The Celestial Emperor nodded. “For now, focus on your cultivation and limit unnecessary travels.”
Jin Xiu bowed. “I will heed Your Majesty’s teachings.”
The Celestial Emperor, now reassured, changed the topic. “Have you heard about the Kunlun Clan?”
Jin Xiu replied, “The Kunlun Divine Clan and our lineage share the same origins. However, when the Kunlun Heavenly Lord failed to overcome his tribulation, and Your Majesty was appointed as the ruler of the Celestial Court, their resentment was inevitable.”
The Celestial Emperor scoffed coldly. “Though they were forced to leave the Celestial Court, I have never mistreated them. Just the other day, the Kunlun Heavenly Lord…” He trailed off.
The Celestial Consort immediately understood. “The Jade Pool Banquet is approaching—I should go make preparations. Please excuse me.”
The Celestial Emperor nodded.
In the third month of spring, the earth had thawed, and the mountains were alive with boundless beauty. The waters shimmered in a clear emerald hue, and the slopes were adorned with delicate apricot blossoms in full bloom.
On a winding mountain path, a young girl of fifteen or sixteen, dressed in blue, walked alongside a white-robed youth. As they strolled, the girl absentmindedly tore apart several apricot blossoms, scattering bright red petals along the way.
Noticing the strange look in his companion’s eyes, Hong Ning remained unfazed and continued her destruction. “There’s no need to glare at me. Plenty of people pick flowers. It’s not like I pulled them up by the roots.”
Bai Ling said, “Why ruin them for no reason?”
Hong Ning replied, “I’m not an immortal cultivator anyway. If the Flower Deity wants to blame someone, so be it.”
Bai Ling asked, “Do you have some sort of grudge against them?”
Tearing off the last petal, Hong Ning carelessly tossed away the flower’s stem and calyx before sighing. “I don’t even know. I like all other flowers, but apricot blossoms… I just can’t stand them. Maybe I really did have a feud with them in my past life.”
Bai Ling glanced at her but said no more. “Wait here. I’ll go buy it.”
* * *
Time flew like an arrow, and in the blink of an eye, three years had passed. The days in the mountains had been peaceful—some of the disciples focused on cultivation, while others gathered herbs. This time, Wen Xin had instructed the two of them to go into town to buy some necessary supplies. Hong Ning, who had never mastered the art of Soil Shrinking [a teleportation technique], hadn’t wanted to go at first but was too embarrassed to say so. Now that Bai Ling had offered to go alone, it suited her perfectly.
She smiled. “How is it that you always know exactly what I’m thinking?”
Bai Ling ignored her, leaving swiftly.
Hong Ning called after his retreating figure, “If anything happens, use a Transmission Talisman to call me!”
Bai Ling disappeared from sight, leaving her unsure whether he had heard her or not.
She found a large white rock and sat down, reaching up to pluck a few apricot blossoms from the branches above. Soon, petals and stamens were scattered all over the ground as she idly toyed with them.
Just as she was thoroughly engrossed in her pastime, a man’s voice suddenly rang out. It was soft, melodious, and carried an inexplicable allure—so much so that her heart inexplicably trembled upon hearing it.
Looking up, she saw a young girl, around sixteen or seventeen years old, walking toward her, nestled in the embrace of a white-robed man.
The girl was quite pretty, but it was the man beside her who truly stood out—a beauty rarely seen. His face was as refined as sculpted jade, his lips a deep, almost unnatural crimson. But it was his peach blossom eyes [a term describing eyes that are slightly upturned at the corners, often associated with charm and flirtation] that were particularly captivating. Every glance, every movement exuded a mesmerizing charm, a natural elegance that drew all attention to him.
So much so that one could easily overlook his flaws—like his eyebrows being too delicately shaped, his facial contours too soft, his features lacking the rugged masculinity of most men.
Hong Ning had always thought Bai Ling’s appearance was beyond reproach, yet the beauty of this man went beyond mere looks. It was in the way he carried himself—every smile, every slight frown, every subtle movement brimmed with an intoxicating allure.
As he held the girl’s waist, he whispered sweet nothings into her ear.
And to her surprise, Hong Ning felt a faint heat rise to her face.
The man in white quickly took notice of her. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he stopped in his tracks. Turning to the young woman beside him, he said, “San Niang, go back first. I will come to find you tonight.”
The girl lowered her head. “Lu Lang…” [“Lang” is a term of endearment for a lover or husband.]
The man in white gently lifted her chin, looking into her eyes. “Be good.”
The girl seemed utterly entranced, nodding blankly before obediently leaving.
His pristine white robe was trimmed with silver embroidery, complementing his finely crafted satin boots—an unmistakable mark of a wealthy young noble. Now that he stood before her, Hong Ning remained composed, lowering her head and continuing to pluck apricot blossoms as if nothing had happened.
“Why is the young lady here alone?” His voice carried a soft chuckle.
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