Given the previous incident at the town inn that had dragged both Elder Lian Shouzhong and Celestial Cui Xuan into the spotlight before the Immortals—greatly contrary to their original intentions—the group had been traveling continuously ever since, resting only briefly in the mountains and forests at night, never again seeking lodging in towns.
Fortunately, ferocious beasts like the Gluttonous Beast were not common. Although the further they ventured into the heart of the Central Land, the more powerful the monstrous creatures and ferocious beasts became, the dozen or so Elders were not renowned for nothing. Elders Guangwei and Chongyi, true to their earlier promise, had indeed protected their disciples thoroughly.
As White Edge Cliff drew near, the journey had been smooth for several days, with monstrous creatures avoiding them. Occasionally, a bold ferocious beast would challenge them, only to be swiftly dealt with. Dongyang Zhenren couldn’t help but laugh, “Who would have thought that with this girl here, even the monstrous creatures in the heart of the Central Land would avoid us, making things much easier for us. Chongyi, why not teach her to hone this skill? Once she becomes an Immortal, it could be a formidable Immortal Technique.”
Chongyi Zhenren also chuckled, “How can one train an innate ability? I’m at a loss here. You always come up with these whimsical ideas.”
“Oh? Innate exorcising and purifying?” Cuixuan Xianren, who had been silently flying on the left, suddenly lifted his drowsy eyes, a sharp gleam flashing within as he stared at Li Fei for a long time. “What is that Mystical Treasure on her? Its pure spiritual energy is so immense.”
Chongyi Zhenren replied, “This is the Gleaming Mirror I forged when I first became an Immortal. It suits my disciple well, so I gifted it to her.”
Cuixuan Xianren’s gaze remained fixed on Li Fei, his eyes carrying an indescribable intensity that made her uneasy. She could only lower her head slightly, struggling to maintain her composure.
“Among the Ocean Sect’s practices, there is a Demon Taming Art, unrelated to the Five Elements Aura. It cannot be considered an Immortal Technique but rather a Mystic Art,” Cuixuan Xianren slowly shifted his gaze away and continued, “The Demon Manipulation Mystic Art requires instilling fear in demons to subdue them smoothly. I’ve heard it’s a method from overseas. This female disciple’s innate constitution is extraordinary. Coming to our No Moon Court seems somewhat wasteful—she would be more suited to the Ocean Sect.”
…Truly an elder Celestial. Li Fei bowed her head even lower in reverence and awe.
Cuixuan Xianren suddenly asked again, “Where are you from? Are your parents still alive?”
Li Fei answered solemnly, “This disciple knows nothing of my origins or homeland. I was raised by my Master from childhood and lived with him in the wilderness, surviving by using Arcane arts to drive away demons.”
Cuixuan Xianren smiled faintly. “Arcane arts? Your Master must have been an extraordinary recluse. How did you end up cultivating at our No Moon Court?”
Was this an interrogation about her background? Li Fei grew inwardly wary and replied, “One day, my Master suddenly left a letter and departed. I set out to search for him and, by chance, encountered Elder Dongyang, who took me to the Academy’s preliminary selection. That was how I entered the path of cultivation.”
Cuixuan Xianren then looked at Dongyang Zhenren, who nodded in confirmation, and asked gently, “Have you found your Master yet?”
Li Fei shook her head dejectedly. “Not yet.”
Dongyang Zhenren recalled her initial claim of coming to No Moon Court to search for some “eldest senior brother” and laughed, “You haven’t found your Master, nor your eldest senior brother? It’s been six years since you came to No Moon Court.”
Cuixuan Xianren’s eyes flickered. “Six years?”Dongyang Zhenren chuckled, "Indeed, this child is quite interesting. When I first saw her, she was as dark as a lump of coal, but now she's turned into a delicate and charming little beauty. If no one had told me, I wouldn't have believed it was her even if my eyes were gouged out. She was only ten years old back then, appearing alone in Green Mound in the dead of night—it gave us quite a shock."
