Chapter 25

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Chapter 25

After three days of seclusion, her first realization was that she had slept incredibly well.

Gong Wu had memorized the heart method thoroughly and had prepared herself for a fierce battle with her inner demons. However, once she entered meditation, she relaxed completely, allowing her spiritual energy to circulate smoothly, and she fell into a deep, restful sleep.

As for the inner demons, she indeed saw none.

On the first day, she slept for most of the day and felt a slight hunger, but she managed to remain calm and continue her fasting and enlightenment.

The second day was spent entirely in sleep, and she began to have numerous dreams.

Both Master and senior brother had told her that if she encountered her inner demons, they would tempt her with choices or try to make her linger, not simply replay a complete memory.

Unfortunately, dreaming had no connection to practice or breakthroughs.

The dream on the second day transported her back to her ordinary life before her awakening.

“—Gong Wu! Come sweep the floor!”

She was one of the many disciples who had not yet awakened, dutifully working hard to pave the way for those who had attained immortality.

While her senior brothers and sisters danced with their swords at dawn, she was busy cleaning the doorstep.

When her junior brothers and sisters joyfully took their vows, she was drying herbs.

But the truth was, only a few ever achieved enlightenment and ascended.

Zhenling Palace and Miande Palace collectively took in over a thousand disciples, releasing a batch every time someone turned eighteen, constantly filling the empty spots.

Every year, only a few dozen lower-ranking disciples stood out, truly a case of being one in a hundred.

Many felt despair, looking at themselves at seventeen without even touching the edges of the Hidden Element.

"I want to practice immortality too! I want to become immortal and live forever; why can’t I awaken?!"

"I don’t want to live an ordinary life. I want to stay here and go to Liu Jia Palace to become Master Donglu’s disciple!"

"Zhenling Palace is so crowded; I really hate sleeping in a big dormitory. When can I level up and have my own room…"

In such a chaotic situation, the unsuccessful disciples would often gaze at Gong Wu with sincere envy.

Her fate was truly fortunate.

While other abandoned babies were taken to Miande Palace, slowly nurtured to learn to speak and write, she got to enjoy the entire Tianhua Palace with her senior brother.

Every morning, Gong Wu would greet everyone and then go to Miande Palace to attend lectures and gain insights. In the evening, she would return to bathe and sleep, and she continued this for fifteen years.

At times, she wondered if she was being too greedy.

While other junior brothers and sisters fought over a shared bun, she had dragon whisker noodles specially cooked by her senior brother and could always ask her Master for details about the techniques.

Yet she longed to break through and rise higher.

She didn’t want to be a burden or a freeloader; she wanted to be the pride of Tianhua Palace and face everyone with confidence.

The most tormenting times came every year—first in February when disciples were sent out into the wild, and second in September when new disciples were accepted.

To provide others with sustenance, Moonfire Valley would wait until after the New Year and when the weather warmed before sending their adult disciples out, allowing them to fend for themselves using their skills in medicine and herb cultivation.

During the autumn harvest, all fortunate disciples who had awakened would have their names compiled, and after consulting with their desired Masters, a collective initiation ceremony would take place.

One year, a particularly large number of disciples were sent away.

Two or three hundred ordinary disciples gazed longingly at the valley, continuously waving goodbye.

"Goodbye!"

"Good luck! You all have to stay!"

At that moment, eleven-year-old Gong Wu tightly held her senior brother’s hand.

The five years when their Master was in seclusion were the hardest for both of them.

She was trapped in fear and guilt, not daring to speak a word.

"You will definitely stay," the young Ji Yang said, tightening his grasp on her hand. "You will."

During the initiation ceremony, the atmosphere would weigh heavily on everyone’s hearts.

Dozens of newly accomplished disciples stood joyfully on the high platform. Not only were the Six Palaces hosting a grand feast for them, but the Master Ancestor also personally came out to congratulate them, placing purple orchid bracelets on their wrists, symbols of fortune and spiritual energy.

From the age of seven or eight, when she first felt a competitive spirit, Gong Wu had spent every year in the corners of these grand memories.

Weaving flower garlands, washing dishes, arranging offerings, cooking meals…

Over the years, she endured this for about eight years.

Yet, no matter how hard she tried, she never succeeded.

With each birthday, her hopes dimmed slightly, and her small wishes became increasingly blurry.

I really want to stay.

I really want to be that different person.

