Beneath the Azure Ethereal Vapors, beyond the city of Heyang, lay an ancient, desolate path.
Monday Fairy continued to carry that fluttering bamboo banner, walking confidently on the ancient road. Beside him was Ghostly, and trailing behind them were Little Ring and Wild Dog Daoist.
The four walked slowly, distancing themselves further from Heyang. Little Ring gazed at Ghostly’s back, her expression odd, several times she wanted to speak but hesitated. Finally, she mustered the courage, hurried a few steps, and tugged at his sleeve.
The monkey, Xiao Hui, perched on Ghostly’s shoulder, turned around with a chirp, grinning at Little Ring. Under its gaze, her cheeks flushed slightly. After a moment, Ghostly looked over, his countenance still melancholic, yet much better than when they had first met in Heyang.
Looking at Little Ring, a gentle smile appeared on Ghostly’s face. “What is it?”
The courage that Little Ring had just gathered vanished under the man’s faint smile, causing her to stutter. Monday Fairy, watching this, shook his head, while Wild Dog Daoist, standing behind, seemed even more uncomfortable.
“Chirp, chirp, chirp!” At this awkward moment, Xiao Hui’s laughter rang out, making Little Ring’s face even redder. She glared at the monkey, but Xiao Hui paid no heed, mimicking her glare with all three eyes wide open.
Little Ring let out a startled cry and stepped back. As the saying goes, two fists are hard-pressed to fight four hands, and apparently, the same applies to eyes. Even if you are staring at a monkey, if the monkey has an extra eye, you are likely to be out-stared.
Xiao Hui laughed joyfully, almost rolling on Ghostly’s shoulder, and even stuck out its tongue at Little Ring, making a funny face. She spat at the gray-furred monkey, breaking the awkward tension. Clearing her throat, she averted her gaze from Ghostly, whispering, “Where do you plan to go now?”
Wild Dog Daoist’s face darkened even more.
Ghostly was slightly taken aback, not answering immediately. After a moment, he turned to look at Monday Fairy. The elder nodded, saying, “Yes, I too was wondering what your plans are.”
Ghostly fell silent for a moment, then said, “Honestly, I don’t know. Thanks to your guidance these days, though I am saddened by my master and mistress’ passing, I have come to terms with it. I only regret not being able to show them more filial piety sooner.”
Monday Fairy sighed, “You say this, but your heart is not truly at peace. People are not like plants; even when they understand the truth, their hearts often cannot follow. It is not your fault. But the departed are gone, and you should not mourn too deeply. They would not want you to, think about the future instead.”
Encouraged, Ghostly nodded, pondering for a moment. A look of confusion flashed across his face, and he spoke with a bitter smile, “For the past ten years, I have wandered and struggled, all for the sake of saving one person. But each time, I have fallen short. Now, with the vast world before me, I am at a loss.”
Monday Fairy’s expression changed slightly, and he glanced at Little Ring, hesitant. Then, he said quietly, “I have heard something about your troubles, especially concerning Miss Biyao…”
Ghostly’s body tensed, and he turned sharply, “Elder, do you have a way…?” His voice trembled with excitement.
Little Ring, surprised, looked at Monday Fairy, who coughed lightly, “I am powerless, alas.”
Unable to contain herself, Little Ring asked Ghostly, “Wh-what happened to Miss Biyao?”
Ghostly fell silent. Before he could speak, Monday Fairy glared at Little Ring, sternly, “Mind your own business, child. Stay out of it.”
Little Ring was shocked. Monday Fairy, usually disrespectful, although often playful, rarely spoke so sternly. She was left speechless.
Ghostly sighed deeply, a desolate air about him.
Monday Fairy’s eyes showed a complex emotion, and he waved Ghostly over, “Come here, I need to talk to you.”
He led them away from Little Ring and Wild Dog Daoist, heading to a secluded part of the road. Ghostly followed, his expression lonely. Little Ring, recovering, saw the two of them standing far away. Monday Fairy was frowning, speaking in hushed tones, and Ghostly’s expression changed as he listened, first to surprise, then to hope mixed with bewilderment. But the hope soon faded, replaced by a somber look. Monday Fairy continued talking, his demeanor like that of a concerned elder.
