cultivation world about Sect Master Bu’s recent behavior. That way, people who don’t know the truth won’t think that we forced Sect Master Bu to step down because he was injured.”
“What do you all think?” Qiu Hua’s gaze swept over everyone one by one.
Everyone fell silent.
“Since no one has any objections, that means you all agree.” Qiu Hua put her mask back on. “I’m relieved to see that you all understand the situation so well.”
Everyone: “…”
They thought that after Immortal Venerable Qiu advanced, her state of mind would become much more tolerant, but they didn’t expect her disposition to be even more formidable than before. This was fearing that the cultivation world wouldn’t know about Sect Master Bu’s actions, and she wanted to spread it to everyone’s ears.
Sect Master Bu had a profound cultivation base and a distinguished status. Over the years, he had been highly respected by countless people. Once the Ten Sects Order was spread today, Sect Master Bu would definitely lose face, and even the entire Jiutian Sect would be affected.
This move was even more ruthless than stabbing him in the heart with a sword.
If Bu Ting hadn’t knocked over the incense burner in Fuguang Palace out of personal spite before leaving, some of them might have spoken out against it. But after that incident, even if someone pitied Bu Ting, they wouldn’t have spoken out against it.
Because they truly felt guilty towards Immortal Lord Fuguang.
Everyone took out their sect tokens and left the desolate Fuguang Mountain, braving the howling cold wind.
“Sect Master.” Nan Feng caught up to the Sect Master of Wenxing School and bowed deeply to him. “Sect Master, you once calculated a way to heal my master’s injuries, but his injuries are getting worse. Please have mercy on him.”
The head of the Wenxing School saw Nan Feng chasing after him alone and guessed that he had come to ask without Bu Ting’s knowledge. He sighed and said, “Nephew Nan Feng, I can tell fortunes but not luck. That day, I did calculate a turning point, but the opportunity was fleeting. If you can’t seize it, you can’t force it.”
“Sect Master.” Nan Feng knelt before the Sect Master of Wenxing School. “I beg you to calculate our fortunes once more.”
Watching Nan Feng kneel humbly before him, the Sect Master of Wenxing School bent down to help him up and sighed. “For your sake, I will make an exception.”
“Thank you, Sect Master.” Nan Feng bowed repeatedly, his eyes filled with joy.
“Don’t get too excited just yet,” said the Sect Master of Wenxing School. “Although great fortune is determined by the heavens, every living being under heaven has their own destiny. Sometimes, divination is the starting point of changing one’s destiny. Knowing is not necessarily more fortunate than not knowing.”
He took out his magic weapon, sat down cross-legged, and began to calculate.
The Wenxing School’s divination was to find the most promising path among countless possible destinies.
Just as the moon had its phases of waxing and waning, and people had their fortunes and misfortunes, a single path, whether to the left or to the right, could lead to vastly different destinies and futures.
Countless threads of fate intertwined with Bu Ting’s past and future. The Sect Master of Wenxing School ignored the bright threads of fate that Bu Ting had abandoned. Instead, he reached out and grasped a dim thread that was almost invisible, representing a possible future.
Because only this line represented the green of hope.
He slowly opened his eyes, his expression complicated as he looked at Nan Feng.
“Sect Master.” Nan Feng was shocked when he saw the complicated expression on the Sect Master of Wenxing School. Could the result of the divination be very bad? “My master’s injury…”
“There’s still a faint glimmer of life.” Seeing Nan Feng sigh in relief, the Sect Master of Wenxing School couldn’t bear to continue, “But this glimmer of life is hanging by a thread, looking intermittent, and about to vanish.”
Nan Feng was silent for a long time before saying, “I ask the Sect Master to speak his mind.”
“The turning point will be on the first day of the first lunar month next year,” the Sect Master of Wenxing School said slowly. “On the day of your succession ceremony.”
“As long as you inherit the position of Sect Master of the Jiutian Sect in peace, there is still a chance that Sect Master Bu’s injuries will heal.” The Sect Master of the Wenxing School saw that Nan Feng’s face was pale, and he stood up and sighed before leaving.
He had said it long ago, “Sometimes, ‘knowing’ is simply fate’s punishment for a person.”
[Well done!]
Large characters appeared on the paper, followed by a small figure clapping its hands. The person’s drawing skills were questionable, as the clapping looked more like pounding on the chest.
Fuguang took off his shoes and sat cross-legged on the bed. Then, he used his spiritual power to summon all the gift boxes that the ten major sects had just sent over. He arranged them neatly on the bed.
Jiu Hui rubbed her hands together and opened the gift box that Qiu Hua had sent.