Her dreams were abruptly interrupted by hunger, and Gong Wu swayed, realizing she had dozed off while sitting.

She rubbed her face and looked up to see the moonlight shimmering like water.

Perhaps hearing her shifting position, Tu Xuixin, who was meditating outside the screen, languidly said, “Awake?”

Gong Wu felt guilty and replied, “Master!”

“I heard everything,” Tu Xuixin yawned and said, “You were breathing so deeply; you must have slept quite well.”

She forced a smile, but her stomach betrayingly rumbled.

“I sat for two days and really didn’t see anything,” Gong Wu whispered through the screen. “It seems like meditating isn’t very useful.”

“Hungry?” Tu Xuixin sat up. “Let’s go to the small kitchen.”

“Is that okay?” Gong Wu hesitated, staying still. “Aren’t you supposed to meditate for at least three days? I haven’t even reached the time yet.”

Tu Xuixin shrugged casually, “Then do you want to sleep a bit more?”

The little girl perked up, “I really can’t sleep anymore.”

Having slept for two days felt like she had caught up on all the rest she had missed in her life.

Ji Yang had already gone to sleep, but the kitchen was warm with the noodles he had made himself. Probably because they were infused with spiritual energy, they didn’t clump or stick, entirely fresh as if just made.

On the way to the small kitchen, Gong Wu began to share her past dreams, walking slowly behind her master.

“Whenever I think back to the past, I feel really scared.”

“Watching my friends leave one by one, or witnessing people suddenly ascend to the new palaces, leaving me alone standing still.”

"During that time… I really wanted to grasp onto something and not accept my fate.”

Tu Xuixin paused for a moment, softly responding with an “mm.”

Gong Wu sensed something and stopped her thoughts.

Master, is the loneliness of practicing immortality like this too?

Do you miss your senior sister who flew up to the heavens?

The next morning, Ji Yang rose early to practice. He saw the master and disciple waiting for him in the hall.

One was eating pastries, while the other was sipping tea, clearly having not slept the entire night.

Ji Yang knowingly asked, “Was meditating fun?”

Gong Wu sighed, “It’s not for me.”

“Just have a quick bite; we’re about to use the compasses,” Tu Xuixin said, tapping the table. “The earlier we leave, the sooner we’ll return. We still have to head to Old Yan’s place for dinner tonight.”

Ji Yang swiftly finished his meal, and the three individuals gathered around the table, each pulling out their jeweled Eight-Flower Compass.

Tu Xuixin’s compass was visibly worn, its patterns faded from years of use.

“The sun is lovely today; perfect for a little outing,” the master remarked, rapping the table. “Now, on three, two, one.”

All three placed their fingers together at their foreheads, channeling their spiritual energy into the compasses.

In the quiet, the needles of the three compasses began to spin rapidly, darting left and right.

Tu Xuixin’s compass was the first to settle, its pointer resting on the white sparrow flower, with the verdict “Ordinary.”

Ji Yang smiled warmly and said, “It really is ideal for a simple outing.”

Someone scowled and shoved their compass aside.

“No luck!”

Gong Wu stifled a laugh and asked, “Master, is it because your compass is too old that it’s not working properly?”

“This is the seventeenth one,” Tu Xuixin said, propping his chin on his hand. “I’ll get a new one tomorrow; I refuse to believe it!”

Next, Gong Wu’s compass slowly came to a halt at the daffodil, with the verdict “Illusory Sea.”

“Got it!” Tu Xuixin exclaimed, sitting up straight. “Whoa—ha!”

After a while, Ji Yang’s compass finally stopped at the golden camellia, with the verdict “Rare.”

Today, both of them had spiritual encounters, and both were rare finds.

Among the eight flowers, the rarest was this “Rare,” and they had somehow stumbled upon it!

Gong Wu studied the results intently and asked curiously, “Master, do golden camellias truly exist in the world?”

“I’ve heard they grow around Lushan in Guizhou,” Tu Xuixin replied lazily. “Even if they do, they’re likely protected by the emperor; we probably won’t get a chance to see them.”

He tapped the compass in front of her.

“Let’s test you today. What are the medicinal properties of the daffodil?”

Gong Wu answered without hesitation.

“Clears heat and refreshes the mind, detoxifies and dispels filth.”

“And its toxicity?”

