AUOF - 5

Mudan had been waiting outside. Seeing Sang Li slowly emerge from the hall, she hurried over: “Ali, Lord Ji really chose you to accompany him?”

Sang Li gave a small nod.

Mudan’s face lit up with envy: “How wonderful! Ever since I became a corpse-released immortal and ascended to this celestial realm, I haven’t seen the mortal world.”

Before her death, Mudan had served as a palace herbalist.

Compared to the ladies and maids of the palace, she had enjoyed much more freedom. Though the celestial realm was ethereal and detached, she often fantasized about the vibrant fireworks of the human world below.

Sang Li’s expression turned troubled, and she sighed deeply. This kind of “blessing” was one she didn’t want.

Mudan, still holding her hand, wanted to say more but suddenly tensed. Her body instinctively moved to shield Sang Li.

This protective gesture did not escape Sang Li’s notice.

Following Mudan’s gaze, Sang Li saw three figures approaching, clad in the white-and-gold robes of the Celestial Pavilion. The man in the center had a handsome face, though his overly cunning demeanor detracted from his otherwise pleasing appearance.

Sang Li remembered him.

It was he who, back in Shuoguang Hall, had discreetly signaled the young disciple afflicted by the Yan Chun Vine while standing with his back to Situ.

“So Jin Min has indeed come,” Mudan whispered into Sang Li’s ear, shielding her from him. “Ali, let’s hurry and leave before we cause trouble in front of the hall again...”

Mudan tugged at Sang Li’s sleeve, torn between her fear of Jin Min and his companions and her worry about disturbing the higher immortals inside the hall, which might invite calamity.

Just as they were about to leave, Jin Min and his group blocked their path.

The leader stepped in front of Sang Li: “I heard that Lord Tianheng has chosen you to accompany him. It just so happens that we’ll be traveling together.”

With his arms crossed, his eyes roamed over her in a way that wasn’t entirely pure.

Sang Li narrowed her eyes slightly, her hazy memories gradually taking shape.

If she wasn’t mistaken, this man was Jin Min, whom Mudan had warned her about.

Jin Min was one of Situ’s most ardent admirers—or rather, her lackey.

He had followed Situ to Gui Xu Sea and immediately set his sights on the stunningly beautiful original host.

About half a month ago, Jin Min had attempted to force himself on the original host. However, she was no pushover and had retaliated by injuring him with her martial prowess.

Humiliated, Jin Min had gone crying to the overseer, who punished the original host without investigating the truth.

Afterward, Jin Min grew suspicious of her. After all, a mere fairy maid shouldn’t possess such skills.

As an undercover agent, the original host couldn’t afford to reveal too much. To avoid further harassment from Jin Min, she had chosen to evade him whenever possible.

Today marked their first encounter since that conflict.

Sang Li remained silent.

Beneath the layered clouds, Sang Li, dressed in a pale blue dress adorned with tassels, appeared as though she were about to ascend to the heavens.

Her demeanor was cold, yet her crescent-shaped eyes shimmered with a bewitching allure.

Jin Min felt an irresistible itch in his heart.

He was, after all, a third-stage minor immortal with a position in the Celestial Pavilion—far superior, in his mind, to the “broken melons and cracked jujubes” of Gui Xu Sea.

He had seen countless fairy maids like Sang Li.

Most played hard to get or sought to gain something from him. After all, Gui Xu Sea, located at the boundary between heaven and earth, offered few opportunities for cultivating treasures.

Thinking this, Jin Min sneered disdainfully.

“Since the Heavenly Gates opened, the mortal realm has been in turmoil. Who knows if a delicate flower like you can withstand it?”

As he spoke, his hand, seemingly with eyes of its own, began to creep toward her hand.

Sang Li took a small step back, skillfully evading his touch.

She lowered her gaze, first glancing at his head, then his legs, and finally his groin, before curling her lips into an ambiguous smirk: “If someone as petite as you can handle it, why wouldn’t I be able to?”

