“You still need to cultivate,” Pi Changge said. “You have no ambition. Change back.”
“Yes.” The Giant Ape said in a low voice.
“Sit.” Pi Changge patted the spot beside him. Wu Yingzong heard the sound, turned his head toward the corridor, and saw the White Deer carrying Chaosheng back to his room. Moments later, Chaosheng must have fallen asleep, and the White Deer flew out into the air, heading to the garden as if it were second nature.
“That deer is here for the first time,” Pi Changge laughed, “yet it acts like it’s at home.”
Wu Yingzong worried about Chaosheng in his heart. Pi Changge patted the back of his hand and said, “You really love Chaosheng; I can tell. Chaosheng loves you too. That’s good.”
Wu Yingzong’s face immediately reddened. He didn’t deny it and just nodded.
Pi Changge: “Tell me about yourself. How did you cultivate into human form? When did you meet Chaosheng? He’s only been in the red dust for less than half a year.”
Wu Yingzong hesitated for a moment, then recounted his own past and how he met Chaosheng to Pi Changge in full detail. Pi Changge listened attentively, nodding occasionally.
In the end, Pi Changge sighed and said, “Chaosheng must have told you about my situation.”
Wu Yingzong replied, “Senior, he only mentioned it briefly, but I believe with Lord Jumang’s divine power in White Jade Palace, you can certainly live on.”
Pi Changge: “Hiding in the palace all day like a turtle with its head tucked in, watching you all suffer hardships below—what kind of way is that to live? I can’t even accompany Chaosheng to play for a few days now. You tell me, what’s the point of living? If you all need my help again like this time, how could I refuse?”
In the corridor room:
Xiang Xian lay there for a while. This was the first time in a long while that he was alone at night. For months, every time they stayed at an inn or camped, he had been with Xiao Kun, inseparable. Now, sleeping alone felt unfamiliar.
A Huang perched on the windowsill when an Emerald Bird flew over, singing softly and spreading its beautiful wings, circling in front of A Huang.
A Huang watched the Emerald Bird’s performance expressionlessly while eating bamboo rice.
“Is this the courtship dance?” Xiang Xian asked curiously from the bed. “Aren’t you both males?”
“Can’t a male dance for another male?” A Huang replied without turning his head.
Xiang Xian: “You can! Of course you can! As long as you’re happy.”
A Huang: “Last time at Crescent Moon Spring, who danced the Whirling Dance for whom?”
Xiang Xian raised his hand in surrender. Idling in the room was boring anyway; he might as well go out for a stroll.
After leaving the bedroom, the first person Xiang Xian thought to find was Xiao Kun, but he wasn’t in his room. It was a full moon night, with the moon high in the sky, bathing White Jade Palace in shimmering silver light. The Sacred Tree and many plants were draped in a layer of silver gauze.
Xiang Xian walked to the western terrace of the palace and looked down. He saw Pi Changge and Wu Yingzong under the Sacred Tree—Chaosheng was nowhere to be seen. On the other side by the garden pool, the White Deer emitted a faint glow; it must have been Mu Qingshan, with someone standing nearby.
On the steps by the Book Pavilion, another person lay with someone sitting beside him, talking.
Xiang Xian pondered for a moment—who should he go talk to? Moments later, he leaped down from the terrace and headed along the garden’s winding path.
White Jade Palace Main Hall:
Hulü Guang slipped in quietly, wandered around, and was about to leave when a voice rang out.
“What are you doing? Snooping around like a thief.”
Hulü Guang jumped in fright; he hadn’t noticed anyone in the hall at all… a dragon.
“You… hello, Senior,” Hulü Guang said.
The person was Yuzhou, lying on the steps in front of the Queen Mother of the West’s throne.
“What are you doing?” Hulü Guang asked.
“Watching the stars.”
Hulü Guang: “?”
Hulü Guang turned to look at the night sky, then at Yuzhou’s face. Having grown up in the desert, he was long accustomed to the brilliant Milky Way and stars overhead.
Yuzhou said absentmindedly, “Are you thinking ‘What’s so great about the stars’?”
Hulü Guang sat beside Yuzhou. Just as he was about to answer, Yuzhou continued, “The stars reveal everyone’s fate. From dragons soaring through clouds to a snail on a leaf, all follow the stars’ paths and have their own roads.”
Hulü Guang made an “mm” sound, thought for a moment, and said, “I wonder what my fate is.”
Yuzhou: “Knowing too much takes away the fun.”
Hulü Guang: “Then Senior, what did you see in the stars?”
“I saw that someone would come tonight,” Yuzhou said, “seeking my guidance on his Heart Lamp.”
Hulü Guang was shocked: “How did you see that?”
Yuzhou sat up, hand on his forehead, unsure how to evaluate Hulü Guang.
“You’re a straightforward guy with no guile,” Yuzhou said helplessly. “Has anyone ever called you dumb?”
“Never!” Hulü Guang laughed.
Yuzhou gazed into Hulü Guang’s eyes, thought for a moment, and then said, “It seems the Heart Lamp doesn’t only choose the clever ones. You’re completely different from my old subordinate. Fine, eating the meat you brought to seek a master is fate enough.”
Hulü Guang said, “I do want a senior to guide my Magical Power. I hope to be of help to everyone.”
“It was that ape who taught you to do this, right?” Yuzhou casually pointed out. “Since you’re in Kunlun, you might as well find a good master.”
Hulü Guang hurriedly explained, “No, I’ve never thought that! Because you’re a dragon, and dragons are the strongest in the world, so I… um…”
Yuzhou said, “Good! I like people without schemes. It’s you.”