“…Causes numbness, convulsions, drowsiness, and weakness.” The little girl realized, “No wonder it’s depicted above the words ‘Illusory Sea.’”

“But what lies within the Illusory Sea?”

“It’s a dream,” Ji Yang said, lowering his gaze. “Whether real or illusory, it’s a heart sinking into a sea of fantasies.”

“I’ve heard many people encounter beautiful dreams there, making it hard to leave.”

“That’s true,” Tu Xuixin said, crossing his arms. “I have a friend who once spent a fortune searching for secret realms in the Illusory Sea to find his younger brother and bring him back.”

Gong Wu gasped, misinterpreting the point.

“So secret realms can be sold too?”

“This rare secret realm that Subei possesses can fetch over a thousand gold on the black market,” Tu Xuixin remarked with a faint smile, then sighed, “My friend actually found his brother within that secret realm.”

“In his dreams, his brother became an emperor, ruling the world, and had already married into the Upper Three Palaces, fathering a large brood of children.”

“No matter how much his older brother tried to persuade him, he refused to return, preferring to die in his dream. In the end, it all came to nothing.”

Such is often the tale of Huang Liang and Nan Ke.

“To think someone would choose to live in a dream,” Gong Wu mused. “But everything in a dream is false. Did he not care for his parents and friends anymore?”

“He no longer had time for such concerns,” Tu Xuixin concluded. “That’s why you should never enter this secret realm lightly.”

“Excluding this one, we only have Subei’s realm left to explore.”

“Wait,” Ji Yang interjected suddenly. “Little Wu, hold onto that one for now.”

“After we visit the rare find, I intend to try entering it.”

The master frowned, “Have you considered the consequences?”

“Yes, I want to give it a try.”

“Alright,” Gong Wu said as she carefully set her compass aside. “Shall we proceed?”

The three individuals made some final preparations, each taking up their personal swords and umbrellas, while Ji Yang used his spiritual energy to draw a formation and chant an incantation.

Soon, a faint golden mist filled the spacious hall, shimmering brilliantly like sunlight dancing on the river.

“It’s truly magnificent!” Tu Xuixin exclaimed in admiration.

He was the first to step into the mist, and not long after, a half-arm emerged from the fog.

“Little Wu, take my hand; it’s a steep drop.”

Gong Wu felt a twinge of nervousness. Though she crouched to grasp her master’s hand, she missed her footing and tumbled unexpectedly into his arms.

“Oof,” Tu Xuixin grunted as he carefully set his little disciple down. “You’ve put on some weight.”

“Master!!”

Tu Xuixin then tiptoed and reached out, saying cheerfully, “Come on, Subei, let Master hold you.”

Ji Yang retorted, “…Get lost.”

Tu Xuixin immediately withdrew his hand, clutching it to his chest. “Fine, you’ve wounded me.”

Ji Yang sat at the edge of the secret realm, then boldly leapt down, landing steadily.

Only then did they take in their surroundings, all gasping in awe.

In the ordinary world, such a fantastical scene was unheard of.

The three individuals stood on lush green fields, but the terrain was strikingly unique.

To describe it accurately, they were standing on a circular, isolated island.

Behind them, the river flowed gently, its distant shores obscured by mist.

Before them lay a plum forest encircled by tranquil pools of water.

Ordinary plums typically bore clear, vibrant leaves, turning a deep yellow with a hint of red when ripe. Biting into one could still make your teeth ache from the sourness.

Plums can alleviate coughs, dissolve phlegm, protect the liver, and benefit the gallbladder. They can be enjoyed as snacks or used as medicinal ingredients.

However, in the remote corners of the world, there exists an exceedingly rare jade dew plum tree, its leaves a deep green and its fruit resembling gold and jade.

Even a mere handful of its branches and leaves, when used as medicine, can relieve symptoms of lung tuberculosis and hemoptysis.

If one can obtain a few fresh fruits, they surpass the value of ginseng and reishi, offering remarkable benefits for longevity.

Every year, the master accompanies the Master Ancestor to Night Poison Mountain to gather herbs, always bringing back the spoils to show his two disciples the fresh finds.

Gong Wu has only seen the leaves of the jade dew plum a handful of times and has heard that the fruit is exceedingly rare, let alone something herbalists might stumble upon.

At this moment, they gazed across the water and saw a plum grove shimmering under the sunlight.

Countless plums hung perfectly, gleaming like treasures against the backdrop of deep green leaves.