"Oh? Green Mound? You actually lived in Green Mound before?" Cuixuan Xianren also laughed. "That place is overrun with demons. You and your master are quite bold."
Li Fei could only smile modestly in response, silently grumbling about Dongyang Zhenren's loose tongue. Her background and her master's whereabouts shouldn't be revealed too much. After a moment's thought, she said, "This disciple has benefited greatly from No Moon Court. Over the years, I've devoted myself to cultivation under my master's guidance. I don’t remember much from my childhood, to be honest."
Cuixuan Xianren gave a noncommittal hum and fell silent. Li Fei bowed slightly and steered her little white cloud back several paces, landing beside Lei Xiuyuan. She exhaled quietly but couldn’t shake a growing unease. Why had Cuixuan Xianren suddenly asked her so many questions? Though their interaction had been brief, she could tell this Celestial was extremely arrogant, treating young disciples as little more than dust. The only reason he’d praised Lei Xiuyuan was because of his extraordinary talent. Otherwise, he’d shown no interest. His sudden interrogation left her unsettled.
Lost in thought, she was startled when Lei Xiuyuan suddenly remarked, "There’s a smudge of soot on your face."
Soot?! Li Fei hastily rubbed her face. "Where?"
Lei Xiuyuan pulled her onto his own white cloud, cupped her face in his hands, and flicked her forehead lightly with a chuckle. "Now it’s gone."
He always loved teasing her like this! Li Fei glared at him but couldn’t help smiling. Lei Xiuyuan couldn’t stand seeing her troubled, as if he’d prefer her mind to be empty of everything but thoughts of him. She looped her arm through his and chatted with him cheerfully.
Noticing their intimate demeanor, Cuixuan Xianren turned to Guangwei Zhenren and asked, "Are those two already cultivation partners?"
Guangwei Zhenren smiled faintly. "Not yet, but it won’t be long. It’s rather amusing—Xiuyuan came to No Moon Court back then precisely for that girl."
Cuixuan Xianren mused, "Oh? And she came to No Moon Court to look for some senior brother?"
"That, I’m afraid, this junior doesn’t know."
Cuixuan Xianren smirked. "You younger-generation Celestials know nothing when asked. First, there was Qin Yangling, and now this girl’s affairs are also unclear. Since when has No Moon Court become so lax in recruiting disciples?"
Guangwei Zhenren was momentarily stunned, unsure how to respond. Celestials of Cuixuan Xianren’s generation had long ceased involving themselves in sect affairs. His sudden interest in Jiang Li Fei was highly unusual.
"Green Mound... six years... unusual constitution..." Cuixuan Xianren closed his eyes as if murmuring to himself. After a long pause, he said, "After we return, make time to visit Green Mound."
Guangwei Zhenren was even more puzzled. "Might I ask if there’s something amiss with Jiang Li Fei?"
Cuixuan Xianren chuckled. "We old-timers have weathered too many storms in our time, so we can’t help being overly cautious. Consider it an old man’s unresolved suspicion. Don’t mention this trip to anyone else. Report to me alone upon your return."
Though bewildered, Guangwei Zhenren knew better than to press further. He nodded silently.Li Fei was discussing the crafting of a Mystical Treasure with Lei Xiuyuan when she suddenly caught sight of a massive white figure in her peripheral vision. She turned quickly and saw that Ri Yan had returned. His sickly green eyes were streaked with bloodshot veins, but thankfully, he wasn’t as frenzied as he had been in recent days.
Li Fei spoke softly, “Ri Yan, are you alright? That Celestial from Azure City… has passed away.”
Hovering beside her, he fixed her with an intense gaze before suddenly saying, “Once a person is gone, all is void. At least he found release in the end, and it eases a regret of mine.”
