After Running Away Pregnant, I Ended Up on the Wanted Lists of Both the Demon Venerable and the Immortal Venerable Chapter 19

As the soul fire devoured the demonic bird, the enormous bird in the sky suddenly crashed down. Jian Zhen was unable to dodge in time and was just covered beneath the huge, blood-soaked wings, his entire body tainted with the stench of the demonic bird’s blood.

The Wang brothers hiding behind the rocks not far away were terrified out of their wits and screamed.

From far away in the distant sky, a voice came drifting over.

Cold, indifferent, as though looking upon ants, wrapped in a layer of lazy irritation.

“So noisy.”

As soon as the words fell, blazing soul fire also ignited on the two brothers behind the rocks. The flames burned with terrifying speed, like a ferocious beast clamping down on its prey and killing it in a single strike. The two brothers who had just been plotting against others instantly fell silent.

The surroundings returned to calm.

Standing on the ground was a man in black robes, a garment trimmed with golden threads fluttering at the hems in the cold wind. A faint scent of blood permeated the air. The man’s appearance was peerlessly handsome, yet between his brows lay coldness and danger.

The demonic bird had long since lost all signs of life.

The two brothers were unable to speak, staring in extreme terror at the black-robed man not far away, constantly kowtowing in hopes of staying alive.

Ye Jisheng said, “This Venerable asks you, just now, were there only the two of you here?”

Upon hearing this, Wang Can did not even have time to be afraid. An overwhelmingly strong desire to survive surged up; the burning soul fire was almost enough to drown him. He raised his hand and pointed at the demonic bird’s corpse.

Ye Jisheng’s gaze fell upon the demonic bird.

Pinned beneath the demonic bird, Jian Zhen was completely surrounded by the blood and aura of its wings. The demonic bird’s blood was very pungent and somewhat foul, this was really going to cost a blade of grass its life!

Ye Jisheng slowly lifted his steps and walked over. His pace was extremely slow, yet impossible to ignore, strolling leisurely as though walking through his own back garden. It was the bearing of a supreme powerhouse, but to others, each step felt like a footfall stamping upon hell itself.

Just as he was about to approach the demonic bird.

A figure rolled out from behind the demonic bird!

A thin, filthy, and bedraggled figure collapsed on the ground. Yu knelt and said, “Many thanks to this senior for stepping in to save us. We few will forever remember the great kindness and virtue of this senior!”

Ye Jisheng’s steps halted, and the surrounding aura almost instantly changed.

Others might not sense it.

Only Jian Zhen knew, his mood had soured, and for an instant, he even harbored killing intent.

After a long while, an extremely cold smile fell.

Ye Jisheng half-lifted his eyes, his gaze landing on the hunched youth on the ground, his tone light and indifferent: “The Ninth Imperial Prince of the Yao Clan.”

Yu’s whole body trembled. Lowering his head, he said, “It is I…”

In the past, while still in the imperial court, he had already heard of the Demon God’s great name.

The world’s only divine body.

Bloodthirsty and fond of killing, temperamental, and exceedingly dangerous.

Though half his power had once been sealed due to the God-Slaying Grand Formation, he was still the strongest existence among the Three Realms.

But rumors were, after all, just rumors. Seeing once surpassed hearing a hundred times. Now that he had witnessed it with his own eyes, he truly felt the terror of the Demon God. Before him, even his entire body was going weak.

Ye Jisheng said, “Just now, was it you who fought the demonic bird?”

Yu nodded. “That is correct.”

Ye Jisheng’s red eyes fell upon him, carrying the oppression and scrutiny of one who had long occupied a position of supremacy. He parted his lips: “Your original form is a mulberry tree that cultivated into human shape?”

He had sensed the power of grass-plant lineage earlier; this kind of energy was the one he was most familiar with, that was why he had come here.

Yu knelt there, forcing himself to speak with utmost respect: “Yes. I am the Ninth Imperial Prince of the Yao Clan… Baiye Yu. I pay my respects to the Demon Venerable. Many thanks to the Demon Venerable for your assistance just now.”

