When Dong Kui first spoke, Ye Yu’s immediate reaction was one of protest. He was truly innocent—he could swear on heaven and earth. Apart from Xu Nanqiao, he had no other immortal companion. So there was no way he had bullied some sword-bearing maiden outside his sect. Wait—sword-bearing? After a moment’s thought, Ye Yu recalled a figure and strode to the sect entrance.
Sure enough, Zheng Nuanxiu stood there, her eyes bloodshot and tears streaming down her cheeks. Ye Yu hurried over. “What happened?”
“I returned from the Demon Realm, and my sect has vanished!” Zheng Nuanxiu’s tears fell even faster.
The thought was heart-wrenching. A sect she had sworn to protect, destined to flourish—stolen in a single day. What meaning remained in her efforts?
Ye Yu was astonished. How could an entire sect just disappear? Seeing Zheng Nuanxiu sobbing, he knew he couldn’t get answers now. He gently guided her back inside, promising to speak once her emotions calmed. After all, if she stood crying at the gate, passersby might think he had mistreated her!
Unbeknownst to them, Zhu Diezhen and Zhuo Lanqing watched from afar. Dong Kui pursed her lips in displeasure. “He wouldn’t admit anything when we asked. Now look—he’s brought her inside.” Banxia and Bai Xichu nodded in agreement, while Zhuo Lanqing shrugged. “Enough chatter. Let’s figure out where to put our new sister. Good thing the sect’s grown—otherwise this would be awkward.”
Inside, Zheng Nuanxiu had regained composure and recounted how her Zhu Xie Immortal Sect site had disappeared. Ye Yu found it incredible. Who would steal a ruined sect’s grounds—worthless rubble? Distressed, Zheng Nuanxiu said, “I came to ask for your help finding my lost sect. In the Heavens’ Realm, you’re my only hope.”
Ye Yu readily agreed. He vowed to spare no effort to track down the thief. It was outrageous—immortals, yet resorting to theft!
Grateful, Zheng Nuanxiu prepared to leave. Ye Yu called after her, “Where are you going?”
“I... don’t know,” she sniffled, tears welling again. “My home is gone!”
“Don’t cry,” Ye Yu said. “Stay here until we retrieve your sect. Our place is spacious, and you can study the sword’s techniques rather than waste time.”
Convinced, Zheng Nuanxiu accepted. Ye Yu summoned Zhu Diezhen to arrange lodging. “Of course,” Zhu Diezhen replied, eyeing Zheng Nuanxiu. “But what shall we call our new sister?”
Zheng Nuanxiu took an involuntary step back at the intense scrutiny. Ye Yu quickly interposed, “She’s not a sister but a fellow immortal companion. Since her sect vanished, she’ll reside here temporarily.”
Zhu Diezhen laughed—‘vanished sect’? Preposterous! Who’d believe someone stole an immortal sect? And why come to Ye Yu rather /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ than one’s own sectmates? Yet she did not press further; instead, she led Zheng Nuanxiu to the rear hill of Wuwei Pagoda. Though newly built, it boasted multiple blessed grottoes and abundant immortal qi—an ideal training ground.
“You may choose any spot to cultivate,” Zhu Diezhen whispered. “If you need anything, let me know.”
“Thank you, Immortal Companion!” Zheng Nuanxiu clasped her hands gratefully. Zhu Diezhen smiled and departed—no need to linger when her husband’s identity as Xu Nanqiao’s partner remained unannounced.
Alone, Zheng Nuanxiu gazed around the vibrant sect grounds with envy. She longed to restore her sect in such splendor—if she ever reclaimed it, she must rebuild it thus. A wave of nostalgia struck her. Was this a mirage of her former sect? Startled, she shook her head to steady herself.
In the main hall, Ye Yu pondered who would be idle enough to steal a ruined sect site. No mortal immortal would plunder worthless land. He abandoned the question and left Wuwei Pagoda. His plan was simple: delegate the investigation to junior immortals and await their report. When asked who these juniors were, the answer was none—he couldn’t send his wives into the field. So he summoned three minor sect masters whose cultivations fell short of Immortal Emperor. Using the Divine Mind-Control Art, he bound their wills and ordered them to search for the missing Zhu Xie Immortal Sect.
Thus the simplest solution was set in motion. Ye Yu returned home and waited for news.
In the central region of the Heavens’ Realm, within the Three Corps Hall, the Lord of Magic Heavens sat in the main hall as subordinate dark immortals delivered treasures. Though most items were worthless to him, now and then a rare artifact appeared. He savored the thrill of discovering such treasures.