It was no secret that Jin Min was short.

Even after achieving his immortal body, even with the aid of elixirs, his height could only be temporarily maintained—it was a permanent sore spot for him.

Standing before Sang Li, who was 168 cm tall, he still appeared diminutive.

Sang Li’s words struck a nerve, especially her gaze. Whether it was real or imagined, Jin Min couldn’t shake the feeling that her words carried a double meaning—and this “meaning” referred to more than just his height.

Mudan hadn’t expected Sang Li to publicly humiliate Jin Min and instantly widened her almond-shaped eyes in shock.

The two disciples flanking Jin Min also grew visibly uncomfortable.

This was the rear corridor, where passersby were few.

Their argument hadn’t drawn much attention, but through the winding corridors, Ji Hengyu clearly heard the faint quarrel.

He sat quietly by the waterfall in the rear courtyard, feeding the celestial carp in the pond while Yue Zhuqing reported recent developments within the sect.

The content was dry and far less interesting than the commotion outside.

Suddenly, dissatisfied with the meager offering, one of the golden carp leapt out of the water and clamped its sharp, terrifying red teeth onto Ji Hengyu’s finger.

At the moment its fangs pierced his skin, blood flowed freely.

The scent of blood sent the entire pond of carp into a frenzy, turning the once-clear water into a chaotic swirl.

Yue Zhuqing paused mid-sentence: “Lord Ji?”

Ji Hengyu released the fish back into the pond, unfazed by the wound on his hand. He smiled indifferently: “It’s fine. Continue.”

Yue Zhuqing hesitated slightly: “The creatures have touched your Fu Xi blood. This may cause unrest.”

—Fu Xi blood.

A lineage unique to the Kuí clan.

When Fu Xi blood came into contact with demonic creatures, it purified evil; when it touched living beings, it nurtured malevolence. It was a double-edged sword—feared by demons, yet coveted by many.

True to form, the carp that had touched the Fu Xi blood underwent a dramatic transformation.

They grew larger, more grotesque, and demonic energy seeped into the pond.

Ji Hengyu rested his chin on his hand, watching with interest as the carp began to fight each other. “If they don’t grow stronger, how will they realize their own weakness?”

The carp, craving more Fu Xi blood, surged onto the shore, their nearly bursting eyes filled with crimson greed.

With a simple flick of his finger, Ji Hengyu reduced the entire pond of carp to fragments, their remains floating like broken seaweed on the shimmering surface of the water.

Yue Zhuqing remained silent throughout.

Once the carp were dead, Ji Hengyu lost interest. Rising from the edge of the pond, he said: “There are a few unruly individuals causing a disturbance outside. Qing’er, go with your junior brother to handle it.”

Upon hearing this, Li Ningxi, who had been idly teasing birds nearby, perked up his ears: “From the sound of it, it seems to be that little fairy maid.”

The hearing of immortals was keen—even separated by walls and a lake, they could still hear the commotion.

Yue Zhuqing also recalled the young girl she had seen earlier in the hall.

Beautiful.

Delicate features, enchanting eyes—she was unforgettable at first glance.

“Then we shall take our leave.”

Ji Hengyu waved dismissively, already bored, and turned his attention to admiring the celestial birds perched on the branches above.

“Sang Li, who exactly are you mocking with your snide remarks?!”

The argument in the corridor continued. Sang Li’s earlier words had infuriated Jin Min, and he was now itching to take action.

But Sang Li wasn’t intimidated.

Jin Min was nothing but Situ’s lapdog—bullying the weak and fearing the strong, outwardly fierce but inwardly cowardly. He wasn’t like Ji Hengyu or Yan Jinglou, who could end her life with a mere word.

Thinking this, Sang Li grew increasingly troubled and found Jin Min even more unbearable.

Still, his presence reminded her of something important.

The purpose of this journey was to rescue Shen Zheyu, and naturally, the people from the Celestial Pavilion would also be going.