Ye Jisheng looked down at him from above. His attitude did not change in the slightest because of the other party’s status. When he did not smile, the man’s entire body was shrouded in a cold, murderous aura, like dark, dense fog that could not be dispelled for ten thousand years. He said indifferently, “No need. This Venerable did not act for your sake.”

Yu’s body stiffened, yet he still said through gritted resolve, “No matter what, the Demon Venerable’s great kindness will be forever remembered. In the future, I will certainly repay it!”

Ye Jisheng’s red eyes were cold and emotionless as he curled his lips in mockery: “The Yao Clan’s royal house is in internal strife, with the eldest prince in power. How will you repay it?”

As the words fell, the person kneeling on the ground clenched the hand at his side tightly. The disheveled youth spoke in a low voice: “I will work hard to learn skills and cultivate. The eldest prince’s faction murdered my royal mother and elder brother, this vengeance must be repaid!”

Ye Jisheng listened indifferently and turned to leave.

Yu raised his head and said, “Eldest Imperial Brother is close to the immortal clan and has always wanted to act against the Demon Venerable. I am different. If one day I take control of the Yao Clan, I will definitely be on good terms with the demon clan and harbor no second thoughts!”

When the words fell, silence reigned on all sides.

Pinned beneath the demonic bird, Jian Zhen heard this and sighed inwardly.

Brother Yu, you’re confused!

Ye Jisheng is not the kind of person who lets others decide his fate!

Sure enough…

From not far away came an extremely light, faint laugh, filled with disdain. What might be a condition gladly accepted by ordinary people seemed utterly insignificant before sufficiently overwhelming power.

Ye Jisheng’s black robes swept across the blood-stained grass. He said calmly, “When you successfully sit upon the position of Yao King, then come pledge your loyalty to this Venerable.”

Mist filled the valley. The youth kneeling on the ground was utterly bedraggled.

The pressure belonging to the Demon God spread through the surroundings, pressing down so heavily that everyone around could barely breathe.

Yu struggled with all his might not to collapse to the ground, cold sweat beading on his forehead as he said, “I will prove it to you.”

The valley returned to cold silence.

Ye Jisheng’s figure dissipated. Yu, who had been forcing himself to hold on, collapsed to the ground, as if all strength had been drained from his body, still immersed in terror at the Demon God’s power.

Jian Zhen, who had been crushed by the demonic bird to the point of nearly passing out, also had no strength left.

It was only after Yu rested for quite a while and finally managed to crawl up that he exerted all his strength to pry open the demonic bird’s corpse and drag out the half-dead Jian Zhen.

Jian Zhen’s entire body had been drenched in demonic bird blood, wrapped in its foul, fishy stench.

Yu asked him, “Are you alright?”

Jian Zhen had been smashed so badly that his whole body ached terribly. He weakly shook his head and said, “What about Wang Can and them?”

Yu turned his head and glanced toward the rocks not far away. Those two brothers had long since been devoured by the Demon Venerable’s soul fire, so he said, “You don’t need to concern yourself with whether they live or die. If the Demon Venerable hadn’t happened to pass by just now, you would already have been killed by those two!”

Jian Zhen more or less understood who had pushed him.

Back when it was still a little blade of grass staying by the Demon God’s side, Ye Jisheng would always tease it, saying it didn’t understand the dangers of human hearts and would suffer losses sooner or later. Who would have thought those words would come true.

Yu’s hands were still trembling: “The Demon Venerable… just now came by and saved us.”

Seeing him frightened like this, Jian Zhen felt a little sorry and patted his shoulder.

Young man, I understand how you feel.

After all, back then when it had just gained sentience, it had also been frightened like this!

Seeing Jian Zhen in such a bedraggled state, Yu finally said, “Let’s first find a place to rest. You should also wash up a bit, don’t you find it smelly?”

Jian Zhen nodded and said, “I do.”

Yu was curious: “Then you…”

“Because,” Jian Zhen looked at him honestly and said crisply, “I’m already so smelly I’ve lost all sensation.”

Yu: “……”

Because the Demon God had come through, whether large or small, the demonic beasts and even the vines in the Fog Forest did not dare come out to cause trouble. For a time, Jian Zhen and Yu were unexpectedly safe, without any danger at all.

