Lei Xiuyuan, who had been in pain all over, was back to his lively self the next day. Meanwhile, Li Fei, who hadn’t slept well all night, spent the entire day yawning.
Zhen Yunzi never returned. Last night, he had been injured by the twin swords, leaving large pools of blood on the ground, which Lei Xiuyuan later washed away with water. Yawning as she shelled edamame, Li Fei murmured, “Do you think those twin swords are still hiding somewhere nearby?”
Lei Xiuyuan, shelling edamame just as swiftly beside her, replied, “I imagine the weapon spirits of those twin swords will remain in secret guard until we return to the Academy. If anything truly happened to us Academy disciples, it would affect the Academy’s reputation. Zuoqiu Xiansheng has always been meticulous and cautious, so there’s no need to worry.”
After all the heart-stopping events of the previous night, it felt a little strange to be leisurely shelling edamame like this the next morning… But what else could they do? Return to the Academy? That seemed rather spineless—having completed their training, yet still relying on the Academy’s protection. And as for cultivating diligently now, there wasn’t much point. They had already learned all they could and put in their best efforts. The rest would have to wait until they joined an Immortal Sect.
After much deliberation, the two of them could only continue shelling edamame.
“Once we enter a sect, we won’t have it as easy as we do now,” Li Fei sighed. At least now, if they encountered danger, they could return to the Academy, and Zuoqiu Xiansheng would deliberately arrange for their protection. If they ran into Zhen Yunzi again, they certainly wouldn’t have the same stroke of luck as last night.
Moreover, Ri Yan had reclaimed his Demon Qi and fallen into a deep slumber. Whether he would sleep for months or years this time was uncertain, leaving her truly alone to face all sorts of troubles.
“Xiu Yuan, are you really coming to No Moon Court with me?” she asked. Having Lei Xiuyuan by her side always made her feel a little more at ease.
Lei Xiuyuan gave an “Mm” in response. “I’m not going to Star Rectitude Hall or Embrace Sky Sect anyway.”
Li Fei burst into laughter. She understood why he didn’t want to go to Embrace Sky Sect—Luo Chengji had been far too enthusiastic this past year, singling out Lei Xiuyuan for special attention in an attempt to sway the boy with the rare single-metal Spirit Root to join their ranks. When he heard a few days ago that Lei Xiuyuan wanted to go to No Moon Court, he had nearly cried. If Hu Jiaping hadn’t dragged him away, he might have actually tried to kidnap Lei Xiuyuan back to Embrace Sky Sect on the spot.
With their training at the Academy complete, the disciples now had to consider which sect they would join. Most disciples only knew of the prestigious sects, such as No Moon Court and Star Rectitude Hall, but none had any clue about how new disciples were selected. Li Fei had already decided on No Moon Court, but whether they would accept her was another matter. Back then, Dongyang Zhenren had said that if she distinguished herself at the Academy, he could bring her into No Moon Court. Thinking back, she had performed quite “outstandingly” at the Academy, hadn’t she?
“What if No Moon Court doesn’t take me? Where will you go?” Li Fei asked quietly.
Lei Xiuyuan didn’t look up, deftly shelling edamame as he replied, “Where do you want me to go?”Huh, what did she hope for? Of course she hoped all her friends could stay together, but obviously that wasn’t possible. Their little group of four, along with Ye Ye and the others, would soon be parting ways. Ji Tongzhou was undoubtedly heading to Star Rectitude Hall. Ye Ye had mentioned wanting to join Earth Treasury Gate, which specialized in concealment and illusion techniques—seemed right up his alley. As for the Baili Sisters, Ge Lin had talked about going to Fire Lotus Temple together long ago, but who knew what she thought now.
Lei Xiuyuan’s exceptional talent meant he’d have no trouble getting into any sect. She couldn’t let her own “hopes” hold him back.
“It’s more about where you want to go,” Li Fei said with a smile. “Don’t you have a sect in mind?”
Lei Xiuyuan replied indifferently, “I do.”
