Turning her head, Bai Shuo saw Chong Zhao. The sunset cast a warm glow over him. He wasn’t wearing the signature flowing cloud robe of Miao Miao Island’s top disciple but instead donned the same simple clothes he’d worn when they left the capital together. Though his attire was plain, his celestial aura was unmistakable.
“Since it was brewed for me, how could I not join you?” Chong Zhao leaned back in the other rattan chair, gazing absently at the setting sun.
“A-Zhao, you’re troubled, aren’t you?” Bai Shuo asked quietly. Having grown up with Chong Zhao, she knew him well enough to sense his unhappiness in a single glance, even though he was now an Immortal Lord.
The space beneath the old locust tree grew quiet. Even with two chairs between them, Chong Zhao instinctively shifted a little closer to Bai Shuo.
“I used to think that becoming immortal meant I could do as I wished. But now I realize that the heavens are vast, and becoming immortal is only the first step on a long, endless path.”
“You’re already amazing.” Bai Shuo shoved the porcelain bottle into his hands. “Didn’t Senior Sister Er Yun say today that you’re a prodigy the immortal world hasn’t seen in a hundred years? Don’t say such downhearted things. By immortal age, you’re just three years old!”
Chong Zhao couldn’t help but smile at Bai Shuo’s child-like encouragement. But remembering the grievances she’d suffered today, his face grew solemn with guilt. “A-Shuo, about today…”
“Come on, you know Senior Sister Er Yun’s temper. A few words don’t hurt. It’s fine. Besides, she wasn’t wrong; a mortal like me is already lucky just to be allowed on Miao Miao Island.”
“But you’re the one who saved the master back then…” Chong Zhao muttered, frowning.
Bai Shuo quickly covered his mouth, looking around nervously before sighing in relief that no one was nearby. “A-Zhao, didn’t you promise me never to bring this up again?”
“If I don’t speak out, they’ll keep treating you like this. A-Shuo, tomorrow I’ll tell the Sect Leader that you were the one who saved Master back on the deserted island. I’ll ask him to take you as his disciple—”
“And what difference would it make? I have no immortal roots. Even if the Sect Leader took me as his disciple, or even if the Golden Sun Immortal from the Heavenly Palace himself became my teacher, I’d still just be a mortal, unable to become an immortal.”
Bai Shuo shook her head. “Besides, if the Sect Leader finds out, he might hide the truth and even hold it against you. We saved Master Song He together; you didn’t lie.”
Three years ago, when Bai Shuo and Chong Zhao were stranded on a deserted island, they found Master Song He on the brink of death. As mere mortals, they were powerless to save an immortal. While Chong Zhao struggled with what to do, Bai Shuo kept Master Song He alive by feeding him her own blood every day. Half a month later, Song Feng found them and brought them all back. When Song He regained consciousness and asked who had saved him, Bai Shuo claimed it was Chong Zhao’s care that kept him alive until Song Feng arrived.
Seeing Chong Zhao’s deep affinity for immortality and knowing he’d saved her life, Song He accepted him as a formal disciple. On his deathbed, he transferred his immortal power entirely to Chong Zhao.
“And if people find out that a mortal’s blood can save an immortal, won’t I just become a walking elixir cauldron?” Bai Shuo made a silly face, winking. “I only know a bit about cloud-riding and fire control. Don’t push me into a pit, A-Zhao.”
Realizing her point, Chong Zhao nodded helplessly. “Fine, A-Shuo. I’ll come to the herb hut every seven days to see you, so you don’t have to suffer the main hall anymore.”
“No need! I heard they’re sending you to Phoenix Island soon for the ‘Wu Tong Martial Feast.’ Phoenix Island is a sacred site for immortals, and all the top disciples from different sects will be competing. It’ll be dangerous, so you should focus on your training instead of worrying about me.” Bai Shuo tossed a peanut into her mouth, leaning back. “Me? I’m happy just growing herbs and soaking up the sun here in the herb garden. I may not be an immortal, but I’m as carefree as one.”
Chong Zhao looked at her peaceful expression, and the gloom from his day finally lifted. Smiling, he said, “You haven’t changed a bit. That laziness of yours—General Bai would have something to say about it.”
He paused, his eyes filled with remorse, and was about to say something else when he noticed Bai Shuo had drifted off to sleep.
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