After drinking and chatting with everyone until midnight, and then indulging in some reckless passion with Xie Ziyin until the early hours before dawn...
Well, originally, when they returned to their room last night, both of them had intended to rest early and not do anything. But with someone you love, you just can’t help but kiss and cuddle.
Not to mention, Xie Ziyin, being a medical cultivator, had an expert understanding of the human body. He was both skilled and attentive—completely different from his usual cold and distant daytime demeanor. At night, he was exceptionally service-minded...
In any case, after a night of indulgence, by the time Wen Shuangbai woke up, well-rested, it was already afternoon the next day.
The pillow beside her was empty—Xie Ziyin was nowhere to be seen. Even the clothes that had been tossed to the floor the night before had mysteriously vanished.
Wen Shuangbai: ?
That bastard didn’t wake her before leaving, and now he’d taken her clothes too? What kind of nonsense was this?
Grumbling under her breath, she wrapped herself in the blanket and sat up. As her gaze swept the room, she spotted a brand-new set of robes laid out nearby.
They were a soft gold at first glance, but the more she looked, the more they shimmered. Upon closer inspection, she realized they were woven with golden threads, then deliberately muted with a dusting of crushed spirit powder—giving off an air of understated luxury.
A small note rested atop the robes. She picked it up and unfolded it, finding two distinctly different handwriting styles.
The first was Xie Ziyin’s: "I have matters at the Medical Pavilion. The robes are your size. Don’t forget what you promised me last night."
The second was from Four Hundred (a nickname for a mischievous companion): "Shuangbai, I took Ninety Million out to play! Don’t miss us!"
Fine.
After changing into the new robes, Wen Shuangbai headed out.
This was the guest courtyard of Qingling Mountain, where disciples from Jade Rhinoceros Valley and the Divine Evolution Temple were staying. Since it had gotten late last night, she and the other five had decided to stay over.
But now, the courtyard was completely empty—not a soul in sight.
Had everyone gone out to play?
Shaking her head, Wen Shuangbai pulled out the Mystic Heaven Mirror and sent a message asking where everyone was. Then she hurried toward Xie Ziyin’s small residence.
Starting from last night’s banquet, Xie Ziyin had reminded her repeatedly—she still owed him a rebuilt house after his was struck by lightning, and she was supposed to go today to figure out how to fix it.
She had indeed put it off for a long time, so she’d agreed.
Xie Ziyin’s courtyard was tucked away in a secluded spot.
Following her memory, Wen Shuangbai swiftly traversed the path—past the Medical Hall, past the elders’ quarters—until she finally reached the familiar bamboo grove.
But then she stopped abruptly.
Right at the entrance stood Li Zhuohua, her crimson robes fluttering in the breeze, holding a bouquet of red gladiolus. As soon as she saw Wen Shuangbai, she strode forward and handed her the flowers.
"Shimei, be happy. If you’re not, come find your shijie—I’ll beat up Ziyin for you!"
Wen Shuangbai instantly understood. She hugged Zhuohua tightly, her eyes curving into crescents. "Thank you, shijie. I’ll remember that."
Under her shijie’s warm gaze, Wen Shuangbai paused at the entrance, lowering her head to think carefully. Once she was certain of her feelings, she stepped forward, walking deeper into the grove.
That night when she had first gone to confirm Xie Ziyin’s identity as a fellow transmigrator, she remembered the path growing increasingly desolate.
But now, at this moment, the further she walked, the brighter it became.
Because at every turn, a friend was waiting—each holding flowers of different colors.
(She later learned that Xie Ziyin hadn’t originally placed Zhuohua first, but Zhuohua had insisted—she had to be the first to give her shimei flowers. So she used her martial prowess to shove the monks further back in line...)
The next group she encountered was Huaiming Buddha Son and his fellow disciples from the Divine Evolution Temple.
"Amitabha. May the destined ones remain together for eternity," Huaiming said with a smile, offering her a lotus.
Then came the little spirits from Jade Rhinoceros Valley.
