Qu Yaoyao was utterly exhausted.
After leaving Wangxu, she felt as if all her energy had been drained, her soul weary beyond measure. Unable to hold on during the journey back to Xingyang Sect, she leaned against Qu Yushu and fell asleep.
When she awoke, she was already lying on the bed in her boudoir. Outside, the sky was bright—it was already the morning of the next day.
“Miss, you’re awake?” Yun Zhi entered, holding a bouquet of fresh flowers. She pushed open the window near the bed and arranged the flowers in a vase.
Humming a little tune, she seemed to be in high spirits. Qu Yaoyao sat up in bed, clutching the blanket, and stared blankly at Yun Zhi for a moment, still unaccustomed to her new identity as a human.
Her hair was disheveled, and her fair, tender cheeks bore a few sleep marks. After a moment, Qu Yaoyao recalled the events of the previous day and whispered, “I remember… I fell asleep in the sedan chair yesterday.”
“Yes, you slept so soundly,” Yun Zhi replied. “Seeing you so deeply asleep, the Young Sect Master couldn’t bear to wake you and carried you back directly.”
Yun Zhi was a few years older than Qu Yaoyao and had practically watched her grow up. Over the years, she had grown accustomed to seeing her young mistress bully the Young Sect Master. This was the first time she had witnessed such closeness between the two siblings.
Yun Zhi cautiously observed Qu Yaoyao’s expression. In the past, Qu Yaoyao had been extremely averse to the Young Sect Master’s touch. Now, with her memory lost, upon learning that her elder brother had carried her back, she merely blinked and said enviously, “My brother is so good to me.”
Qu Yushu truly was good to Qu Yaoyao.
Yun Zhi was taken aback for a moment, suddenly feeling as though the young girl had grown up. “Miss has finally realized how good the Young Sect Master is.”
She suddenly felt no urgency for Qu Yaoyao to regain her memory, because this gentle, soft-spoken, and sensible young lady was simply too endearing.
“Oh, right.” While helping Qu Yaoyao wash up and dress, Yun Zhi took out an exquisitely crafted and beautiful box. “Not long after we returned to the sect yesterday, a disciple from Wangxu came to deliver something, saying it was on the orders of Qingxi Immortal Venerable.”
“Qingxi Immortal Venerable?” Qu Yaoyao’s eyes widened slightly as she took the box.
The thought of having found the Immortal Venerable she had longed for made her heart beat faster. Cherishingly rubbing the box in her palm, she opened it to find several porcelain bottles inside.
“Ah, they’re all immortal-grade spiritual medicines,” Yun Zhi exclaimed in surprise. Picking up the bottles to examine them closely, she discovered that most of these medicines were skincare products for dispersing bruises and removing scars, priceless and hard to come by.
Qingxi Immortal Venerable had never given her young mistress anything before, and now, with this gesture, he was truly generous.
Yun Zhi opened one of the bottles and pulled aside Qu Yaoyao’s collar to apply the medicine to her wounds. The immortal-grade spiritual medicine indeed had miraculous effects, quickly soothing the burning pain on her neck. Qu Yaoyao moved her neck and exclaimed, “It doesn’t hurt as much now.”
Yun Zhi was quite pleased. “Although Qingxi Immortal Venerable appears cold and indifferent, he is, after all, betrothed to you, Miss. In the end, the Immortal Venerable does care for you.”
“Betrothal?” If Yun Zhi hadn’t reminded her, Qu Yaoyao would have nearly forgotten that this body was betrothed to Qingxi Immortal Venerable.
Having clarified that the Immortal Venerable she admired was not the fallen immortal who had killed her, Qu Yaoyao felt a sweet warmth in her heart. She took Yun Zhi’s hand and shook it gently, pleading softly, “I don’t remember many things. Could you tell me more about the Immortal Venerable?”
Having been Little Snow Lotus for a thousand years, Qu Yaoyao admired Qingxi deeply, yet she knew far too little about him. To love someone is to yearn to understand every detail of their life.
Yun Zhi smiled and nodded, "I'll fetch your breakfast first, and you can listen while you eat."
"…"
Within the entire Cultivation World, Wanmen Immortal Sect held sway over half the realm.