Night slowly fell.

They finally found a stream along the riverbank. Jian Zhen washed himself downstream with clean water. The thick demonic bird blood made him feel nauseous just from the smell. He dry-heaved a few times but couldn’t throw anything up.

When he returned, Yu was sitting by the riverbank roasting fish. Seeing Jian Zhen’s pale complexion, he asked, “What’s wrong?”

Jian Zhen gently shook his head, covered his stomach, and said, “I feel a bit nauseous.”

Yu worried, “Were you frightened by the demonic bird?”

Jian Zhen sat down on a pile of rocks opposite him. Moonlight spilled over his shoulders. Having just bathed, he had rolled up half his sleeves, revealing pale, slender forearms. His voice was soft and clear as he glared at Yu somewhat indignantly: “I’m not that timid!”

Back then in Ye Jisheng’s illusion, corpses had littered the land.

Although it had been stunned with fear at the time, compared to that scene, today’s bird really didn’t count for much.

Yu chuckled lightly, taking it as him putting up a brave front: “When we reach Fuling Mountain, you should still have a medicine master check your pulse. One can’t be careless with the body.”

Jian Zhen nodded and said, “Okay.”

Yu was still uneasy: “Other than feeling nauseous, do you feel uncomfortable anywhere else?”

Jian Zhen thought seriously for a moment, then looked at Yu, covered his stomach, and said honestly, “I’m also a bit hungry.”

Yu: “……”

He handed him the roasted fish with a helpless smile. Seeing Jian Zhen obediently and quietly take it and eat, without any pickiness at all, Yu finally relaxed. This person always seemed so pure and forthright, making himself appear dark, selfish, and full of deceptions.

After taking a couple of bites of fish, Jian Zhen’s cheeks puffed out. He looked at the silent Yu in confusion and asked, “What’s wrong with you?”

“Brother Jian…” Yu had many injuries on his body. He curled his fingers slightly and said, “You already know about my matters from the daytime.”

Jian Zhen nodded and said, “Mm.”

Yu asked, “You don’t blame me?”

Jian Zhen blinked in confusion. His clear eyes reflected Yu’s figure as he asked, “Blame you for what?”

Yu hesitated for a moment, then mustered his courage and said, “I concealed my identity and deceived you, it was my fault. It’s not that I didn’t want to tell you, it’s just that my current situation is very difficult, and I was afraid of bringing you danger.”

Only then did Jian Zhen understand what he meant. He broke into a smile and said, “Oh, that matter, I’m not angry at you.”

Yu asked, “Really?”

Jian Zhen nodded: “Mm!”

Yu let out a sigh of relief. He hadn’t expected Jian Zhen to be so unconcerned about such things, but he hadn’t expected, the red-lipped, white-toothed youth sitting opposite curved his brows and eyes and said, “Because I also have things I’ve hidden from you, so we’re even.”

Yu: “……”

So that’s how it is.

But as a Yao Clan imperial prince, over all these years he had seen and experienced more than enough.

Yu smiled lightly: “No matter. Traveling the martial world, it’s right to keep some things in reserve. After going through all this, Brother Jian, we can be considered comrades who’ve faced life and death together. No matter what our identities were in the past, from now on we are friends!”

Jian Zhen hadn’t expected that he could truly make a friend.

The youth thought for a moment, picked up his fish, and clinked it against Yu’s, gesturing as he said, “Using fish in place of wine, cheers!”

Under the moonlight, the youth’s eyes were bright. Even though he was covered in dust from travel, it still couldn’t hide his spirited brows and eyes, nor that irrepressible vitality.

Yu’s heart stirred slightly. He reached out and clinked his fish against Jian Zhen’s, smiling as he said, “Cheers.”

After leaving Mist Forest, the road to Fuling Mountain was not easy either. Going back and forth, it took nearly two months. It was only after the weather gradually turned to summer that Jian Zhen and Yu finally arrived at the foot of the Yao Clan’s Fuling Mountain. The entire mountain towered into the clouds, lush and verdant. The steps leading up the mountain stretched beyond sight, and there were countless people coming and going.

