The six of them exchanged glances and agreed in unison, "Alright."
"Also, I'll give you a heads-up," Elder Cao suddenly shifted the topic. Though his face still bore the same lifeless, overworked expression, a hint of schadenfreude seeped through. "The sect will soon bring the Trial Tower here. Once it arrives, you won’t have time to leave the Endless House. So make the most of these next few days."
Given that extending time through the Endless House had become less effective for these disciples, what they needed now wasn’t more time but combat experience. Thus, the sect leader had decided to temporarily relocate Qingling Mountain’s Trial Tower for their use.
After fussing over a few more trivial matters, Elder Cao waved them off impatiently.
By the time they stepped outside, the sky was already tinged with the faint light of dawn.
The world was shrouded in a hazy morning mist, serene and peaceful.
Lu Jiayao stretched his arms toward the sky with a loud yawn. "It’s almost morning already. What are you all planning to do now?"
Yin Xuan tucked his hands into his sleeves, his eyes half-lidded as he swayed drowsily. Without a word, he drifted past Lu Jiayao like a ghost, leaving the other five with nothing but his retreating back—his silent answer.
The remaining five were unfazed.
A new day, a fresh start!
With a metallic shing, Li Zhuohua unsheathed her Flowing Rainbow Sword. A gust of wind swept by as the red-clad woman dashed off, her spirited voice trailing behind her: "Nothing beats morning sword practice!"
"Nothing beats a morning divination!" Shen Hefeng pulled out a turtle shell and began murmuring incantations. "Let me divine what today favors..."
Lu Jiayao clamored, "Brother Shen, do one for me too!"
"Not impossible. For the heavens' sake, I’ll give you a discount," Shen Hefeng said slyly. "Eighty-eight thousand spirit stones. How’s that?"
"…………"
The two failed to agree on a price and promptly started brawling.
After spending so much time together, Lu Jiayao knew exactly where Shen Hefeng’s weak spot was—he rolled up his sleeves and went straight for his hair!
"How did Qingling Mountain end up with a stingy pauper like you? No spirit stones, no divination!" Shen Hefeng yelped, clutching his headband as he bolted, shouting for help. "Elder Cao—!"
With a loud bang, the door behind them slammed shut instantly, as if afraid the pest of a Taoist might barge in. Clearly, Elder Cao wanted no part of this.
Shen Hefeng immediately changed course. "Pavilion Master Xu! Master! Shifu!!! Save your beloved disciple! Murder—Lu Jiayao’s committing murder!"
"…………" Wen Shuangbai crossed her arms and turned to Xie Ziyin with a dry remark. "Are they three years old at most?"
What kind of kindergarten behavior was this?
Xie Ziyin watched the two idiots scamper off with a pained expression. "A pair of prodigies, truly."
And just like that, the other four had all gone their separate ways, leaving only the two of them behind.
In the early winter dawn, the noisy voices of their teammates faded into the distance.
The surroundings grew so quiet that Wen Shuangbai could hear the soft tap-tap-tap of their boots against the cobblestone path.
Side by side, they strolled leisurely down the narrow stone path, the backs of their hands occasionally brushing against each other.
Xie Ziyin’s fingers were long and slender, cool to the touch. Every now and then, the sharp edge of his knuckles would graze her skin, sending an unfamiliar, ticklish shiver up her spine.
"Tired?" he murmured.
"Not really," she replied softly. Then, after a pause, "How’s the Starstone?"
Back in the Divine Ghost Valley, the Starstone he’d hung at her waist had cracked in half when they emerged from the underground. Upon inspection, they’d found it unharmed—it could still communicate with the other four hundred fragments, though it claimed exhaustion and had been dormant ever since. Now, Xie Ziyin had submerged it in a nutrient solution of his own making to help it recover.
"It’s healing slowly."
Another accidental touch.
Xie Ziyin’s expression remained aloof, like an untouchable flower atop a high peak, but his fingers tentatively hooked around Wen Shuangbai’s pinky. Sensing no resistance, he slid his fingers further, interlacing them with hers.
He chuckled, his voice a slow, deliberate tease. "Want to come take a look?"
---
Unbeknownst to Wen Shuangbai and Xie Ziyin, far away in Qingling Mountain’s compound, Li Zhuohua, Shen Hefeng, Yin Xuan, and Lu Jiayao had somehow gathered in secret.
The four huddled together, chattering animatedly before dispersing, satisfied with their discussion.
Yin Xuan drifted back to the Endless House, first checking Wen Shuangbai’s room—only to find it empty—before knocking on Xie Ziyin’s door.
After a moment, the door cracked open just enough to reveal Xie Ziyin’s impassive face, blocking any view of the interior.
He cleared his throat and raised a brow. "Yes?"
Yin Xuan blinked. "?"
The two men stared at each other, the silence thick with confusion.
Finally, Xie Ziyin spoke. "Something you need?"
