After a period of tender intimacy, Zhai Bairong held Nie Shiyun tightly, suddenly feeling a trace of nostalgia for their time in Flower City. Back then, they didn't have to worry about so many things; they could simply focus on their cultivation and their side professions. It had been a peaceful life.
Seeing Zhai Bairong looking lost in thought, Nie Shiyun asked, "What are you thinking about?"
Zhai Bairong blinked, startled, and told him the truth. Hearing this, Nie Shiyun also felt a wave of nostalgia. However, the events following this would all be major turning points. The Cultivation Conference had already stirred up a storm, and the secret realm was opening soon. Not long after they emerged, the Moon-Reflecting Sect would make their move against Duan Mingyu. How Zhai Bairong would handle those relationships then would be a difficult problem.
"In the future, if there’s a chance, we’ll find another place and live just like we did then."
"The future..." Zhai Bairong murmured, knowing in his heart how difficult that would be.
Nie Shiyun considered that Zhai Bairong still had to face Xu Yehua the next day. He decided not to mention the upcoming Cold Heaven Secret Realm or the matter of the immortal artifact fragment just yet, lest it disturb Zhai Bairong’s peace of mind. He planned to wait until the Cultivation Conference ended before explaining everything so Zhai Bairong would be prepared.
After lying together for a while longer, the two finally remembered the long-forgotten match between Qi Miaohan and Rong Lü. Nie Shiyun took out his communication crystal, which had received a message some time ago, and found a celebratory report from Qi Miaohan.
Zhai Bairong had witnessed half the match and had already guessed the outcome, so he wasn't particularly surprised. Nie Shiyun, however, was genuinely shocked. He hadn't actively done anything to interfere, yet the plot had changed.
In the original story, Qi Miaohan had indeed lost to Rong Lü, leaving her stomping her feet in frustration on the stage. This time, the result was the exact opposite. It was hard to say what exactly caused the shift—perhaps it started from the moment Nie Shiyun and Qi Miaohan first met, or perhaps his fight with Xu Yehua had affected Duan Mingyu’s group. Regardless, the result was good. The top four would receive an additional spirit-grade Bone-Refining Pill.
A spirit-grade Bone-Refining Pill improved one's innate skeletal structure and aptitude. Unlike ordinary pills that merely boosted cultivation base, this improved the most fundamental aspect: cultivation efficiency. For those with poor aptitude, it was a godsend. For these favored children of heaven with single spiritual roots, this pill could allow them to widen the gap between themselves and other cultivators even further.
Nie Shiyun possessed the jade pendant space; if he focused on his cultivation, he could nearly match the speed of a single spiritual root cultivator, so he didn't care much for the pill himself. However, he felt quite satisfied that Rong Lü, as a member of the harem, had lost an opportunity to increase his strength.
"When you face Xu Yehua tomorrow, don't act out of character because of what happened today," Nie Shiyun advised, knowing Zhai Bairong couldn't possibly be indifferent, but unable to stop himself from offering comfort. "Look, I’m actually fine."
"Don't worry, I have my own reasons to strike. I won't let them see through me," Zhai Bairong smiled, his tone gentle, yet he did not agree to Nie Shiyun’s request.
Nie Shiyun sighed softly. Zhai Bairong was usually easy to talk to, but this time he was being stubborn. He couldn't dissuade him; or rather, even if Zhai Bairong reluctantly agreed now, he would still do as he pleased tomorrow.
"Then be careful," Nie Shiyun said.
"Naturally," Zhai Bairong nodded, not wanting to discuss Xu Yehua with Nie Shiyun any further. Since he had arrived early today, they had plenty of time for idle talk. Nie Shiyun mentioned his earlier plan to forge a cauldron for smithing and asked Zhai Bairong if he needed a specialized furnace for alchemy. Although the cauldrons used for smithing and alchemy were different, Nie Shiyun had seen them several times and felt they weren't difficult to understand. He believed he could master the craft after a few attempts.
Zhai Bairong was naturally pleased. However, having just received the Star-Moon Spiritual Wood Sword from Nie Shiyun, he felt a bit embarrassed to keep accepting gifts. To this, Nie Shiyun pointed out that he had also received many pills. A good cauldron could make smithing and alchemy twice as effective with half the effort; he was also considering his own interests.
Zhai Bairong couldn't win the argument and finally relented, asking him to forge a custom alchemy furnace. Watching Nie Shiyun carefully note down his requirements and alchemy habits, he said with a smile that he would have to study alchemy diligently so as not to waste Nie Shiyun's painstaking efforts.
*Unfortunately, no immortal-grade pill recipes have survived in this world,* Nie Shiyun thought.
Although the road ahead was still long, if everything went smoothly and he could secure the immortal artifact fragment within his jade pendant, he could then cultivate in secret without anyone discovering its existence. One day, when he reached the Soul Formation stage, he could repair the immortal artifact and use it to temporarily open an ascension path to the Upper Realm.
In the original novel, Duan Mingyu’s group spent their time hiding and fleeing from pursuers. Eventually, the five of them combined their strength to successfully counter-kill the Moon-Reflecting Sect. Not only did they escape the crisis, but they also established their own independent sect, living harmoniously every day. By the time Du Zhi successfully repaired the immortal artifact several hundred years later, every single one of the five had reached the Soul Formation stage. They had thought they could ascend together, only to discover that the path opened by the artifact was not a standard channel and could only accommodate one person. After a discussion that felt like a life-and-death parting, the harem finally decided to give the opportunity to Duan Mingyu.