Jian Zhen and Yu had obtained their disciple tokens and were waiting for the entry inspection.

Fuling Mountain was the largest sacred cultivation mountain of the Yao Clan. Among all Yao in the Three Realms, the greatest wish was to cultivate here, but not everyone could be selected, one had to pass examinations.

As Jian Zhen and Yu stood in the queue, they heard people behind them discussing:

“After waiting a hundred years, Fuling Mountain is finally recruiting new disciples again.”

“I was eliminated last time.”

“I heard that for this Fuling Mountain martial arts assembly, they’ll even invite the Immortal Venerable of the Immortal Clan to come and watch!”

“That Immortal Lord Wangyou, whose cultivation is extremely profound and who is hailed as the world’s number one in sword dao?”

“Yes, even if you can’t be selected, just being able to see the Immortal Venerable once would already be good.”

“In ordinary cultivation, we wouldn’t see such a figure even in a lifetime.”

“That really would make the trip worthwhile!”

Every single word was clearly transmitted into the ears of the two people in front.

Holding his disciple token, Jian Zhen’s whole body stiffened slightly. They always said the Three Realms were small, but now he really began to doubt his grass life, wasn’t it said that meeting such a person once in a lifetime was already difficult? Why was it that wherever he went, he could run into them!

Seeing his expression, Yu smiled and said, “Is your wish also to see the Immortal Venerable once?”

Jian Zhen snapped back to his senses and answered honestly, “Actually, not really… no.”

After all, during those hundred years on the Immortal Mountain, they had met many, many times!

And it wasn’t fear, he just didn’t know how to face the Immortal Venerable.

Yu patted his shoulder and said, “Don’t worry. As long as we pass the main selection, there will definitely be a chance.”

Jian Zhen: “……”

He really didn’t!!

The initial test for a group of disciples was passing through the mountain gate’s water mirror. This mirror was not the ordinary one from Tianshui City, this mirror was the Yao Clan’s supreme spiritual treasure. Any Yao Clan member passing through this mirror gate would reveal their original form. It was also the first checkpoint for grouping Yao Clan disciples.

People continued passing through at the front.

The Yao Clan elder seated before the mirror gave a cursory glance and then assigned the group: “Beast Clan, lower–middle aptitude, give an Earth Spirit token.”

Another Yao Clan member stood before the water mirror.

In the mirror appeared a lake of deep water, formed from cultivation in a water-attributed pool.

The elder said, “Water Clan, middle aptitude, give a Water Spirit token.”

Following this pattern, disciples continuously received their tokens. Some disciples, however, failed the aptitude test and went back down the mountain. Yu stood behind Jian Zhen and said, “Fuling Mountain disciples are divided according to metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Different clans cultivate differently. You and I both formed from plants, so it should be a Wood Spirit token.”

Jian Zhen nodded and said, “Got it.”

He just hadn’t expected that even here, the water mirror would be used.

This water mirror was clearly far more advanced than the one in Tianshui City. Would it reveal his original form? But there were many disciples coming and going, and plant-type beings whose original form was grass weren’t unheard of, surely it wouldn’t be that easy to discover, right?

The disciple in front called out, “Next!”

Seeing it was his turn, Jian Zhen stepped forward and handed his token to the disciple.

The disciple glanced at the wooden token, somewhat disdainful. Wooden tokens generally recorded a candidate’s background and status. A little Yao like Jian Zhen, with no background at all, was usually at the very bottom in status.

The elder glanced at the wooden token as well and didn’t even bother to raise his eyes, only saying, “Stand in front of the water mirror.”

Jian Zhen took a deep breath, comforting himself that it would only show the appearance of a little blade of grass, no fear, no fear, brave little grass, not afraid of difficulties!

Under everyone’s gaze, the plainly dressed, delicate-featured youth stood before the water mirror. The surface of the Yao Clan’s highest-tier water mirror trembled slightly. The smooth, rounded mirror first displayed the shadow of a little blade of grass, but in an instant it shattered apart, revealing a blurry silhouette of a youth. That figure also quickly dissipated, replaced by another vague shadow.