Yin Xuan couldn’t shake the odd feeling. He focused his senses—no one else was in the room, yet it didn’t feel empty.
Tilting his head, his silver hair cascading like a waterfall, he asked, "Is someone else here?"
Xie Ziyin didn’t bat an eye. "No."
Just someone who belonged there.
Yin Xuan nodded.
If Xie Ziyin said no, then it must be his swordsman’s instincts misfiring.
He got to the point. "The day after tomorrow is my second shimei’s birthday."
Xie Ziyin: "I know."
"We’re planning a celebration at Caiyuan Pavilion," Yin Xuan explained. "Your job is to bring her there."
"Got it." Xie Ziyin paused, then added nonchalantly, "Shixiong."
Yin Xuan: "?"
Since when did Xie Ziyin also call him shixiong?
...Well, whatever. It was just a title, and he was the eldest among them.
With a nod, Yin Xuan drifted off, his mission accomplished.
Xie Ziyin shut the door and turned around—just as Wen Shuangbai, who’d been hidden by an invisibility talisman, reappeared.
"You heard everything?"
"Yeah." She nodded, one hand braced against the table while the other absently traced circles in the air, her gaze fixed on the Starstone submerged in the nutrient solution. She hadn’t expected Yin Xuan to seek out Xie Ziyin, nor had she imagined the others would plan a birthday surprise for her. "They really didn’t have to go through all this trouble."
"It’s no trouble," Xie Ziyin said, stepping closer. "Trust me, the ones preparing the surprise will be just as happy doing it."
Wen Shuangbai faltered.
Xie Ziyin looked at her, then, unable to resist, ruffled her hair.
How could preparing surprises for someone you like—for your dearest friends—ever feel like a hassle?
He was like that, and so were Yin Xuan and the others.
Before they knew it, the day of Frost’s Descent arrived.
At dusk, Wen Shuangbai followed Xie Ziyin into the Colorful Fate Pavilion. The sight of the entire building adorned with the character for "longevity" nearly made her stumble.
Seriously, she was still in the prime of her youth—wasn’t this a bit too extravagant?
It looked more like a celebration for a sixtieth birthday.
Four Hundred Coins, who was now even busier than Wen Shuangbai, suddenly popped out from some corner, dancing around excitedly.
It had written all those longevity characters! Wasn’t it just super impressive?!
Wen Shuangbai pretended not to know, feigning surprise. "Wow, you guys actually prepared a birthday celebration for me? I’m so touched..."
"Junior Sister, you’re so fake." Even Li Zhuohua saw through her exaggerated acting. She handed Wen Shuangbai a birthday gift, then opened her arms for a hug. "Junior Sister, may you live ten thousand years!"
Wen Shuangbai hugged her back, sincerity in her voice. "Thank you, Senior Sister. Same to you."
Shen Hefeng strode over, tossed his gift at Wen Shuangbai, then immediately turned to Xie Ziyin with a scowl. "You sneaky poison doctor! You and Wen Erbai must’ve conspired behind our backs and leaked our secret plans!"
Xie Ziyin scoffed. "Did this even need leaking?"
Nearby, Yin Xuan glanced between his junior sister and Xie Ziyin—and suddenly understood.
So that was why he’d sensed someone in Ziyin’s room that day.
Yin Xuan shook his head but said nothing, tucking his hands into his sleeves as he waited for Lu Jiayao and the others to finish presenting their gifts. Finally, he shuffled over to Wen Shuangbai and handed her a storage ring.
With a gentle smile—his mental state still as serene as ever—he said, "I didn’t know what to buy you. Here’s a million spirit stones—get yourself something nice."
Wen Shuangbai: "!!!"
The others were equally stunned. Shen Hefeng reacted fastest, shamelessly shoving his way in front of Yin Xuan. "Senior Brother! Your fourth junior brother’s birthday is tomorrow!"
Yin Xuan: "......"
The others: "............"
Wen Xin came running down the stairs, her skirt fluttering. "Senior Brother, Senior Sister, the banquet’s ready! Everyone, come upstairs!"
Wen Shuangbai looked at her lively little junior sister and patted her head. "Alright."
The once small, skinny girl was now almost as tall as her.
She’d been right about Wen Xin—despite her young age, growing up with an unreliable master had forced her to mature early. Though she lacked talent in cultivation, she had a natural gift for business.
Now, under Wen Xin’s management, the Colorful Fate Pavilion was thriving, and its shareholders never had to worry about money again.
Time really flew.
In the blink of an eye, the Profound Heaven Grand Competition was nearing its end.
"Hey, tonight we drink till we drop!" Shen Hefeng declared, raising his cup. "No one’s allowed to use spiritual energy to sober up! Let’s see who’s the worst and who’s the best at holding their liquor. You dare to compete?"
Li Zhuohua was the first to accept. "Why wouldn’t I dare?"