Gong Wu took a few steps forward for a clearer view.

The plums resembled candies made from maltose, each one so translucent that the pit inside was visible through the skin.

She instinctively began counting the trees in the plum grove but could only estimate that there were at least a hundred.

“Master,” she returned to tug at Tu Xuixin’s sleeve, “you mentioned there were a few jade dew plums in Night Poison Mountain, right?”

“Two, just two,” Tu Xuixin replied dryly. “Your Master Ancestor often laments that they’ve never seen the trees bloom, fearing they might all be of the same sex and eventually go extinct, never to be found again.”

The two solitary trees on Night Poison Mountain could never have imagined that in another realm, there would be such a vast jade dew plum forest.

Ji Yang, usually the most composed, now stared in awe at this extraordinary sight.

In the vast expanse of the Three Thousand Lifetimes, there are indeed wonders beyond imagination, and this was one of them.

Tu Xuixin had been hesitating for some time, as if he dared not approach rashly.

Ji Yang decided to pluck a branch to confirm the situation. When he tried to use his strength, he quickly realized something was wrong.

“Master, can you fly up?”

Tu Xuixin tried and shook his head. “It’s no use.”

“It seems there’s some kind of energy field restriction here; spiritual energy doesn’t work.”

Unable to use sword flight to cross the shallow pond, they had no choice but to wade through the water.

With resolve, the master took a silver needle and dipped it into the clear pond.

Most things in the secret realm are likely laced with strange poisons.

The moment the silver needle touched the water, it turned black, its toxicity surpassing that of arsenic.

“This is troublesome,” Tu Xuixin sighed. “Once you enter the secret realm, you can’t turn back to fetch something and then return.”

Life is precious, and this forest of wonders is equally important; he couldn’t bear to abandon either.

Gong Wu crouched by the pond, rolled up her sleeves, and touched the water.

She felt nothing.

However, the corner of her sleeve accidentally brushed the water’s surface and was instantly corroded by the poison.

…Why is it that every secret realm is like this!

She touched the torn corner of her sleeve, feeling a pang of regret.

The two people beside her looked on in astonishment.

“Is your skin all right?”

“Don’t you feel any pain?”

“Yes, I forgot to mention,” Gong Wu replied calmly after touching the water again. “I think I’m now immune to all poisons.”

Even after dying repeatedly, dipping into Wan Shi Pool would likely have no effect on her.

Tu Xuixin skeptically pulled a piece of wild grass and dipped it into the water, watching as the green grass rotted and turned black from the toxicity.

But Gong Wu pressed her palm against the bottom of the water and remained completely unharmed.

“Wow, that’s amazing…” her master said with genuine envy. “With your constitution, you could sample all kinds of herbs.”

Gong Wu smiled and nodded, standing up to say, “Then I’ll take off my shoes and socks and go over.”

Ji Yang hesitated, quickly turning his back before she could bend down, and Tu Xuixin also turned away knowingly.

They both faced away from Gong Wu, worried about her safety, calling out from a distance to be careful.

The river stretched on endlessly; they had no idea if there were any strange fish lurking within.

Gong Wu packed her shoes and socks into the medicine basket, rolled up her robe, and stepped lightly across the pond, finding it easy to walk.

The water barely covered her calves, not deep at all.

The lethal toxicity did not affect her in the slightest; she seemed to be stepping through a stream as she quickly reached the other side.

The closer she got, the more she could smell the faint fragrance of the jade dew plums.

It smelled sweet and should taste delightful.

However… with so many, it seemed the medicine basket wouldn’t hold much.

After drying her ankles and calves with a piece of coarse cloth and putting her shoes and socks back on, she called out, “You can turn around now!”

The master and disciple waited intentionally for a moment, ensuring she was fully dressed before they turned back.

Gong Wu stood among the plum trees, feeling that the heavenly scene of the Queen Mother’s peach orchard might be something like this.

She cautiously picked one, waiting a moment as the icy plum fell into her palm, confirming there were no strange occurrences.

In this desolate realm of wonders, there were indeed no signs of human presence.

Their visit only allowed for a fleeting glimpse; they could never return here again.

“I’ll taste one!” she shouted from a distance.

“Go ahead and eat!”

Taking a bite, the sweet fragrance filled her mouth.

The slight sourness perfectly complemented the taste, balanced just right.