Several mirror images flickered back and forth, finally freezing on a mass of clouds and mist.

No one could see clearly what lay behind the clouds.

The water mirror suddenly began to hum loudly, startling the elder into sitting upright from his chair. At the same time, cracks appeared on the mirror, faintly showing signs of splitting into two!

Jian Zhen was startled.

Just as everyone was at a loss and scrambling in panic, a stream of spiritual energy descended from the sky. This power was gentle and mellow, tightly enveloping the water mirror, isolating it from the outside and preserving it. But because the power was extremely strong, the ripples it caused forced everyone nearby to stagger back several steps.

Everyone was somewhat frightened.

Only Jian Zhen, who sensed this power, felt his heart tighten, not for any other reason, but because this spiritual energy was far too familiar. It belonged to his other caretaker.

Sure enough…

The elder’s voice rang out: “Greetings, Sect Master, greetings, Immortal Venerable!”

Jian Zhen’s heart sank in relief, he hadn’t guessed wrong after all. It really was the Immortal Venerable. It seemed he had caused him trouble again, but whoever raised the grass should clean up after it… he shouldn’t blame him… right?

Countless thoughts flashed through the little grass’s mind.

Then he heard an elegant, gentle voice fall from not far away: “What has happened?”

Fu Changhuan was dressed in brocade robes, his black hair draped behind him yet impeccably neat. Standing upon the high platform, he was as aloof and pristine as the eternal snow atop a sacred mountain. When his gaze fell, an unconscious sense of respect and awe arose in everyone’s hearts, the Immortal Venerable of the Three Realms, lofty and pure as dustless air.

The elder immediately pointed toward the corner where Jian Zhen was trying to shrink his presence and said, “It was that disciple, standing before the water mirror caused it to suddenly act strangely!”

In an instant, all gazes turned toward him.

Jian Zhen’s little head unconsciously lowered, wishing he could turn into a quail. In his heart he silently chanted: it’s not the grass’s fault, you can’t see me, you can’t see me……

The Sect Master said, “Raise your head.”

Invisible pressure descended instantly, and a large portion of the Yao Clan disciples around knelt down.

An ordinary little blade of grass simply couldn’t withstand such pressure from a Yao Clan powerhouse above the Immortalization stage. Those with lower cultivation would likely cough up blood on the spot. Jian Zhen also felt the pressure all over his body and let out a muffled groan as he struggled to endure the pain.

Almost the moment the sound escaped, a strand of spiritual energy gently lifted his body, instantly dissolving all the pressure around him.

Fu Changhuan lowered his hand, his tone cool and detached: “He is merely an ordinary disciple. Why must the Sect Master go this far?”

The Sect Master was slightly surprised, not expecting the Immortal Venerable to intervene for an unknown disciple, but being an old fox, he quickly smiled and said, “What the Immortal Venerable says is right. You may all rise.”

Other yao clan members were still immersed in the pressure from just now, unable to move.

Jian Zhen raised his head. Fu Changhuan stood on the high steps, looking down at him. The noon sun was blazing; sunlight filtered through the gaps between the tree shadows and fell upon the young man’s shoulders. Clad in plain-colored garments, black hair pinned with a wooden hairpin, his delicate face bore round eyes that seemed to gather specks of light. His temperament was clean; when he looked over, he was like a newly sprouted shoot emerging from water, gentle and soft, adorably tender.

Fu Changhuan gazed at him for a moment, then spoke: “What is your name?”

The young man below the platform answered softly: “Jian Zhen.”

“Zhen.” Fu Changhuan repeated the character, savoring it like a jade bead, then said lightly: “The Great Dao is simple; return to the unadorned and to truth. It is a good name.”

If an ordinary person were praised like this by the Immortal Venerable, they would surely discern the implicit appreciation within and quickly seize the topic to extend the conversation.

Only Jian Zhen did not move at all.

As everyone waited to see how he would take advantage of this opportunity to curry favor, the young man blinked, obediently nodded to accept the praise, and revealed a smile: “Thank you.”

