The Mustard Seed Boat arrived at Yingshan Sect on the evening of the third day.
It hadn’t even been half a month since Yu Zhiling left Yingshan Sect, yet in those short dozen or so days, she had gone out full of vigor and returned limp as a wilted sprout.
Yu Zhiling had spent three days aboard the Mustard Seed Boat. Half-paralyzed, she hadn’t even ventured onto the deck, holed up in her cabin the entire time. Had it not been for a few storybooks tucked in her Qiankun bag, she wouldn’t have survived a single day.
Nestled in Mo Zhu’s arms as he carried her off the boat, she craned her neck to gaze at her domain. Even a single tree on Listening Spring Cliff looked refreshingly new to her eyes.
"Wuwu, I’m finally back! Mo Zhu, do you have any idea what I’ve been through these past few days?"
Mo Zhu replied evenly, "Master, even after returning to Listening Spring Cliff, you still won’t be able to move around."
Yu Zhiling tilted her head and declared flatly, "I’m dead."
Mo Zhu chuckled, adjusting his grip as he carried her toward her courtyard.
Behind them, Yan Shanqing, who had just disembarked, wore a complicated expression. "That child Mo Zhu has quite the temper, doesn’t he?"
Xiang Wuxue nodded in agreement. "Indeed. He’s been personally tending to Little Five since her severe injury. The boy is talented and considerate."
"Hmph."
A cold scoff sounded from behind.
Yan Shanqing and Xiang Wuxue turned to see Ning Hengwu stepping off the boat, her face icy.
Xiang Wuxue sighed. Over the past two days, they had noticed Ning Hengwu seemed to be bottling up anger, refusing to even descend to the lower deck to visit Yu Zhiling.
It didn’t seem like she held any grudge against Yu Zhiling—rather, her displeasure was directed at Mo Zhu.
"Hengwu, has that child Mo Zhu had some conflict with you?" Yan Shanqing couldn’t help but ask. "You’ve seemed off these past three days on the boat. Or is it Little Five who upset you?"
Ning Hengwu parted her lips, for a fleeting moment tempted to lay bare the truth about Mo Zhu and Yu Zhiling. But when she caught sight of the fine wrinkles at Yan Shanqing’s temples and the exhaustion on Xiang Wuxue’s face—both worn thin from the chaos in the Central Continent, especially with the matter involving Immortal Fuchun—the words died on her tongue.
What finally came out was: "It’s nothing. I just think Little Five and Mo Zhu are getting too close. It doesn’t seem appropriate."
Yan Shanqing understood, though her expression soon softened into a smile.
"I know you worry for Little Five, but Mo Zhu is a good boy. Those she trusts won’t have ill intentions. He’s still young, and as her disciple, it’s only right he cares for her. Unless you or I suddenly find time to personally attend to her?"
Xiang Wuxue added, "Since we’ve decided to investigate this matter without Little Five’s knowledge, we should minimize contact with her. She needs someone by her side, and she wouldn’t accept a stranger. It’s best if Mo Zhu handles it—he’s been doing well."
Ning Hengwu knew all too well how attentively Mo Zhu cared for her—tending to her every need, even feeding her meals cooled to the perfect temperature.
But once she realized the nature of his feelings, everything about him grated on her nerves.
Shaking her head, Ning Hengwu turned and strode away from Listening Spring Cliff.
"Let’s go. Yun Zhi and Zhao Yan have been waiting."
Her preoccupation was obvious, but Yan Shanqing and Xiang Wuxue exchanged a glance and didn’t press further. Some things would be revealed in due time.
Yu Zhiling returned to her courtyard after a mere half-month’s absence.
Mo Zhu settled her onto the daybed in the yard. The house, uninhabited for days, had gathered dust, so he went ahead to tidy up while Yu Zhiling lounged comfortably, cracking roasted chestnuts—pre-shelled by her devoted disciple.
Yan Shanqing and the others hadn’t followed. After landing, they must have gone to meet Yun Zhi and Wu Zhaoyan.
Setting aside the chestnuts, Yu Zhiling picked up the communication jade token at her waist and activated it.
The other end answered promptly, a calm voice drifting through: "Zhuo Yu?"
Clearing her throat, she asked, "Yun Zhi, are you at Yingshan Sect now?"
"Yes. I—and Zhao Yan—are both here."
