“What misunderstanding?” Shen Shu asked in bewilderment.
Wuling wiped away his enigmatic smile, pulled him back toward the pavilion, and said, “The tasks contained in the White Tablets vary in difficulty. Since your task involves entanglements with another person, it goes without saying that it is bound to be difficult.”
Seeing Shen Shu’s confusion, he continued, “The Jiyang Palace oversees heaven’s decree, and within that decree, mortals are the greatest variable. The moment one steps into the mortal dust, karmic causes and effects are born. Yet good intentions do not necessarily reap good results. If you are not careful and become embroiled in someone else’s destiny, it will bring you a hundred harms and not a single benefit.”
“A storm arises from the finest blade of grass. As you conduct affairs in the Divine Realm, you must remember that a person’s fortune and calamity are predestined.”
Shen Shu felt a jolt of shock. He had never imagined that becoming an immortal required such cold detachment. Furrowing his brows, he shook his head and said, “Are you telling me to stand idly by and look on? Could saving a life truly incur condemnation from the Heavenly Dao?”
Wuling sighed, as if recalling the past. He patted Shen Shu on the shoulder with deep sentiment, admonishing, “Who is to say that heaven’s decree cannot lead people astray? Keep your wits about you.”
Having said this, he realized it was rather empty advice. Knowing Shen Shu for many years, he had long seen through the youth’s utter lack of guile. He volunteered to share the burden, asking, “How is that person doing after taking the Primordial Yin Pill? Has he held out against the cold poison?”
Speaking of the cold poison, Shen Shu poured out the doubts that had kept him awake all night. If Pei Zizhuo truly harbored intractable cold poison within his body, continuing to feed him the Primordial Yin Pill would undoubtedly add frost to snow.
Although Wuling was broadly learned and experienced, he dared not assert a cause with absolute certainty. He offered a suggestion, saying, “There is a milder alternative. Did you know that within the Guishui Palace in Baling Commandery, there lies a spirit spring? The fire element there is extraordinarily vigorous, and it can serve as a substitute for the Primordial Yin Pill’s effects.”
Shen Shu committed the location to memory and thanked him repeatedly.
“You placed a ward. Down at the base of the mountain, I saw quite a few people from the Shanhai Palace being held back.”
That precaution had indeed been the right call. Shen Shu nodded and said, “Indeed. I am not proficient in esoteric formations, so this ward is an ancestral heirloom from the Sifang Pavilion. It only bars mortals, not immortals or demons, which is more than enough to handle them.”
Wuling said approvingly, “Excellent. The Divine Realm is not like the Sifang Pavilion; being extra vigilant is never amiss. Read through the White Tablet of Destiny a few more times; there are vast mysteries contained within.”
At the mention of the White Tablet, Shen Shu could not help but spread his hands, saying, “I have not yet laid eyes on the White Tablet.”
Wuling’s eyes went wide. “What?!”
“The assignment came so urgently that the Siming Star Lord had me descend to the mortal realm first to save the person. Fortunately, nothing has gone awry, though I discovered that the scattered soul of Danxiao Sanren, whom I am impersonating, has already dispersed into nothingness.”
Shen Shu recounted everything regarding Danxiao colluding with chaos to set up a scheme, siphoning dry the spiritual energy of Mount Lebai.
Taking the Universe Pouch, Wuling asked with knitted brows, “His remnant soul and that wisp of malevolent energy are both in here?”
Shen Shu nodded. “This concerns the revival of the Four Evils, so I dare not treat it lightly. However, this mountain is very peculiar. Entering the underground palace felt like crossing into another world; I was severed from my own spiritual consciousness.”
“That strange?” Wuling frowned, a rare sight for him. “Eighty to ninety percent chance someone laid down a concealed barrier here. It seems the situation here is not as simple as it looks.”
Shen Shu blinked. “What do you mean by not as simple as it looks?”
Immortal Lord Wuling let out a long sigh and said, “My visit here today was also to inform you of one matter: within the Ziwei Pavilion, the White Jade Sinan, which governs the fortunes of heaven’s destiny, has stopped turning once again.”
The Ziwei Pavilion oversaw the destinies of heaven and earth. Ever since Pangu separated the heavens, the White Jade Sinan had rotated in harmony with the divine golden crow, representing the flourishing fortunes of the Six Realms. It had never ceased to turn, except during that great calamity three thousand years ago.
Back then, immortal officials fell without reason, heaven and earth collapsed into darkness, the demon king revived, the nights grew longer than the days, war spread continuously across the Divine Realm, and countless mortals perished. The Six Realms seemed on the verge of returning to primordial chaos. Thanks to the Master of the Ziwei Pavilion, True Lord Yuanshi, who turned the tide by sacrificing his immortal path and life, the fortunes of the Six Realms finally reversed. Since that time, the White Jade Sinan had never faltered again.