Everyone: “……”

The air was deathly silent.

The yao clan elder said: “Sect Master, Immortal Venerable, this water mirror suddenly produced abnormalities, could there be some problem……”

The sect master was also an old hand; the water mirror had never had issues for tens of thousands of years, so his gaze naturally fell on Jian Zhen not far away, but before he could speak, 

Fu Changhuan said: “Recently, Wanmie Mountain has been frequently producing disturbances, affecting many innate spiritual treasures. Just now, this venerable also sensed the aura of Wanmie Mountain on the water mirror. It has nothing to do with this disciple. Dispatch people to send the water mirror back, and gather the peak masters to activate the Purifying Dust Array to clear obstructions for the mirror, and that will suffice.”

When these words fell, they were calm and indifferent, yet convincing.

The sect master cupped his hands and said: “Many thanks to the Immortal Venerable for the guidance. This old man will send people to handle it at once.”

The elder asked for instructions: “Sect Master, then these disciples……”

The sect master arranged things with composure: “Those who have passed the selection shall be settled in the disciple quarters within the mountain. Those who have not yet passed, please go down the mountain to be settled. After the water mirror recovers, Fuling Mountain will issue an announcement inviting everyone to return.”

The elder promptly accepted the order. Although the other demon clans behind the mountain were regretful, they all accepted the arrangements.

This matter was thus considered settled.

The sect master turned sideways and invited: “Please, Immortal Lord, follow me to Fuling Hall to rest for a moment.”

Fu Changhuan withdrew the gaze that had fallen upon the crowd. Jian Zhen did not know if it was an illusion, but that gaze seemed to pause briefly on him; however, in the end he still turned to the sect master and said: “Much obliged.”

After the group of big shots left, the junior disciples who had been standing finally let out a breath of relief.

The imposing presence of those in high positions, even without deliberately releasing pressure, still made these newly initiated disciples feel fearful and chilled.

Only Jian Zhen was still outside the situation.

Yu squeezed through the crowd and grabbed his hand, worried: “Are you okay?”

Jian Zhen gently shook his head.

Seeing his absent-minded look, Yu said: “Were you frightened? Don’t worry, the Immortal Venerable said it was because of Wanmie Mountain, not your fault. Sect Master Uncle is a reasonable person; he won’t blame you.”

Jian Zhen thought to himself that this wasn’t what he was worried about!

Just now……

Did the Immortal Venerable recognize him?

But the Immortal Venerable had never seen his human form; he probably wouldn’t recognize him.

Yu held his hand and said: “I’m behind you and haven’t passed the selection yet. You’ve already been selected. In a bit they’ll take you to the disciple quarters; I can’t go with you. You must be careful in everything, understand?”

Jian Zhen nodded and said obediently: “Understood.”

Yu: “……”

Strange, although very worried, seeing how carefree he was instead made it feel like the worry was for nothing!

Very soon.

All the disciples were dispersed as needed and arranged as required. Jian Zhen indeed received the token of the Wood Spirit lineage and entered the queue among the Wood Spirit group. The senior brother at the front arranged each person’s food and lodging. After the senior disciple led them to the temporary disciple residence and left, quite a few from the Wood Spirit lineage gathered around.

Everyone wanted to ask about what had happened with the water mirror just now.

Who knew that Jian Zhen knew nothing when asked, like a dummy; finding it boring, everyone dispersed.

In the evening.

It was time for the disciples to go to the mountain peak cafeteria to receive food.

Jian Zhen followed the crowd toward the cafeteria. Only upon arriving did he realize that this place required paying spirit stones to exchange for food, and he had no money on him, so he had nothing to eat.

The cafeteria administrator said disdainfully: “Free food is at Qing Peak next door. You’ve gone to the wrong place!”

Jian Zhen asked softly: “How do I get to Qing Peak?”

The cafeteria administrator was just about to chase him away, but upon lifting his head met a pair of clear, bright eyes. Those eyes were so sincere that one could not bring oneself to say cruel words; choking slightly, he said: “Go straight from here, then turn two corners and you’ll be there.”