The founding patriarch of Wanmen Immortal Sect was known as Wanfa Saint Venerable, who had only two direct disciples: Qingxi Immortal Venerable and Zi Cang Immortal Venerable, both residing in Xianxu.
From Yun Zhi's account, Qu Yaoyao learned that her marriage to Qingxi Immortal Venerable had been divined and decided personally by Wanfa Saint Venerable. At that time, Qingxi had just ascended to the rank of Immortal Venerable, while Qu Yaoyao was merely three months old in her mother Qu Yingsi's womb.
"So, Wanfa Saint Venerable never even met Qu Yao…" Little Snow Lotus nearly slipped up, quickly correcting herself, "I hadn't even been born yet. How could Wanfa Saint Venerable have arranged such a marriage for Qingxi Immortal Venerable?"
Yun Zhi shook her head, "The intentions of the Saint Venerable are beyond our comprehension."
It was said that after decreeing the marriage for Xie Qingxun, Wanfa Saint Venerable secluded himself in closed-door cultivation. This betrothal was merely an oral decree, lacking any formal betrothal documents or ceremonial gifts. With the Saint Venerable's seclusion, everyone regarded it as nothing more than a jest from the master to his disciple—even Xie Qingxun himself paid it little heed.
It wasn't until Qu Yaoyao was born and first laid eyes on Xie Qingxun at the Immortal Sect Assembly that everything changed. There, the noble and breathtakingly handsome Immortal Venerable stood upon the high platform, revered by thousands. From that moment on, she fell deeply in love and began proclaiming her betrothal to Qingxi everywhere, invoking the Saint Venerable's decree. Only then did everyone take it seriously.
Over the years, Qu Yaoyao had actually seen Qingxi Immortal Venerable only a handful of times. Even on those rare occasions, it was mostly her pouring out her affection while Qingxi Immortal Venerable remained aloof and unresponsive.
Fortunately, all that was in the past. After years of relentless pursuit, her young mistress had finally seen a glimmer of hope.
Yun Zhi deliberately embellished the entire story, and seeing Qu Yaoyao listening intently, she concluded by telling her, "At the recent sect assembly, your wedding date with Qingxi Immortal Venerable has been set—just two months from now."
By then, her young mistress would be free to come and go within Xianxu.
.
Before Qu Yaoyao could fully emerge from the joy of her impending marriage to Qingxi Immortal Venerable, Yun Zhi brought back another piece of news while helping her bathe that evening. "I've heard something major has happened in Xianxu."
"What major event?"
Yun Zhi looked troubled, to be precise, it was an incident in Wangxu, where Qingxi Immortal Venerable resided.
"You may not know this, young mistress, but because Xianxu is home to two Immortal Venerables, it is divided into two parts: Wangxu and Zhenxu. Though both belong to the same Xianxu, they are separate domains, separated by a barrier. There is only one place without a barrier—the Mirror Moon Tower, where Wanfa Saint Venerable once resided."
The Mirror Moon Tower belonged to Xianxu yet was not part of either Wangxu or Zhenxu. Outside the tower, on the central terrace, lay a ten-thousand-year-old cold pond, within which grew precious snow lotuses.
Yun Zhi built up so much anticipation, all to deliver the following line: "It's said that an extremely precious snow lotus has gone missing from the cold pond." Both Immortal Venerables are furious and have dispatched people to search everywhere."
Qu Yaoyao's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this, and she asked with concern, "Does Qingxi Immortal Venerable care deeply about that snow lotus?"
Yun Zhi hesitated before nodding, "While the Saint Venerable was still here, he entrusted the care of the pond's snow lotuses to Qingxi Immortal Venerable. I just went to inquire further. After the snow lotus went missing, Zi Cang Immortal Venerable's side hasn't shown much reaction, but Qingxi Immortal Venerable has already punished and expelled several people from Wangxu and is still sending out search parties for that snow lotus."
"I wonder if it can still be found." Yun Zhi was deeply worried. She had originally wanted to find another excuse to take the young lady into Wangxu to nurture their relationship, but it seemed that wouldn't be possible these next few days.
Qu Yaoyao, however, had none of Yun Zhi's worries; in fact, she felt a bit of joy.
So, she was that important in his heart?
"I want to go to Wangxu again," Qu Yaoyao said.
