The scene where he was so infatuated with the "moonlight" was quite a sight.
Fortunately, the grandfather and grandson couldn't see Zhan Yunwei and were unaware that the person they were talking about was right here.
The old master said, "The task I'm asking of you is very dangerous, almost a gamble with your life. The Yue family can't do much for you, how far you can go depends on you. I'll give you three days to think about it. If you're willing, come to the back mountain's Moon-watching Pool to find me after three nights."
After saying that, the old servant pushed the old master away.
Zhan Yunwei flipped through the pages of the life book. Since she had chosen the old master's perspective, there was no turning back. She had no choice but to follow him out.
Before leaving, she glanced back at Yue Zhi Heng. The young man was chopping firewood and taking care of Yue Qingluo inside the house.
He chopped the wood briskly, as simple as cutting tofu. Unknowingly, she thought back to the night of his birthday when she returned to the Yue residence and Yue Daren personally cooked a bowl of noodles for her.
Soon, the scenery in front of her blurred like ink spreading on paper, and even the young man's face merged into the painting.
Her feet felt lighter, and she followed the old master back to the Artifact Pavilion.
The old servant asked, "Master, are you really going to give the Ice Lotus to that boy? He is the descendant of some demon king from Du'e City. If his character isn't pure, wouldn't we be raising another monster?"
The old master chuckled. "He can't become a monster."
"Why are you so certain?" the old servant asked.
The old master took down the Ice Lotus and sighed. "Have you ever seen a demon who went out and came back completely disoriented?"
The old servant was speechless.
Zhan Yunwei coughed and couldn't help but glare at the old master. "You two are almost a thousand years old, why do you keep saying such things?"
Fortunately, the next topic was more serious. The old master said, "As you saw, this boy used an axe to break my barrier. Even Lin Yuan from back then couldn't do that. His root bones haven't been tested yet, but I believe they won't be lower than an eightfold spiritual pulse."
When Yue Linxian was mentioned, the old servant finally showed some light in his eyes. "The young master certainly has extraordinary talent."
"This boy is even more exceptional," the old master sighed. "He's no less than Pei Yujing from Penglai, it's just a pity he started a little later."
But that couldn't be helped. Everyone fears and dislikes evil spirits, and naturally, they view the children of such spirits with suspicion, even if they haven't done anything wrong.
Over these years, no child of a demon spirit had caused trouble. As long as they didn't fully turn to evil, they looked much like ordinary people, and the old master's prejudice had lessened quite a bit.
"There's one more thing. I only found out from the Reflection Mirror in the last couple of days," the old servant said. "A few years ago, he released a spiritual bird. Judging by the direction, it was heading toward the dynasty."
The old master nodded thoughtfully. "Did the dynasty send a reply?"
The old servant shook his head.
Zhan Yunwei guessed that it was probably something Yue Zhi Heng had promised Wen Xun. She hadn't expected him to be trapped in the immortal mountain of Qiyang County but still manage to fulfill his promise to Wen Xun.
The old servant was worried that Yue Zhi Heng had dealings with the dynasty, but the old master knew that couldn't be the case.
Sending a spiritual bird for communication was a technique commonly used in the immortal sects. When Yue Zhi Heng and Yue Qingluo were younger, Madam Xuan had also taught them cultivation. It was surprising that even after being locked up for years, Yue Zhi Heng had managed to figure out some techniques on his own, no wonder he had been able to break through the barrier.
The old master's hand brushed over the patterns on the Ice Lotus. Such talent... it was fate.
Three days soon passed. That night, as the full moon rose, the old master took the Ice Lotus to the Moon-watching Pool.
A long while passed, but Yue Zhi Heng still hadn't arrived.
The old servant couldn't help but worry. "Could he be afraid and unwilling to come?"
The old master closed his eyes, calm and composed.
If he didn't come, he would be trapped on the back mountain for the rest of his life. The old master didn't think the boy was someone content with mediocrity. Yue Zhi Heng was clearly not someone like Yue Wujiao, who lacked the courage or spirit.
Whether for Yue Qingluo, for himself, or for the little girl from the Zhan family who had caught his eye, he would likely still try if it meant walking through the mountain of knives.
As expected, when the full moon's light fully illuminated the Moon-watching Pool, Yue Zhi Heng's figure appeared at the end of the path.
He wore a rough cloth outfit, clearly old clothes from several years ago. The sixteen- or seventeen-year-old youth had noticeably grown taller. His clothes were simple, but his face stood out strikingly.
Zhan Yunwei and the old master's group waited for him by the Moon-watching Pool.
"Have you made up your mind?" the old master asked.
Yue Zhi Heng said, "Mhm. What do you want me to do?"