Inside, in addition to several top-grade flying swords that Qiu Hua had refined herself, there were also some ancient books and spirit stones. She even found several recipes for brewing wine inside.
The sect masters of other sects were also very generous, giving spirit stones and magic treasures. In particular, the gift box sent by the Yuzhen Sect was filled with rare jade marrow beads, and each bead was inscribed with the word “extravagant.”
Fuguang patted the jewelry box and stuffed it into Jiu Hui’s hand.
[To Grandpa Long and Auntie Jiao]
Grandpa Long liked gold and silver jewelry, while Aunt Jiao liked to collect beautiful jewelry to make clothes and accessories.
[Good]
Jiu Hui put away her things and looked at Fuguang, who was sitting obediently in front of her. She hesitated for a moment before reaching out and pointing her index finger at Fuguang’s forehead.
Fuguang didn’t know what Jiu Hui was going to do, but he didn’t avoid her. He allowed her spiritual power to enter his body.
The puppet standing in the corner didn’t notice anything unusual and remained standing there blankly.
The spiritual energy that did not belong to him wrapped around his limbs and bones, and finally circled around his spiritual platform twice before drilling into it.
Warm spiritual energy continuously surged into his spiritual platform. He wanted to speak, but a warm hand covered his mouth.
Spiritual energy continued to flow into his body, and he gradually found that the excruciating pain that had been gnawing at his body was easing, as if his entire body was enveloped in warmth.
As the sun gradually set in the west, sunlight streamed through the window lattice, casting streaks of light into the hall. Jiu Hui retracted her hand and grabbed a piece of paper to write a few strokes.
[The pain of having one’s soul separated from their body is unbearable. There is no way to relieve it, except to use spiritual energy to lessen it slightly.]
As she wrote this sentence, Jiu Hui gripped the pen tightly, her heart aching. Fuguang didn’t have to suffer like this.
[Thank you, Little Senior Sister.]
Fuguang fumbled around in the void for a moment before finding Jiu Hui’s sleeve. He smiled at her.
If he could make Jiu Hui reluctant to part with him, what did it matter even if it hurt?
The sky gradually darkened. Fuguang looked out the pitch-black window, knowing that Jiu Hui was about to leave.
He put on his shoes and reached for the bed curtains.
A soft hand was placed in his palm. He reached out with his other hand and lifted the person up, holding them horizontally.
Jiu Hui was stunned for a moment, then reached out to wrap her arms around Fuguang’s neck.
After learning that she was a garlic chive yao, the little junior brother treated her like a flower pot?
Fuguang walked very slowly, but no matter how slowly he walked, the road in front of Fuguang Palace had an end.
He bent down and carefully put Jiu Hui down, smiling obediently: “Little Senior Sister, go back. I’ll wait for you to come home in Shanghuang Village.”
Jiu Hui grabbed his arm and shook it, standing on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear, “I’ll come back to keep you company in a few days.”
“Alright.” Fuguang lowered his eyelids. “I’ll wait for you.”
“Then… I’ll be going.” Jiu Hui let go of Fuguang’s arm.
“Alright.” Fuguang nodded, and the warmth on his arm disappeared, leaving him empty-handed once more.
He watched the swirling snow and wind, trying to see Jiu Hui’s departing traces in the trajectory of the snow and wind.
“Take care of yourself.” Jiu Hui’s voice rang in his ears again as he was taken into her arms.
“I’ll bring you something delicious next time.” Jiu Hui patted Fuguang’s back. “I’m really leaving this time.”
She let go of Fuguang, deliberately revealing a strand of hair outside her mermaid yarn garment, and turned to fly out of the snowstorm formation.
Fuguang watched the strand of hair until it was out of sight, then slowly turned back to Fuguang Palace.
Halfway there, he looked at the wide and flat open space and suddenly thought, would it be nice to have a hot pot here with his Little Senior Sister?
-—–
Since she was in a hurry when she came, Jiu Hui didn’t waste her spiritual power on the way back and chose to take a flying boat instead.
That night, there was no moon, and everything was dark. As she passed through the thick clouds, Jiu Hui saw the brightly lit and extravagantly decorated flying tower of the Yuzhen Sect.
Jin Qingqiu, dressed in luxurious clothes, leaned against the windowsill and watched the beautiful women dance. He seemed to notice another flying boat approaching, and he turned his head to look in the direction where Jiu Hui was.
“Miss Jiu Hui?” Recognizing the visitor as Jiu Hui, the languid smile on Jin Qingqiu’s face became more genuine. “What a coincidence to meet you here.”
“Young Master Jin.” After the two exchanged greetings, Jiu Hui stopped the flying boat: “I wonder where the young master is headed to in the middle of the night?”