As he spoke, she caught a faint scoff, as if from someone beside Yun Zhi.
The voice was unfamiliar yet eerily familiar, stirring flashes of fragmented memories in her mind. A strange sense of reassurance washed over her, as if this person was someone Zhuo Yu had deeply trusted—a friend she instinctively relied on.
Yu Zhiling frowned. These emotions, never hers but remnants of Zhuo Yu’s original self, kept surfacing at the most unexpected times.
Yun Zhi sighed. "Last time, I told you to reach out to Zhao Yan when you had time. Did you forget?"
Yu Zhiling hesitated guiltily. "I... I did forget..."
Wu Zhaoyan exploded instantly, snatching the token from Yun Zhi to roar: "Forgot?! Zhuo Yu, why don’t you forget to eat? Forget to come home when you go out? Forget to cover yourself when you sleep?! Let me tell you, it’s been ten years since you cut ties first—"
Yu Zhiling held the token at arm’s length, her eardrums nearly shattered.
His tirade lasted a solid quarter-hour before Yun Zhi finally reclaimed the token during a brief pause for water.
"Zhuo Yu, let’s set this aside for now. Did you need something?"
Hearing Yun Zhi’s voice, Yu Zhiling brought the token closer. "After you finish discussing matters with my senior siblings, could you come to Listening Spring Cliff? There’s something I’d like to ask you."
A pause. Yun Zhi seemed to guess her intent. After a moment, he agreed: "Alright. We’ll talk later—Senior Yan and the others are here. Wait for me."
"Mm. I’ll wait."
The connection ended just as Mo Zhu emerged from the tidied house.
He knew she’d been speaking to Yun Zhi.
Mo Zhu lowered his gaze. He knew he shouldn’t dwell on it—Yu Zhiling had business with Yun Zhi.
Yet hearing their familiar banter from inside the house had stirred something unpleasant. They had known each other for years. Even with Yu Zhiling’s lost memories, their bond remained unshaken. Yun Zhi and Wu Zhaoyan still cared for her, and her trust in them was palpable.
A strange discomfort coiled in his chest. His fists clenched unconsciously.
"Mo Zhu?"
Yu Zhiling’s voice snapped him out of it.
Lying on the daybed, she noticed her disciple standing motionless on the stone steps, eyes downcast and clearly troubled.
She called again: "Mo Zhu, what’s wrong?"
Mo Zhu lifted his head, a practiced smile slipping into place as he approached.
"Master, the house is ready."
He bent to gather her into his arms.
Perhaps it was her imagination, but his embrace felt tighter than usual. Suddenly lifted higher, her head came to rest against his neck—so close her nose nearly brushed his skin. Had she not jerked back in time, her lips might have met his throat.
Yu Zhiling cautiously asked, "Mo Zhu, are you... alright?"
Mo Zhu carried her into the house as he replied, "I'm fine. Don’t worry, Master."
Yu Zhiling sighed inwardly—teenagers were truly unpredictable, shifting from sunny to gloomy in an instant, so hard to understand and handle.
She was placed gently on the bed by Mo Zhu, who had thoughtfully replaced all the bedding with fresh ones. A soothing incense burned by the bedside.
Mo Zhu sat beside her, speaking softly, "Master, rest a little longer."
Yu Zhiling shook her head. "No, I need to wait for Yun Zhi."
Her words always carried a playful lilt, sounding almost like a coquettish plea. In the past, when she spoke to Mo Zhu like this, he found it unbearably sweet, melting his heart into a puddle.
But now, that same tone was used to call another man’s name...
Mo Zhu’s breathing grew heavier as he recalled Ning Hengwu’s words—she had mentioned wanting to matchmake Yun Zhi and Yu Zhiling. They were childhood sweethearts, after all, and the entire Yingshan Sect approved of Yun Zhi.
Then he remembered the white-clothed young man he had seen in the Four Kill Realm...
Mo Zhu stared at Yu Zhiling, searching her eyes for any hint of emotion that might reveal her feelings for Yun Zhi.
But all he saw was confusion.
Her delicate brows furrowed slightly as she asked tentatively, "Are you tired? You seem... off."
Mo Zhu took a deep breath. There was no point in overthinking things when nothing was certain yet.
"It’s nothing, Master. Rest well. I’ll go practice my sword."