The old master said, "Consume this Ice Lotus, jump into the pool, and stay there for twenty-seven days. During this time, you will endure excruciating pain that will change your heart and bones. If you can survive and come out, I will add you to the Yue family genealogy, and I'll arrange for a teacher to train you. You'll receive the same treatment as the Yue family children, and in the future, you'll become the head of the Yue family."
Yue Zhi Heng crossed his arms and leaned against a nearby tree, his eyes filled with youthful arrogance.
"That's it?"
The old master replied, "I'll also help you save your sister. Next year, when we visit the Immortal Sect's Academy, I'll take you with me. The person you met last time will be there."
The old master wasn't deceiving him, adding, "But consuming the Ice Lotus will shorten your lifespan. Think carefully."
Yue Zhi Heng was silent for a moment, then took the Ice Lotus from his hand, untied his belt, removed his clothes, and walked toward the pool.
Zhan Yunwei hadn't expected him to be so decisive. Caught off guard by his action of undressing, she, out of respect, turned her gaze away.
After a while, when she heard a muffled grunt from the Moon-watching Pool, she looked back at Yue Zhi Heng.
The moonlight flooded the pool. She didn't know what the water was made of, but it seemed to be corroding Yue Zhi Heng's flesh.
The Ice Lotus Suspended in the Air
The Ice Lotus hovered in the air before sinking into Yue Zhiheng's body.
The water in the pool rose to his shoulders, and anyone could see the pain he was enduring, yet he remained silent, not a word escaping him.
This was the fastest way to cleanse his marrow and absorb the Ice Lotus.
Zhan Yunwei didn't care that he was unclothed in front of her; she waded through the water and ran toward him.
"Are you alright, Master Yue?"
Yue Zhiheng naturally couldn't hear her.
His eyes were tightly shut, his lips almost bleeding from being bitten so hard. Gradually, the scent of the Ice Lotus began to spread in the air. Zhan Yunwei reached out to touch him, but her hand passed through empty air.
She finally understood where the fragrance of the Ice Lotus emanated from on Yue Zhiheng.
After absorbing the Ice Lotus, his physique and spiritual roots were greatly enhanced. After just a few years of cultivation, he became one of the world's top experts.
But the pain in the process was something no one could truly understand.
A leaf fell into the pool, instantly turning to ash. Yue Zhiheng had to endure this for twenty-seven days.
Occasionally, bright red blood would surface, as the Ice Lotus was devouring and merging with his flesh and blood.
Gradually, lotus patterns began to appear on his body, a sign of the later "Mercy Lotus Marks."
The process of absorption was long and grueling, and the old master did not stay by his side the whole time. When the shadows in front of her blurred, Zhan Yunwei knew that it was time for the Life Book to turn another page.
She looked at Yue Zhiheng's brows and eyes and couldn't help but think: Every time I see you, it seems like you are going through the hardships of fate.
Master Yue, I hope that when we meet again next time, you will have your wishes fulfilled.
A lifetime cannot always be bitter.
The voice of the Life Book echoed in her ear, signaling that the book was about to close. Too much insight into destiny could not be allowed.
However, before leaving, she wanted to take one last look. One year later, did Master Yue really visit the academy? Why did she have no memory of it?
She had already gained some understanding of the rules of the Life Book's turning pages. Closing her eyes, she entered the pages, controlling the flow of time.
Before her, the old master was consulting with Master Xue about Yue Zhiheng's training. Scenes of him practicing the whip in the rain and learning to forge weapons passed by like a fleeting glimpse.
When her vision finally sharpened again, it was one year later.
Zhan Yunwei looked down and found the old master still sitting in his wheelchair by her side.
A cloud boat was docked beside them, ready for departure. The old master was preparing to visit an old friend at the academy and to give instructions on what was to come.
It was a clear morning, and sunlight bathed the cloud boat. Before long, a young man with a whip hanging at his waist walked out.
It was Yue Zhiheng.
But the Yue Zhiheng of today was no longer the little demon trapped in the back mountains by the Moonwatching Pool.
One year had passed, and he had grown even taller. Zhan Yunwei had to slightly tilt her head to see his face clearly.
His facial features were more mature now, and the cold half of his face still bore faint lotus markings.
The old master said, "Let's go."
They were indeed heading toward the academy.
Before arriving at the academy, Yue Zhiheng lowered his gaze, took out a black face mask, and tied it behind his head to cover the lotus markings on his face, leaving only a pair of pale ink-colored eyes visible.
The old master knew that this had nothing to do with self-esteem. It was because Yue Zhiheng understood the path he would walk in the future.
Very few people knew about the lotus markings, and the fewer who knew, the greater his chances.
