The Five Realms Passage had fully reopened. This change stirred the once-quiet Celestial Realm again. Immortals from different planes gathered once more, each warily observing the surroundingsāand each other.
Among them was Nangong Jingtang, one of many demon cultivators. When the passage between the Demon Realm and the Celestial Realm opened, she stepped through along with other demon immortals. Unlike the Demonic Realm, the Demon Realm bore no deep hatred toward Celestial Realm cultivators. They had no interest in ambush or subterfuge; to a demon, brute strength was truth. If they wished to fight or seize, they would do so head-onāno tricks. This innate boldness meant they feared nothing. So when the path to the Celestial Realm appeared, they strode forward without hesitation.
In short order, many demons reached the Celestial Realm. They gazed upon the splendid vistas with wide eyes. But Nangong Jingtangās purpose differed. She had a mission: find Ye Yuās whereabouts. If he could not be located, she would seek a way onward to the Divine Realm. No matter what, only one thing mattered this lifetime: to meet Ye Yu again.
Thus she soon separated from the main host, searching for nearby immortals to inquire after Ye Yu. To aid her quest, she even sketched his likeness from memory. But the Celestial Realm was not a rustic villageāone could not expect everyone to recognize everyone. Her search would not be easy.
By chance, a sword-bearing immortal recognized the portrait. āIāve seen him,ā he said softly. āHis name is Ye Yu. He belongs to the Ta Xian Sect. You might try asking there.ā
Nangong Jingtangās eyes lit up. āReally?ā
The sword immortal nodded, recalling a scene from months past. Then he had been a mere fanboy in Dan Pavilion, traveling the Celestial Realm with Tai Yan Dao to uphold justiceābut they had been driven back by the Three Corpses Hall. Had Ye Yu not intervened, he would have perished. His gratitude made Ye Yu unforgettable.
After thanking the immortal profusely, Nangong Jingtang pressed a
Low-Grade Demon Artifact
(a simple jade ring) into his hand. Only then did he notice her unusual auraāfar different from that of other immortals. āYou... are a demon?ā he asked.
āYes,ā she replied. āI have just come from the Demon Realm. Thank you, fellow immortal, for the information. If it leads me to my husband, I shall reward you greatly when we meet again!ā
Before he could reply, Nangong Jingtang vanished. Excited by her direction, she was determined not to waste a moment.
Unbeknownst to her, the immortalās eyes misted. Truly, immortals and demons differed: before any other, a demon-cultivator had braved the passage to seek her mateāan epic love crossing a million years.
Moments later, guided by the sword immortal, Nangong Jingtang arrived in the Celestial Realmās central region. A ātower sect,ā he had said. With only that clue, she set off anew.
Meanwhile, within Wuwei Tower, many ladies gathered to discuss the Five Realms Passage. Only a few presentāsuch as Jiang Jinhe and Luo Ningāwere demons by origin; others like Dong Kui and Ying Naiyan hailed from the Nether Realm. The passageās opening tempted them to revisit their homelandsāonly those who had truly left could understand the pull of returning home.
But Bai Miaoling and Bai Xichu felt it made no difference: things and people had changed beyond recognition; old retainers were nowhere to be found. A pilgrimage for nostalgia was unnecessary. If one merely wished to visit relatives, caution was advisedāthe worldās spiritual energy had fully restored, and countless powerful beings stirred.
At this, Zuo Yingchun teased, āBy the way, Dong Kui, the Nether Realmās passage has opened too, hasnāt it?ā
The assembled smiled. Before the Five Realms Passage fully opened, Dong Kui had clamored to return to the Nether Realm daily. Yet now that the path lay open, she, as if a sage in meditation, refused to mention going back. Such a change must mean she had joined their sisterhood. In light of Ye Yuās deeds when the passage opened, it was inevitable. But Dong Kuiās stubborn silence invited jests.
Her hand trembled on her book, a blush rising. āWhat? The passageās open? I had no idea! But logic says a newly restored realm gate might be unstableāletās wait a bit longer.ā
Her straight-faced denial belied the truth: since she and Ye Yu had etched their calligraphy together, she had accepted their bond. Only her modestyāfollowing Ying Naiyanās leadākept her from proclaiming it. She longed for Ye Yuās return to announce their union herself, but he had yet to reappearāhow maddening!
Bai Miaoling laughed, āDong Kui, worry not. The passageās been stableāIāve already made a round trip.ā
āOh? Is that so? Then Iāll prepare and take a look.ā
Dong Kui pressed the book before her face, pondering her next move. Should she truly visit the Nether Realm to force Ye Yuās search? Would he resent her for tantrums?
Ying Naiyan, amused by Dong Kuiās discomfort, chided, āAlright, sisters, letās not tease our master. Weāre all friends here. Havenāt you noticed her hands shaking?ā
Laughter broke out among them. Zuo Yingchun, however, eyed Dong Kuiās white-bound volume curiously. āA
Righteousness Primer
? Whatās that? Why have you been reading it?ā