Bai Shuo waited in the herb garden until midnight, but Chong Zhao never showed. Unable to hold back her worry, she sneaked over to Chao Ri Garden.
Yet, Chao Ri Garden was pitch-black, and Chong Zhao was nowhere to be found. Anxious, Bai Shuo stayed under the eaves all night, listening for footsteps. Near dawn, she finally heard them at the garden entrance.
Looking up, she saw a familiar figure.
“A-Zhao!”
Bai Shuo ran to him and punched his shoulder. Chong Zhao was taken aback.
“Where were you? Staying out all night without resting left me waiting here the whole time!”
“I…” Chong Zhao’s voice was hoarse. He hid his emotions and smiled. “I was practicing my swordsmanship on the back mountain.”
“Practicing swordsmanship again? Didn’t you just come out of seclusion?” Bai Shuo frowned disapprovingly. “Immortal arts are important, but don’t push your body too hard.” She muttered as she dug into her medicine pouch, pulling out a small white porcelain bottle and placing it in Chong Zhao’s hand, her eyes bright. “I overheard some of the senior brothers say… you’ve advanced to Immortal Lord. This is some elixir I brewed last night. We haven’t seen each other in so long—come, let’s go to my herb garden and have a drink to celebrate!”
Bai Shuo tugged Chong Zhao along, but he remained rooted in place. Puzzled, she looked back to see his face devoid of a smile, stunned.
“Just an Immortal Lord. Nothing worth celebrating.”
Since joining Miao Miao Island as an immortal disciple, Bai Shuo had never seen Chong Zhao look so downcast and defeated. She felt at a loss. “A-Zhao, what’s wrong…?”
“What’s with this gloomy talk, Junior Brother? You are Miao Miao Island’s most outstanding disciple in a hundred years, achieving Immortal Lord status in three short years. The whole immortal realm will be talking about it.”
Er Yun entered the garden, her proud voice echoing. Her gaze fell on Bai Shuo and Chong Zhao’s hands clasped together, and a hint of jealousy flickered in her eyes.
Noticing Er Yun’s heated stare, Bai Shuo released Chong Zhao’s hand.
“Bai Shuo, you’re just an outer disciple. Stop hanging around the inner hall all the time. Letting a mere mortal body like yours stay on Miao Miao Island is already a grace granted by my father back then!” Er Yun said unhappily.
“Yes, Senior Sister Er Yun.”
Just as Chong Zhao was about to speak, Bai Shuo quickly jabbed him in the back and, smiling sweetly, said, “I’ll head back to the herb hut right away.”
She turned and left.
“Wait!” Er Yun snatched the porcelain bottle from Chong Zhao’s hand and thrust it toward Bai Shuo. “Your celestial energy is impure, so I doubt the elixir you made is any better. Take it back; don’t let it hinder my junior brother’s cultivation.”
Chong Zhao’s anger was barely concealed, but Bai Shuo, noticing his expression, quickly took back the porcelain bottle. “Yes, Senior Sister.”
Without another word, Bai Shuo turned and left.
Seeing Bai Shuo’s obedience, Er Yun smiled with satisfaction. But when she turned, she was met with Chong Zhao’s intense gaze.
“Junior Brother, I... was only worried about you…”
“Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister. But you’re busy managing matters on the island for the Sect Leader. There’s no need for you to trouble yourself with Chao Ri Garden.” With that, Chong Zhao turned and entered his room.
Embarrassed, Er Yun glared in the direction Bai Shuo had left, then swept off with a huff.
Back at her herb hut, Bai Shuo held the small porcelain bottle in her arms. Seeing her downcast expression, the old turtle knew she must have suffered a setback and promptly put her to work watering, stoking fires, and refining elixirs. The busy day helped dissipate her fatigue and frustration from waiting all night.
At dusk, Bai Shuo leaned back in the rattan chair under the old locust tree in the garden. She set out a plate of peanuts and two cups, filling them to the brim. Just as she took a sip, someone picked up the other cup and downed it in one gulp.
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