Er Yun stopped, startled, and watched as Chong Zhao walked out of the hall. She pouted, "Uncle, my junior brother has just ascended to Immortal Lord. I still need to celebrate with him. What is it you need to say?"
Song Feng’s expression grew stern. "Er Yun, Zhao’er is the hope of Miao Miao Island. I promised your father that I would do all I could to nurture him so that he could bring glory to our sect. Don’t let yourself become distracted by personal emotions and hinder his training."
"Uncle, what nonsense are you saying!" Er Yun's face flushed as she protested. "I have no such feelings for him! I’m simply fulfilling my duty as a fellow disciple to support him, since he's still new to the Immortal Realm."
"Good, then." Song Feng’s face softened slightly. "That outer disciple in the herb garden—she’s someone from Zhao’er’s mortal past. For years, she has been diligent in tending the herb garden and never overstepped her bounds. So, for Zhao’er’s sake, try not to make things difficult for her anymore."
"I haven’t…” Er Yun's face froze, just about to argue, but Song Feng waved his hand dismissively. "Good. If there’s nothing, you may go."
"Yes, Uncle." Er Yun bit her lip, but with Chong Zhao on her mind, she hurried out to catch up.
"Junior Brother! A-Zhao, Junior Brother!" Er Yun chased him to the entrance of the main hall, where many female disciples had already gathered around Chong Zhao, watching him with excitement and admiration.
"What are you all doing, crowding around Junior Brother A-Zhao?" Er Yun frowned.
At her appearance, disciples like Er Li and Er Lan made way, and Er Li stepped forward to curry favor, saying, "Senior Sister, we heard that Senior Brother A-Zhao and you defeated the octopus monster and that Senior Brother has ascended to Immortal Lord. We wanted to gather with the junior disciples tonight to celebrate this great event."
"Yes, Senior Sister! Both of you must have worked hard, and this is a grand occasion now that Senior Brother has ascended. We should celebrate!" The disciples cheered eagerly.
Er Yun smiled as her fellow disciples linked her with Chong Zhao in their words. "You’re all so thoughtful. Very well, then, A-Zhao, why not have…”
"Senior Sister," Chong Zhao spoke gently, though with a touch of reluctance, "Master Uncle just instructed me to focus on my cultivation in preparation for the ‘Wu Tong Martial Feast.’ There’s no need for a celebration tonight.”
“But the junior disciples…” Er Yun hesitated, glancing at the eager faces of the disciples before looking at Chong Zhao’s knitted brows, knowing he preferred solitude. She cleared her throat. “The sect leader has made it clear—Junior Brother needs to prepare for the ‘Wu Tong Martial Feast,’ and no one is to disturb his peace. Once he wins the championship, we can celebrate then!”
Chong Zhao paused. He wasn’t one to seek attention, so he simply gave Er Yun a word of thanks before turning to leave.
Chong Zhao was always calm and reserved, so everyone was used to it. Instead, the group surrounded Er Yun, curiously asking, “What is the ‘Wu Tong Martial Feast’?”
Er Yun was immediately crowded by the group, forced to watch as Chong Zhao left alone.
After exiting the main hall, Chong Zhao transformed into a streak of blue light and flew south across the island. When he arrived outside the herb garden, he spotted Bai Shuo, humming as she carried a bucket, watering the plants.
Bai Shuo wore her herbal apprentice attire, her hair in a small, slightly messy bun, a light sheen of sweat on her forehead. She pushed back the stray hair from her face as she watered the herbs, smiling happily.
“I take care of you all every day, so you better grow well for me. It’d be best if you could sprout a few first-grade celestial herbs. Got it?” Bai Shuo squatted in front of the herbs, her bamboo flute swaying from her chest as she fiddled with the plants, muttering under her breath.
Chong Zhao’s gaze softened at the sight of the flute. He was about to step into the garden but remembered his purpose and stepped back.
It could wait. He had waited this long; there was no need to rush. After tonight, once he completed what he needed to do, he would have no more reservations and could stay openly by her side, never leaving her again.
“A-Shuo, wait for me to return.”
Chong Zhao whispered, his gaze lingering before he transformed into a stream of light and flew off the island.
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