A little fox happily placed a flower crown on Wen Shuangbai’s head. "Sister Wen, you must be happy! Come visit us in Jade Rhinoceros Valley when you have time!"
"Of course." A promise was a promise—Wen Shuangbai mentally noted it down before continuing onward.
Next was Shen Hefeng.
The Taoist, however, was scowling as he thrust a lily at her. "Do you have any idea how long I’ve been waiting? A bird just shit on my head!"
Wen Shuangbai couldn’t help it—she burst out laughing. "Who told you to keep it a secret? What if I hadn’t come?"
"That poison doctor of yours said you’d definitely show up." Shen Hefeng had scrubbed his head with cleansing spells a hundred times, but he still swore he could smell it. "Whatever. Go on. This old man’s mouth isn’t good at sweet talk, so I’ll just say—may you two troublemakers stay happily together forever. That good enough for you?"
"Thank you, Hefeng." Wen Shuangbai moved on.
Lu Jiayao was staring curiously at a brilliantly feathered bird perched on his shoulder.
Hearing footsteps, he looked up. "Shuangbai, look! Isn’t this bird’s plumage gorgeous? It matches the flowers I picked for you!"
"Thank you." She accepted the colorful bouquet, eyeing the bird suspiciously.
...Was this the same bird that had blessed Shen Hefeng’s head?
Sure enough, speak of the devil—Shen Hefeng came charging over. "You! Damn bird! So this is where you were hiding! I’ll pluck every last feather off you!"
Lu Jiayao panicked. "Brother Shen, what are you doing? It didn’t do anything to you—"
"It SHAT on my HEAD!!!"
Wen Shuangbai: "..."
She shook her head and left the two bickering fools behind.
The grove was nearly at its end. Through the dappled shadows of leaves, she could already see the sunlit scenery beyond.
At the exit stood Yin Xuan—his silver hair uncharacteristically neat—and little shimei Wen Xin, waiting for her.
Wen Xin sweetly handed her a peony she had grown herself. "Er-shijie, for you!"
"Er-shimei," Yin Xuan tilted his head toward the figure waiting by the courtyard in the valley below. "Let’s go. Shixiong will walk you there. If you don’t want to agree, just say the word—I’ll take you away immediately."
Wen Shuangbai nodded firmly, her eyes glistening. "Okay!"
In her past life, she had lost her family young. Between studies and work, she’d never had time for friends.
But here, on the Xuantian Continent, she had gained an elder brother, a little sister, and so many dear companions.
She truly was... so very lucky.
One by one, friends emerged from the bamboo grove, skipping along behind Wen Shuangbai and her martial siblings as they approached Xie Ziyin, who had been waiting patiently for what felt like an eternity.
Logically, behind him should have been the ruins of a lightning-struck house.
But instead, a serene and elegant courtyard stood there now, its entrance framed by lush trees and blooming spring flowers.
Perched on the upturned eaves was a vibrant red man-eating flower, with Four Hundred bouncing excitedly beside it, looking for a spot to carve its name.
This house—it truly belonged to them now. To Four Hundred, to Wen Shuangbai, to Xie Ziyin, and to Ninety Million.
Yin Xuan and Wen Xin walked a certain distance before tacitly halting their steps, retreating to join the others as they smiled and witnessed the scene unfolding before them.
Wen Shuangbai withdrew her scrutinizing gaze and looked at Xie Ziyin, whose lips curled into a faint smile. "When did you build this?"
Xie Ziyin replied, "After we left Shengu Valley."
Wen Shuangbai let out a soft hum. "So you've been lying to me all this time."
He didn’t deny it, stepping closer instead. "Yesterday, you told me the thing you're most grateful for is that everyone is still here. But do you know what I’m most grateful for?"
Wen Shuangbai tilted her head. "What?"
"I’m not like you—I’m a selfish man." Xie Ziyin gazed at her, his eyes reflecting her image clearly. "For me, the greatest fortune is that I once intended to live a solitary life, but then I met someone I want to spend the rest of my days with."
His love for her wasn’t love at first sight, drawn by mere beauty.
It was a devotion born from shared days and nights, a meeting of souls.
