Under the moonlight, Qingyuan Mountain was a picture of tranquility. The fragrance of flowers filled the air, and the distant calls of birds harmonized with the sound of water flowing from a mountain stream.
Yu Zhiwen, dressed in a star-patterned gauze gown, gracefully made her way from the foot of the mountain to its peak, following the winding path that led her to a secluded waterfall hidden behind the mountain.
Every step she took imprinted a mark on nature's canvas—vines, trees, flowers, birds, rocks, streams, clouds, and the wind seemed to respond to her presence, each element reflected in her starry eyes.
"Hualala..." The sound of the flowers blooming in the bushes was accompanied by a renewed sense of life, a glimpse of hope. The view beyond the dense forest opened up into a wide, wild landscape, revealing a tranquil stone pool nestled in the valley.
The water, gushing over the waterfall, flowed down into the small pool. From there, it slipped away silently between the rocks, its surface teeming with vitality as golden dragonfish swam gracefully in the clear depths.
"This really is Heaven on earth!" Yu Zhiwen exclaimed, her heart swelling with joy at the sight before her. She held a bundle of freshly picked White Star Blossoms—delicate flowers that sparkled like stars under the daylight. Despite their simple beauty, they couldn't compare to the shimmering dragonfish in the stone pool.
Beauty was everywhere in this world, yet few cultivators took the time to notice it.
With a light heart, Yu Zhiwen lifted her skirt and knelt by the pool's edge, dipping her fingers into the cold, clear water.
"Icy cold…" she murmured, watching as the startled dragonfish darted away beneath the rippling moonlit surface.
She chuckled softly, splashing the water playfully, sending the fish scattering. Above, the full moon shone like a jade plate, its brilliance outshining the stars that should have dotted the night sky.
Yu Zhiwen scattered the bundle of White Star Blossoms into the pool, watching as the flowers floated and swirled on the water's surface, creating a dazzling reflection of stars and waves. For a moment, it seemed like the beauty of the heavens had descended into her eyes.
"This… this is the beauty of the human world," she whispered. "All this fighting and killing… it's so boring."
Her voice was low, contemplative, as she walked around the pond, occasionally dipping her hand into the water to splash it gently. Though she relished in the beauty of her surroundings, her mind remained occupied by her mission.
Hallmaster Dao had sent her to Qingyuan Mountain without much explanation, merely instructing her to walk the mountain and observe the stars. Her task was to help set up the Thirty Three Heavens Star Weaving Array, a massive array that even Hallmaster Dao, with his vast power, would need to exert considerable effort to complete.
Yu Zhiwen sighed, feeling a slight bitterness. "He's just bullying me because I have the Star Pupils…"
The Thirty Three Heavens Star Weaving Array was no ordinary formation—it required the careful alignment of geography, timing, and human will. Hallmaster Dao had sent her ahead to do the groundwork, knowing that without her Star Pupils, such a complex array could take a month to prepare. Even her senior brother, Situ Yongren, would have struggled without the aid of her eyes.
The most critical step was this mountain visit. The array wasn't simply a mechanical creation; it needed to harmonize with the natural surroundings—the patterns formed by flowers, birds, and rivers. One mistake in these observations could lead to failure in the final setup. This was why Hallmaster Dao, notorious for his laziness, had sent her instead.
After spending an entire day trekking through the mountain, carefully noting every detail, Yu Zhiwen was mentally and physically exhausted. Thankfully, she was nearing the end of her task.
"As long as I can connect this waterfall, the stone pool, and the trees…" she thought, "the Thirty Three Heavens Star Weaving Array will be complete."
She paused, contemplating a more elegant name for the array, but ultimately decided against it, feeling too drained to think any further.
Walking past the pond, she approached the waterfall's mouth, where the water flowed over rocks worn smooth by time. To her surprise, she saw a small stone table set by the waterfall. On the table lay a pen, ink, and a piece of white paper, clearly left behind by a previous visitor.
Yu Zhiwen's eyes lit up. Cultivators often sought refuge in such tranquil spots, but it was the sword marks on the nearby rocks that caught her attention. Someone had practiced swordsmanship here.
Curious, she sat down by the table, the stone bench fitting perfectly beneath her as she picked up the paperweight. She flipped the page and her heart skipped a beat.
Under the moonlight, three elegantly written characters stood out on the paper: Xu Xiaoshou.
"Xu Xiaoshou?" Yu Zhiwen blinked in surprise, her mind racing. Had she stumbled upon his name even here, in this serene place? Although she and Xu Xiaoshou had crossed paths before, it seemed too coincidental.
"Hallmaster Dao must have written this!" she thought, momentarily confused. But as she studied the handwriting more closely, it seemed softer, more feminine.
Perhaps it was a prank by Hallmaster Dao, or maybe someone else. Either way, the discovery unsettled her. She picked up the paper, intending to keep it as a token of this fateful moment.
