Inside the Wuwei Tower, Ye Yu had been contemplating the course of his future Dao. He resolved that before stepping into the Immortal Emperor Realm, he would no longer run the Dream Simulation—lest the system find another loophole to stall his cultivation with excuses.
“Hubby, I don’t think you need to work so hard,” Pei Chuxia said as she approached, cradling a stack of a dozen thick tomes in her arms. Placing them all before Ye Yu, she added “How long are you going to read all this?”
These books were ancient texts collected from across the Celestial Realm, each recording tales of the Immortal Emperor Realm. Ye Yu’s plan was simple: read widely, study the Daos of his predecessors in hopes of sparking his own insight.
He picked up a volume and began reading intently, murmuring “Take your time. I just want one inspiration right now. And you all—don’t slack off either!”
The “you all” was aimed at Jiang Jinhe, Nangong Jingtang, and the others—immortals, demon witches, and ghost beings who had reached the Sovereign Realms and been summoned to help study these ancient records. In Ye Yu’s view, the more Daos one saw, the less likely one would be to wander when choosing one’s true path.
Though well-intentioned, the effort had proved grueling. Dong Kui and Jiang Yumo sat with disheveled hair and vacant eyes, as if tormented. Having reached the Ghost King and Immortal King Realms, they had not opened a book in hundreds of thousands of years. Now they were forced into passive study—much like being made to practice cultivation as children. It was crushing.
Seeing their suffering but not wanting to interrupt Ye Yu’s determination, they cast pleading looks at Pei Chuxia: “Best friend, please help us, we can’t take this much longer!” Pei Chuxia, quick-witted, immediately understood. She placed her hand upon the ancient texts before Ye Yu, drawing his attention.
“This isn’t working. You know the saying ‘more haste, less speed.’ After days of reading, have you found any new line of thought?”
Ye Yu shook his head. Pei Chuxia closed the book gently and said “Then it’s time to clear your mind. Don’t push yourself so hard—or you’ll backfire.” Only Pei Chuxia’s advice carried weight on the subject of broad reading—she was the wisest of all his wives. Ye Yu truly considered her words.
Indeed, these past days had been too rushed. The ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ Dao of the Emperor Realm could not be forced. He had fallen into a trap: Daos were not chosen but walked. Staring at books at this moment was futile; enlightenment might strike unexpectedly in the future.
He nodded. “You’re right. Maybe it is time to clear my mind.”
Before he finished speaking, Dong Kui and Jiang Yumo threw the books aside in relief. At last, freedom! Ye Yu turned to see them bowing their heads obediently. Nangong Jingtang timidly added “We want to clear our minds too—just for a bit!” The other wives nodded vigorously—especially Jiang Yumo, who looked ready to collapse.
Ye Yu laughed. “Fine. Today I’ll take you all on an outing. Staying inside the sect all the time isn’t necessary.”
At his words, Dong Kui, Nangong Jingtang, and the others cheered. A moment later, Ye Yu led his wives out for a spring excursion—a truly spectacular scene as nearly the entire sect poured forth. A few remained in seclusion, but otherwise the procession was immense.
Hidden in the shadows, Elder Chu Jiaolin of the Three Corps Hall watched in shock. Was this really a sect? It hardly looked like one. But it didn’t matter—while Wuwei Tower’s cultivators were away, now was his chance. He produced a communication stone and whispered “You may move.”
Half an hour later, a wine–scented fairy holding a Hexin Jade arrived at the gates of the Zhu Xie Sect. She was the newly ascended Hongluan. Guided by the jade’s aura, she quickly found the place, yet the sect’s name—Zhu Xie Sect—puzzled her. Hadn’t her husband said it was Wuwei Tower? Had the name changed?
She glanced at the jade again—according to its readings, she was in the right spot. Dazed from too much spirit wine and her rapid ascent, she knocked and called “Is Ye Yu here?”
Zheng Nuanxiu, who had been cultivating inside, appeared at the gate. Seeing Hongluan’s unfamiliar face, she asked “Who are you, and what business brings you here?”
Hongluan ignored the question. “Is Ye Yu here?” Zheng Nuanxiu began to point toward Wuwei Tower, but before she could finish, Hongluan stumbled past her. “Since my husband is here, I must be in the right place. I’ve never met you—you must be a new sister. Ugh, I feel dizzy from all this wine. Find me a place to rest!”
With that, she staggered into the sect. Realizing she was drunk but also sensing a misunderstanding—she was clearly one of Ye Yu’s wives—Zheng Nuanxiu decided not to stop her. Explaining now would be pointless. Instead, she opened a guest room and tried to speak, but Hongluan had already collapsed atop the stone table, snoring.
How much had she drunk? Shaking her head, Zheng Nuanxiu gently carried her to the guest room. Emerging, she felt a flush from the lingering wine scent—a novel experience for someone who never drank. And she admitted to herself that the mild tipsiness felt rather pleasant.
Without delay, Zheng Nuanxiu transformed into a streak of light and departed for Wuwei Tower to fetch Ye Yu. No sooner had she gone than three figures slipped silently to the gate of the Zhu Xie Sect.
