128. Golden Wind and Jade Dew (Bonus Chapter for First-Day Subscriptions 2/n)

The young woman was named Ren Shuying, a Golden Core elder of the Hundred Flowers Island. She possessed a secret technique that allowed her to sense rare flowers and herbs within a radius of a thousand miles. This time, she had brought her sect’s Qi-refining and Foundation Establishment disciples on a journey across the islands, seeking exotic flora to transplant back to their sect.

After a short half-day, the disciples returned one by one. Ren Shuying stepped out of the flower pavilion, conjured a colorful cloud, and led the group toward the next island.

Years ago, she had encountered a disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect while at sea. Their meeting had been like the golden wind and jade dew meeting in the autumn, surpassing countless mundane encounters in the world. Though it was but a fleeting romance, it had been enough to leave an indelible mark on her heart. Since setting out this time, she had been, whether consciously or unconsciously, steering her disciples toward the territory of the Heavenly Sword Sect. After winding paths, they had now entered the Yunqing Sea.

The sky was clear and the sun bright, with vast stretches of blue waves. The sea breeze was refreshing and delightful, yet it could never stir away the lingering threads of attachment in her heart.

"What if I arrive? It is better not to meet than to meet..." Ren Shuying thought, feeling listless. She cast her secret technique, sensed the surroundings, and said to her disciples, "Head west. After passing this island, we shall return!"

The disciples acknowledged her command. The colorful cloud drifted leisurely across the horizon. Not long after, an island appeared on the sea ahead. The island was high on the sides and low in the middle, featuring spirit fields and flowering trees in the center—a lush, idyllic scene. Two graceful silver dragons wound through the air, dancing and playing, their scales shimmering brilliantly in the sunlight.

From several miles away, Ren Shuying sniffed gently and remarked in surprise, "It seems to be the scent of the Chu Sunflower..."

"Master, it seems there is someone on the island," a disciple said softly.

Ren Shuying nodded and said, "Let us first pay a visit to the island's owner. If we cannot obtain the flower seeds, merely seeing the Chu Sunflower will be wonderful enough."

The disciple bowed, then transformed into a magnificent, floral-patterned streak of light, flying toward the sky above the island. She spoke softly, "Madam Shuying of Hundred Flowers Island, traveling with disciples to seek flowers, has chanced upon this precious island and caught the scent of your blooms. We apologize for the intrusion and ask for the owner's understanding."

Her gentle voice carried across the vast sky. The two cold-water dragons ceased their play and descended back to the island, looking curiously at the colorful cloud in the sky. A streak of sword light surged up, appearing above the small island.

The sword light swirled, revealing a breathtakingly beautiful woman. She laughed, "So it is fellow practitioners from Hundred Flowers Island. If you do not mind the simplicity of this small island, please come down for a gathering."

The Hundred Flowers Island disciples immediately replied, "Then we shall impose upon you."

The woman said, "I have loved cultivating flowers since I was a child. I must ask you all for guidance later."

The group from Hundred Flowers Island entered the island and landed in front of a small pavilion. Ren Shuying stepped out from the crowd, her beautiful eyes scanning the woman as she said, "You are a disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect, aren't you? This profound sword intent is truly unfathomable."

The woman bowed and smiled, "Pei Luanjing of the Yunxiao Peak of the Heavenly Sword Sect, greets Senior Shuying."

Ren Shuying smiled gracefully, "Just call me Sister."

Pei Luanjing nodded, her bright eyes clear as she said, "Though you are a Golden Core master, Sister, you have no airs at all, which makes one feel joyful upon meeting you."

After a few exchanges, Ren Shuying explained her purpose. Pei Luanjing said, "That Chu Sunflower tree was found by my Senior Brother on another island and transplanted here. If you want some seeds, Sister, you are welcome to them."

Ren Shuying smiled, "On this island of yours, apart from the Chu Sunflower, the other spirit flowers are somewhat ordinary. How about I exchange them for some of my own flower seeds?"

As they spoke, the two walked toward the Chu Sunflower tree. They saw a towering flower tree standing on the southern side of the island. Sitting cross-legged beneath it was a man. He was tall and burly with broad shoulders and a thick back; his face was sharply defined with sword-like brows and star-bright eyes, exuding an air of fortitude and determination. He wore a black Taoist robe with cloud patterns, his wide sleeves and long belt giving him the elegant bearing of a disciple from a great sect.

