Dressed in a richly embroidered robe with a silk sash, he stood tall and elegant, his expression gentle, a subtle smile lingering in his phoenix-shaped eyes. Though still some distance away, the faint fragrance that drifted from him was already discernible. Perhaps it was his presence, but the flowers around him seemed to bloom even more vibrantly than before.
“It’s you!” Hong Ning exclaimed in delight.
Jin Xiu smiled. “It’s been a while—you’ve grown.”
For some reason, hearing these words from his lips made Hong Ning’s face grow inexplicably warm. She looked at his handsome face, unchanged from three years ago, which only confirmed her suspicions. Steadying herself, she offered a composed expression of gratitude. “Thank you for saving me again.”
Jin Xiu took slow steps toward her, his gaze following the direction in which the white fox had fled. “This time, he sneaked out on his own. He hasn’t actually taken anyone’s life.”
Hong Ning asked, “You know him?”
Jin Xiu nodded. “He is Lu Jiu, a young master of the Northern Realm’s fox clan. Born with three tails, he was greatly favored by the King of the Northern Realm. It wouldn’t be appropriate to offend him.”
Hong Ning hesitated. “Will he seek revenge on you?”
Jin Xiu shook his head. “The Northern Realm has strict clan rules. Now that he’s returned, they will handle him accordingly.”
Hearing this, Hong Ning felt reassured and was about to say something else when she noticed Jin Xiu lowering his gaze, staring in silence at the fallen petals scattered across the ground. A sudden wave of regret washed over her. Picking and tearing flowers was never an admirable act, and considering he might very well be a flower spirit—and had just saved her life—committing such thoughtless destruction right in front of him seemed rather rude.
After a long pause, Jin Xiu asked softly, “You did this?”
People have their dignity, just as trees have their bark. Hong Ning fidgeted uncomfortably, at a loss for words. “…I don’t even know. I just don’t like them.”
Jin Xiu studied her for a moment before sighing. “If you dislike them, there must be a reason.”
Seeing that he held no trace of blame, Hong Ning exhaled in relief. But his words unsettled her. They had only met twice—why did she care so much about his opinion? Could it be that… he had already become so important to her?
Jin Xiu’s voice was calm. “Do you still prefer things as they are now?”
Hong Ning snapped out of her thoughts and smiled. “I don’t have that kind of enlightenment. I have no interest in cultivation.”
Jin Xiu said nothing.
Hong Ning had her own reasoning. “My master once told me that the path of immortality is essentially the act of forcibly altering one’s fate in pursuit of eternal life. This goes against the natural cycle of the heavens. That’s why those who seek to become immortals must endure multiple heavenly tribulations. From this, it’s clear that the true will of the heavens is for us to follow the laws of nature and live as ordinary people. Don’t you think that what you immortals are doing is defying the heavens?”
Jin Xiu was momentarily taken aback.
Hong Ning continued, “Besides, spending every day in cultivation, severing all emotions and desires—what meaning is there in such a long life?”
Jin Xiu said, “The immortals have their own way. It is not necessarily as heartless as you imagine.”
Hong Ning deliberately let out an exaggerated “Oh?” and teased, “So, immortals also have emotions and desires?”
Jin Xiu replied calmly, “Naturally.”
Hong Ning stifled a laugh. “So what you’re saying is, one must first suppress all emotions and desires to cultivate, but after becoming immortal, they can indulge in them as they please?”
Hearing her straightforward and uninhibited words, Jin Xiu couldn’t help but chuckle. “Beings of different species cannot intermix, and the divide between immortals and mortals is even greater—this is the law of the heavens. Just as a husband who seeks immortality cannot have his cultivation ruined by his mortal wife—is that not a pity? If one remains attached to worldly desires, how can they ever ascend? The hardship of cultivation is precisely to sever all mortal attachments. Dual cultivation [a practice in Daoism where partners cultivate together, usually for energy refinement rather than emotional connection] is merely a way to mutually benefit each other—it holds no emotional ties, at least not until both are officially inscribed into the celestial register.”
Hong Ning’s heart wavered slightly, and half-jokingly, she asked, “You really want me to cultivate immortality?”
Jin Xiu smiled. “The path of immortality is eternal.”
Looking into those bright eyes, gentle as rippling water, Hong Ning found herself momentarily at a loss for words.
Just then, the Transmission Talisman at her waist suddenly vibrated.
“Something happened at the temple outside the city. I’m going to check it out—I won’t be coming back,” Bai Ling’s voice transmitted.
Hong Ning hurriedly asked, “Does Master know?”
Bai Ling replied, “I told him.”
So he had specifically come to inform her. Hong Ning liked the feeling of being thought of. On one hand, she was worried about his safety, and on the other, she was simply bored. Without hesitation, she asked, “Where are you?”
Bai Ling seemed to have anticipated her response. “Tianhe Temple, east of the city.”
Hong Ning said, “Wait for me,” then put away the talisman.
Jin Xiu sighed. “You shouldn’t run around so recklessly. I can’t always be there in time when something happens.”
She caught the implication in his words. “You’ve been protecting me all along?”
Jin Xiu did not deny it.
No one protects another without reason. Hong Ning could no longer come up with an excuse to explain his actions. Her heart pounded uncontrollably. Without daring to linger, she quickly turned to leave. “I’m just going to take a look. Thank you.”
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