She liked Qingxi Immortal Venerable too much. Having died once and then regained what was lost, upon learning how heavily she weighed in the Immortal Venerable's heart, she was unwilling to deceive him and wanted to tell him her identity as the snow lotus.
Yun Zhi did not know that the person before her was precisely the lost Little Snow Lotus. She tried to dissuade her: "Wangxu is in chaos right now. The Immortal Venerable is in an extremely bad mood after losing the snow lotus. Wouldn't it be unwise for you to go at this time?"
She was being rather tactful. In truth, what she really wanted to say was that Qingxi Immortal Venerable was not only cold and indifferent by nature, but his methods of handling matters were also ruthless and decisive. No one in the immortal sect dared to provoke him. Yun Zhi was worried that Qu Yaoyao might suffer some fright if she entered at this time.
Qu Yaoyao did not understand Yun Zhi's well-intentioned concern. She insisted, "I have something very important to tell the Immortal Venerable. I must go in."
As for what this important matter was, she could not tell Yun Zhi.
Fortunately, the original Qu Yaoyao had always been willful and capricious, so Yun Zhi showed no surprise at her insistence, only helplessness. She could only report the matter to Qu Yushu. Coincidentally, Qu Yushu happened to have business that required him to go to Zhenxu. After resting his chin in thought for a moment, he agreed to take his younger sister along.
Qu Yaoyao felt at ease. After falling asleep, she dreamed of the time before she had transformed into form.
The cold pond had accumulated ten thousand years of chill, existing since she first gained consciousness a millennium ago. Speaking of which, she was the first snow lotus born from the cold pond.
Though she was the first, and the most beautiful among the few snow lotuses, the flower she bloomed was only the size of a fist—pure and delicate, easily overlooked among the larger snow lotuses around her.
There was only one person who, when others praised those grand, blooming snow lotuses, would quietly cast his gaze upon 'her.' A disciple once asked curiously, "Immortal Venerable, how can there be such a small snow lotus in this cold pond? Was it just born?"
Soft, cool petals were gently touched by someone, and a pleasant voice lowered slightly, "Are you talking about it?"
"It is the first snow lotus born from the cold pond, and also the most beautiful one."
Perhaps because of his gentle touch, or perhaps because Little Snow Lotus had painstakingly absorbed the Essence of Sun and Moon for a thousand years and finally received her reward—at that moment, she gained spiritual awareness. She quietly stretched open her petals and timidly followed the sound to look beyond the cold pond.
And then she saw her Immortal Venerable.
The cold, gentle Immortal Venerable, his robes white as clouds, his eyes lowered, the corners of his lips slightly curved as he smiled at her. His soft, lingering expression truly sweetened her heart.
Mist began to rise in the dream, winding around her and the Immortal Venerable. Qu Yaoyao, asleep, curled her lips upward, her sleeping face sweet and peaceful. Suddenly, she let out a soft moan, and the scene in the dream turned dim.
"Mmm…" Qu Yaoyao shuddered all over. As the dream plunged into complete darkness, she felt a hand clamp around her neck, viciously slamming her against something.
"Please, please don't kill me!" A scream echoed in her ears.
A sense of suffocation washed over her. Qu Yaoyao cried out in terror—this seemed to be the original host, not Little Snow Lotus. In the dream, she struggled helplessly, trying to see clearly the murderer who was choking her.
Soon, Yun Zhi noticed that Qu Yaoyao had been awakened by a nightmare. She wiped the sweat from her cheeks and comforted her, "Don't be afraid, miss. Did you remember something?"
Qu Yaoyao gasped for breath and shook her head.
Seeing that she seemed frightened by the nightmare, Yun Zhi suddenly remembered something and quickly took out an evil-warding talisman. She folded it and tucked it into Qu Yaoyao's hand, saying, "I'm returning this to you, miss. Keep it with you, and perhaps you'll be able to sleep peacefully."
Qu Yaoyao felt the talisman looked familiar. "Is this the one written by the Immortal Venerable?"
"Exactly," Yun Zhi explained. "Miss, your constitution is weak, and you often attract unclean things. That's why the Immortal Venerable wrote this talisman for you."
Qu Yaoyao's eyes brightened. While inwardly marveling at the Immortal Venerable's gentleness and thoughtfulness, she inexplicably felt a sense of melancholy.