The sword intent emanating from him was intense and pure to the extreme. Anyone who looked at him would feel a sense of piercing sharpness, as if merely glancing at him would cause them injury.

In fact, Ren Shuying had noticed someone under the Chu Sunflower tree before entering the island, but in her senses, there had only been a mass of incredibly sharp sword intent. Now that she saw him—the man whose face she had longed for day and night, sitting under the tree—her mind went momentarily blank.

Truly... fate plays tricks on people!

She looked at the man in slight astonishment, and the man happened to open his eyes and look back at her. Their gazes met, as if containing a thousand words.

Pang Yue was slightly taken aback, a flicker of oddity crossing his eyes. He stood up and said, "So it is Madam Shuying who has arrived. You are most welcome!"

Ren Shuying's beautiful eyes were like water as she looked deeply at Pang Yue, then at Pei Luanjing, saying in a flat tone, "It has been several years since we last parted. Your cultivation has grown, which is truly a thing to be congratulated!"

Pei Luanjing was also sharp-witted. Hearing this, she smiled, "So you and my Senior Brother knew each other long ago? I originally thought you were just passing by, Sister, but I didn't expect... you have truly put in a lot of effort."

"Sister, I was indeed just passing by," Ren Shuying sighed softly and added, "May I have my disciples go and visit other parts of the island first?"

Pei Luanjing hummed in agreement and waved her hand. The two cold-water dragons flew over, circled in the air, and landed, transforming into a pair of incredibly cute three-year-old children. These boy and girl, with chubby arms and legs, trotted up to Pei Luanjing and said in their childish voices, "The little beasts are here. Does the Master have any orders?"

Pei Luanjing scolded lightly, "Can't you see we have guests? Why haven't you come out to host them? Hurry and take these brothers and sisters to tour the island; do not neglect our guests!"

"The Master is angry, the little beasts will do as commanded," the two children pouted, looking aggrieved. They didn't know why their master was in such a foul mood today, taking it out on them.

A moment later, only Pang Yue and the two women remained under the tree. Pei Luanjing approached Pang Yue and smiled at Ren Shuying, "Sister, although he is my Senior Brother, we have grown up together since childhood and are now Daoist companions. If there are any stories between you and my Senior Brother, why not share them with me?"

Ren Shuying glanced at Pang Yue and said indifferently, "Sister, do not misunderstand. Your Senior Brother and I only met by chance by the roadside years ago; it was merely a passing acquaintance. What stories could there be?"

*Tell that to the ghosts...* Pei Luanjing sneered inwardly, though her face remained as radiant as a flower. *To make a Golden Core master like you lose your composure, there must be a secret between you two! If I weren't afraid of losing a fight, I would have chased you off the island long ago...*

Pei Luanjing turned her gaze to Pang Yue and said with a playful smile, "If you don't want to say it, Senior Brother, why don't you tell me?"

Pang Yue coughed lightly, "Well, Senior Shuying and I did indeed only meet once. I just didn't expect to see her here again; I was a bit surprised just now."

Ren Shuying's heart felt as if it were being sliced by a knife, all her unspoken words finally dissolving into a soft sigh. Even though she had known from the beginning that there would be no outcome for them, in the end... it still left only regret.

She nodded, "The world is often full of surprises."

Pei Luanjing clapped her hands, "In that case, let the past be like smoke, and let us speak of it no more. Sister, we have hit it off instantly; why not stay on the island for a few days?"

Ren Shuying shook her head slightly, "I have been rash in coming here and have already caused enough trouble; how could I impose further? I am preparing to return to Hundred Flowers Island now."

Pei Luanjing said regretfully, "That is a great pity. Perhaps another day, my Senior Brother and I will pay a visit to Hundred Flowers Island."

Ren Shuying smiled noncommittally and said to Pang Yue, "Fellow Daoist, this reunion is also a matter of fate. I have no other requests, but may I have one Chu Sunflower?"

Pang Yue nodded, reached out to pluck a Chu Sunflower, and flicked his finger. The snow-white, exotic flower floated gently toward Ren Shuying.

Ren Shuying reached out to catch the flower and said softly, "I must take my leave."

After saying this, she stamped her foot and transformed into a streak of light that shot into the sky, disappearing in an instant. The dozens of disciples on the island were all swept up by countless petals that appeared from nowhere, vanishing in the blink of an eye. Only at this moment did she finally reveal a fraction of the aura befitting a Golden Core master.