The flesh of the fruit was indescribably delicious, making her swallow it in just two bites, still wanting more.

After finishing one, Gong Wu resisted the urge to lick her fingers, feeling as if an elixir had settled in her stomach, leaving her feeling light and airy.

…It seemed her cultivation was increasing again!

Though she hadn’t yet broken through, the increase was accumulating within her dantian, and it felt quite pleasant.

In a fleeting moment of distraction, three plums tumbled into her stomach, and she began to emanate a sweet fragrance.

Ji Yang remained seated, waiting patiently, while Tu Xuixin called out from afar, “Are you—alright—?”

“They’re amazing!!” Gong Wu waved her hand enthusiastically. “Wait for me to gather more!!”

She swiftly grabbed the medicine basket and soon filled it halfway with jade dew plums, then waded back to where they stood.

The master and disciple stood with their backs turned, waiting for her return, when suddenly they felt a tap on their shoulders simultaneously.

The little girl was generous, saying, “Go ahead and eat! I’ve poured some here for you. Take your time, I’m heading back to pick more.”

With that, she poured out the plums as if she were sharing festive treats like fried soybeans.

Tu Xuixin picked up a jade dew plum that had rolled into his palm, his face a picture of disbelief.

“Are we sure we didn’t enter the wrong secret realm?”

“Is this not the Illusory Sea??”

Ji Yang glanced down, took a bite, and remarked to Gong Wu, “It’s incredibly sweet.”

“Isn’t it?!” Gong Wu replied with delight. “It’s both crisp and sweet, and after eating, my five senses feel sharper than ever!”

Her vision, which had once struggled to make out the veins of the plum leaves, now allowed her to see even the finest details on the leaves from a distance.

Tu Xuixin finished a whole jade dew plum in a daze, murmuring, “Is this what a rare secret realm is like…”

“We only brought one medicine basket,” Gong Wu sighed. “It’s a shame we might not be able to keep them alive if we bring them back.”

Tu Xuixin nodded in agreement.

“If I had known it would be like this, I would’ve brought at least a dozen grass baskets!”

“Master,” Ji Yang said, taking another bite of the plum, “this is a spiritual fruit, not pig feed.”

“Fair enough!”

They couldn’t use their spiritual energy here; otherwise, they could have easily fashioned baskets from grass leaves.

They removed their outer robes and handed them to Gong Wu, asking her to gather more plums to bring back to the valley.

Gong Wu, thrilled at the chance to showcase her skills, eagerly took on the task.

The little girl made trip after trip, while the master and disciple stood with their backs to her, counting the plums to make distribution easier upon their return.

“One hundred sixty-seven, one hundred sixty-eight…”

“One hundred seventy-nine, Subei.”

“Hmm?”

“I’m really afraid this is a dream,” Tu Xuixin whispered. “If we leave with all these treasures only to find they’ve turned to dried grass and ashes, I’ll spend the rest of my life in tears.”

Ji Yang sighed and shook the jewel-inlaid compass in his hand.

“Master, we’ve truly stumbled upon something extraordinary.”

Tu Xuixin picked up another plum, took a bite, and continued counting while rubbing his face.

“…one hundred seventy-eight, one hundred seventy-seven.”

Ji Yang chuckled and said, “Perhaps you should finish eating before you keep counting.”

“Eat more!! Keep eating until you feel like throwing up before going out!!” Tu Xuixin worried that his disciple wouldn’t recognize the value, saying, “These are all naturally born spiritual pills! They are far superior to any Grand Ascension pill I could ever concoct!”

Ji Yang had just entered Opening Sun not long ago, and due to breaking through his previous level, he had exhausted all his spiritual energy, even overdrawing quite a bit.

As soon as he ate the plum, his internal organs were all harmonized to their most comfortable state, and spiritual energy flowed into him like a clear, refreshing spring, endlessly replenishing him.

Gong Wu ran back and forth barefoot six or seven times, filling the medicine basket twice. They even stuffed their outer robes to serve as makeshift containers.

Most of the fruits near the edge of the plum grove had already been picked, but deeper in, there were still hundreds of trees she hadn’t even touched.

Such a blessed land felt like a fleeting glimpse of destiny.

When the three individuals sat together by the river, they feasted heartily as the sun hung high in the sky.

They had eaten until they could not possibly consume any more, with so many spiritual fruits scattered about that they couldn’t fit them all.