Yu Zhiling immediately brightened. "Alright, alright! Don’t push yourself too hard. Do you want some fruit or tea?"
"No need, Master. I’ll be in the courtyard. Call me if you need anything."
Seeing her attention focused solely on him, Mo Zhu finally smiled. He tucked the blankets around her and arranged her snacks on the small table beside the bed for easy reach.
As he stood to leave, he glanced back one last time at Yu Zhiling, who waved at him cheerfully.
The Heart-Eroding Gu he had suffered from on the Jiezi Boat had long been dispelled. After relentless sword practice, his meridians now pulsed with energy—his heavenly tribulation was likely approaching soon.
Mo Zhu trained harder than ever, driven by the need to stand by her side, to protect her, and to uncover the truth of the past. He had to grow stronger, fast.
Once outside, the crisp sound of his sword slicing through the air soon filled the courtyard.
Yu Zhiling took a bite of fruit, and the system’s cheerful notification chimed in her mind.
[Ding! The male lead has mastered the first level of the Profound Clarity Sword Technique. Host’s merit points +30. Current total: 1,370. Keep up the good work!]
Yu Zhiling mumbled through a mouthful, "Mmm!"
Fueled by excitement, she aggressively bit into another apple.
At this rate, she’d hit 2,000 merit points in no time, unlocking the second phase of her memories.
In less than two months, she’d already gathered over a fifth of the 5,000 points needed. Reaching her goal would be a breeze!
Buoyed by confidence, she happily listened to the system’s intermittent updates.
By the time Mo Zhu’s merit points settled at 1,400, the swordplay outside ceased. Just as Yu Zhiling was dozing off, her eyes snapped open.
In the courtyard, Mo Zhu watched coldly as the white-clothed young man pushed open the gate with practiced ease—clearly, he had visited countless times over the past century.
Yun Zhi had sensed the swordplay from afar, its sharp, lethal intent starkly different from Yu Zhiling’s graceful yet firm style. He had guessed it was Mo Zhu.
Sure enough, the young man from the Four Kill Realm stood before him.
Yun Zhi offered a warm smile. "Mo Zhu, it’s been a while."
Mo Zhu bowed slightly. "Greetings, Immortal Yun Zhi."
Yun Zhi stepped closer. "I’m here to discuss some matters with Zhuo Yu. Is she inside?"
"I’m here, I’m here! Yun Zhi, just a moment!"
Before Mo Zhu could respond, Yu Zhiling’s voice rang out from within.
"Mo Zhu, come help me!"
Mo Zhu entered to find Yu Zhiling stretching her arms toward him. He understood immediately.
She had already put on her outer robe, so he helped her into her shoes before lifting her effortlessly.
Yu Zhiling pointed toward the courtyard. "Get the wooden chair from the Qiankun Bag. I’ll sit outside."
"Understood."
Mo Zhu retrieved the spacious chair, layered it with soft cushions, and settled her onto it.
After three days of treatment, Yu Zhiling’s meridians had improved slightly, allowing her to sit upright for short periods. Lying half-lifeless in front of Yun Zhi would’ve been improper, so she forced herself to remain seated beneath the tree, offering Yun Zhi an apologetic smile.
"I can’t stand yet, so this will have to do."
Yun Zhi nodded. "It’s fine. I heard about your injuries—focus on recovering."
Once settled, Yu Zhiling nudged Mo Zhu’s shoulder. "Mo Zhu, you can leave now."
Mo Zhu’s heart sank. He had been adjusting her cushion when her words froze him. Straightening, he met her gaze, his dark eyes unreadable.
Yu Zhiling stammered, "I... Yun Zhi and I have things to discuss. You should go."
What’s gotten into him?
She couldn’t decipher his cold expression, fearing he might be upset.
But the next moment, Mo Zhu stood and replied evenly, "Very well."
His compliance was swift.
Without another glance at the pair, Mo Zhu turned and left, even politely shutting the courtyard gate behind him.
Yet the moment the door closed, his expression darkened further, his aura turning icy. The blackened wood of the gate seemed to swallow the light, but through the narrow gap, he could still see them.
Yun Zhi waved a hand, using spiritual energy to move a stone table and stools closer before taking a seat. He poured tea for Yu Zhiling.
They made a striking pair—both ethereal and untouchable, like celestial beings descended to earth, untouched by mortal trivialities.