Jian Zhen nodded, obedient and earnest: “Thank you.”

Cafeteria administrator: “……”

What is this sudden sense of guilt?

Among the entire cafeteria, the selected disciples either had excellent family backgrounds or at least some ability; only Jian Zhen, under the suspicious and appraising gazes of everyone, left the cafeteria alone.

At sunset, Fuling Mountain was awash in clouds and rosy light.

Jian Zhen suddenly thought of the sunset at Demon Realm Mountain, red and glowing, even more magnificent and moving.

Walking forward along the small outer path on stone slabs, he did not encounter many people along the way. After walking for quite a while, Jian Zhen had already turned two corners and still had not reached Qing Peak’s cafeteria, yet the sky was gradually darkening.

Could he have gone the wrong way.

Jian Zhen halted his steps, hesitating over whether to go back.

Just as he was thinking.

A voice fell: “Lost your way?”

Under the sunset’s evening glow, a tall pavilion stood majestically at the mountainside. Standing by the pavilion railing was a figure clad in snow-white robes, temperament like dust. Fu Changhuan’s cool face bore no superfluous expression, his eyes clearly reflecting the young man’s figure on the small path below.

Jian Zhen’s whole body jolted; hesitation flashed across his small face as he spoke: “May I ask, is this Qing Peak?”

Fu Changhuan said: “It is not.”

“Oh.” Only then did Jian Zhen nod and say: “I got lost.”

Fu Changhuan fell silent for a moment: “What are you going to Qing Peak for?”

Jian Zhen’s fair little hand touched his stomach; he lifted his head and answered honestly: “I’m hungry.”

“……”

The air once again fell into a suspicious silence.

The evening glow dyed the sky a sheet of red, the evening breeze brushed over the mountain ridge. Standing atop the buildings, the immortal untainted by dust had a trace of faint, shallow amusement color his eyes. He stood there looking down, as though for thousands upon thousands of years he had always been gazing at the people below in just this way.

Yet in the blink of an eye.

A gentle breeze swept past; snow-white brocade robes brushed across the ground.

Jian Zhen then saw Fu Changhuan’s figure appear before him, his cool face calm: “Let’s go.”

??

The little grass blinked in confusion.

Jian Zhen lifted his head, watery-bright eyes looking at him, his voice gentle and soft as he asked: “Go where?”

Fu Changhuan turned and said: “Didn’t you get lost? I’ll take you to eat.”

Jian Zhen obediently nodded: “Oh.”

He followed behind him, stepping along the stone path, one in front and one behind, only feeling that the Immortal Venerable was still as before, gentle in the way he treated people and things, even helping those who were lost find the cafeteria.

Fu Changhuan said: “Why didn’t you dine together with the other disciples?”

Jian Zhen was open and honest: “I don’t have money.”

Fu Changhuan slightly turned his face, but he was walking in front, so Jian Zhen could not see his expression.

Only the wind brushed along the small path.

Just when Jian Zhen thought that he no longer wanted to speak with an ordinary little disciple like himself who had nothing at all, Fu Changhuan said: “What about the disciple who came with you?”

Jian Zhen paused, then reacted: “Yu?”

Fu Changhuan’s tone was cool, giving no hint of emotion: “Mm. Regarding the water mirror matter today, he was very nervous about you, standing behind you the whole time.”

Jian Zhen had not expected the Immortal Venerable to observe everything so meticulously, so he honestly nodded and said: “He hasn’t been selected yet, so he went down the mountain first. He’ll come again after some time.”

Fu Changhuan said: “You seem to be very close.”

Jian Zhen eased into casual conversation; now completely relaxed, he obediently nodded and introduced him: “Mm, Yu is my friend. He knows a lot, and he takes care of me a lot.”

The two of them happened to turn a corner, stepping into a bamboo grove.

Fu Changhua’s snow-white robes brushed past the rustling bamboo leaves along the stone path. His cool face under the evening glow was warm like jade. He halted his steps, turned his gaze and lowered his eyes to look at the person beside him: “So it was for this friend that you were always unwilling to return to my side, unwilling to return to Spirit Mountain?”