Moonlight Mystique

The winter moon was cold, and though there was no wind inside the hall, the small wooden donkey beneath Long Yi Zhu's feet began to tremble. Its round, bulging eyes were filled with terror, and when Long Yi Zhu glanced at it, the donkey shook like a sieve, not daring to move an inch.

Long Yi Zhu let out a surprised sound, sobering up considerably as he looked incredulously at Fan Yue. "Damn! Not only did you not consume it, but you even awakened its Soul Power? Little wood, have you lost your mind?" Suddenly, his large ears perked up, and he asked inexplicably, "You... couldn't be doing this because of that girl, could you?"

Fan Yue shot him a cold glance, and Long Yi Zhu immediately straightened up, coughing once before speaking with unusual seriousness. "Little wood, don’t forget—your true form is the ancient Bodhi Tree. If you can’t gather the scattered spirit wood fragments from across the Three Realms, when the scorching flames within you reach your heart meridian, you’ll turn to ashes, beyond even the gods’ power to save."

Fan Yue frowned, downed the wine in his palm in one gulp, and as his sleeve fell back, a faintly visible seven-pointed star pattern was revealed on his chest. The first star was already lit, while the remaining six remained dull and lifeless. These seven stars formed a septagram, resembling a celestial array etched onto his chest—with the final star positioned directly over his heart.

Perhaps Long Yi Zhu’s words had stirred memories in Fan Yue, for a fleeting scene flashed through his eyes.

In the far northern lands, amidst endless ice and snow, a young man in red robes opened his eyes. The world around him was nothing but blizzards, a vast expanse of white. He lay within a seven-star array, outside of which the Taotie lurked, watching hungrily.

"It was me who saved you from the Taotie at the cost of my own slumber!" Long Yi Zhu flapped his wings and flew up to Fan Yue, sounding a little aggrieved. "We had a deal—I’d help you find the seven scattered spirit wood fragments, and in return, you’d regain your Divine Power and memories, then free me from this pig’s body! If not for the fact that the Bodhi Divine Wood is the ancestor of all trees, and I just happened to be sealed inside a piece of wood, this lord would never have stooped to being your Divine Beast, obeying your orders and risking my life for you! Don’t you dare go back on your word!"

"This lord never breaks his promises," Fan Yue finally spoke.

"Then why didn’t you absorb its power? Instead, you let it awaken its own Soul Power! I warned you—you both originate from the ancient Bodhi Divine Wood. If you awaken its Soul Power and it cultivates to surpass you, it could consume you to ascend to godhood! Though, honestly, it doesn’t matter which of you becomes a god. As long as you undo my seal, I’m good."

Long Yi Zhu shrugged, yawned, and put on a carefree expression.

Fan Yue raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting to Long Yi Zhu before landing indifferently on Long Er. "Do you think it’s capable?"

Long Er the donkey blinked frantically. If he could move, he’d probably have wished to turn himself into incense ashes. Long Yi Zhu glanced at the pathetic fool, then back at the awe-inspiring Lord of the Haoyue Palace, and answered with utmost sincerity, "Unlikely."

"Then why keep it around...? To eat your food?"

"No reason. Just for fun—it’s too dull otherwise." Fan Yue stood, barefoot on the icy floor of the hall, and walked toward the exit. "Since it shares my lineage, letting it live a few more years is no hardship."

"Hey! That strange girl—are you really leaving her in the mortal realm?" Long Yi Zhu, unable to hold back any longer after days of silence, finally asked. "Maybe with her around, you could find the other spirit fragments sooner—"

Before he could finish, Fan Yue vanished from the hall.Long Yi Zhu glanced at the pitiful-looking Long Er Lu, then rested his little pig chin on his hand and sighed in the direction where Fan Yue had disappeared.

Amidst the endless ice and snow, deep in the far northern reaches, the red-clad youth seemed to be the only living thing left between heaven and earth.

Fan Yue gazed at the full moon hanging so close it felt within reach. Closing his eyes, the same scene that had flashed through his mind a thousand times reappeared.

A sky full of peach blossoms, a solitary star pavilion, and a woman in white robes leaning against its railings, wine gourd in hand, turning her head slightly to look back at him.