Little Ring’s lips pouted, and a sudden anger welled up inside her. She kicked a pebble, which flew through the air, hitting Wild Dog Daoist’s foot.
Lost in thought, Wild Dog Daoist didn’t see the pebble coming and jumped, frowning in pain.
Little Ring, seeing this, felt a bit embarrassed and walked over, “Daoist, are you alright?”
Wild Dog Daoist, under her gaze, shook his head, “No, I’m fine.”
Little Ring nodded, her gaze returning to Ghostly. Her eyes filled with various emotions, all reflected on her face.
Wild Dog Daoist watched her, silent and solemn.
Suddenly, Little Ring spoke, “Oh, Daoist, I have a question for you.”
Wild Dog Daoist looked up, “What?”
Little Ring’s brow furrowed, “H-How is Miss Biyao? Why does she seem to trouble Brother Ghostly so much?”
Wild Dog Daoist hesitated. He was not a core member of the Ghost King Sect and knew only rumors about Biyao. But he knew the reason. It was a long story, and he wasn’t sure where to start. As he pondered, he said, “It’s a long story. It all started ten years ago…”
Before he could finish, he sensed something, stopping abruptly. Little Ring, too, turned, surprised. In the distance, a faint purple light descended, gently floating down like a water lily, revealing Golden Bottle’s enchantingly beautiful face.
Little Ring, initially shocked, then delighted, ran over, “Sister Bottle!” Golden Bottle, smiling, took Little Ring’s hand, examining her, “Sis, every time I see you, you get prettier. You must be driving men wild.”
Caught off guard, Little Ring blushed, “What nonsense! It’s been ages, and you’re teasing me.”
Golden Bottle’s eyes sparkled with mirth, and she pinched Little Ring’s cheek, “Little one, you nearly charm me, stop denying it.”
Little Ring’s face reddened further, but her bond with Golden Bottle was strong. She held her hand, asking questions, occasionally glancing at Ghostly.
Ghostly and Monday Fairy had already noticed Golden Bottle’s arrival. They hadn’t expected to meet her here. With Ghostly’s cultivation, he had detected her earlier, even knowing she had come from Heyang. In the distant city, he sensed another trace of spiritual energy, too far to discern clearly.
Those accompanying Golden Bottle were likely not from any reputable sect, most probably from the Demon Sect. Seeing this, Ghostly lost interest in investigating. Golden Bottle, after some banter with Little Ring, led her towards them.
“Brother, you’re well, I see.”
Her voice, soft and seductive, made bones melt. Little Ring stole a glance at Ghostly, who remained unaffected. A secret smile formed on her lips.
Golden Bottle, approaching, said, “What a coincidence.”
Golden Bottle smiled, “We haven’t seen each other since the Southern Frontier…”
She paused, seeing Xiao Hui making faces at her. In the Southern Frontier, she had been teased by the monkey, and her face darkened. Xiao Hui, unfazed, grew more amused, baring his teeth and grinning.
Golden Bottle, distracted, regained composure, scolding herself for losing focus. She glared at Xiao Hui, turning away, her smile returning as she addressed Ghostly, “Back then, you left me alone, how cruel.”
Ghostly replied, “If I hadn’t, we might both have been trapped in the mountains.”
Golden Bottle laughed, unconcerned by the barb, “You’re quite the joker, Brother.”
Ghostly, looking at her, said, “But I didn’t expect you to escape the Demonic Cave.”
Golden Bottle’s eyes glinted, “And you wish I hadn’t?”
Ghostly smiled, neither confirming nor denying, turning to Monday Fairy, “Elder, we have ties. The world is vast, and we’ve met several times. About what you said, I’ll try, no matter the outcome. It’s better than having no hope.”
Monday Fairy nodded, “Good. The method is unconventional, untested, but I heard of it during my travels. Do what you will.”
Ghostly bowed, “Then I’ll be off. Farewell, Elder. We’ll meet again if fate permits.”
As he moved to leave, Little Ring called, “Wait, wait!”
Ghostly turned, seeing Little Ring, hesitant. Monday Fairy, observing, shook his head, sighing, and walked away.