“Which one?”
“Guess.”
Guess your big-headed ghost! Li Fei rolled her eyes at him. If he didn’t want to say it, he should just say so!
“We’ll all be going our separate ways soon,” she suddenly mused. “I wonder if we’ll ever get to cultivate together again.”
This past year had been incredibly rewarding for her. Everything had started that night she left Green Mound—she’d met so many people, and her life had taken a completely different turn. Now she was back here. Tiger Jaw Cliff was still as steep and perilous as ever, and the little courtyard remained cozy and humble, yet nothing was the same as it had been a year ago.
She was no longer that clueless Xiao Bangchui, nor would she ever climb Tiger Jaw Cliff by rope again. Now she was Jiang Li Fei, about to become a formal disciple of an Immortal Sect. And as for her elusive Master’s whereabouts—she was finally going to pin him down, at least a little.
On the tenth day of the eighth month, the capital of Yue Kingdom, Duantu, was bathed in clear skies.
Just past the hour of Chen, the streets were already bustling with carriages and crowds. The prosperity of this powerful kingdom, backed by the Celestials of Star Rectitude Hall, was beyond imagination. Shops lined the streets in neat rows, and the central Royal Avenue was exceptionally wide. The buildings along the street were vividly colored and grand in style, most standing three stories or taller. A single glance was enough to convey Yue Kingdom’s might and splendor.
Though Li Fei had seen her fair share of the world traveling with her Master, Duantu’s grandeur was still a rare sight. She immediately understood why Ji Tongzhou always carried himself with such arrogance and domineering pride. As the Ying Prince of Yue Kingdom and a prodigious talent, it’d be strange if he weren’t proud.
The Ying Prince’s residence was located in the southeast of Duantu, surrounded by high, thick walls. Only cultivators could detect the faint threads of light enveloping the estate—the Spiritual Qi Net. With Xuanshan Zi overseeing security and Ji Tongzhou being the next royal likely to achieve immortality, the palace and the prince’s residence were undoubtedly under the strictest guard. The Spiritual Qi Net ensured not even an ordinary bird could fly over the estate.
The main gate of the residence was shut, with only a side door half-open. Guards in gleaming armor stood watch at the entrance, eyes sharp and unwavering.
A luxurious carriage stopped before the residence, and the guards immediately stepped forward respectfully to open the carriage door. “Esteemed guests, please come in. His Highness has been awaiting your arrival,” one of them said. Then, the guards carefully ushered the two through the half-open side door.
Such deference and caution—a far cry from the bullying lot back in Huaguang County.Probably because Ji Tongzhou had arranged for a carriage to wait at the relay station this time, everyone had agreed to gather at Duantu, the capital of Yue Kingdom, on the tenth day of the eighth month. Ji Tongzhou would send the carriage to the Duantu relay station that day. As soon as Li Fei and Lei Xiuyuan arrived at the Duantu relay station, they were picked up by the carriage and brought to the Prince Ying's residence.
Two refined young attendants led them for a while before they passed through another gate. There, they were greeted by two beautiful maidservants in their early twenties, who bowed gracefully on either side, their voices as melodious as orioles: "Welcome, honored guests. Please follow us."
Li Fei had never seen such extravagance before—the Prince Ying's residence was enormous! With so many attendants and maidservants inside, Ji Tongzhou's life at the Academy could now be considered extremely modest in comparison. Beside her, Lei Xiuyuan remained unfazed. Well, that made sense—he had once been nobility himself, so he was accustomed to such displays. She was the only one secretly marveling at it all.
As they continued inward, the residence unfolded before them with lush greenery and towering pavilions, exuding an indescribable grandeur. Passing through yet another gate, they were met by two young maidservants, barely eleven or twelve years old, who guided them further. Before long, a lavishly dressed youth strode toward them, poised and elegant—none other than Ji Tongzhou himself.
"You're finally here!" Ji Tongzhou beamed, then waved his hand, dismissing the two young maidservants with a bow.