“I went to Fuguang Mountain today, and I have to rush back to the sect before dawn tomorrow. My father is in closed-door cultivation, so I’m the only one who can worry about my humble sect.” Jin Qingqiu glanced behind Jiu Hui and said with some surprise, “Fellow Daoist Zhi You didn’t come with you?”
“Zhi You is resting at my place. I’m buying something for my elders, so I didn’t ask him to come with me.” Jiu Hui changed the subject, her face showing some surprise. “Just now, Young Master said, you went to Fuguang Mountain?”
“That’s right.” Jin Qingqiu looked at Jiu Hui’s face. “Has Miss Jiu Hui’s sect not received the Ten Sects Order yet?”
Jiu Hui shook her head. “I haven’t returned to the sect recently, so I don’t know what happened.”
“Immortal Venerable Bu of the Jiutian Sect has committed a grave error and has requested to step down from his position as sect master.” Jin Qingqiu twirled the jade fan in his hand. “As the esteemed disciple of Pavilion Master Yu, you must prepare in advance to attend the grand ceremony for the succession of the new sect master of the Jiutian Sect.”
“Thank you for telling me, Young Master.” Jiu Hui cupped her hands. “I’m in a hurry to go home and reunite with my elders. I’ll take my leave.”
“Take care, young lady.” Jin Qingqiu watched the flying boat leave at high speed and said to the boy beside him, “What a pity.”
“What a pity, Young Master?”
“It’s a pity that Miss Jiu Hui, such a graceful and beautiful person, is not a disciple of our Yuzhen Sect.” Jin Qingqiu sighed softly, “If she were my junior sister…”
“Young Master,” Tongzi interrupted his reverie. “Before the Sect Master went into seclusion, he said that you should not go and bother the young ladies anymore.”
“You don’t understand.” Jin Qingqiu shook his head. “When I met Miss Jiu Hui, I felt that she was very special.”
“I understand.” Tongzi poured him a cup of tea. “But I understand even more that Miss Jiu Hui doesn’t think you’re special.”
“Nonsense, your young master is so handsome, how could she find me ordinary?” Jin Qingqiu knocked Tongzi ’s head.
“But Young Master, the gentleman Zhi You by Miss Jiu Hui’s side is also very handsome.” Tongzi rubbed the spot that had been hit. “There are many handsome men in the world, Young Master. Don’t think too much about it.”
It was useless to think about it.
-—–
When Jiu Hui rushed back to the village entrance, the sky was just beginning to brighten. She took out her token and opened the stone bridge passageway. As soon as she stepped onto the bridge, she saw Zhi You standing on the bridge dressed in white.
“Zhi You?” Jiu Hui put away the token and walked up to Zhi You in a few steps. “What are you doing here?”
“I was waiting for Little Senior Sister to come back.” Zhi You turned around and looked at Jiu Hui, lowering his head and whispering, “I’m sorry, Little Senior Sister, I shouldn’t have lied to you.”
“What did you lie to me about?” Jiu Hui grabbed his sleeve and led him towards the village. “You just didn’t tell me that you were Lord Fuguang, but you didn’t lie to me.”
Zhi You paused in his steps. He had also lied before.
“I’m very worried,” Zhi You followed Jiu Hui step by step. “I’m afraid you won’t pay attention to me, and I’m worried that you’ll think I’m not sincere to you.”
“How could I bear to ignore such a good junior brother?” Jiu Hui rummaged through her purse and took out a handful of gems. “Stretch out your hand.”
Zhi You obediently extended his hand in front of her.
“These gems are for you,” Jiu Hui said with a smile. “I stole them from Fuguang to support you.”
She stole Zhi You’s shoes for Fuguang to wear, and took Fuguang’s gems to make Zhi You happy.
She really was a good Senior Sister who was fair and just, and good at holding the balance.
“Thank you, Little Senior Sister.” Zhi You put away the gems and said in a low voice, “I thought that after you went to Fuguang Mountain, you would feel more sorry for Fuguang.”
Jiu Hui: “…”
With the same mind, the same eyes, the same spirit, and the same soul, they were clearly the same person. What exactly were they competing for?
“Fuguang carried Little Senior Sister to Fuguang Palace, so I’ll carry Little Senior Sister home.” Zhi You tugged on Jiu Hui’s robe and shook it gently. “Okay, Little Senior Sister?”
Author’s Note
Zhi You: What do you mean by “same person”? I don’t understand. I just want to carry my Little Senior Sister home.
Little Garlic Chive: Isn’t it just to coax the young man happy? I can do it.
Fuguang: I knew Bu Ting had a problem with me. If he didn’t, how could he have knocked over my incense burner? But I’m kind and magnanimous, so I won’t hold it against him~