In the heart of the Zhulong Secret Realm, ten thousand zhang of rosy glow pierced the glazed dome, flowing between the palaces paved in white jade.
Nine coiled dragon gold pillars supported the majestic hall, each dragon scale inlaid with fragments of stars, shimmering and dimming with the changing celestial light.
Zhu Weiyang stood in the center of the hall, her moonlight silken dress shimmering. The pearls from her golden tassel hairpin reflected the brilliant hall lights, casting fine flecks of light upon her lovely face.
"Father, I am leaving," she said.
The massive form of the Zhulong Dragon coiled in the center of the great hall. Its dragon head was lowered, golden vertical pupils fixed upon her. After a long moment, it sighed, "Are you certain of this?"
Zhu Weiyang pressed her lips together, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the dragon embroidery on her sleeve cuff. "If not for Ji Hongli..." She paused, the tips of her ears flushing red. "I would have long perished in the River of Time."
The Zhulong Dragon was silent, its whiskers gently swaying, stirring up a wave of crimson-gold.
How could it not know its daughter's heart? For these twenty years, every time she mentioned that name, a light would appear in her eyes that it had never seen before.
"As women..." Zhu Weiyang lifted her head, her gaze resolute. "We are not accepted by the world, but I am willing to try."
The Zhulong Dragon exhaled a long breath, its fiery dragon breath causing the air around it to distort for a moment.
It was not a stubborn person, but its daughter's thoughts had already surpassed its understanding. Besides, with the Dragon Clan's bloodline being so thin, it had originally hoped its daughter would continue the legacy of the Zhulong line.
But looking at her now, it couldn't bear to stop her again.
Their last argument had almost brought it eternal regret. Now that they had finally reconciled, it would pluck a star from the heavens for her if she so desired.
But—
"Do you know how difficult this path will be?" it asked in a deep voice.
Zhu Weiyang smiled faintly. "So what if it is difficult? Father, when you defied heaven to reshape the River of Time for me, did you ever fear the backlash of the Heavenly Dao?"
The Zhulong Dragon was rendered speechless.
Yes, if it dared to defy the Heavenly Dao, why should it tie its own hands and feet regarding its daughter's happiness? It was just... it couldn't help but worry.
"How is your cultivation recovering?" it changed the subject.
Zhu Weiyang raised a finger, a wisp of crimson-gold flame dancing in her palm, a dragon shadow vaguely coiling within the fire. "Though not at its peak, it is enough to protect myself."
The Zhulong Dragon stared at the flame, finally nodding slowly. Its massive dragon claw lifted, lightly tracing a line in the void. The secret realm's barrier instantly split open a seam, and the light from the outside world poured in.
"Go on," its voice was low, tinged with helplessness and indulgence. "If you are wronged, remember to come back."
Zhu Weiyang's eyes grew slightly misty. She gave her father a formal bow. "Daughter remembers."
She turned and walked toward the crack. The moment she stepped out of the secret realm, she looked back—The Zhulong's colossal figure flickered in and out of the secret realm, its golden dragon eyes fixed on her until the barrier sealed itself once more.
The light of day was perfect, a gentle breeze brushed her face.
Zhu Weiyang took a deep breath, a bright smile touching her lips. She transformed into a streak of light and shot towards the direction of Xianling Valley.
…
A few days later.
At the entrance of Xianling Valley, where the morning mist had yet to clear, Zhu Weiyang stood still.
Today she had特意 changed into a simple and elegant moon-white gown, wearing only a blue jade hairpin in her hair. Even her beloved dragon-patterned bracelet had been replaced with ordinary pearl tassels—afraid her magnificent attire would be too ostentatious.
And... if she remembered correctly, Ji Hongli's dao companion, that Fairy Lin Wan, seemed to prefer such a simple and elegant style.
Perhaps Ji Hongli liked this kind of dressing as well.
"Does this fairy have a visiting pass?" The mountain-guarding disciple bowed respectfully but blocked the path.
Zhu Weiyang's fingers twitched, but she forcefully suppressed the urge to force her way in.
If it were anywhere else, she would have already transformed into a dragon shadow and soared into the clouds, but this was Ji Hongli's dojo... As the daughter of an ancient Immortal Venerate, she didn't want to leave a bad impression on the one she loved.
Just as she was hesitating, voices came from the mountain path, interspersed with a silver-bell-like laugh.
The sounds then stopped abruptly beside her.
"Huh? This sister looks very unfamiliar~"
Two women approached hand in hand.
The one on the left wore a pink mist gauze dress, her apricot eyes lively—it was Xiao Ling'er. The woman on the right, dressed in snow-white robes, had picturesque features and a languid charm as she walked—she was unmistakably Bai Li. Though fully in human form, as fellow demon clan members, Zhu Weiyang instantly smelled the pure demonic aura emanating from her.
"I..." Zhu Weiyang's ears flushed red. "I came here to find someone."
"Who are you looking for?" Xiao Ling'er leaned in half a step, her eyes sparkling.
"Ji... Ji Hongli."
The words had barely fallen when both women gasped in unison.
Xiao Ling'er grabbed Bai Li's arm, and the two women exchanged a look—there's gossip!
Bai Li narrowed her eyes and suddenly sniffed the air a few times. "There's a demonic aura on this sister..."
She smiled meaningfully. "But I've been in the Northern Wilderness for so long, and I've never seen you before."
"I... I only just left home recently."
Zhu Weiyang's back straightened instantly.
She didn't expect this fox's nose to be so sharp.
Fortunately, Xiao Ling'er didn't care about Zhu Weiyang's identity, as long as she wasn't here to cause trouble.
"Come on, come on!" She enthusiastically looped her arm through Zhu Weiyang's. "We'll take you in!"
"But..." the mountain-guarding disciple spoke weakly.
He naturally recognized Xiao Ling'er and Bai Li, but recently the sect leader had decreed that strangers had to be reported at all times.
Bai Li looked back with a smile, the charm of a Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox flowing naturally. "This is my guest. Don't worry, if there's any trouble, Xiao Ling'er will take responsibility."
The disciple's face instantly flushed red, and he retreated awkwardly.
Xiao Ling'er shot Bai Li a fierce glare.
Zhu Weiyang was led into the valley by Xiao Ling'er, her ears filled with Xiao Ling'er's non-stop chatter: "Where are you from, sister?""What business do you have with Senior Ji Hongli, sister?""Sister, you..."
Bai Li lagged behind, watching Zhu Weiyang's back.
Hmm... this familiar feeling... it must be right!
Chen Xingcai, who used to hang out with them, was a completely different person now, making a name for himself on the Xuanying Continent.
Although he still happily played with them every time he returned to Xianling Valley... the radiance around him made the two of them feel a bit dazzled.
So... their "transparent squad" was now only in name, desperately in need of new blood.
On Zhu Weiyang's body, she smelled the scent of a kindred spirit...
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