Once they reached the mortal realm, there would be no one to protect her. If Jin Min really tried something, she might not be able to resist him...

She couldn’t let him have his way!!

Just then, Yue Zhuqing and Li Ningxi appeared, their figures catching the corner of Sang Li’s eye. Thinking quickly, Sang Li came up with a cunning plan. Before Jin Min could make a move, she let out an exaggerated cry and collapsed limply onto the ground.

Her fall was perfectly executed—smooth, practiced, and utterly unexpected, leaving Jin Min’s hand awkwardly suspended in mid-air, unsure whether to raise or lower it.

“A-Ali?”

Mudan was stunned, completely baffled by what was happening.

Sang Li pretended not to hear her.

She propped herself up on her hands, trembling all over, her frail body seemingly unable to support itself beneath her flowing dress.

Sang Li tilted her head slightly, her profile forming a perfect 45-degree angle. From this angle, her delicate features were bathed in a soft celestial glow, her long lashes quivering gently, and the corners of her eyes reddening abruptly.

—Pitiful, fragile, and lost.

“Little Immortal Lord, it was my fault last time, and I’ve already been punished. Why must you humiliate me so publicly...?”

Her nose turned red too.

Her pale, beautiful face, on the verge of tears, was heartbreakingly captivating.

This baseless accusation left Jin Min fuming, his anger overriding any appreciation for her beauty. Pointing at her, he shouted: “It was you who spoke insolently first! When did I ever humiliate you?!”

“What’s going on here?”

A clear, cold voice interrupted their argument.

Mudan looked at Yue Zhuqing and Li Ningxi, who had suddenly appeared, and immediately understood.

Though she hadn’t been a participant in palace politics, she had certainly observed enough to master the thirty-six stratagems of palace intrigue!

Mudan dropped to her knees with a thud.

Her kneeling was as flawless and practiced as Sang Li’s collapse, catching Jin Min and his group completely off guard.

Mudan kowtowed deeply to the two of them, tears streaming down her face: “Senior Sister Yue Zhuqing, please do justice for Ali—!!”

Sang Li was momentarily dumbfounded, forgetting to continue her act.

Yue Zhuqing frowned and turned her gaze toward Jin Min.

Even if Jin Min were a fool, he now realized he’d been played.

“No, no, Senior Sister Yue Zhuqing has misunderstood! It’s them who—”

Before they could finish explaining, Mudan began to sob dramatically, looking utterly wronged: “Immortal Lord Jin Min had some unpleasantness with Ali before. As punishment, Ali knelt on the penalty platform for seven days. Now that he’s heard she’s accompanying Lord Ji to the mortal realm, he came to warn her that once they’re there… he’ll...”

She hesitated, unwilling to finish.

Yue Zhuqing’s expression hardened: “He’ll what? Go on.”

Mudan leaned closer to Sang Li, casting a wary glance at Jin Min before whispering: “Break Ali’s arms and legs.”

After speaking, Mudan bowed her head deeply again: “We know we can’t compare to the Immortal Lords, but we don’t want to lose our lives over an unintentional mistake. Senior Sister Yue Zhuqing, please stand up for Ali!”

If Sang Li’s performance was spur-of-the-moment, Mudan’s was Academy Award-worthy—it could go straight into the Beijing Film Academy’s textbook!

In Story of Yanxi Palace , she’d definitely survive until episode forty-six!

Sang Li wasn’t about to be outdone.

She joined in the act, kneeling obediently with a demure and pitiable expression, biting her lower lip lightly: “Senior Sister, don’t listen to Mudan. Perhaps… perhaps the little Immortal Lord exaggerated. He wouldn’t really break my arms and legs. After all, it was my fault last time.”

Mudan protested: “How was it your fault? It was clearly him—”

Before she could finish, Sang Li hastily covered her mouth, then glanced cautiously at Yue Zhuqing.

Yue Zhuqing was also staring at Sang Li. Their gazes briefly met in the air, but Sang Li didn’t avoid it; instead, she made herself look even more innocent.

