If Su Xuan had been by her side, he would never have allowed Ling Yin to use such a ruthless method to detoxify her poison, nor would he have permitted Sang Dai to undergo the tribulation without any preparation or protection. Thus, Ling Yin had isolated Su Xuan and Liu Lixue, forcing Sang Dai to make the leap without retreat.
And she had succeeded.
It was only after learning that Sang Dai had reached the Grand Ascension Stage that Su Xuan and Liu Lixue understood Ling Yin’s true intent.
Ling Yin looked at Sang Dai with admiration. “I had my own selfish reasons. I wanted to see if you were truly different. And indeed, you proved yourself as I had hoped. You survived under those impossible circumstances.”
“Sang Dai, perhaps you really are the turning point of this destiny. You might be the last hope of the Four Realms.”
Sang Dai remained silent. Such a heavy responsibility was too much for her to bear.
Ling Yin turned her hand, and a wooden box appeared in her palm.
Sang Dai immediately sensed a familiar energy.
It was the aura of a Heaven-grade wood spiritual root.
“Master…”
Ling Yin casually tossed the wooden box, as if it contained nothing more significant than a trinket.
Sang Dai hurriedly caught it, her hands trembling slightly.
“This was thrown into the Burning Heaven Realm by Fu You. I specifically went to retrieve it because I knew you would come. I’ve been waiting for you,” Ling Yin said, her face devoid of its usual humor, replaced by calm serenity.
“Sang Dai, your master’s spiritual root was severed into several pieces. What Fu You and Ji Cang received was only one segment. As for what the person behind this intends to do, I do not know.”
She raised her head to look at the desolate expanse of the Red Sand Spring. The place was infested with vengeful spirits, their wails the only company Ling Yin had endured over the years.
A ghost emerged from the forest, attempting to approach Sang Dai, but Ling Yin’s ghostly aura suppressed it. The oppressive might of a tribulation-stage ghost cultivator was overwhelming.
Ling Yin sighed. “I’ve been here for six thousand years. I know nothing.”
Sang Dai tightened her grip on the wooden box. “Senior…”
Ling Yin turned and began to walk away, her steps slow and deliberate.
“Sang Dai, the Heavenly Dao does not allow me to leave. I am bound to this place. But perhaps… I can wait for you to come and take me away.”
Her words were cryptic, yet Sang Dai sensed a deeper meaning behind them.
“Senior, if I uncover the truth about everything, can you leave? Fu You… he really wants you to come back…”
Ling Yin did not turn around, her figure slowly disappearing into the darkness.
When the last trace of her white silhouette was swallowed by the ghostly mist, her voice finally echoed faintly.
“I’ll wait for you to come and take me away.”
Sang Dai shouted, “Senior, wait for me!”
But this time, Ling Yin did not respond.
Sang Dai stood silently for a moment, her gaze falling onto the wooden box in her hands.
Even through the casing, the gentle, rich aura of a wood spiritual root was unmistakable. Sang Dai had spent seven years as Ying Heng’s disciple; how could she not recognize his presence in it?
Her hands shook as she hovered over the clasp, unable to muster the courage to open it.
At some point, the man-turned-fox beside her had reverted to human form. His slender hand covered hers, applying just enough pressure to guide her trembling fingers to the latch.
Together, they turned the clasp.
The wooden box opened slowly.
Even Liu Lixue leaned closer, curious.
The box was plain, almost crude, as if the one who placed the spiritual root within had little regard for its Heaven-grade rarity. Sang Dai’s fingertips brushed against the box’s rough surface, which was at odds with the treasure it held.
Inside lay a single translucent bone, no longer than a pinky finger. It radiated a faint, gentle light.
“Just one small segment…” Liu Lixue murmured. “So Ying Heng’s spiritual root was divided into… three parts?”
It seemed likely, given the spiritual root’s overall length wasn’t much to begin with.
Sang Dai couldn’t speak at all.
Her gaze was fixed on the piece of spiritual root in the box, her mind filled with memories of Ying Heng’s face.
That gentle and refined face appeared in her mind—always smiling as he taught her swordsmanship, playfully flicking her forehead whenever he caught her slacking, and helping her avoid Sang Wenzhou and Madam Shi’s daily inspections.
His spiritual root had been taken. But where was he?
The hand resting on her own tightened its grip, pulling Sang Dai back to the present.
Su Xuan’s deep gaze held hers. “Sang Dai, we’ll find him. As long as he’s alive, we can find him.”