Mo Zhu abruptly turned away, afraid that if he lingered, he might barge back in and snatch her away.
He closed his eyes, repeating to himself: He couldn’t be possessive. She had every right to her own friends.
They were just friends. Just friends. Yu Zhiling didn’t feel anything more.
After a long silence, as the murmur of conversation drifted from the courtyard, Mo Zhu finally opened his eyes—now calm and fathomless as a still lake. He strode away without looking back.
Night had fallen, but the courtyard remained bright with lanterns to soothe Yu Zhiling’s fear of the dark. The cool breeze carried a crisp clarity.
Yu Zhiling sipped her tea, stealing a glance at Yun Zhi. He was just as she remembered—white robes, white hair, wrapped in a heavy crane-feather cloak despite the summer heat.
But in her memories...
Years ago, Yun Zhi hadn’t dressed like this. And his complexion hadn’t been so pale.
Yu Zhiling was somewhat worried and couldn't help but ask, "Yun Zhi, what exactly happened to your health?"
Yun Zhi was sipping tea when he paused at her words, lifting his gaze to meet hers.
Yu Zhiling quickly raised her hand in reassurance. "I’ve lost my memory—my senior brothers and sisters must have told you. I truly don’t remember anything from the past."
Yun Zhi suddenly chuckled, his expression softening. "I wasn’t blaming you. It’s fine if you’ve forgotten. Some things are better left forgotten."
His words echoed what Xiang Wuxue and Mo Zhu had once told her—that forgetting was for the best, that she shouldn’t dwell on the past.
But Yu Zhiling pressed her lips together, unconvinced. Whether to forget or remember should be her own choice. She didn’t want to live in ignorance.
Yun Zhi set down his teacup and answered her earlier question.
"My injury was caused by poison—Frost of July. It happened ten years ago."
Yu Zhiling blinked in confusion. "Frost… of July?"
"A demonic poison. There’s no antidote, so I can only suppress it with my cultivation. I was injured while exorcising evil, but it’s nothing serious. I’m still alive and well."
Yu Zhiling frowned. Her instincts told her Yun Zhi was hiding something, that his words weren’t entirely truthful.
But this was his private matter, and pressing further would be inappropriate.
Yun Zhi’s lips curved gently as he changed the subject. "Zhuo Yu, let’s not talk about me. What did you come to see me for?"
It seemed he truly didn’t want to discuss it.
Yu Zhiling sighed inwardly and let the matter drop.
She rolled up her sleeve, revealing the serpent bracelet on her wrist.
"Yun Zhi, do you know what this is?"
Yun Zhi’s expression shifted instantly. He glanced at it briefly before meeting her eyes again, his gaze light.
"I do."
"What is it?"
"The treasured artifact of the Tengshe royal lineage of the demon race—the Verdant Serpent Bangle, a divine-grade relic."
Yu Zhiling’s brows knitted tightly. "Royal lineage? Tengshe?"
Yun Zhi raised an eyebrow. "You… didn’t know the Tengshe are the demon royalty?"
She truly hadn’t. Apart from inexplicably recalling sword techniques and cultivation methods, everything else about this world had been learned slowly after her arrival.
Yun Zhi explained, "When you brought Mo Zhu back all those years ago, you entrusted him to my care and asked me to conceal his identity. That was precisely because of this. The Tengshe have been the royal bloodline of the demon race for six thousand years. But as you know, the stronger the bloodline’s gifts, the harder it is to produce heirs. The Tengshe are few in number."
"...So?"
"Six hundred years ago, during the great war, the demon race recklessly allied with the demons to attack the Central Continent. Rumor has it the order came from the royal family. After the demons were defeated and the demon race was driven out of the Central Continent, the enraged demon populace turned their fury on the royals. The demon race fell into civil war, and the Tengshe… were nearly wiped out. The Verdant Serpent Bangle was lost."
Six hundred years ago?
If the Tengshe were nearly exterminated six centuries ago, how could Mo Zhu, at just seventeen, be of pure Tengshe blood, with both parents being true Tengshe?
Yun Zhi seemed to sense her confusion and continued, "That’s why I said ‘nearly.’"
Yu Zhiling: "So some of the royal family escaped?"
"Yes. I, too, once believed the Tengshe were extinct—until you carried that child to me."