“What is it, Little Ring?” Ghostly’s tone softened, sensing something.
Little Ring’s lips trembled, but she said nothing.
Golden Bottle, holding her hand, frowned, feeling her hand quiver. She turned, seeing the girl call out but unable to speak, creating an awkward silence.
Golden Bottle sighed, pulling Little Ring behind her, smiling at Ghostly, “Where are you going, Brother?”
Ghostly, silent, his gaze passing over the slender figure behind Golden Bottle, his voice cold, “I roam freely, no fixed place.”
Golden Bottle, “Roaming indeed, such a manly resolve. But, Brother, do you have any regrets?”
Little Ring stiffened, but stayed hidden. Golden Bottle felt the tension. Ghostly, his voice colder, “None.”
After a long look at the stiff figure, he hid his expression, turning away. He hesitated, then, without looking back, his body turned into a gray light, ascending to the sky.
The ancient path was quiet, the atmosphere heavy. Little Ring, silent, did not emerge from behind Golden Bottle, her grip tight.
Wild Dog Daoist, stepping forward, said nothing. Monday Fairy, coughing, approached, “Little Ring, fate is predetermined, we must accept it…”
Before he finished, Golden Bottle glared, making both flinch. She snapped, “Stay out of it, you’re no better.”
Monday Fairy and Wild Dog Daoist exchanged glances, retreating.
Golden Bottle, cradling Little Ring, finally, the girl burst into tears. Golden Bottle, soothing her, “Don’t cry, sweetie. Men are all the same.”
Little Ring, sniffling, “N-no, he’s good.”
Golden Bottle, amused and annoyed, “Alright, he’s good. Look at you, crying so hard.”
Monday Fairy, muttering, “After all these years, no one defends me, yet they defend him. Ridiculous.”
Golden Bottle’s glare silenced him.
As night fell, their journey was cut short due to Little Ring’s mood. Golden Bottle, originally passing through, had found them by chance. Planning to chat and leave, she lingered due to Little Ring’s distress.
By evening, with Golden Bottle’s jests, Little Ring’s face lit up. They whispered, Monday Fairy and Wild Dog Daoist, puzzled, seeing the girl blush and pale, unsure of the implications.
Finally, Golden Bottle stood, stretching, “I should go now.”
Little Ring, unsurprised, clung, “When will we meet again, Sister?”
Golden Bottle, smiling, “We’ll meet again, destiny ensures it.”
Little Ring nodded, “Let me see you off.”
Golden Bottle, leading her, Monday Fairy and Wild Dog Daoist, eager to see her go, didn’t intervene.
After some chitchat, Golden Bottle said, “This is far enough. Your grandfather will scold me if I keep you longer.”
Little Ring nodded, hesitating, “Sister, aren’t you in the same sect as him?”
Golden Bottle, surprised, “Yes, why?”
Little Ring, low, “What about Miss Biyao? Can you tell me?”
Golden Bottle, sighing, “Sis, I understand. That man is different, even I see him differently. But I advise you, let it go. He’s had a hard life, and you’ll only suffer.”
Little Ring, shaking her head, “I just want to know more about him.”
Golden Bottle, resigned, recounted the story. Little Ring, listening, her expression darkening, especially when hearing Biyao’s soul trapped in the Flute of Bliss, and Ghostly wandering to find a solution, her face turned black.
Golden Bottle, noticing, comforted, “That’s it, Sis. Don’t dwell on it, you have a long road ahead.”
Little Ring, distracted, nodded, “I understand.”
She hurried back. Golden Bottle, surprised, soon heard an argument between Little Ring and Monday Fairy.
Amused, she realized the girl was better. Shaking her head, feeling old, she dismissed the thought. Turning into a purple light, she soared, landing on Heyang’s quiet wall, where Elder Cang Song stood.
Smiling, she said, “Sorry to keep you waiting, Master.”
Cang Song, turning, “You were delayed.”
Golden Bottle, unfazed, “Our leader advised caution, not haste, right? Or are you eager to return to the Azure Ethereal Conclave?”
Cang Song, cold, turned, gazing into the distance. Golden Bottle, smiling, joined him, looking towards the majestic, mist-shrouded Azure Ethereal Vapors.
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