A sudden flash of light in his mind sent a sharp pain through Fan Yue's chest, forcing him to his knees.

Again. Every time he tried to recall those mysterious eyes from the star pavilion, his heart felt as though it were being torn apart.

What was that place? Who was she? And himself—who was this so-called Bodhi Divine Tree that stupid pig kept mentioning?

No matter who he was, he would live on... and see her again.

Fan Yue abruptly opened his eyes, flames of determination burning within them.

——————————————————

The Eastern Sea's outer domain spanned thousands of miles. Ancient legends claimed this was where the first traces of immortals began.

Across the vast ocean, seabirds soared while fish and turtles played. Thousands of islands dotted the sea's surface, with rainbows arching down from the heavens. At its center stood an island shaped like a mystical turtle, its rolling hills embraced by bamboo forests and surrounded by peach blossoms. At its heart, fiery maple groves encircled dozens of scattered pavilions. This was the foremost island of the Eastern Sea—Piaomiao.

It was spring, and the peach blossoms were in full bloom. The outermost island paths were carpeted thickly with petals, their fragrance intoxicating. Four or five graceful women in white robes carried baskets, each holding four or five porcelain bottles filled with clear, aromatic wine.

"Have you heard? Senior Brother Chong Zhao slew that octopus demon and is returning!" On Piaomiao Island, disciples were addressed by their generational names. The one speaking with sparkling eyes was Second-Generation Disciple Er Lan, barely containing her excitement as she lowered her voice.

"Really?" Er Li gasped. "I heard a century-old octopus demon has been terrorizing the coastal villages lately. Many commoners burned incense begging our Piaomiao Island to eliminate it. The Sect Leader sent several senior brothers, but the demon was so vicious they all returned injured. That's why he recalled Senior Brother Chong Zhao from seclusion. And he's returning after just three days? His cultivation must have advanced tremendously—he might have even ascended to Immortal Lord!"

Though many pursued immortality, not all who attained it could join the ranks of the celestial clans. Only those who reached the status of Immortal Lord were considered true members of the Immortal Realm, honored as celestial beings—others were merely called Loose Immortals. Though Piaomiao Island in the Eastern Domain wasn't among the major immortal sects, it was renowned for its breathtaking scenery. Its Sect Leader had always been free-spirited and detached from worldly affairs. Content in their peaceful corner, the island safeguarded the Eastern Sea's waters and enjoyed the reverence of its people, maintaining harmony within.

"We must prepare a grand celebration for Senior Brother!"

"With Senior Sister Er Yun by his side, when would it ever be your turn to curry favor? Besides, Senior Brother has always been dignified and aloof—he keeps his distance from everyone except her." Er Li pursed her lips.

"Not just her—don't forget that Outer Sect Disciple from the medicine hut. He's always shown her special care. Rumor has it she's his childhood sweetheart from the mortal realm." Er Lan sniffed, unable to hide her jealousy."With her? How dare she cling to Senior Brother Chong Zhao, such wishful thinking!" Er Li said with a displeased expression. "If it weren't for the Sect Leader valuing Senior Brother Chong Zhao and making an exception to let her stay in the herb garden as an Outer Sect Disciple, with her meager aptitude, she wouldn't even be qualified to set foot on our Misty Isle!"

"Alright, Senior Sister Er Li, why get angry over such a useless person? Let's think about how to celebrate for our senior brother instead..." Before Er Lan could finish speaking, a blue and a red streak of immortal light streaked across the sky, heading straight for the main hall in the maple forest.

"It's Senior Brother and Senior Sister! They're back! Come on, let's hurry back!" Er Li beamed with joy and, along with several other female cultivators, transformed into streaks of immortal light, chasing after them.

The peach grove returned to tranquility, and upon closer listening, faint snores could be heard from the dense foliage. Under the dappled sunlight, a young man lay on a tree branch, a large leaf covering his face, sound asleep.

Suddenly, a huge caterpillar fell from the treetop and landed on the young man's face. Startled, he let out a yelp and tumbled down from the tree.

"Ouch!"