That rare harmony where a single word could convey understanding—such synchronicity was the most exquisite thing in the world.
Amidst the presence of their friends, Xie Ziyin knelt on one knee and presented a pale golden storage ring containing all his spiritual stones, shares in Caiyuan Pavilion, land deeds, rare elixirs, and more. "Wen Shuangbai, will you marry me?"
The warmth of the spring afternoon sun seeped into her, filling her heart until happiness threatened to overflow.
For the first time, Wen Shuangbai realized that true joy could bring tears to one’s eyes.
She sniffled lightly, extending her hand with a solemn nod. "I will."
…………
Their wedding was set for the following year.
But the exact date remained undecided. Xie Ziyin wanted to consult Pavilion Master Xu Jingshu to select an auspicious day.
He wasn’t a superstitious man, but when it came to marrying Wen Shuangbai, he wanted every detail to be perfect.
When Shen Hefeng heard of this, he was so incensed that he camped outside their window that very night, threatening, "If you don’t let me pick the date, I’ll eavesdrop every single night and see how you two cultivate together!"
The couple: "..."
Rumor had it that many Qingling Mountain disciples heard Shen Hefeng’s bloodcurdling screams that night.
But the squeaky wheel gets the grease—in the end, the two relented and let Shen Hefeng choose the auspicious date.
One evening after dinner, Wen Shuangbai and Xie Ziyin strolled hand in hand through the sect grounds to aid digestion.
Xie Ziyin still harbored reservations about Shen Hefeng’s notorious bad luck. "Are we really letting that madman decide?"
"Mm." Wen Shuangbai had no choice—Shen Hefeng was shameless, unscrupulous, and utterly lacking in decency. He absolutely would make good on his threat. "I told him to pick multiple dates, and then we’ll have Lu Jiayao choose one. Let’s defeat misfortune with sheer luck—how’s that?"
Xie Ziyin nodded. "That works."
"Oh, and Junior Sister said she wants to prepare our wedding venue." Shen Hefeng had set a precedent, and in the days since, many had approached her, eager to contribute. "Senior Sister Zhuohua offered to write the wedding invitations..."
Xie Ziyin trusted their junior sister’s competence and listened with a nod—until this. "?"
Xie Ziyin: "...Will Senior Sister even write wedding invitations and not, say, challenge letters?"
"Hard to say." Wen Shuangbai laughed. "And Senior Brother wants to arrange the banquet."
"...Is this our wedding or theirs?" Xie Ziyin sighed, watching her amused expression. "You spoil them too much."
"Ah, come on." Wen Shuangbai bumped him lightly, her voice teasing. "But the wedding night is ours alone..."
At the thought of certain intimate scenes, Xie Ziyin coughed and changed the subject. "Where do you want to go for our honeymoon?"
Wen Shuangbai counted on her fingers. "Yunzhou, Xingzhou..."
Jade Rhinoceros Valley was in Yunzhou, and Divine Evolution Temple was in Xingzhou—they could visit both sects while traveling.
"Youzhou sounds nice too... Yongzhou as well, and..."
"You want to tour the entire Xuantian Continent?" Xie Ziyin understood immediately and nodded. "Fine. I’ll arrange it."
As the young couple exchanged sweet nothings, they suddenly ran into a familiar senior sister.
Recognizing them, the woman smiled warmly. "Junior Sister Wen, Junior Brother Xie, it’s you! Do you remember me? I’m Elder Zhou’s disciple—I was the one who opened the door when you two came to dissolve your marriage contract."
The mention jogged Wen Shuangbai’s memory.
That had indeed happened. Back then, the two had bonded over their shared origins and planned to annul their arranged marriage—only to abandon the idea when they learned it would cost 100,000 spirit stones.
"So, are you still planning to call it off?" The senior sister was clearly amused, her eyes flickering to their intertwined fingers. "I could ask my master to waive the fee and dissolve it for free, you know."
"..." Wen Shuangbai and Xie Ziyin exchanged a glance, then shook their heads in unison. "No, we’re keeping it."