Now that the old tragedy had returned, Wuling, who had lived through that catastrophe, still felt lingering dread. Thus, the Sinan coming to a halt once again had sent everyone in the Heavenly Realm into a panic. They hastily instructed the Siming Star Lord of the Jiyang Palace to dispatch assignment notices everywhere, seeking those with karmic ties to ascend quickly and withstand the impact on destiny.
Lately, the Jiyang Palace had been so busy that their feet barely touched the ground. It was most likely due to this oversight that they forgot to give Shen Shu his White Tablet of Destiny.
“Do not fret too much. For now, this halt of the Sinan has not yet thrown the Six Realms into complete chaos. We still have time, and perhaps we can find a solution before the great calamity descends.” Wuling shifted his tone and circled back, saying, “Even so, you must make time to visit the Jiyang Palace. The White Tablet of Destiny is of utmost importance.”
Immortal Lord Wuling gave a barrage of earnest instructions, acting just like an anxious old mother. Had he not been bogged down by the Heavenly Realm’s tedious affairs, he would have talked until Shen Shu’s ears formed calluses. Left with no choice, he departed in a hurry, leaving behind a jar of sweet-scented osmanthus brew.
Having seen Wuling off, Shen Shu felt burdened with heavy thoughts. He knew Immortal Lord Wuling had spoken at length to comfort him, but an ominous premonition lingered in his heart, sensing that the ancient Four Evils were already poised to bring disaster upon the Divine Realm. After all, he had seen the Hun Sha with his own eyes just yesterday.
Shen Shu knew his own abilities were limited. If he wanted to help weather the heavenly tribulation, his first priority was to complete his mission and help Pei Zizhuo ascend to immortality.
Pushing the door open, he saw from afar the outer robe lying lonely on the ground, looking thoroughly pitiful.
He recalled the half-spoken remark Wuling had made. Could Pei Zizhuo truly have thought that he had brought someone over to humiliate him?
Though he did not understand why Pei Zizhuo blew hot and cold with him, this matter had to be explained clearly to avoid further rifts. He needed to appease the man above all else.
Pei Zizhuo rested his hand across his crossed leg, sitting halfway up in calm anticipation, only lazily lifting his eyelids when he saw Shen Shu walk over.
“I apologize on Wuling’s behalf. He has quite a few foul habits, so please do not take offense,” Shen Shu said, coming to a halt by the bedside with an earnest smile.
“Danxiao Sanren has shown me great kindness. How could I dare take offense?” Pei Zizhuo replied, deliberately enunciating each word.
The words carried an odd tone, so Shen Shu quickly said, “That is just how he is, acting overly familiar with everyone. He harbors no malice at all; he merely wanted to befriend a fellow cultivator. If you dislike it, I will not invite him over again.”
Agreeing with that would have sounded overly petty, so Pei Zizhuo said lukewarmly, “You and I have known each other for merely a few days. There is no need to ruin your friendship over me.”
Shen Shu breathed a sigh of relief. He could not complete this task without Wuling’s guidance. Fortunately, Pei Zizhuo was generous enough not to hold Wuling’s rashness against him. To make amends, Shen Shu hastily offered some remarks that slighted his own friend: “With him, though our hair turns white, we remain as strangers; but with you, Zizhuo, we struck a chord from the moment our carriage canopies met, truly kindred spirits.”
It was a blatant falsehood. Pei Zizhuo felt disdain inside, but his expression softened by a fraction. Seeing Danxiao use his injured hand to pick up the outer robe, with blood seeping out from his movements, he frowned and said, “Why is it still bleeding?”
If it were an ordinary wound, infusing a layer of spiritual power would heal it, but this injury had been inflicted by Immortal Lord Wuling’s unique immortal arts. Furthermore, with Shen Shu’s spiritual meridians sealed, recovery was naturally slower.
Due to his unusual childhood experiences, Shen Shu had long become numb to flesh wounds. As long as no bones or tendons were broken, he paid it little mind. Glancing at the wound, he remarked casually, “Wuling’s cultivation is higher than mine, so this injury will probably take a few days to heal.”
“Knowing you could not heal it, you still rushed in to snatch the armor. Have you never seen a Heaven-grade artifact before?” Pei Zizhuo chided him coldly, sounding thoroughly ungrateful.