The cry of pain wasn't youthful and delicate but somewhat aged. Under the tree, a large tortoise lay on the ground with all four legs planted firmly. It turned its head to look at the young man sprawled on its shell. "Stupid girl! Get up already! You're going to break this old man's back!"

"Ah, your shell is tougher than the rocks by the sea. How could I possibly break it?"

The young man removed the leaf from his face, revealing a pair of mischievous and lively eyes—none other than Bai Shuo. She looked more mature than a few years ago, dressed in a little herbalist's outfit, her hair tied in a small bun, with a medicine pouch hanging at her waist. She stretched lazily, glanced at the streaks of light in the sky, and kicked the tortoise's shell, calling out cheerfully.

"Old Black, let's go, time to head back!"

The old tortoise slowly crawled further south, away from the central main hall.

"Such bad luck. I waited all morning for the peach blossom dew, took a nap, and they took it all." Bai Shuo plucked a blade of grass from the roadside and chewed on it, grumbling.

"It's your own fault for sleeping. Your aptitude is already worse than the Inner Sect Disciples, and you're lazier than them too. Tsk, what kind of immortal cultivation is this? You might as well go home early! Stop wasting my immortal plants and food!"

"Hey, you old tortoise, if it weren't for me gathering immortal plants and dew for you every day to fuel your alchemy, would you be so strong and healthy?" Bai Shuo knocked on the tortoise's shell, acting shamelessly. "Keeping me around isn't a loss. Besides, I haven't needed to eat these past few days. Maybe in a few more days, I'll finally achieve fasting!"

Bai Shuo chuckled, looking quite pleased with herself.

"Three years of cultivating immortal techniques, and you still can't fast? Even the lowest immortal beasts are better than you. I don't know what you're so happy about. Just now, they said that Chong Zhao kid has already attained the rank of Immortal Lord. Girl, in a few more years, if he really becomes a High Lord and ascends to the heavenly palace, you won't even get to see him."

The old tortoise sighed, frustrated by her lack of ambition. Bai Shuo lay back on the shell, basking in the sun, squinting at the sky in a daze.

Bai Shuo had seen immortals since she was little, so her lifelong obsession was to become one and find the person she longed to repay. But Bai Shuo had never imagined she wasn't fated for the Dao.Back when she and Chong Zhao left the capital, enduring countless hardships to finally reach the East Sea, Bai Shuo realized how laughable it was for a mortal to aspire to Immortal Ascension. They set sail in search of the immortal island dozens of times, each journey a brush with death. On their final attempt, just as she was about to give up, destiny intervened—they rescued the previous Sect Leader of Piaomiao Island, Daoist Songhe, who lay gravely injured and unconscious on a desolate islet after battling a sea serpent. This act earned them passage to Piaomiao Island.

Coinciding with the island’s once-in-a-decade disciple selection ceremony, Chong Zhao’s innate spiritual power and exceptional aptitude marked him as a rare prodigy in cultivation. Songhe took him in as a direct disciple. Bai Shuo, however, showed no trace of immortal potential despite repeated tests. Only through Chong Zhao’s pleading and Songhe’s special permission was Piaomiao Island’s century-old rule broken, allowing a mere mortal to stay—though confined to the herb garden as a caretaker, barred from the main hall.

Though Daoist Songhe returned alive, his wounds proved fatal. On his deathbed, he transferred his immortal power to Chong Zhao. Within three years, Chong Zhao surpassed peers who had trained for centuries, becoming the foremost among his generation. He spent days and nights cultivating in the back mountains, leaving Bai Shuo with few chances to see him. Their last meeting was half a year ago, on the day he entered seclusion.

That night, under a full moon, the herb garden was silent save for the faint glow of the Medicine Cauldron in the thatched hut. Bai Shuo dozed by the cauldron, chin propped on her hand, an old turtle hibernating at her feet.

Chong Zhao sat beside her for a long time, watching quietly until dawn. As he rose to leave, a hand tugged at his sleeve.

“It’s just daybreak—the frost is heavy outside. Stay and warm yourself a while longer, leave when the sun’s up,” Bai Shuo said, grinning without a care, having woken at some point.