Li Fei replied gently, “He left me a notebook. When there’s a chance, I’ll show it to you—it’s his legacy. I’ll keep it safe. Don’t grieve too much; his passing was swift.”
Ri Yan chuckled ruefully. “Oh? So he did end up giving it to you.”
She sensed something unspoken in his words and fell into thought. Then he spoke again: “My Heart Devil has awakened, and the Seal from the Year of Calamity has begun to loosen. I failed to persuade Azure City—that is my lifelong regret, and regrets should not be repeated. Keep that item safe. Never let anyone see it. Remember this!”
Li Fei shuddered, her gaze darting to the Seal on his back. Indeed, the crimson markings had faded significantly. Overcome with shock and joy, she lowered her voice urgently. “Your Seal is almost undone! That’s wonderful!”
Was the Heart Devil he spoke of related to the Azure City Celestial?
“Ri Yan, what exactly happened between you and—” Before she could finish, he cut her off. “If you wish to live as an ordinary person, then ask nothing and interfere in nothing. Decide what you truly want. If you wish to return overseas, I will tell you everything—but once you know, you can never remain in the Central Land. If you want to be ordinary, then stop prying and simply live as if you truly are. You are kind-hearted and loyal—admirable traits in a human. But you cannot have both. You must choose one.”
Li Fei fell silent. She turned to look at Lei Xiuyuan—the clever youth had already guessed it was likely the Nine-tailed Fox who had arrived. He had tactfully turned away, pretending to admire the scenery, giving them space.
Warmth filled her heart. Her beloved was right here.
Then she glanced at Chongyi Zhenren not far away—the second mentor in her life. When everyone else had ignored her, he had taken her into his sect, patiently taught her, and shown her countless kindnesses. This debt of gratitude, she would never forget.
And Zhao Min Shijie—she had long regarded her as an elder sister. During the years of her childhood, it was Zhao Min who had taught her countless lessons, transforming the wild little girl into a proper young woman. This nurturing affection, too, she would never forget.
Then there were her friends—Ge Lin, Su Wan, Chang Yue, Ye Ye, and even Ji Tongzhou. They had accompanied her through her naive childhood, sharing laughter, struggles, joys, and sorrows. This enduring, tender friendship was also something she would cherish for life.
Finally, there was her long-missing Master. Without his care, there would have been no Xiao Bangchui back then, and no Jiang Li Fei today. Every step she had taken was because of him. How could she ever forget?There were too many, far too many people who had given her warmth—Zuoqiu Xiansheng, Hu Jiaping, even Dongyang Zhenren, Qingle Zhenren... Along her journey, though seemingly perilous, she had actually sailed smoothly, always with someone by her side to care for her. Thus, even in death, she would never forget all of this.
"I still want to be an ordinary person," Li Fei met Ri Yan's gaze directly. "Being ordinary is best."
Ri Yan nodded slightly. This time, he didn't call her a fool or stubborn. Instead, he sighed softly, "I knew you would choose this... You're grown now. The path is yours to choose, and I won't interfere anymore. Just don't regret it someday."
Li Fei murmured, "Since I can't have the best of both worlds, no matter which path I choose, there will be regrets, won't there?"
Ri Yan chuckled. "True enough. Alright, step back. I have something to say to this brat."
Li Fei was startled. "How could he possibly hear you speak?"
"Stupid question! Move aside!"
With a relieved shrug, Li Fei had resolved to be an ordinary person. Once the decision was made, all the things that had once troubled her vanished like mist. She would no longer waver between choices, nor would she be tormented by curiosity and pain over the secrets of her origins. She stepped back decisively several paces and went to speak with Chongyi Zhenren instead.
Ri Yan hovered midair, eyeing Lei Xiuyuan's back warily. After a long pause, he spoke coldly, "Brat, turn around!"
Lei Xiuyuan slowly turned to face the enormous, snow-white Nine-tailed Fox and said quietly, "Elder Ri Yan."
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