That part of the plot was extremely convoluted, and Nie Shiyun had selectively forgotten most of it. In short, amidst the rush, Duan Mingyu vowed he would find a way to bring them to the Upper Realm before disappearing into the golden light.
Afterward, the author likely grew lazy. With just a few strokes of the pen, they described how peaceful yet dull the men's lives were after Duan Mingyu left. Another century passed before the ascension path between the cultivation world and the Upper Realm was reopened. As for what specific method Duan Mingyu used, it was never mentioned. The story ended with the touching reunion of Duan Mingyu and his group.
Previously, Nie Shiyun felt such an ending was fine, but now he felt only hatred for that crude, glossed-over conclusion. If he truly succeeded, could he find a second way to let Zhai Bairong ascend with him during those hundred years? From his arrival until the upcoming plot points, Nie Shiyun knew what to expect. But the Upper Realm was a completely unknown world. Although Duan Mingyu could reopen the ascension path, and theoretically he should be able to as well, the unknown always brought unease.
Since coming to this world, Nie Shiyun’s heart, which had been set on climbing to the top, wavered for the first time. For a moment, he even thought, *If there are no other obstacles, perhaps giving up on ascension and staying in the cultivation world wouldn't be a bad choice.* A Soul Formation cultivator could live for about fifteen hundred years. If they lived in seclusion like they did in Flower City, such a long time would be enough for a fulfilling life, wouldn't it?
"Are you tired?"
Nie Shiyun heard Zhai Bairong ask softly. The two were still lying on the bed, not yet having risen.
"We’re Golden Core cultivators; how could we get tired so easily?" Nie Shiyun shook his head.
Later in the evening, as the sky darkened, Nie Shiyun and Zhai Bairong simultaneously received communications from Cloud-Clear Pavilion and Duan Mingyu.
Nie Shiyun’s side was mainly focused on concern. Nie Xing’an asked how his body was doing and mentioned that Qi Miaohan was in high spirits after defeating Rong Lü. Since she was set to face Duan Mingyu tomorrow, she was eager to go and had uncharacteristically returned to the inner chambers of Pinyin Pavilion to cultivate.
The news on Zhai Bairong’s side, however, was quite intriguing. Duan Mingyu had gone to find Xu Yehua that evening, claiming concern, but in his heart, he wanted Xu Yehua to coax him a bit more regarding the afternoon's events. Not only did he fail to get the reaction he wanted, but he was also turned away at the door. It turned out Xu Yehua had received a warning from his sect, Red Rock Cliff. Although Red Rock Cliff didn't strictly preach righteousness and was quite indulgent regarding their disciples' conduct, Xu Yehua’s ruthless display today had been a bit much. After being lectured by his masters and grandmasters, the habitually arrogant Xu Yehua felt extremely stifled and stopped listening to any messages from his communication crystal. As it happened, he missed Duan Mingyu’s messages as well.
Duan Mingyu stood pitifully in the wind and snow for a long time, never imagining he would be ignored. His problem with cold constitution hadn't been resolved yet; aside from dual cultivation with Xu Yehua, he relied on Fire-Condensing Pills to alleviate it. Now, his heart felt cold as well, making a bad situation worse.
He aggrievedly told Rong Lü and Zhai Bairong about this. Soon, he found some warmth from the other two.
Zhai Bairong let Nie Shiyun listen to the message. His expression was somewhat conflicted. Logically, Zhai Bairong should rush over now, but he was currently lying disheveled beside Nie Shiyun and had no desire to leave.
Fortunately, Rong Lü soon rushed over to pick up Duan Mingyu and take him to his place. When Zhai Bairong learned of this and saw that Duan Mingyu had invited him to join them at Rong Lü’s residence if he wished, his expression couldn't help but twist into a grimace.
"I won't disturb you then. You two should rest well. Regarding Xu Yehua’s actions today, your Senior Brother will certainly demand an explanation for you tomorrow," Zhai Bairong replied.
"That’s using public office to avenge a private grudge. Does this mean you have a justification for how hard you hit Xu Yehua tomorrow?" Nie Shiyun teased. "And Duan Mingyu will surely be very moved."
Nie Shiyun had been watching curiously from the side, and when he heard Zhai Bairong acting out a scene with Duan Mingyu in a doting tone, he couldn't help but chuckle. Zhai Bairong had done it quite naturally earlier, but now he felt embarrassed in front of Nie Shiyun, his limbs feeling awkward.
"By the way, was he just inviting you to participate in some of their... activities?" Nie Shiyun asked, unable to stop laughing.
"...Let us speak no more of this," Zhai Bairong looked like he couldn't take it anymore. He had witnessed the beginning of such a scene a few days ago; fortunately, he had slipped away before the other two started taking off their clothes.
"I won't mention them then," Nie Shiyun pulled Zhai Bairong over and kissed him again. "Then I invite you to go one more round..."
Night had just begun to fall.
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
炼骨丹 | Bone-Refining Pill | A pill that improves innate skeletal structure and cultivation aptitude.
寒天秘境 | Cold Heaven Secret Realm | A specific secret realm mentioned as a future plot location.
赤岩崖 | Red Rock Cliff | The sect to which Xu Yehua belongs.
凝火丹 | Fire-Condensing Pill | A pill used to suppress cold-natured ailments or constitutions.
化神 | Soul Formation | A high-level cultivation stage (often called Deity Transformation in other translations).
灵级 | Spirit-grade | A classification of quality for pills or items.