Yu Zhiling knew who he meant.
"I carried Mo Zhu to you?"
Zhuo Yu hadn’t even told her most trusted allies like Yan Shanqing. The entire Yingshan Sect was unaware of Mo Zhu’s identity. She had protected him so well that even Yu Zhiling, who had read the original novel, hadn’t realized Zhuo Yu knew Mo Zhu was a Tengshe.
So why had she gone to Yun Zhi?
Yun Zhi’s gaze grew distant as he sighed softly.
"Zhuo Yu, Mo Zhu was dying that day. You begged me to activate the Yun family’s Soul Revival Array and gave him half of your own cultivation. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have survived."
His voice lowered, heavy with emotion. "After he woke, you took him back to the Yingshan Sect. Seven days later, that demonic cultivator appeared in the Slaughter Realm. You went after him and didn’t return for a month."
Yu Zhiling felt dazed. She raised a hand. "Wait, let me process this."
She drained her teacup in one gulp, staring blankly at the floor. After a long pause, she finally spoke, her voice hoarse. "So when I entered the Slaughter Realm, I was already severely injured?"
Losing half her cultivation was no small matter. Even the current Yu Zhiling might not have been able to stand after such a loss.
Yun Zhi nodded. "Yes. I tried to stop you many times, but Zhuo Yu, you told me—"
—This is something I must end myself.
Zhuo Yu’s fate was tied to that demonic cultivator. Whether she went to the Slaughter Realm or not, as long as he lived, that destined calamity would find her.
So Yun Zhi hadn’t stopped her. Instead, he silently helped her conceal the truth.
Yu Zhiling turned away, taking a deep breath of cold air to ease the tightness in her chest.
"Why is the serpent bangle on me?"
Yun Zhi said, "When you brought Mo Zhu to the Yun family, the bangle was already with you. You found it on him when you rescued him. It carries a spiritual mark—those hunting him were tracking it. So you took it and kept it yourself."
"You cast a barrier so no one could sense the Verdant Serpent Bangle, not even Mo Zhu. He was too young then and believed his pursuers had taken it. You kept it hidden from him. Later, before leaving for the Slaughter Realm, you came to me."
What happened next, Yu Zhiling already knew—it was the scene from her dreams.
Zhuo Yu had left the Yingshan Sect prepared to die. Mo Zhu was safe there, protected by Yan Shanqing and the others, with Yun Zhi watching from the shadows. As long as the bangle wasn’t with him, his hunters would never find him.
As for Mo Zhu’s own path, Zhuo Yu had entrusted Yun Zhi with a final request: once Mo Zhu came of age and could defend himself, Yun Zhi was to return the bangle to him. The rest would be up to Mo Zhu.
What was "the rest"?
Yu Zhiling guessed it had to do with the Tengshe royal family—perhaps the reason behind the attempts on Mo Zhu’s life.
She lifted her hand absently, studying the dark green serpent coiled around her wrist.
If this truly was the Tengshe’s sacred relic, an ancient divine artifact, why did it rest so peacefully on her wrist?
Yu Zhiling murmured, "It’s acknowledged me as its master?"
Yun Zhi nodded. "Yes. The fact that it doesn’t harm you means it’s accepted you."
Yu Zhiling looked up and saw the same confusion reflected in Yun Zhi’s calm expression. Even he didn’t know why the bangle had chosen her.
Yun Zhi spread his hands helplessly. "I truly don’t know why it chose you as its master. You asked me to bring the serpent bracelet to Mo Zhu once he came of age. He reached adulthood last year, yet I can’t even enter Tingchun Cliff—how am I supposed to deliver it? But as for protecting him, I’ve kept my word. Do you think your little disciple survived all those years wandering the Central Continent alone, enduring severe injuries time and again, by sheer luck?"
It was because the Yun family had secretly protected him.
Yun Zhi had been keeping a close watch on Mo Zhu’s movements. Matters that didn’t threaten his life were left for Mo Zhu to handle himself, but anything dangerous enough to kill him was dealt with by Yun Zhi’s people—or by Yun Zhi personally.
Over the years, the Yun family’s presence had been so discreet that Mo Zhu never once noticed he was being followed.
Yu Zhiling’s lips curved slightly as she murmured, "Yun Zhi, thank you."
