âJust as Feng Yingzhi was [N O V E L I G H T] brimming with excitement and preparing to present his latest researchææ, both of his hands were firmly pressed down by Banxia.
âStopâif you donât understand this matter, donât speak recklessly. You must realize that what matters isnât whether you like someone, but whether they like you! And from now on, donât ever mention this again, or donât blame me for losing my temper!â
After earnestly admonishing him, Banxiaâs expression darkened, and she strode out of the room.
Watching her lonely back, Feng Yingzhi felt deeply puzzled. He murmured under his breath, âWhy make things so complicated? Besides, if you never try, how do you know Ye Yu doesnât like you? He can like so many peopleâone more shouldnât matter!â
Sighing, Feng Yingzhi slipped a blue ring from the sleeve of his garment. This great invention had yet to be used! Noâthe only thing in this world not to be let down was an immortal device!
Clenching the blue ring tightly in his palm, his face set with resolve.
The next day at noon.
Inside the Wuwei Tower, the little bull âXiaomengâ was floating idly when it suddenly caught sight of a glowing orb. In an instant, the entire creature grew ecstatic and dashed after it, rushing outward at top speed.
Seeing this, Banxia hurried to follow, anxious to prevent any accidents. Soon, the figures of one person, one bull, and one orb vanished from sight.
A moment later, âBanxiaâ cautiously emerged from Feng Yingzhiâs laboratory. Finding no one around, she straightened her posture. The blue ring on her right hand was inconspicuous but served a great purposeâit could perfectly mimic anotherâs appearance, down to the exact length of their hair.
Indeed, this âBanxiaâ was Feng Yingzhi in disguise.
As a friend of a thousand years, he could not bear to let Banxia regret her life, so he resolved to charge forward on her behalf! This, he told himself, was the meaning of friendship.
With a swift movement, Feng Yingzhi arrived at Ye Yuâs door. He expected to meet him without hindrance, but to his surprise, there was already a line of people outside.
âLan Lianyan, Su Yao, Huangfu Baizhi, what are you doing here?â he asked.
Huangfu Baizhi spoke softly, âIn about a teacupâs time it will be past noon, and thatâs when the three of us have our allotted companion time. There are simply too many sisters, so we must find a way so each can spend time with him. Sorry to keep you waiting, Banxia.â
Feng Yingzhiâs face fell. Time management had reached such lengths? How excessive! He had thought the light orb would buy Xiaomeng at least two hoursâample time. Now he realized his own naivetĂ©. Who could have guessed thereâd even be a queue to see him?
Seeing his perplexed expression, Su Yao stepped forward. âBanxia, you came to see Ye Yu too? Why donât you go first? We donât mind coming back in half an hour, right, sisters?â
She winked at Huangfu Baizhi and Lan Lianyan, signaling them to agree. They immediately chimed in, âNot at all! Actually, I just remembered an urgent matterâwonât be back until an hour later. Banxia, you go ahead!â
âSame here!â
In the Wuwei Tower, there were no secrets. Coupled with Banxiaâs previous behavior, anyone could tell she liked Ye Yu. Naturally, Su Yao and the others would wish to facilitate her confession. Although they treasured their time with him, they would step aside for an important declarationâafter all, they would be sisters-in-spirit henceforth, so mutual support made perfect sense.
Although âBanxiaâ usually focused on forging immortal devices and lacked worldly savvy, her time in the Wuwei Tower had taught her much about social courtesy; otherwise, she would never have offered to help. Admittedly, her true motive was to witness Feng Yingzhiâs latest invention, but her initial intent was noble.
Thus, when Su Yao, Huangfu Baizhi, and Lan Lianyan so generously made way, âBanxiaâ was moved. She cupped her hands in thanks and vowed to remember this favor forever. The three promptly departed, and Su Yao, on her way out, called after her, âGood luck!â to which she nodded eagerly.
Before long, the span of a teacupâs worth of time passed. Hongluan, Zhudiezhen, and Liangyu emerged and were surprised to see âBanxiaâ waiting.
âWhy are you here? Werenât Su Yao and Huangfu Baizhi going together?â Liangyu asked.
Before Hongluan or Zhudiezhen could explain, they each grabbed Liangyu and pulled her away. âWhy worry about that? Banxia must have something important to do this time! Come on, letâs go!â
âYou...â Liangyu stammered, but they were gone in a flash.
Such generosity made âBanxiaâ almost weep with emotion. What a touching atmosphereâBanxia, you are indeed blessed!
With that thought, âBanxiaâ took a deep breath and entered the room.
Inside, she saw Ye Yu writing an inscription on a painting of the three who had just leftâHongluan, Zhudiezhen, and Liangyuâand noting todayâs date: Immortal Calendar 35,010,000 Years, October 22.
Curious, âBanxiaâ asked, âWhat are you doing?â
âNo reason, just recording life. They insisted on leaving a portrait, and luckily my painting skills are decent!â Ye Yu clapped his hands, then looked puzzled. âHuh, how do you suddenly have time to see me today?â
âOf course itâs important!â âBanxiaâ hurried to his side and spoke earnestly. âActually, Iâve kept something bottled up for a long time. I like you. Do you like me?â
Ye Yu was taken aback by such a direct confession. He had assumed Banxia would never voice her feelings before ascending to the Divine Realm. Yet today she was so straightforwardâdid someone encourage her?
As Ye Yu pondered, âBanxiaâ pressed, âIs it so hard to give an answer? Like me, or donât like me?â
âItâs not hard to answer. But Iâll soon shatter the void and step into the Divine Realmâmaybe in half a month, maybe in a month. After such a brief time as immortal partners, weâll have to part. Are you certain youâre willing?â
Ye Yuâs expression grew solemn. If human ascension to the Celestial Realm was a rarity, then Celestial ascension to the Divine Realm was rarer stillâtruly a feat as difficult as climbing to the heavens.