The golden characters swirled around them for a long time before gradually dissipating. Soon, another summoning order descended with a clear bell-like chime, landing solely beside Lei Xiuyuan—the No Moon Court was recalling all disciples who were out. Those who failed to return within three days would be considered expelled.
Golden light flickered at Lei Xiuyuan's fingertips as he lightly touched the summoning order. The clear, melodious chime immediately ceased, and the glowing order slowly drifted to the ground.
As if nothing had happened, he continued flipping through the black ledger in his hands and softly answered Li Fei’s earlier question: "Yes, it breathes fire. That’s nothing unusual. The most unusual thing is you yourself."
Li Fei glanced at him, then at the summoning order at their feet. "...This isn’t the time for casual talk."
Lei Xiuyuan replied indifferently, "Any actions from the No Moon Court have nothing to do with us now. We just need to wait for the Heavenly Thunder Fire Sea to descend."
Nothing to do? Li Fei’s brows slowly furrowed. "Master Chongyi and Su Wan have already been implicated because of me."
"If you don’t show yourself, their lives won’t be in danger. This is just a ploy to lure you out. Pay it no mind."
She knew this was an open, blatant scheme—using her master and friend as bait, waiting for her to take the hook. But as long as she gave no response, Cui Xuan Xianren would have no choice but to act. He couldn’t possibly kill Chongyi Zhenren and Su Wan, but there was no guarantee he wouldn’t resort to harsh methods to extract more information about her from them.
Restless, Li Fei paced slowly inside the cave. At this point, she was no longer afraid of her identity being exposed. What she feared was the innocent people connected to her being dragged into this. She had told them nothing precisely to keep them out of it—so why? How had Cui Xuan Xianren discovered Qin Yangling’s involvement?
After his experience during the last Sea Fall, the old Celestial had grown suspicious and wary of even the slightest clues, and his methods were ruthless and decisive. Anyone who fell into his hands would likely suffer.
Should she go or not? If she went, her identity would be completely exposed, and everyone connected to her would face calamity—perhaps even branded with absurd accusations like "colluding with foreign enemies."
Why not just kill Cui Xuan Xianren and those old Celestials? A surge of killing intent rose in Li Fei’s heart. But what about Master? Would she let him bear the shame of raising an ungrateful traitor? And what about the resolve she had made earlier?
A pair of hands reached from behind and embraced her. Lei Xiuyuan rested his chin on her shoulder, his voice lazy. "What are you thinking?"
Li Fei felt a tickling sensation on her face—he was lightly kissing her. Perhaps it was the Yaksa’s instinct in him, always finding any opportunity to get close. But she was in no mood for affection right now.
She turned her head away and struggled slightly, murmuring, "Don’t."
Lei Xiuyuan’s arms abruptly tightened, squeezing her chest until she gasped for breath. A sharp pain flared on her neck as he bit down hard—only to release her the next moment, stepping back and pressing a hand to his forehead as if troubled. Two slender black horns slowly emerged from the sides of his head.
Li Fei hurriedly reached out to steady him. "I—I didn’t mean to blame you..."
Lei Xiuyuan retreated further, leaning against the stone platform and raising a hand to stop her from approaching. After a long pause, he finally lowered his hand, his face pale. The horns that had just appeared retracted again. He sighed softly and beckoned to her. "Come here now."Li Fei was torn between laughter and tears—what kind of attitude was this! She wasn’t some pet cat or dog.
Lei Xiuyuan yanked her over, looking down at her with a troubled expression. He pinched her cheek lightly and sighed, “Good, you haven’t shed your shell yet. Best if you never do.”
Li Fei gazed at him quietly. “Because of the curse?”
Yes, the curse. She probably had no idea how much he envied Hu Jiaping.
Lei Xiuyuan’s fingers traced the contours of her face. Her eyes were focused and tender, filled with a warmth that existed only for him. For that gaze, he would do anything.
“I love you,” he suddenly murmured, wrapping his arms around her.
Li Fei was stunned, her face flushing red immediately, until it seemed her entire body had turned crimson. Was this really Lei Xiuyuan? From the beginning until now, this was the first time he had ever said such words. Why now?
“I do love you,” Lei Xiuyuan tightened his embrace, pressing light kisses to her forehead, though his voice carried a hint of sorrow.
He didn’t want this love to be tainted by the curse. He didn’t want to wake up one morning to find her body torn apart by his own hands. He didn’t want to turn her into a mindless puppet—let her laugh, let her be angry, let her do whatever she pleased. It didn’t matter if it wasn’t to his liking.
He, too, longed for his own freedom, unshackled by the Graftwood Seed. She had once asked him what he used to enjoy doing, and he realized he had never even considered the question. How he wished to live like a human—even if it meant vices like gambling or drinking, it would still be better than this emptiness.
Li Fei hugged him tightly and whispered, “I know.”
Lei Xiuyuan chuckled. “Just those three simple words? I’ve been waiting for your sweet nothings.”
Li Fei laughed awkwardly. “What sweet nothings do you want to hear?”
“Who’s the one who can’t even say a single nice thing?” Lei Xiuyuan pinched her cheek. “Come on, say something to amuse me, or I’ll spank you.”
He raised his hand threateningly, and Li Fei dodged in a panic, stammering, “Next time, next time! Let’s focus on important matters first!”
“This is the important matter.” Lei Xiuyuan clapped his hands on either side of her face, forcing her to look at him. He stared at her solemnly. “Go on, I’m all ears.”