Only someone as simple-minded as Shen Shu would detect a thread of concern in those words. Seizing the opening, he stepped closer to Pei Zizhuo and looked up, smiling like melting spring snow: “This black armor is a supreme raw material. It must be kept for you to forge a set of protective gear that only a Heavenly Spiritual Root can wear.”
This man’s eyes looked as if they held autumn waters, shimmering with ripples as he smiled, nearly causing Pei Zizhuo to lose his composure. He shifted backward uncomfortably by half an inch, his tongue remaining unforgiving: “That relies on you actually being able to forge it.”
Having looted Danxiao’s collection of tomes, Shen Shu planned to find time to study them. Keeping Wuling’s guidance in mind, he inquired deliberately, “You only consumed one Primordial Yin Pill, yet the cold poison flared up twice in succession, and with great severity.”
Is he trying to get to the bottom of this? Pei Zizhuo kept his composure, continuing to listen.
“If you continue taking them, it might hinder the restoration of your immortal bones. I know of a spirit spring within the Guishui Palace in Baling Commandery. Would you be willing to accompany me and give it a try?”
The morning light enveloped Shen Shu, casting a radiant halo across his fair face, while his bright, dark eyes shone with anticipation.
Held by such a gaze, perhaps only someone with a heart carved of stone could refuse. Pei Zizhuo considered his heart as hard as ice, but ice still fell a step short of stone. He averted his gaze, his face growing slightly warm as he deigned to speak: “I’ll do as you say.”
Even though the two departed immediately, by the time they reached Baling Commandery, the sun had already begun setting in the west.
Baling Commandery was a mortal capital. Neither wanted to stir up trouble, so they touched down early and proceeded on foot.
The autumn day was radiant and the evening glow burned like fire. A field of crimson mirrored before them, tinting Pei Zizhuo’s cold, fair chest muscles with a rosy pink.
The crowd of travelers entering the city gradually grew thicker, and Shen Shu glanced toward him from time to time.
After enduring it for a long while, he finally could not resist tucking Pei Zizhuo into the shade of the trees. Taking off his own white outer robe, he draped it tightly over him and said, “I will go buy some decent clothes. Hide here and do not move.”
Quite possessive, is he not?
The thought popped into Pei Zizhuo’s mind. Only after Shen Shu had gone did he startle in bewilderment: What on earth is there to be possessive about?
Swatting aside the overgrown brush with a strike of his palm, his eyes turned frosty. He strode forward toward the city with wide steps, intentionally stomping his feet as he walked.
To work himself up into such a rage all on his own, Pei Zizhuo was truly one of a kind between heaven and earth.
This bizarre fit of pique lasted only a short while, but his face remained freezing cold, looking for all the world as though everyone owed him several hundred strings of cash.
Yet his face was simply too handsome. The moment he entered the city, a young woman wearing a peach blossom crown latched onto him.
“You look unfamiliar, sir. Is this your first visit to Baling Commandery? Do you have lodgings?” The young woman rested her delicate jade hand upon his forearm, offering a dazzling, brilliant smile as the peach blossom fragrance atop her head grew increasingly intoxicating. “I wonder how long you plan to stay. I have a small courtyard in the southern part of the city, peaceful and clean, fine quality at a fair price. Would you care to take a look?”
Having finished speaking, she cast a bashful glance toward Pei Zizhuo, eyes full of affection, hesitating as if longing to say more.
Unmoved by all winds, Pei Zizhuo maintained a blank expression and said, “Peach Blossom Demon, you are quite bold.”
The maiden’s complexion changed drastically. She had practiced her shape-shifting art for years; without a Nascent Soul realm cultivator present, she would have been impossible to detect. Furthermore, cultivators rarely frequented Baling Commandery, which was why she dared to saunter through the market like this, never expecting to run straight into one.
Stumbling backward repeatedly and knowing full well that she could never escape if a fight broke out, she pleaded with a trembling voice, “I beg the immortal to forgive my offense. I swear I have never harmed anyone, so please spare my life.”
Seeing her release her grip, Pei Zizhuo shook his sleeves and continued forward without the slightest lingering attachment. There were countless demons in the Divine Realm, and he was not bored enough to go around catching every single one he saw.
Before he could take more than two steps, he spotted a familiar figure in the distance, hurrying over while carrying a bundle.
Pei Zizhuo narrowed his eyes. For reasons unbeknownst even to himself, his feet pivoted as he turned back toward that Peach Blossom Demon. In a voice neither loud nor soft, just clear enough to be heard, he asked, “Where do you wish to take me, miss?”