Chong Zhao turned but didn’t sit. Instead, he ruffled her hair. “The Sect Leader has opened Piaomiao’s Forbidden Land for me today. I’m entering seclusion. I came to see you.”

Her grip on his sleeve faltered, then her eyes sparkled with delight. “Really? The Sect Leader opened it for you? That’s wonderful! Then hurry—why waste time here in the garden?”

A brief silence followed. “I may be gone a long while, A-Shuo. Take care of yourself. Stay in the herb hut until I return. If anything happens, crush this—I’ll come to you.” He drew a slender bamboo flute from his robe, its surface pulsing with Qi, exquisitely carved by his own hand.

“What danger could there be on the island? Focus on your training—don’t worry about me!”

She waved dismissively. Chong Zhao frowned, pressing the flute closer. Relenting, she took it. “Fine, I’ll keep it.”

Kneeling to meet her gaze, he said, “A-Shuo, once I attain the rank of Immortal Lord, I’ll find a way to unlock your meridians and help you ascend. Wait for me.”

Her expression flickered before she turned to poke at the firewood. “Alright, alright. Just train well. I’ll be fine. It’s dawn already—go on.”Watching the small figure by the medicine cauldron, Chong Zhao reached out his hand, wanting to pat her head again, but restrained himself.

"I'm leaving."

"Mm."

The sound of footsteps gradually faded behind her until there was silence.

Bai Shuo stared blankly at the fire beneath the medicine cauldron. Misty Island was lively and beautiful, yet she felt lonelier than ever before. On the entire island, perhaps the only ones who cared about her existence were Chong Zhao and the giant turtle that had always lived in the herb garden.

Bai Shuo rubbed the bamboo flute in her hand and sighed quietly when no one was looking.

The glaring sun snapped Bai Shuo out of her daze. Though she had stayed on Misty Island, she couldn’t cultivate true immortal techniques—she couldn’t condense an immortal sword, nor could she recite incantations. The only things she knew were the simplest cloud-riding and fire-control techniques, skills she had barely grasped after awakening the long-hibernating old turtle in the medicine hut. In gratitude, the turtle had repaid her with immortal herbs, allowing her to barely step onto the path of immortality. Though Bai Shuo couldn’t gather immortal Qi, she was a prodigy in alchemy. She could memorize any medicinal text at a glance, and after just three years of learning from the old turtle, she could refine third-grade immortal pills. While these couldn’t grant her Immortal Ascension, they could prolong her life.

The old turtle had said that if she was lucky enough to refine a first-grade immortal pill, it might directly transform her into an immortal body. Even if she couldn’t become an Immortal Lord, becoming a Loose Immortal wouldn’t be a problem.

Bai Shuo was still lost in thought when the old turtle crawled into the herb garden, which was filled with medicinal plants. A wave of herbal fragrance wafted over her. Bai Shuo ran into the thatched hut, pulled a bamboo vial from her medicine pouch, and poured the dew inside into the medicine cauldron. A flash of spiritual light shimmered in the cauldron, and a red pill slowly rose. Bai Shuo widened her eyes, nervously rubbing her hands. Moments later, the spiritual light on the pill faded, and it crumbled into powder, falling back into the cauldron.

Another failure… Bai Shuo’s face fell. She sat pitifully by the medicine cauldron, shoulders slumped in silence.

"You think first-grade immortal pills are like those fake medicines flooding the mortal world? If a half-immortal like you could refine one so easily, the entire Immortal Realm would be in an uproar."

The old turtle crawled in, took one look at Bai Shuo’s dejected expression, then flopped onto the recliner, stretching its limbs comfortably.

"I’ve told you before—refining immortal pills requires immortal Qi. You’re exceptionally talented, using the medicinal power of immortal herbs to refine third-grade pills with this cauldron, but that’s your limit." The old turtle closed its eyes to rest. "With third-grade pills, you can live for centuries. Whether you achieve Immortal Ascension or not is fate. Don’t be too fixated on it."

Bai Shuo stared at the medicine cauldron, then turned and walked away without a word. The old turtle watched her go and sighed.