Now, even the teachers combined couldn't defeat Yue Zhiheng. In a few years, he would take over the Yue family and "serve" the Dynasty. At that point, he would accumulate shadow soldiers and use the blood of the Ice Lotus to nurture a force capable of defeating the Spirit Emperor.
The fleeting glance of admiration he once had for her was something buried in memory. Neither their identities nor their fates would ever allow for any intersection between them.
Yue Zhiheng had grown much faster than the old master had imagined.
A year ago, the young man in front of the wooden house would have shown such a gaze. Now… the old master thought to himself that even if he met the Zhan family girl again, Yue Zhiheng's gaze would probably be as indifferent as looking at the flowers and grass by the roadside.
Zhan Yunwei naturally noticed this change. Resting her chin on her hand, she felt a bit regretful in her heart.
She had originally hoped to see the way the young Yue Zhiheng looked when he was moved, but she hadn't expected that with a mere turn of the Life Book's page, she couldn't fathom his thoughts anymore.
She even wondered if, by now, Yue Zhiheng had already abandoned whatever feelings he had held for her last year.
After all, when they reunited at the Third Prince's residence nine years later, he was so indifferent to her. Who would have thought there was this past between them?
But soon, as the cloud boat sailed, a sense of expectation and joy replaced Zhan Yunwei's regret over Yue Zhiheng's rapid growth.
This road to the academy was one she had walked countless times before, but this was the first time she stood in someone else's perspective, returning to the academy where she had studied as a child.
In the springtime, flowers bloomed on both sides, competing for beauty.
Yue Zhiheng took over the old servant's task, pushing the old master up the mountain.
Along the way, they encountered many young students, all dressed in the academy's green robes. Seeing the attire of the Yue family group, they knew the old master's status was high, and they all greeted him respectfully.
The old master glanced at the bright, sunny youths from other families and then at the inscrutable Yue Zhiheng behind him.
He said, "After the lotus markings disappear, you should study at the family academy for a couple of years."
Yue Zhiheng paused for a moment and replied, "No need."
There were many things he had already mastered.
The old master said, "Matters of the heart and how to interact with others are things the teachers cannot directly teach you. You should go to the family academy and learn. There's always something new to gain."
This time, Yue Zhiheng did not oppose.
Along the way, Zhan Yunwei saw many of her senior brothers and sisters, most of whom would later die in the battles against the Dynasty.
Although these were merely past events recorded in the Life Book, to Zhan Yunwei, it felt as beautiful as a dream.
At the time, it all seemed so ordinary.
The Old Master's Final Visit
Today, the old master intended to meet with the headmaster of the academy for the last time, to catch up with an old friend.
He glanced at Yue Zhiheng and said, "Alright, you don't need to follow me anymore. Go take a walk around the academy by yourself."
Although the promise made in the past had changed in meaning over time, Yue Zhiheng, with his character, never left room for hope once he knew it was futile.
The old master understood that Yue Zhiheng knew his boundaries, so he decided to send him away.
Even if he had stopped caring about the unattainable "white moonlight," there was no need to stay here and interfere with their conversation. Otherwise, if he turned around and saw a pair of indifferent eyes that seemed to have seen through everything, it would only embarrass them.
"Go wherever you want," he said.
Yue Zhiheng then pushed open the door and left.
Since the old master was at the academy, Zhan Yunwei was free to walk around. She followed behind Yue Zhiheng, and it was springtime, so the flowers in the academy were beautiful, with petals scattered everywhere and lively students bustling around.
Sword cultivators practiced their swordsmanship in the peach grove, while talismanic cultivators displayed their precious vermilion powder in the sun.
Although she knew that Yue Zhiheng couldn't hear her, Zhan Yunwei still spoke to him, telling him about the interesting things around the academy. Wherever he went, she introduced the sights to him.
However, the seventeen-year-old Yue Zhiheng seemed to already have the cold demeanor he would later possess.
He had no intention of talking to anyone, and it didn't seem like he was even thinking about finding her. He steered clear of the Spirit Master's courtyard and instead sat cross-legged in a secluded spot, closing his eyes to meditate, waiting for the old master to finish reminiscing before returning to the manor together.
Zhan Yunwei raised her eyes and saw that he had already come to Jiusi Ravine.
The Jiusi Ravine was the place where misbehaving students in the academy were imprisoned and punished. She sat beside him and said, "No wonder I don't remember you at all."
It turned out that the Yue Zhiheng of that year never had any interactions with her.
Zhan Yunwei knew she didn't have much time left in the Life Book. The old master might talk through the night, and by dawn, she would have to leave the Life Book's pages.
She would never be able to witness this reunion from her youth, and a sense of regret filled her heart.
But what she didn't expect was how fate liked to play tricks.