He played the part to perfection, donning an utter rake’s demeanor. Catching sight of Shen Shu drawing nearer out of the corner of his eye, he brazenly toyed with a stray lock of hair on the demon’s shoulder, curling it in his hand, and said, “As the saying goes, it is better to die beneath a flower and be a gallant ghost. I wonder if I suit your fancy, miss?”
The Peach Blossom Demon could only stand frozen in sheer terror, silently crying out for anyone to save her.
Shen Shu had sharp hearing and keen sight, catching most of those flirtatious words. His face flushed bright red in an instant, and he froze where he stood, unsure whether he should step forward to greet him.
The Peach Blossom Demon dared not answer, while Shen Shu dared not move. A bizarre atmosphere flowed among the three, causing the corner of Pei Zizhuo’s mouth to twitch.
It was understandable for the Peach Blossom Demon to be terrified, but why was Danxiao standing stiff as a board behind him? Wait, why was he taking a step back?!
Sensing the strange tension, Shen Shu recalled his senior martial brothers once saying that ruining someone’s marriage sent one straight to hell. Frightened, he moved to retreat. Yet as his gaze swept over the maiden, recognizing her as a peach blossom demon, he did not dare leave.
Calculating Pei Zizhuo’s cultivation level, he figured the man most likely could not see through the demon’s true form. Braving the risk of going to hell, he took tiny steps forward until he reached Pei Zizhuo, gently tugging at his sleeve. “You, come over here for a moment.”
Seeing that cold-faced Yama walk away, the Peach Blossom Demon finally dared to breathe, her body drenched in cold sweat. She could not fathom what was wrong with that man: flirting with her on purpose was one thing, but in that split second just now, his gaze had been terrifying. Had that white-robed man not stepped in to break the tension, she would have been scared back into her original form.
She glanced at the white-robed man once more, her frightened heart suddenly racing. That man was truly gorgeous, pure and unstained by mortal dust, resembling a banished immortal descended from heaven.
That single glance made her face blush with shame, yet she could not help wanting to look again.
This time, however, that very same Yama turned his head as well, his chilly gaze frightening her into stepping back several paces, not daring to move an inch.
“Is she a peach blossom demon?” Pei Zizhuo turned around, crossing his arms as he looked at Shen Shu. “You certainly care about me.”
“Demonic qi is detrimental to the recovery of your immortal bones; it is better to keep your distance from her.” Shen Shu weighed his words carefully before continuing, “If your feelings truly run deep, please endure it a little longer. How about I go and explain things to her on your behalf?”
“Explain what on my behalf?” Pei Zizhuo arched a brow.
“Tell her to wait for you, so you can resume your ties once your injuries heal.”
Pei Zizhuo narrowed his eyes. He had originally intended to use the Peach Blossom Demon to test Danxiao, but he had not expected the man to react so placidly, leaving him completely underwhelmed.
To this day, he had not figured out what Danxiao’s intentions were: wanting to take him as a plaything, yet showing no disrespect; coveting his beauty, yet making no improper moves.
This Danxiao differed vastly from the rumors. If he had not seen it with his own eyes, they would seem like two entirely different people.
A thought crossed Pei Zizhuo’s mind: could this be the art of soul swapping?
Seeing that he did not reply, Shen Shu took his silence as agreement. He walked up to the Peach Blossom Demon and offered a gentle smile, saying, “I am no demon hunter, nor will I ruin your romantic ties. It is merely that the time is not yet ripe, so you must wait a little longer.”
The Peach Blossom Demon was thoroughly baffled and pleaded in haste, “The immortal has misunderstood. That gentleman and I only crossed paths by chance; there is no deeper affection between us. Everything I speak is the absolute truth. If there is a single false word, you may claim my spirit core.”
Her words were deeply sincere, backed by an oath sworn on her soul. It took Shen Shu a moment to realize that Pei Zizhuo had been tricking him.
First, he felt relief that he would not be going to hell, followed immediately by shame and irritation. He wanted to confront Pei Zizhuo, but doing so would cost him face. An idea struck him; clearing his throat, he said, “There is no misunderstanding. What I speak of is the affection between you and me, which still needs to wait a little longer.”
Having lived among mortals for a long time, the Peach Blossom Demon saw through at a glance that these two were merely teasing each other using her. With her life in their hands, she had no choice but to play along. Looking upon Shen Shu’s ethereal, clear face, she even felt she was getting the better end of the deal. Bashfully raising her eyes, she said, “This humble one is willing to wait.”
Pei Zizhuo remained struck completely speechless.
Flirting without preparing a draft first, and here he was contemplating Danxiao swapping souls? Soul swapping, my foot!
Pei Zizhuo turned and strode off at once, looking as though his ears would rot if he listened for another second.