Liu Lixue also offered reassurance. “Yes, Miss Sang. He’s alive, and his spiritual root still retains vitality. Once we gather all the pieces, we can ask Senior Ling Yin to help merge them for Immortal Lord Ying Heng. Everything will get better.”
Sang Dai took a deep breath, fighting back the sting at her nose, and forced a faint smile. “Mm, okay.”
The fact that Ying Heng was still alive was already an enormous relief for her.
She carefully closed the wooden box and placed it securely in her storage pouch.
“Let’s return to the Beast Realm. It’s time to go home.”
“Yes, let’s go home.”
The three of them vanished from the Burning Heaven Realm, leaving behind only the wailing cries of the vengeful spirits.
—
Two shadowy figures emerged in the desolate Burning Heaven Realm. Being ghost cultivators themselves, the vengeful spirits ignored them entirely, passing by indifferently.
“City Lord, you’ve seen Ling Yin. It’s time to head back.”
Fu You stood with his hands clasped behind him, gazing in the direction where Ling Yin had disappeared. Only the deep ghostly mist remained in that spot.
But she lived there.
He stood still for a long time, and his subordinate dared not speak, simply waiting quietly by his side.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Fu You spoke in a low voice.
“I thought it was her own choice to stay here…”
The subordinate had, of course, heard what was said earlier. He had also witnessed how Ling Yin had almost been struck by lightning atop the mountain.
They all understood by now—it wasn’t that Ling Yin didn’t want to leave. Someone was forcing her to stay.
Fu You tilted his chin up, looking at the dim and oppressive sky. His expression turned icy and detached, and the ghostly aura around him grew darker and more intense. The killing intent of a Nascent Soul ghost cultivator radiated from him, sharp and cold.
The subordinate sighed inwardly.
It seemed that among the seven Heaven-grade spiritual root awakeners, three had already rebelled against the Heavenly Dao.
Sang Dai. Su Xuan. Fu You.
—
Though Sang Dai had only been away from the Beast Realm for half a month, it felt as if half a year had passed.
Seeing the familiar sights of the Beast Realm again gave her an unexpected sense of comfort.
The first thing she did upon her return was indulge in a long, relaxing bath. Cui Shao helped her apply some medicine afterward. The injuries weren’t severe—they were simply hurdles that had to be overcome during the tribulation. But a certain fox was overly concerned.
Afterward, Sang Dai slept the entire afternoon. It wasn’t until dusk that she felt some of the exhaustion finally lift.
As she got up and opened the door, she found herself face-to-face with someone whose hand was raised, as if about to knock.
Sang Dai’s eyes met Su Xuan’s.
“Su Xuan?”
He had changed into a new set of clothes, returning to his usual flamboyant and luxurious attire. His silver hair was half-pinned up with a plain wooden hairpin, which seemed entirely out of place with his extravagant outfit.
But the effect was striking. He had always been stunningly handsome, and with just a bit of effort, his appearance was breathtaking.
Su Xuan, as if nothing had happened, withdrew his hand and said calmly, “Today is Mid-Autumn Festival.”
Sang Dai blinked. “…Oh, I know.”
Su Xuan frowned slightly and repeated, “Today is Mid-Autumn Festival.”
Sang Dai tilted her head. “…Yes, I know.”
Su Xuan looked as though he was about to explode.
[Today is Mid-Autumn! Mid-Autumn! Mid-Autumn! The Beast Realm is hosting a grand banquet! Hurry up and say you want to go! Say you want to spend Mid-Autumn with me! I’ve already dressed up for this!!]
Sang Dai finally laughed, her lips curling upward, a faint dimple appearing at the corner of her mouth. Her eyes curved delightfully.
So that’s what this was about. No wonder he looked so striking today.
Raising an eyebrow, she feigned sudden realization. “Ah, today is Mid-Autumn! Look at me, it completely slipped my mind.”
Su Xuan huffed coldly.
Sang Dai blinked innocently. “Your Majesty, I’ve heard the Beast Realm hosts an extravagant banquet during Mid-Autumn. The Immortal Realm has no such tradition. Could you take me to see it?”
The tips of Su Xuan’s tail flushed a faint pink.
He couldn’t suppress the upward curve of his lips but still maintained his aloof demeanor. “The Beast Realm has always been lenient toward captives, unlike your Immortal Realm. I happen to have nothing to do today. Accompanying you isn’t out of the question.”
[Dai Dai!! Spending Mid-Autumn with Dai Dai!!!]
