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 Realm’s 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 Banxia’s feelings, never exposed them. His worry was inevitable—not 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.
“Why worry about willing or unwilling? Liking is liking, even if it’s for a single day, an hour, or one breath. A temporary parting doesn’t mean we’ll never meet again. Why overthink it? I’ll 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?”
Banxia’s words struck Ye Yu like a revelation. Of course—why overthink things? If there was a path, it would appear when he reached the mountain. That he had no solution now didn’t mean one would never come. Why suppress his own feelings?
With that clarity, Ye Yu swept Banxia into his arms and whispered, “Of course I like you!”
Instantly, the door slammed shut as a breeze stirred the hanging curtain. Banxia stared up at Ye Yu, wide-eyed. Stop—this 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. “You little rascal, you really are mischievous—chasing that light orb for so long made me follow you the whole time. Don’t you ever do that again, understand?”
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, ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (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 hadn’t meant any harm! Couldn’t Banxia have waited until it’d 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. “Reflect on your behavior properly!” 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. “Well, sister, did you succeed?”
Banxia frowned in confusion. “Succeed at what? What are you talking about?”
“Oh, don’t pretend! Your little crush is common knowledge in the Wuwei Tower by now. Why refuse to admit it? We’re all going to be sisters—no need to hide it.”
Liangyu arched an eyebrow and chuckled. At the same moment, Su Yao and Huangfu Baizhi approached. “Liangyu sis, don’t tease Banxia so. She’s just shy—why press her?”
“Oh, she’s just shy? Fine, I’ll stop—won’t you admit it now?”
Liangyu withdrew her arm, and the three departed, their smiles unmistakable. Banxia, left alone, felt a flush of embarrassment—and 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 she’d done wrong and shut herself away. Banxia did not wish to cause a scene, so she produced her Communication Stone. “Feng Yingzhi, open up. I have questions.”
Moments later, his raspy voice came through: “I—I’m not feeling well today. Whatever it is, let’s talk another day.”
Banxia frowned. Why did he sound hoarse? Before she could ask, the stone’s glow faded—he’d 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 meantime—she couldn’t 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. “Why were you running so fast just now?”
So close, she lost all capacity for thought; her strength drained away. Running? Ah—he meant earlier, when she’d chased Xiaomeng. But why was Ye Yu so forward now? She couldn’t 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, “You were pretending to be clueless just now—no use now, right, sister?” Huangfu Baizhi laughed, “We made time for you—remember to call us ‘elder sisters’!”
Banxia blinked, bewildered. Happiness had arrived so suddenly it took her breath away.