Yun Zhi sighed. "When you entrust me with something, I have to do it right. But what about you? You asked me to look after him, yet you sent him out to exterminate evil spirits at just thirteen. You really had no qualms about it—he was so young."
Yu Zhiling laughed awkwardly. "Yes… that was my mistake…"
But Yun Zhi’s words reminded her of something.
If Zhuo Yu had been willing to sacrifice half his cultivation to save Mo Zhu, had gone to such lengths to protect him in secret, even pleading with Yan Shanqing for ages just to get the Yingshan Sect to accept him—why had he returned from the Four Slaughter Realm so changed?
The Zhuo Yu Immortal Venerable written in the books and the one she had come to know in this world seemed like two entirely different people.
Yun Zhi suddenly spoke again, his tone grave. "Zhuo Yu, there’s something I must warn you about. In the past, the Yun family discovered that someone in the Central Continent was searching for Mo Zhu. Their origins are unclear, but their intentions are far from benign."
His serious expression made Yu Zhiling’s heart tighten.
"Could it be related to what happened to Mo Zhu in his childhood? Did I ever tell you how I saved him back then?"
"You never did. But I suspect they might also be after the Huiqing Serpent Bracelet."
Yu Zhiling removed the serpent bracelet from her wrist, holding it up to examine closely. Yet no matter how long she stared, she couldn’t find anything unusual about it.
"If this thing is a divine artifact, what exactly does it do? It just looks like an ordinary bracelet. Why are so many people after it?"
Yun Zhi’s expression turned complicated. "Zhuo Yu, the Huiqing Serpent Bracelet was the lifebound artifact of the first Monster King. After his death, the bracelet became masterless. Many royal winged serpents tried to claim it, but the Huiqing chooses its own master. Since it chose you, there must be a reason."
Yu Zhiling: "…So you still haven’t told me why the Huiqing Serpent Bracelet is so valuable."
Yun Zhi: "…I’m getting to it."
He took a sip of tea, as if gathering his thoughts, then continued calmly, "The Huiqing Serpent Bracelet can block a Transcendent Realm cultivator’s killing strike. But that’s not why it’s considered the winged serpents’ greatest treasure. The most crucial point is—legend says the Huiqing Serpent Bracelet can split the heavens."
"It has only had two masters. The first died six thousand years ago; the second is you. No one knows whether these rumors about the bracelet are true. But you must understand—even a peak Transcendent Realm cultivator cannot split the heavens. If the Huiqing Serpent Bracelet truly can…"
Then possessing it would grant power surpassing even the strongest Transcendent Realm cultivators.
Perhaps even dominion over the entire Central Continent.
Yu Zhiling slipped the bracelet back onto her wrist, her expression growing even more troubled.
"A myth? And people believe this? I’ve worn this thing for a month, and the only effect I’ve noticed is slightly better sleep. That it’s a decent defensive artifact, sure, I’ll buy that. But who knows if it can actually split the—"
She suddenly froze.
Yun Zhi frowned. "Zhuo Yu, what’s wrong?"
Yu Zhiling’s heart pounded wildly.
Splitting the heavens—wasn’t that the same as tearing through space?
How had she ended up here?
In her modern world, she had opened the door to receive a package, put on the bracelet, and then—she was here. The system had used this very bracelet to pull her into this world.
But the system had called it a one-way ticket, claiming the bracelet could only be used once.
So it really could split the heavens. But the system had taken this treasure coveted by the entire Central Continent, used its sole "heaven-splitting" opportunity—
To kidnap her from another world?!
Yu Zhiling turned away, laughing in sheer disbelief.
Yun Zhi leaned closer, concern in his voice. "Zhuo Yu, are you… are you alright? Why are you laughing?"
She was laughing at how idiotic the system was.
She reached for the teapot to pour herself a cup, but the sudden movement tugged at her meridians, making her gasp in pain. Silently, she cursed the system a few more times.
Yun Zhi hurriedly stepped forward to pour the tea for her.
"You’re still recovering—don’t move recklessly."
Yu Zhiling took the cup and downed it in one gulp, but it did little to quell the frustration simmering inside her.
This belonged to Mo Zhu. As the last winged serpent, such a priceless treasure—yet the system had used it just to drag her here. And from the looks of it, Mo Zhu had been searching for it too. But when she’d asked him about it before, why had he denied it?