Just in the medicine basket alone, there were nearly twenty pounds of fruit, piled high like a small mountain.

Each of the outer robes held another ten pounds of fruit, totaling one thousand four hundred thirty-six pieces.

Gong Wu gazed at the bounty for a long time and sighed, “There’s enough here to make juice and drink until we’re full.”

On the way back, she offered to help carry some, but Ji Yang quickly picked up the remaining burden.

“You’ve worked hard enough; I’ll take care of the rest.”

Tu Xuixin looked back reluctantly.

“A place like this will end up left to grow wild again; how many fruits will rot on the ground.”

“Perhaps they have all rotted countless times to give birth to such a plum grove,” Gong Wu laughed and said, “Let’s go, no looking back.”

The three of them climbed out from the golden mist one after another, nervously checking to see if the fruit was still there.

All three baskets were completely full, not a single piece missing.

Tu Xuixin raised his hand and cast a warmth-preserving spell on them, then called for the outer disciples to help carry the items.

“Bring two more and use the medicine baskets to help me divide some; later, we’ll carry them to Master Ancestor together!”

As the outer disciples approached him, they were stunned by the delightful fragrance.

Master… where did he get that sweet aroma from!

It smelled wonderful!

They stared at the gleaming fruits, confused, unable to recognize what they were.

But both Senior Brother and Junior Sister smelled amazing too! Sweet and fragrant!

“Master Ji Qing, where did you all go?”

“To the Infinite Blessed Land,” Tu Xuixin waved his fan and laughed: “The Infinite Blessed Land!”

Although they had spells protecting them, the disciples still carefully carried the seven medicine baskets to Master Ancestor’s Unwarring Courtyard.

Inside, Master Ancestor was meditating and practicing when he lazily lifted his eyelids, asking, “Who’s there? Causing such a ruckus?”

The disciples reported truthfully but did not explain clearly.

“From Tianhua Palace… they brought over several baskets full of shining candies; we don’t know where they purchased them.”

“What nonsense.”

Master Ancestor thought he had been caught sneaking sweets, so he tucked his hands into his sleeves and stepped forward, already rehearsing his denials in his mind.

He absolutely wouldn’t admit it; after all, as a master, he had every right to be a little sly.

But when he saw the seven large baskets of fruit in the courtyard, Master Ancestor was stunned for a long moment.

“What… what is this?”

Tu Xuixin patted Ji Yang on the shoulder with a proud smile.

“My second disciple opened a realm of treasures, and my third disciple braved the poisonous waters to gather forty pounds of jade dew plums.”

“In total, we have one thousand four hundred thirty-four jade dew plums. I couldn’t resist eating two more on the way here.”

“Master, take a look.”

Master Ancestor was so shocked that he felt as if smoke might rise from his head. He nearly stumbled but was steadied by Shen Shui’s quick reflexes.

“Jade dew plums… jade dew plums bearing fruit?”

“Please, try one.” Gong Wu, remembering Master Ancestor’s kindness, personally handed him one.

Hao Chengzi had never seen a jade dew plum tree blossom and bear fruit in his lifetime. He stood there, dazed, as he took a bite.

The rich, sweet juice of the plum surpassed any fruit he had ever tasted, and it seemed to vanish in an instant.

He tried to chew slowly, savoring it, but couldn’t help himself.

Noticing the wreaths of plum branches and leaves encircling the baskets, he touched the texture of the leaves, and memories flooded back vividly.

Ji Yang, seeing that Master had eaten his fill, quickly summarized the situation in a few words.

Master Ancestor nodded repeatedly, still in a daze.

“Marvelous, marvelous, marvelous!”

That evening, the Unwarring Courtyard rang with bells and drums, signaling the gathering of the esteemed masters from various palaces.

Yan Fangji arrived first and saw Master Ancestor looking as delighted as a child, his joy almost making him seem foolish.

Other masters and uncles from different palaces hurried over, exchanging rumors along the way.

“What’s happening?”

“Has something gone wrong again?”

“I heard there’s been an outbreak of the Eye Serpent Plague in the southeast.”

“No, no! It seems they’re distributing something!”

At the mention of a distribution, many perked up.

“I missed out on the bear liver last time—did Little Wu really hunt a wolf?”

“Are they giving out silver? Yan Brother had requested a large sum for Master Ancestor earlier!”