Sang Dai’s laughter grew louder, her shoulders shaking slightly.
Su Xuan turned around and took out a package from his storage pouch, handing it to her. “Take this.”
Sang Dai accepted it and asked curiously, “What’s this?”
Su Xuan replied coolly, “Some clothes I bought on a whim.”
“Bought on a whim?”
“Of course. Do you think I’d spend a fortune custom-making something for you? You’re not my Beast Queen. I only buy clothes for my wife.”
Sang Dai looked down at the Penglai Silken Robe in her hands and fell silent.
Su Xuan had already turned his back to her. “Hurry and change. There’s a hairpin in the box. Have Cui Shao put it on for you.”
As a sword cultivator, Sang Dai only knew how to tie simple buns. Most of her intricate hairstyles were done by Cui Shao.
Cui Shao followed Sang Dai inside.
Meanwhile, Su Xuan stood in the courtyard, gazing at the osmanthus trees in full bloom. He suddenly laughed softly to himself.
The smile in his eyes and on his lips melted all traces of coldness from his features.
When the sword cultivator emerged, the once-majestic fox had entirely lost his composure.
The Penglai Silken Robe, woven only once every ten years, was something Su Xuan had gone out of his way to purchase. It had cost him ten thousand spirit stones. Others might think it wasn’t worth it, but when that robe adorned the person he couldn’t stop thinking about, it became priceless. The light, layered blue garment flowed elegantly, its hems cascading like rippling waves. The sheer fabric layers moved with each step, resembling blossoms unfolding in her wake.
Cui Shao, who enjoyed dressing up the sword cultivator, had outdone herself today. Knowing full well her sovereign’s affection for Sang Dai, she had styled her hair into an intricate bun, adorned with numerous custom hairpieces that Su Xuan had commissioned personally.
She even applied light makeup for Sang Dai. A delicate floral mark was painted on her forehead, her face dusted with fine powder, her eyebrows subtly shaped. The result was stunning—her beauty was dazzling, impossible to ignore.
Sang Dai was naturally striking, as Heaven-grade spiritual root awakeners were often graced with extraordinary features by the Heavenly Dao. But this was the first time she had worn makeup in front of Su Xuan, and it left her feeling slightly uneasy. Seeing Su Xuan’s expressionless face made her even more unsure.
She touched the floral mark on her forehead and parted her crimson lips slightly. “Su Xuan, does it look strange?”
Cui Shao glanced at her sovereign in confusion.
Wasn’t he the one who had specifically instructed them to give Sang Dai the best care while she stayed in the Beast Palace, ensuring she had the finest food, clothing, and adornments?
She then looked at Sang Dai. She was breathtaking—an ethereal sword cultivator, as graceful as a fairy from the Nine Heavens. Even Cui Shao couldn’t help but be mesmerized.
Then why was her sovereign acting like this—?
Cui Shao turned her head and saw the faint twitch of two silver ears poking out of Su Xuan’s head.
The ears twitched, rising little by little, clearly betraying his overwhelming excitement.
Cui Shao: “…”
Meanwhile, in Sang Dai’s mind:
[Dai Dai!!!]
[I knew this robe was worth it! Only ten thousand spirit stones? No! Have Liu Lixue add another ten thousand! This is too perfect! I’m ordering another one immediately—this isn’t just a person, this is a goddess!!]
Sang Dai: “…”
She couldn’t hold it in anymore and burst into laughter, covering her mouth as her eyes curved with delight.
[So cute, so cute, so cute!!!]
[I even prepared a gift for Dai Dai—she’ll definitely like it! Tonight is our first Mid-Autumn Festival together!!]
Ah, so there was a gift too.
Cui Shao, smiling knowingly, tactfully excused herself, leaving the space to Su Xuan and Sang Dai.
Sang Dai lifted her skirt slightly as she descended the steps and approached him. Tilting her head up to look at him, she asked, “Su Xuan, do I look good?”
The fox lowered his gaze, his voice cold. “…Not bad.”
[Shut up, shut up, shut up! Stop smiling like that if you want to act indifferent!]
Sang Dai’s eyes sparkled with laughter. “Thank you for the clothes and accessories. I have a gift for you too.”
Su Xuan’s hand, which hung by his side, clenched tightly. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard, barely suppressing the urge to embrace her on the spot.
His voice came out hoarse. “What gift?”
Sang Dai’s lips curved into a mysterious smile.
“A gift I think you’ll really like.”