Li Fei’s face burned red, flustered and anxious, her brows knitting together as she struggled to think of something. Beads of sweat nearly formed on her forehead. Even as cultivation partners, she was still so shy. Seeing her like this again, Lei Xiuyuan couldn’t help but laugh. He blew a teasing breath against her face and smirked. “Going to boil eggs again?”
Li Fei looked at him pleadingly. “Next time?”
Lei Xiuyuan lightly bumped his forehead against hers and grinned. “Coward.”
That night, Li Fei couldn’t remember how she had fallen asleep. Lei Xiuyuan had given her no chance to dwell on the expulsion order, constantly distracting her. She had wanted to discuss countermeasures with him seriously, but everything had devolved into chaos, and before she knew it, she had drifted off amidst the playful banter.
When she woke, the stone bed was cold. She scanned the entire Sweet Splendor Realm—it was empty.
“Xiu Yuan?” Li Fei leapt off the bed in a panic, calling out. Her voice echoed through the cavern, unanswered. A sense of foreboding seized her as she rushed to the stone platform. The summoning order from No Moon Court was gone.He went back to No Moon Court?! He never mentioned the expulsion order yesterday because he wanted to solve her troubles alone?! Wasn’t he afraid his Yaksa identity would be exposed? He’s always like this!
Li Fei slammed her fist on the stone platform and turned to dash out of Sweet Splendor Realm.
In the main hall of Literature Ancient Peak at No Moon Court, Lei Xiuyuan bowed respectfully and announced clearly, “Disciple Lei Xiuyuan pays respects to all elders.”
There weren’t many elders present in the hall—most Celestials had already gone to the Eastern Sea to prepare for the impending Heavenly Thunder Fire Sea. Lei Xiuyuan quickly glanced around. Apart from Guangwei Zhenren and a few familiar elders, there were about ten senior Celestials seated in a circle with Cuixuan Xianren.
Every pair of eyes was fixed on him—some contemplative, some beaming with joy, others relieved and approving. Cuixuan Xianren’s drowsy eyes cracked open slightly as he stared intently and spoke: “You must have received that expulsion order. Why have you returned alone?”
Lei Xiuyuan replied calmly, “As I was personally involved in the Qin Yangling incident, I’ve returned to accept punishment.”
Guangwei Zhenren, overjoyed to see his beloved disciple return, couldn’t hold back and interjected urgently, “He didn’t kill anyone! Qin Yangling provoked him first—his retaliation was merely self-defense. There’s no crime here. I beg the elders to judge fairly.”
Cuixuan Xianren shot him a glance and chuckled, “Your favoritism is too obvious. I haven’t even mentioned punishment, yet you’ve already absolved him of guilt.”
He rose slowly and declared with emotion, “One Qin Yangling, one Zheng Xu, one Zhen Yunzi… all mere ants. Losing ten of them wouldn’t be regrettable. Jiang Li Fei’s origins are unclear, with countless ties to foreign lands. And you’ve all witnessed the tragedy of Sea Fall—how two Yaksas slaughtered our Central Plains Immortals back then, as glimpsed at White Edge Cliff. Lei Xiuyuan, you’re a clever child. Since you chose to return, you must understand the stakes. Now tell me—where is Jiang Li Fei?”
Lei Xiuyuan lowered his head. “This disciple doesn’t know. She left very suddenly. I waited for days at the Eastern Sea and searched everywhere, only returning upon receiving the summons.”
Cuixuan Xianren’s eyes widened menacingly. “Is that the truth, or are you protecting her?”
Lei Xiuyuan remained composed. “This disciple truly doesn’t know.”
Cuixuan Xianren nodded faintly. “In that case, you should reflect carefully in Contemplation Tower. Hmph! Sheltering and hiding will only breed disaster. When the nest is overturned, who will care for your tender sentiments? You’re like Chongyi—both stubbornly deluded, ultimately harming yourselves and others!”
With a sweep of his sleeve, Lei Xiuyuan was immediately shackled with the Dragon Imprisoning Lock. Guangwei Zhenren opened his mouth but hesitated, restrained by the presence of so many senior Celestials. He could only watch helplessly as Lei Xiuyuan was carried away across the Cloud Sea to Contemplation Tower.
Among the ten senior Celestials, one suddenly spoke: “Everything Cuixuan mentioned about that Jiang girl’s peculiarities sounds strangely familiar. I’ve been poring over ancient texts in the archives these past few days and stumbled upon something rather interesting.”
All eyes turned to him as the elder produced a grimy, tattered bamboo scroll from his sleeve. Seeing the No Moon Court Immortal Technique ribbon tied to it, Cuixuan Xianren exclaimed in surprise, “A bamboo scroll? Good heavens, how ancient is this relic you’ve dug up?”The Celestial smiled and said, "I'm afraid even the four sect leaders wouldn't be able to tell its exact age. It was only because I happened to browse through the classics in the library during my leisure time that I gained some impression. Look here—it only mentions one passage—"
The bamboo scroll recorded significant events of the No Moon Court in the past. It mentioned that one day, the waters of the Eastern Sea suddenly receded, and a stunningly beautiful woman came riding the wind and mist from beyond the sea, absorbing vast amounts of spiritual energy from the mountains, rivers, and ocean, seemingly like a bottomless abyss. Terrified by her power, the Celestials banded together and killed her. After her death, the Heavenly Thunder Fire Sea descended upon the Central Land, though fortunately, it vanished quickly without causing heavy casualties.
The incident came abruptly and left just as suddenly. The receded waters refilled within three days, and afterward, no other strange occurrences seemed to follow. Hence, the bamboo scroll only recorded this brief passage.
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