Lu Jiayao chimed in cheerfully, "Sounds fun!"
He might not match the others in cultivation, but when it came to drinking? He was a force to be reckoned with.
The rest agreed without much thought.
Three cups in, Shen Hefeng—who’d been the loudest before drinking—was already slurring his words. "L-listen here… I’ve been around the jianghu longer than you’ve been alive… I’ve drunk more wine than you’ve drunk water..."
With a thud, the red-faced Taoist collapsed, out cold.
Li Zhuohua side-eyed the drunkard on the floor. "That’s it?"
Two jugs later, Lu Jiayao was hugging a wine pot and sobbing. "Waaah… I miss home… I miss my mom… I’ve never been away from Qingzhou for so long..."
"Stop bawling like a baby!" Li Zhuohua ignored the two losers, even stomping on Lu Jiayao a few times for good measure before turning back to Wen Shuangbai. "Junior Sister, another round!"
Wen Shuangbai grinned, unfazed. "Bring it on."
They started chugging straight from the jugs.
Three jugs… four jugs… by the seventh, the red-clad woman suddenly toppled over—back straight, like a felled tree.
Wen Shuangbai caught her effortlessly.
Oops. She’d forgotten to mention—in her past life, she’d been an office worker who dominated drinking contests at company parties.
While the sisters were competing, Xie Ziyin and Yin Xuan were sipping leisurely in a corner.
As Xie Ziyin poured another cup, the silver-haired man suddenly spoke, his words slow but deadly serious. "Ziyin… if you ever treat my junior sister poorly… I’ll kill you."
Xie Ziyin paused, then smiled. "Understood."
A few more rounds later, Yin Xuan swayed. "No more… I’m done… time to sleep."
He stood slowly, crouched even slower, then curled up under the table—peacefully passing out.
Xie Ziyin: "......"
After settling her drunk senior sister and junior sister, Wen Shuangbai walked over, eyeing the three men under the table with a headache.
Leaning on Xie Ziyin’s shoulder, she whispered, her voice thick with alcohol, "I don’t wanna deal with them..."
"I’ll handle it."
"Good."
Xie Ziyin watched her stagger away, downed the last of his wine, then hauled the three men to a guest room before heading to the pavilion’s tower.
The Colorful Fate Pavilion stood atop a mountain just outside the imperial city.
From its tower, one could see the city’s countless lights below and, beyond them, the Sacred Tower—looming over the peaks, its spire brushing the stars.
Xie Ziyin stood beside her. "What’s on your mind?"
"Nothing. Just sobering up in the breeze." Wen Shuangbai rubbed her temples. "I’m dizzy."
He checked her condition, pressing the back of his hand to her flushed cheek. "Need a sobering pill?"
"No." She tilted her head to study him instead.
The sudden closeness made Xie Ziyin’s throat tighten, but he stood firm—rooted like an ancient tree.
Wen Shuangbai squinted, then leaned even closer, close enough for him to catch the scent of wine on her breath.
"Why don’t you look drunk at all?"
"I’m a healer." Xie Ziyin took half a step back, forcing calm into his voice. "Even without using spiritual energy, alcohol can’t affect me much."
Wen Shuangbai didn’t even notice that half-step. She just felt dizzy, and since the person beside her was her rightful boyfriend, she leaned into him, only to find his arm too hard against her. She nuzzled closer, burrowing into his embrace, then couldn’t resist grumbling, "Isn’t this just cheating?"
"..." Xie Ziyin couldn’t bring himself to push her away. His lips were pressed tightly together, his body tense as a drawn bowstring. When he argued back, his voice was like the last drop of water in a boiled-dry kettle. "I didn’t use spiritual energy. It doesn’t count."
Wen Shuangbai: "It does."
Xie Ziyin: "It doesn’t."
"Does."
"Doesn’t."
"Does."
Xie Ziyin took a deep breath. "..."
"It does count," Wen Shuangbai insisted, turning in his arms to lean against the railing of the pavilion. She tilted her head up to look at him, defiance in her eyes. "If you don’t believe me, we’ll ask the others tomorrow when they wake up—"
"Wen Shuangbai." Suddenly, Xie Ziyin lowered his head. His dark, star-like eyes, usually so bright, were shadowed now, unreadable. "I don’t want to argue about this anymore."
"It’s childish," he said, his voice low. "Can’t we do something more... adult?"
The night wind howled across the pavilion, tangling their black hair together. Strands whipped wildly in the air as Wen Shuangbai’s lashes fluttered, her heart racing. Her gaze flickered away instinctively—but then she looked back, meeting his heavy-lidded stare, equal parts shy and bold as she challenged, "Like what?"
"Like this." Xie Ziyin’s hand slid to the nape of her neck, pulling her in until his lips brushed hers—soft despite her stubbornness. His breath was warm against her skin as he murmured, "Is this okay?"
