Ye Yu was an exception and could not be measured by ordinary standards. Under normal circumstances, even someone as mighty as Demon Sovereign Mo would have struggled through tens of thousands of years merely to catch a glimpse of the Divine Realmâs threshold. What about everyone else? Take Banxia, for instance. Given her talent, it was uncertain whether she would ever reach the Immortal Emperor stage, let alone shatter the void and enter the Divine Realm. In such a situation, once they parted ways in the Celestial Realm, it might well be forever.
It was precisely because of this sorrow of separation that Ye Yu, though he saw through Banxiaâs feelings, never exposed them. His worry was inevitableânot only for Banxia but for all his future immortal partners. He constantly sought some way to bring them all into the Divine Realm with him, so that they need not endure the pain of separation. Sadly, he had yet to find a solution.
âWhy worry about willing or unwilling? Liking is liking, even if itâs for a single day, an hour, or one breath. A temporary parting doesnât mean weâll never meet again. Why overthink it? Iâll strive in cultivation and enter the Divine Realm as soon as possible. Now, you just need to give me an answer: do you like me or not?â
Banxiaâs words struck Ye Yu like a revelation. Of courseâwhy overthink things? If there was a path, it would appear when he reached the mountain. That he had no solution now didnât mean one would never come. Why suppress his own feelings?
With that clarity, Ye Yu swept Banxia into his arms and whispered, âOf course I like you!â
Instantly, the door slammed shut as a breeze stirred the hanging curtain. Banxia stared up at Ye Yu, wide-eyed. Stopâthis was too much! She had only asked for an answer; nothing more was needed!
Banxia tried to speak, but words failed her. Outside, dusk settled.
Banxia led Xiaomeng back to the Wuwei Tower. âYou little rascal, you really are mischievousâchasing that light orb for so long made me follow you the whole time. Donât you ever do that again, understand?â
Xiaomeng panted heavily, unable even to low. It had been utterly exhausted. Just moments ago, the sight of the orb had driven it mad, compelling it to pursue it relentlessly, â NĐŸvĐ”lÎčght â (Read the full story) determined to devour it at any cost. After two hours it had nearly reached the northern Celestial Realm before the orb vanished and clarity returned... only to be punished by its master.
Alas, it hadnât meant any harm! Couldnât Banxia have waited until itâd caught its breath before scolding? What a hard life for a bovine familiar!
As Xiaomeng wallowed in its thoughts, a sudden blow to its tail hurled it against the wall. âReflect on your behavior properly!â Banxia snapped, then left the bull lodged in the masonry, planning to teach it a lesson for half an hour before prying it free.
Just then, Liangyu crept up behind Banxia, a wicked grin on her face as she looped an arm around her shoulders. âWell, sister, did you succeed?â
Banxia frowned in confusion. âSucceed at what? What are you talking about?â
âOh, donât pretend! Your little crush is common knowledge in the Wuwei Tower by now. Why refuse to admit it? Weâre all going to be sistersâno need to hide it.â
Liangyu arched an eyebrow and chuckled. At the same moment, Su Yao and Huangfu Baizhi approached. âLiangyu sis, donât tease Banxia so. Sheâs just shyâwhy press her?â
âOh, sheâs just shy? Fine, Iâll stopâwonât you admit it now?â
Liangyu withdrew her arm, and the three departed, their smiles unmistakable. Banxia, left alone, felt a flush of embarrassmentâand dread. Her secret was everywhere now! Confound Feng Yingzhi and his big mouth for spilling everything despite her orders. She would die of shame if Ye Yu found out too soon.
Determined to confront Feng Yingzhi, Banxia strode toward his door, only to find it sealed by myriad formations and wards. That girl must know sheâd done wrong and shut herself away. Banxia did not wish to cause a scene, so she produced her Communication Stone. âFeng Yingzhi, open up. I have questions.â
Moments later, his raspy voice came through: âIâIâm not feeling well today. Whatever it is, letâs talk another day.â
Banxia frowned. Why did he sound hoarse? Before she could ask, the stoneâs glow fadedâheâd hung up! Infuriating! She eyed the seal thoughtfully, sighed, and retreated to her quarters, resolved to enter seclusion for two and a half years until the scandal cooled. She prayed Ye Yu would not seek her out in the meantimeâshe couldnât bear the embarrassment!
Yet fate conspired: rounding a corridor, Banxia collided headlong into Ye Yu. She tensed, mouth opening to explain, but he swept her into his arms. âWhy were you running so fast just now?â
So close, she lost all capacity for thought; her strength drained away. Running? Ahâhe meant earlier, when sheâd chased Xiaomeng. But why was Ye Yu so forward now? She couldnât comprehend.
Seeing her silence, Ye Yu assumed she was shy and refrained from pressing further. He led her to the Great Hall of the Wuwei Tower and announced to all that they were now immortal partners. Hongluan and Zhudiezhen offered their congratulations in earnest. Liangyu teased, âYou were pretending to be clueless just nowâno use now, right, sister?â Huangfu Baizhi laughed, âWe made time for youâremember to call us âelder sistersâ!â
Banxia blinked, bewildered. Happiness had arrived so suddenly it took her breath away.