Over twenty respected elders gathered in the Unwarring Courtyard, and at once, they noticed Master Ancestor sitting in the center with a radiant smile, flanked by members of Tianhua Palace.

The atmosphere grew slightly tense.

What was so special about today that those two juniors could sit beside Master Ancestor?

Yan Fangji cleared his throat and stepped back into the lineup.

This favor was so significant that everyone could bow to the two children.

From now on, Moonfire Valley would likely stride confidently among the Immortal Sects!

“Each of you has six medicine baskets nearby; each Palace Lord may open them as they wish.”

Cheng Ji entered and was curious as he lifted the grass cover, exclaiming, “It smells wonderful.”

What is this? It looks like candy and like jewels!

Master Ancestor sipped his bitter tea and smiled as he explained the background and details.

“This year, a plague has spread widely, and all the palaces are doing their utmost to save lives and perform good deeds, which deserves recognition.”

“I have taken the liberty of making a decision and divided these six baskets according to the population and contributions of each palace to ensure fairness.”

“As for what happens to these spiritual fruits after they are taken, whether they are used to refine spiritual pills, heal the sick, or enjoyed by themselves, I will not interfere.”

“I only have one requirement. All numbers have been recorded by Shen Shui. In the future, each palace must return as many plum pits as they used, not one less.”

“I will devote my life to planting and nurturing them, striving to cultivate a plum forest to benefit more people.”

The two Palace Lords from Miande Palace and Zhenling Palace were quite surprised.

“Do our two palaces also have these?”

“Indeed.” Hao Chengzi remembered something and looked at Gong Wu, smiling reassuringly. “Moreover, I promised this little disciple a favor, which counts as borrowing flowers to honor Buddha.”

Zhang Muye, the Palace Lord of Miande Palace, had watched Gong Wu grow up over the years. She knew she was being rewarded and deeply bowed to show her gratitude.

She had been stuck at the Opening Sun level for nearly a hundred years and had been caring for the young children in the valley, so her status was not particularly high.

To receive these spiritual fruits, even just a few, could bring about significant benefits.

“You mentioned this matter involves us?”

“Of course.”

Hao Chengzi called out to Shen Shui, who brought a lacquer box with intertwined lotus patterns, containing ten jade dew plums.

“My little disciple expressed her concern for the hard days endured in the past. She hopes to let the eighteen-year-old disciples about to leave the valley draw lots, and those who are lucky enough to win can eat this fruit.”

“Those with fate will naturally awaken and advance, and they can stay in our valley.”

“As for those without fate, eating this fruit will still extend their lives and bring them happiness.”

Zhang Muye and the Palace Lord of Zhenling exchanged glances, repeatedly expressing their gratitude.

They never anticipated that Gong Wu would remember her past after achieving her path and seek such a favor from Master Ancestor.

Without delay, the two palaces immediately checked their disciple roster, confirming that a total of four hundred twenty-three disciples would leave the valley this year.

To ensure fairness in the lot drawing, Master Ancestor personally cast a spell to produce the corresponding number of bamboo sticks, only painting the ends of ten of them with red lacquer.

That night, over four hundred disciples were called into the training courtyard, where they took turns drawing bamboo sticks while facing away from their masters, unable to see how many were left.

Zhang Muye stood nearby, thinking to herself that ten people’s fates might be completely transformed this night.

The lot drawing took less than half an hour and was very quick.

The disciples were so nervous their hands trembled, some finding it hard to breathe.

They were the most overlooked group in Moonfire Valley.

At eighteen, if they had not encountered any sign of enlightenment, they could only leave the valley to live as ordinary mortals for the rest of their lives.

The abilities to soar into the heavens and dive into the earth, to subdue dragons and tame phoenixes, were all destined to remain beyond their reach.

After waiting at ten, then at fifteen, and even reaching seventeen with no sign of change, they had gradually resigned themselves to despair.

But now… an opportunity had come again.

“Alright,” Master Ancestor stood beneath the light and declared in a clear voice, “Bring the lots before you; those with a red lot, step forward.”

Over four hundred people could barely contain their excitement as they reached out their hands, immediately seeing their fates revealed.

Many were in tears.

Some couldn’t suppress their shock, stepping forward and raising their red lots high.

Others trembled with anger, cursing aloud, lamenting the injustice of fate.

One by one, all ten stepped forward.

Zhang Muye called out, and the ten walked to the front.