He’d claimed not to recognize it. Told her to keep wearing it.
What else was her little disciple hiding from her?
Her eyes reddened slightly, and Yun Zhi sighed at the sight.
"Zhuo Yu, over the years, Mo Zhu has been investigating something in the Central Continent. He’s kept many things from you. I think… this child has too many secrets. You should be careful."
Yu Zhiling said nothing.
Yun Zhi softened his voice. "Is there anything else? Zhao Yan and I will stay here one more day. Let’s have a meal together tomorrow."
Yu Zhiling nodded. "Alright."
Seeing her agreement, Yun Zhi stood.
"Then I’ll take my leave for now?"
"Wait." Yu Zhiling quickly grabbed the hem of his crane-feather cloak. "There’s one more thing I want to ask."
Yun Zhi turned back. "What is it?"
Yu Zhiling hesitated. These past few days, she’d been haunted by that dream—the memory she’d glimpsed.
"I… my life calamity… what is it?"
The question clearly caught Yun Zhi off guard. He paused before asking, "Zhuo Yu, have you remembered something?"
Yu Zhiling nodded. "Yes. Fragments… about the life calamity."
Yun Zhi fell silent for a long moment before finally sighing.
"Transcendent Realm cultivators sometimes glimpse the threads of fate. Before her death, Immortal Fuchun foresaw your destiny—your life calamity. She used her heart’s blood to condense the Changqiu Lotus. When the lotus lamp extinguishes, you must face your tribulation."
"…Did my senior brothers and sisters know?"
"Know what? That you were destined to die soon? Zhuo Yu, even I only learned after discovering the Changqiu Lotus and pressing you for answers. You hid it so well—why would you have told Sect Leader Yan and the others?"
For senior brothers and sisters who doted on "Little Yu" as their most treasured junior, knowing she carried a fatal destiny would have meant living in constant fear, dreading the day the calamity would arrive.
Yun Zhi’s expression was complicated, his voice heavy: "Zhuo Yu, you knew from the very beginning what your tribulation was. You never once tried to avoid it."
He half-knelt before her. Yun Zhi was tall and slender, so when he crouched, his eyes met hers levelly. He reached out, plucking a fallen leaf from her hairpin, then gently stroked her hair, his voice softening. "Let go of the past, Yu Zhiling. We must look forward, alright?"
Yu Zhiling didn’t notice when Yun Zhi left. It seemed that before he went, he had even embraced her—like a gesture of comfort.
The next thing she was aware of was the young man kneeling before her, clasping her hand.
Yu Zhiling blinked, her consciousness returning as she met a pair of dark, luminous eyes.
"Master, did your conversation with Immortal Yun Zhi go well?"
Mo Zhu pressed her hand against his cheek, his face stiff with the strain of his forced smile. Inside, jealousy gnawed at him like madness, yet he still managed to feign composure.
Yun Zhi had touched her hair. Yun Zhi had held her. Yun Zhi had whispered something in her ear.
How could he be so intimate with her?
And why had she said nothing?
Yu Zhiling stared at him, suddenly recalling Yun Zhi’s words.
—"Zhuo Yu, Mo Zhu has been investigating something in the Central Continent all these years. He’s kept many things from you. I think… this child has too many schemes in his heart. You must be careful."
Mo Zhu had evaded questions about the Huíqīng Snake Bracelet, taking advantage of her amnesia to claim he didn’t recognize it.
She had done everything she could to make amends, going to such lengths—partly to atone, but more than that, to be good to him.
She trusted him. Unconditionally.
But what about him?
Yu Zhiling’s heart ached as she looked at him. After all she had done for him, he still chose to hide things from her.
She felt wronged too. Those past mistakes hadn’t even been hers to begin with, yet it seemed she was the one who had to bear the burden, to fix everything.
Abruptly, Yu Zhiling pulled her hand away.
The smile on Mo Zhu’s lips froze, the suppressed fury from his sword practice now surging violently.
Yu Zhiling’s face was cold, as if holding back something deeper.
"What is the Huíqīng Snake Bracelet? What really happened to you when you were young? What have you been investigating?"
Mo Zhu’s smile faded bit by bit, his gaze darkening.
Yu Zhiling’s tone was icy, barely restrained.
"Mo Zhu, tonight, you will tell me everything—every single detail. Right now. Speak."