But just as she did, a muffled warning voice echoed from beneath the waterfall.
"That's mine, you can't steal it."
A voice echoed out from the waterfall, startling Yu Zhiwen. Her heart trembled as her gaze darted around.
There's someone here?
She had wandered freely around the stone pool, splashed the water, and even fed the fish, yet she had failed to sense anyone's presence. How could this be?
"Who is it?" she called out, her left hand instinctively reaching for the Astrolabe. The spiritual source around her body surged, forming a divine path pattern, as she focused on locating the source of the voice.
"Hualala…"
The waterfall thundered down, obscuring her vision. But beneath its cascading flow, she finally saw him—a burly figure sitting cross-legged on the rocks, partially hidden by the mist.
His wide eyes and somewhat foolish expression gave off a sense of innocence. Though his face showed traces of anger, there was an undeniable cuteness in his demeanor, as though he didn't know how to properly express his emotions. It felt… almost absurd.
Yu Zhiwen's initial shock gave way to curiosity. She realized this wasn't an ordinary person. The man had been sitting so still, so perfectly concealed, that even her sharp spiritual senses hadn't detected him. And now, as she examined him more closely, she could feel the immense strength he possessed.
His breath-retaining technique… it's remarkable!
Yu Zhiwen wasn't easily impressed. Even if someone's cultivation was weak, the Astrolabe Guilan she carried would automatically alert her to any potential danger. Yet, this man had completely eluded both her and her protective treasure.
To her surprise, his aura wasn't overwhelming. He seemed to be at most at the Innate Stage, a level far below what his ability to hide his presence would suggest. She glanced to the side, noticing a stone sword resting beside him, its blade etched with the same marks she had seen around the stone pool.
Could this be the swordsman who practiced here? she mused, still perplexed by his appearance. He didn't give off the cold, dangerous vibes of a typical swordsman. In fact, his presence seemed gentle—almost harmless. There was something intriguing about him, something that made her think he wasn't what he appeared to be.
As she watched him more closely, a thought crossed her mind: Perhaps the Guilan didn't react because… he harbors no ill intentions.
Yu Zhiwen let out a soft breath and carefully placed the paper with the name "Xu Xiaoshou" back on the table. She raised her hand apologetically, indicating that she meant no harm. Then, taking a few steps back from the stone table, she spoke with a polite smile, her tone soft and cautious.
"I apologize—I wasn't trying to steal anything. I simply saw the name and was curious. Greetings, how are you?"
Cao Erzhu remained silent, his gaze fixed on her.
The delicate fairy before him—her beauty as ethereal as Sister August's—had stepped into his sanctuary, played by the pond, and now stood apologizing. His heart was conflicted.
For so long, he had been sitting quietly on this mountain, reminiscing about the past. The stone block beneath him, once where the old man sat and smiled, still carried the weight of his memories. And now, this mysterious woman had intruded upon it all.
He had kept himself hidden, content with his solitude, even resisting the urge to leave the mountain. But the moment she approached the table and laid hands on the piece of paper—his final connection to Sister August—his calm broke.
That paper was more than just parchment to him. It was a relic of the past, a symbol of a bond he could never forget. The paper, left behind by Sister August, was filled with memories of those who had shaped him, memories he was fiercely protective of. He couldn't let her take it away.
Yet, now that he had spoken, he found himself at a loss for what to do next.
As he watched her wave her hand in apology, confusion flashed across his face. Could she really be harmless? The strange pattern that appeared on her hand when she summoned her spiritual power reminded him of something—something his father had warned him about long ago.
His father's voice echoed in his mind: "If you ever meet someone who plays with those strange patterns, run. They're dangerous. You're not clever enough to defeat them, and they'll kill you without mercy."
The pattern was unmistakable. It was the same kind of spiritual technique that a strange uncle had used before! The warning his father had given him was clear—this woman was not to be trusted.
Everything about her fit the profile: a stranger, someone who looked kind, and now a thief, too. In Cao Erzhu's mind, she had already committed three grave offenses.
His inner conflict was evident. He didn't want to talk to her, didn't want to risk being drawn into anything more. His father had also warned him to avoid unnecessary interactions with strangers, especially those who seemed kind or harmless.
And yet… something about her made him hesitate.
Meanwhile, Yu Zhiwen, standing a short distance away, had no idea that she had been labeled a "witch" in his mind. To her, the man's silence was a mystery she needed to solve. She couldn't simply leave, not when there was still a chance that he might be connected to Xu Xiaoshou.
Moreover, his position at the heart of this mountain's spiritual energy flow was the ideal spot for completing the Divine Secrets Array she had been sent to establish. This man—no matter how strange—was crucial to her mission.
"I don't mean to disturb your peace, Senior." she continued, bowing slightly. "May I ask, is this your place of seclusion? Forgive me for trespassing."