Among them were seven girls and three boys, each clutching their red lots tightly, as if holding the last thread of hope for their destiny.

She held the roster, recording each name and whether their parents were still alive.

“Zhao Junxiang. Orphan, from the southeast.”

“Cheng Xi. Orphan, sent from the front of the valley.”

“Jin Dexi. Male, parents alive.”

…

When it came to the tenth person, she paused for a moment, realizing it was the boy who had been born completely blind.

She remembered him; she had given him his name herself.

“…Zhong Shiguang.”

…Finally grasping light. That was what she had thought when she took in this blind infant.

Though the boy struggled with mobility, he was remarkably intelligent.

He could memorize the layout of various places and, when accompanying her to gather herbs, could identify many by touch and scent alone.

Though reading was a challenge for him, he had always been thoughtful and considerate, keeping his small sleeping area immaculate.

Zhang Muye observed this and sighed inwardly.

Could there truly be blind immortals in the world?

He was merely another unfortunate soul destined to be sent out of the valley at eighteen.

The boy couldn’t see whether the lot in his hand bore any color; he only knew from the envious murmurs of his fellow disciples that he had drawn a red one. Bewildered, he was gently guided into the group by a kind Uncle.

He heard Master Zhang’s voice tremble and asked anxiously, “Master, are you crying?”

Zhang Muye wiped her tears and quickly shook her head, “Congratulations, congratulations!”

At that moment, she wrote his name with trembling hands, stepped back, and said, “Now, you must each go one by one to the benefactor to receive the spiritual fruit she is offering.”

Shen Shui held the lacquer box while Gong Wu stood beside him, handing out each spiritual fruit to everyone in turn.

Tu Xuixin acted with great caution, casting multiple layers of spells on the lacquer box to ensure that no one could recklessly snatch and devour its contents.

Each disciple was required to consume the spiritual fruit in the presence of others, returning the pit to its original place before departing.

The first few disciples had managed to hold back their tears, but upon reaching Gong Wu, the little Junior Sister they had spent countless days with, their emotions overflowed once more.

They knelt before her, embracing her tightly, their tears and laughter mingling as they ate the jade dew plums. They meticulously licked the pits clean before placing them back.

Several disciples immediately felt a surge of spiritual energy rush to their minds after consuming the fruit. Palace Lord Tanwen quickly guided them aside, instructing them on how to harness their newfound spiritual energy.

Others, however, felt little change after eating the fruit and returned to the group in a state of despondency.

Finally, it was the last disciple’s turn.

Zhang Muye knew that Zhong Shiguang had learned far fewer incantations and techniques over the years, making it significantly more difficult for him to open his Spiritual Orifice compared to his peers. She silently prayed for him.

Even if he could regain his sight, it would be far better than living a life shrouded in darkness!

Gong Wu looked up at the young man and smiled, “You’re really tall.”

Zhong Shiguang responded with a shy, soft “Mhm,” bowing slightly as he said, “Thank you, Junior Sister.”

“No need to thank me,” she replied, placing the jade dew plum in his palm, her own nerves showing. “Go ahead and eat it.”

Many eyes were fixed on him, curious to see if the spiritual fruit could restore his vision.

Zhong Shiguang had been born with his eyes tightly shut.

He fumbled slightly as he ate the plum, his voice tinged with emotion.

“It’s very sweet.”

“Really, very sweet.”

Unable to see whether the pit had been fully consumed, he relied on the sensation of his tongue, sucking on it repeatedly.

It was as if someone who had lived in perpetual darkness had finally been given the chance to light a small flame.

As he swallowed the last of the fruit and spat out the pit, a sudden burst of spiritual energy erupted from within him, causing cold sweat to break out across his body.

“The Spiritual Orifice has opened, the Spiritual Orifice has opened!!” Zhang Muye rushed to his side, tears streaming down her face as she laughed. “You can stay now, you can stay now!”

She felt both like a sister and a mother, overjoyed to see her cherished disciple take his first steps on the path to immortality, happier than anyone else present.

“Shiguang, open your eyes and see. Can you open them now?!”

The boy’s eyes remained closed, but a smile of wonder spread across his face.

“Master, Master, the sun is so bright.”

Gong Wu watched him spin around with his eyes still shut, exploring the world’s true contours through his newfound spiritual vision. Her own eyes grew red as she smiled.

That wasn’t the sun; it was the lantern she had lit.