Her fox-like eyes were moist, clear, harmless, and filled with a subtle plea.

Yue Zhuqing’s thoughts wavered slightly, and she subtly shifted her gaze: “You may rise now.”

As she spoke, she glanced at Sang Li’s limp body, which seemed boneless, hesitated for a moment, then summoned her Snow Intent Sword, offering its tip to support her.

The Snow Intent Sword was one of the seventy-two ancient divine artifacts.

Its blade was entirely silver-white, with a phoenix and frost motif engraved on the scabbard, exuding both cold arrogance and lethal precision.

Yue Zhuqing treasured her lifebound sword dearly, and Li Ningxi knew it well.

Normally, it was always concealed within her lifeline, rarely seen even by others. Yet today… she was allowing a mere fairy maid, whom she’d only met once, to lean on it?

Li Ningxi’s pupils dilated in shock, leaving him speechless for a long while.

Sang Li was also aware of how precious Yue Zhuqing’s sword was.

She deliberately rubbed her hands on her dress, making sure to cover her entire hand with her wide sleeve before touching the sword.

Noticing this gesture, Yue Zhuqing’s sword-focused heart stirred with an indescribable feeling.

“Thank you, Senior Sister…”

Sang Li helped Mudan to her feet, and the two girls linked arms, instinctively hiding behind Yue Zhuqing.

Jin Min had been in the celestial realm for so long, yet this was the first time he’d encountered such… such absurd and lowly slander!

But he had no way to defend himself. Words of anger repeatedly rose to his lips, only to be swallowed back down.

“You… you’re all… full of nonsense! When did I ever say I’d break your arms and legs?! Clearly, you’re scheming to frame me in front of Senior Sister Yue Zhuqing!”

Sang Li completely ignored Jin Min, trembling behind Mudan and subtly tugging at her sleeve.

Mudan immediately understood. Grabbing Sang Li, she forcibly rolled up her sleeve despite Sang Li’s half-hearted resistance, revealing it to Yue Zhuqing: “Senior Sister, Ali isn’t lying. Look—if you’d come any later, Jin Min would’ve crushed her wrist. We’re just lowly fairy maids. Even if some Immortal Lord really did break our arms and legs, we’d have no one to appeal to…”

As she spoke, tears began to fall, plop by plop: “It’s only because Ali is kind-hearted and doesn’t want trouble that she’s defending others.”

Mudan’s acting was so convincing that it even moved Sang Li to shed genuine tears, joining in the crying.

The two girls alternated between sobs, leaving Li Ningxi utterly bewildered.

After becoming immortal, he’d never seen anyone cry like this.

After all, bodily fluids were part of one’s cultivation—shedding them was wasteful.

Yue Zhuqing remained silent, gazing intently at the exposed wrist.

Sang Li’s wrist was plump and pale, making the red mark, clearly caused by a grip, stand out starkly and painfully.

Even a stranger seeing it would feel a pang of sympathy.

Yue Zhuqing didn’t have a handkerchief, so she grabbed Li Ningxi’s arm, tearing off a strip of fabric amidst his startled “Ow!” Ignoring his pained expression, she handed the rag to Sang Li to wipe her tears.

“Don’t cry.”

After comforting Sang Li, her piercing, icy gaze fixed squarely on Jin Min.

“Although you are immortals from the higher realms, you are still under Gui Xu’s jurisdiction. Excessive misconduct will not be tolerated.” Her voice was firm. “According to Gui Xu’s rules, those who bully their peers will be sentenced to ten days in Moon Forest.”

Jin Min hadn’t expected Yue Zhuqing to actually believe the fairy maid’s words. Furious, he glared at her: “You dare?!”

Yue Zhuqing sneered disdainfully: “Having entered Gui Xu’s gates, you must abide by its rules. Punishing you is justified. There’s no question of daring or not daring.”

So cool!

So bold!

So proud!

Sang Li admitted—she was genuinely smitten at this moment!