Her tone was respectful, her words chosen carefully. She knew that in this world, appearances could be deceiving. This man, though seemingly at the Innate Stage, could very well be a hidden master or even a sword immortal. She wouldn't dare to offend someone of his caliber.
"Senior?" The word echoed in Cao Erzhu's mind, sending shockwaves through him. His face flushed red, and he nearly stood up in protest. Senior? She had called him a senior?
How could he be a senior!
Cao Erzhu struggled to maintain his composure. He was only a few years older than this fairy, yet here she was, calling him "Senior." His mind spun in disbelief, but he quickly reminded himself: No, no, no—witch!
Her voice was soft and melodic, as delicate as birdsong, and though her presence had rattled him at first, he regained his composure. There was no need to panic. He didn't stand up or wave his hands frantically. His face, now red from embarrassment, was concealed by the night sky and the rushing waterfall. Instead of speaking, he opted for something simpler.
I can just nod. That's good enough, he thought. When he nodded, he felt a shift within himself—an odd, yet powerful sensation.
With my cloak, I must look like a real senior now… A brilliant idea sparked in his mind. Just imitate Dad. Be firm, and she'll leave on her own! I'm a genius!
Yu Zhiwen immediately noticed the shift in his aura. It was subtle but undeniable. The air around him seemed to change, as if he had become one with the mountain and the waterfall. His presence, once bumbling and harmless, now exuded a pressure so immense it made her catch her breath.
This transformation… She marveled silently, observing how the once-simple figure now appeared as an unfathomable mountain of force. He reminded her of the primal giants she had once imagined, like a being only someone as peculiar as Xu Xiaoshou could mimic. It was overwhelming.
Not good, Cao Erzhu realized suddenly. The fairy—no, the witch's—face had paled. She must be weaker than me, he thought, immediately relaxing some of his oppressive aura.
Yu Zhiwen's shock deepened. Is he truly an otherworldly expert? The man before her seemed worlds apart from the one who had just shouted, "That's mine, you can't steal it!" Only moments ago, he had appeared foolish and harmless, yet now…
Which one is the real him?
Unsure of how to proceed, Yu Zhiwen bowed deeply, introducing herself in a respectful tone. "I am Little Yu."
She hesitated for a moment before adding, "Yu Xingxing, greets Senior."
The formal greeting nearly made Cao Erzhu jump. He shifted uncomfortably on the stone beneath the waterfall, feeling as though he were sitting on needles. No, no! I'm just pretending… I'm no real senior… His father had warned him about this exact situation—about the dangers of pretending to be someone he wasn't.
But it was too late now. She had bowed to him, addressed him as a senior. If he tried to deny it, wouldn't it seem like he was toying with her? His father had always told him that lying only led to more lies.
In a desperate attempt to maintain his ruse, Cao Erzhu tilted his chin slightly and, mustering all the authority he could, uttered a single command: "Get lost!"
For a moment, the entire area went still. The only sound was the roaring waterfall behind him.
"Huh?"
Yu Zhiwen was stunned, her mind racing to process the abrupt dismissal. Did he… did he just tell me to leave?
She couldn't reconcile the commanding tone of "get lost" with the bumbling figure she had encountered only moments ago. It felt like a child playing dress-up in clothes too big for them, trying to seem older than they really were.
It must be an illusion, she thought. Maybe this is just his style… or a test.
Hiding a smile behind her lips, she cupped her fists and bowed again, her demeanor serious. "I didn't mean to disturb Senior. I came here to visit the mountain, and it was only by chance that I found the name of an old friend on the table. I couldn't help but be curious." She pointed at the paper on the stone table and asked, "May I ask, Senior, who wrote this name? Do you know Xu Xiaoshou?"
Her tone was polite, but her question was calculated. She doubted this giant of a man could have written the delicate script on the paper. After all, a man of his size would need a brush as thick as a tree branch to write, wouldn't he?
If he admits he wrote it, then something is definitely strange, she thought. But if he denies it… well, we'll see.
Cao Erzhu fell into silence again, his mind swirling with thoughts. This time, it wasn't her words that stumped him, but the realization that the situation was far more complex than he had imagined.
She's not a witch? he pondered. Her words didn't carry any malice. In fact, her situation seemed eerily similar to his own, back when he had first wandered onto this mountain. He remembered the moment when Sister August had left, and he had found the name "Xu Xiaoshou" on the table. Could this fairy really be as innocent as he had been back then?
And—most importantly—she knew Xu Xiaoshou!
The moment that name registered, Cao Erzhu's eyes lit up. His memories flashed back to the time he had asked Sister August who she was waiting for. Though she had left without answering, the last strand of her sword aura had pointed him to the stone table, where he had found the words "Xu Xiaoshou" scrawled on a piece of parchment.
It had been a mystery to him ever since. But now, standing before him was someone who recognized that name.
Suddenly, he stood up, his towering figure casting a long shadow over the area beneath the waterfall.
"You know Xu Xiaoshou?"