Moments later, when she saw the young girl in pale pink clothes staggering toward the bottom of Jiusi Ravine, carefully cleaning her wounds, Zhan Yunwei almost couldn't hold her expression in.
She finally remembered which day it was!
That year, when she was fifteen, she had tried to help Senior Brother Feng Lanyin out of a tough situation and clear his name of theft. As a result, she had offended the young master of the Taixu Sect and several Spirit Masters.
Before long, someone used a shadow pearl to record her secretly learning to control spirit beasts and reported it to the academy. She was punished with twenty strokes of the cane.
The technique of controlling spirits was considered a forbidden art of the time, and the Master of Changya Mountain personally visited to apologize for his daughter's actions, promising to teach his little spirit master properly.
Her own master had sighed deeply in the end and told Zhan Yunwei to seal off the technique, ordering her to spend the night in self-reflection at Jiusi Ravine.
The bottom of Jiusi Ravine was extremely cold at night, and for a Spirit Master, it was a rather severe punishment. Zhan Yunwei was the first spirit master in many years to be sent to Jiusi Ravine for confinement.
Once her memory opened, everything that happened next was crystal clear.
Zhan Yunwei never would have imagined that, when she was punished at Jiusi Ravine, Yue Zhiheng had been watching from above, seeing it all clearly.
She turned her gaze toward Yue Zhiheng.
He still wore a dark mask that covered the lotus markings on his face, and there was no sign of avoiding suspicion. He simply stared silently at the girl below, who was hiding her tears as she tended to her wounds.
His gaze was distant and emotionless.
If Zhan Yunwei hadn't been following the Life Book's pages up until now, she would almost have believed that Yue Zhiheng had forgotten her.
But as night deepened, another young man appeared at the bottom of the ravine, bringing medicine and cakes to the girl, even wiping away the tears from her eyes with a smile, both amusing and heartwarming.
Zhan Yunwei couldn't help but glance at Yue Zhiheng's reaction.
She was sure that, even though half his face was covered, she could still see a faint trace of mockery in his eyes.
She was so embarrassed that she began twisting the tie on her skirt, knowing that more embarrassing moments were about to come. She wanted to stop it, to make Yue Zhiheng leave, but in the Life Book, she was just a spectator. There was nothing she could do but endure the uncomfortable sensation and watch with him.
Zhan Yunwei remembered that fifteen-year-old her wasn't as strong as she would become later.
The punishment and beating didn't bother her, but having the Master of Changya Mountain apologize to her master, and seeing others gossip about her father's failure to properly discipline her, made her feel both wronged and heartbroken. She couldn't understand why the world treated Spirit Masters like caged birds, cutting off their wings.
Her sisters grew distant, and the gaze of others became filled with disdain. The fifteen-year-old Zhan Yunwei had managed to hold back her tears back then.
But youth was like that—when no one cared, it was easier to endure. Once someone cared, the hurt and sadness became uncontrollable.
Pei Yujing had wiped her tears and softly said, "It's alright. Senior Brother will stay with you in Jiusi Ravine."
The moon hid behind the clouds, and the night at Jiusi Ravine grew colder.
Zhan Yunwei had been hurt, and she had fainted from the cold. When she woke, she was shivering. Pei Yujing, knowing he couldn't use his spiritual power, took off his outer robe and wrapped it around her.
At the bottom of Jiusi Ravine, the girl leaned against the young man, finally feeling a little warmer and more at peace.
By then, Zhan Yunwei was too weak to notice Yue Zhiheng's expression.
She shouldn't have stayed in the Life Book this long. Could she leave now, before it was too late?
A year ago, she had seen the young man beside her, filled with hope for their reunion, but to Yue Zhiheng back then, this scene was even more of a cruel reality.
The wind at the ravine was fierce, and Yue Zhiheng's cultivation had reached a remarkable level. Almost no one could sense him.
It seemed that he too had grown bored. He didn't have the habit of watching intimate moments between people. Out of sight, out of mind, he quickly closed his eyes and stopped watching the people at Jiusi Ravine.
That was until a spiritual bird flew by, bearing a summons from Penglai.
Pei Yujing knew that if he stayed any longer and it was discovered he had helped Zhan Yunwei evade her punishment, she would only be punished even longer. He had to leave immediately, sealing the spiritual bird that had exposed his location.
Zhan Yunwei sat at the ravine's edge, watching Pei Yujing leave.
But… she swallowed hard. In her memories, that night hadn't been too hard to endure. She had once thought that Senior Brother Pei had left only after the dawn.
So who had helped her in the end?
The answer was almost on the tip of her tongue. She blinked and looked at Yue Zhiheng.
He remained silent, looking down at the girl below, who was curled up beneath an ancient tree.