Only after the maidservants had vanished from sight did Ji Tongzhou suddenly throw a punch at Lei Xiuyuan's chest. The two exchanged blows in a flurry of movement before Ji Tongzhou abruptly withdrew, scowling. "Another draw! These robes are too cumbersome. Later, you’re coming with me to practice Immortal Techniques inside!"
Lei Xiuyuan dusted himself off and replied coolly, "Academy disciples are forbidden from private duels using Immortal Techniques or Mystic Arts."
"Then we’ll compete in martial arts and swordsmanship!"
"After traveling all this way, I’m exhausted. I don’t feel like fighting."
"No, you have to fight!"
Li Fei was long accustomed to this. The two of them had never gotten along peacefully. Back at the Academy, during Mo Yanfan’s martial arts and swordsmanship classes, they would spar relentlessly from start to finish, and their Immortal Technique training often devolved into chaotic brawls, earning them frequent scoldings from Hu Jiaping.
To this proud young prince, Lei Xiuyuan was less a friend and more a rival he was determined to surpass. After all, in the entire Academy, Lei Xiuyuan was the only one who could match him.
As the two bickered, Li Fei took in the scenery of the residence and suddenly sighed in admiration. "Ji Tongzhou, you really live like a prince."
Ji Tongzhou smirked proudly. "Finally realizing the grandeur of a prince, are you? Come on, I’ll take you inside."
Leading the way, he guided them along a smooth pebbled path for the time it took half an incense stick to burn. Suddenly, the view opened up to reveal an exquisitely ornate courtyard. Before it stood two more stunning maidservants, around fourteen or fifteen years old, their features as delicate as paintings. They bowed gracefully, their voices sweet and postures enchanting—rare beauties by any measure.
Li Fei couldn’t help but sigh at the overwhelming opulence and extravagance of this worldly paradise.
This pampered young prince lived in such luxury—why even bother cultivating immortality? Being a prince was surely far more comfortable.Upon entering the room, its opulence went without saying. Ji Tongzhou disappeared into the inner chamber for a short while and emerged wearing yet another set of lavish and dignified attire. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed all the maids. Only then did Li Fei exclaim in amazement, "Do you change clothes hundreds of times a day?"
One outfit for going out, another for receiving guests—would he even change again for meals?
Ji Tongzhou lounged in a chair sipping tea, shedding all traces of his earlier princely demeanor. "Royal etiquette demands it," he said. "It's nothing like the casual ways of the Academy. Haven't Ye Ye and the others arrived yet? I thought you'd come together."
"Let's wait a bit longer. They might arrive soon."
Unable to sit still, Li Fei pushed open the window to admire the scenery outside. Behind her, Ji Tongzhou and Lei Xiuyuan had already begun arguing again—over what, she couldn't tell. Before long, the quarrel turned into a debate about drinking, with one boasting of a capacity as vast as an ox and the other retorting that two cups would knock him out.
She paid them no mind, instead captivated by the exquisite embroidery on the curtains and the jade hooks holding them up. She couldn't resist fiddling with them for a long while. This visit to the prince's residence had truly broadened her horizons.
At some point, the argument behind her ceased. Ji Tongzhou, his throat parched, took a sip of tea and noticed Li Fei looking around with evident fascination. He felt both smug and amused—still the same little beggar, marveling over mere curtain hooks. Reaching into his sleeve, he pulled out a cricket carved from purple jade and walked over to hand it to her. "Play with this instead. Curtain hooks aren't that interesting."
The cricket was life-sized, and remarkably, the purple jade had been carved with such precision that it looked utterly lifelike. Even more astonishing was the faint coolness it emitted when held, making it incredibly soothing to grasp in the heat of summer.
"This is amazing!" she exclaimed without hiding her delight. "It looks just like a real one!"
Seeing her eyes fixed unwaveringly on the cricket, Ji Tongzhou had never seen Jiang Li Fei so docile before. His heart swelled with joy, and he declared proudly, "If you like it, it's yours."
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