"The Immortal Venerable… is truly good to me," Qu Yaoyao said, carefully storing the talisman paper.
Yun Zhi simply smiled in silence.
She had only told half the story. The talisman was indeed personally written and gifted by Qingxi Immortal Venerable, but it was only after Qu Yaoyao had shamelessly begged for it repeatedly on her birthday that she finally obtained it—no easy feat. Now, with Qu Yaoyao's "memory loss," Yun Zhi thought it might be better to let her mistress forget these less-than-pleasant memories.
The sky had already brightened. Remembering her arrangement with Qu Yushu, Qu Yaoyao rose early, tidied up, and changed into a beautiful dress. By the time Qu Yushu came to find her, Qu Yaoyao was leaning by the window, watching Yun Zhi arrange flowers.
The young girl was dressed in a floral gown adorned with tinkling jewels. Despite her flamboyant attire, her posture—tilting her head and resting her cheek on her hand—was soft and gentle, like a fluffy little animal.
It seemed she really had changed. Qu Yushu called out, "Yaoyao."
Qu Yaoyao lifted her face at the sound. She seemed to have been waiting for him for a long time. When she saw her elder brother appear, her eyes sparkled, instantly lighting up with a smile as she sweetly called out, "Brother!"
Qu Yushu was momentarily dazzled by her radiant gaze. Gradually growing accustomed to this sister's transformation, he softly acknowledged her.
Naturally, he took Qu Yaoyao's hand and gazed at her small face. "You look a bit pale. Did you not rest well last night?"
Qu Yaoyao shook her head. "I just had a nightmare."
"What nightmare?"
The young girl beside him gestured animatedly, causing her jewelry to clink. "I dreamed that a hand was choking my neck. It hurt terribly, and I felt awful, but I couldn't break free."
"What kind of hand?"
"Hmm, the nails were very sharp, and the fingers were long and pale—very much like a human hand…"
Qu Yushu lowered his eyelashes slightly and turned his head to show concern. "Did you remember the evil entity that harmed you?"
Yes, but also no.
Qu Yaoyao said dejectedly, "I couldn't see his face clearly."
The two chatted as they walked, and the sedan soon stopped outside the boundary of Xianxu. Though the two realms shared the same space, they had different entrances. Qu Yushu was going to see Zi Cang Immortal Venerable, so if Qu Yaoyao wanted to see Qingxi Immortal Venerable, she couldn't enter through Zhenxu's gate.
Qu Yushu planned to first take her into Zhenxu and, after finishing his official business, ask Zi Cang Immortal Venerable for help. Qu Yaoyao tugged at his hand and whispered, "No need for such trouble. I have my own way to get in."
"What way?"
Qu Yaoyao remained mysteriously silent, unwilling to reveal it. Qu Yushu was amused by her. "Can't you even tell your brother?"
"Not for now," she said. This matter concerned her safety. After all, Little Snow Lotus was not Qu Yushu's biological sister, and regarding her true form, she was only willing to tell Qingxi Immortal Venerable first.
When they reached the boundary of Wangxu, Qu Yaoyao whispered to the guard outside, "Tell Qingxi Immortal Venerable that I have news about that Little Snow Lotus."
Wangxu, within the empty great hall,
Xie Qingxun held a jade brush, meticulously sketching the features of a young maiden on paper. Outside the door, Gu Tianci stood guard, clutching a Voice Transmission Mirror as he lowered his voice and snorted coldly, "What clues could she possibly have about the thousand-year snow lotus? I think she's just using it as an excuse to see the Immortal Venerable."
The brush in his hand paused, its shaft cracking with fine lines. Xie Qingxun stared expressionlessly at the maiden in the painting. Just as Gu Tianci ordered the guards to drive Qu Yaoyao away, he coldly intervened, "Let her in."
"Master…" Gu Tianci was taken aback. "Qu Yaoyao is definitely deceiving you."
They had searched all over Xianxu without finding that snow lotus—how could Qu Yaoyao have any clues about it?
What Gu Tianci could think of, Xie Qingxun naturally could as well. Standing with his hands behind his back, he narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "No one has ever dared to mock this seat."
This matter concerned the Frozen Pond Snow Lotus. If Qu Yaoyao dared to use it as a pretext, he would not let her leave Wangxu alive.