Hua Shen Valley is located at the southernmost point of the Southern Region.
This is a blessed land left behind by a tenth-level cultivator who once ascended. Even though snow is falling in the Southern Region at this moment, the climate within Hua Shen Valley remains warm and spring-like. Several peaks are covered with various spirit flowers, butterflies flutter about, and many adorable spirit beasts inhabit this land. Killing is forbidden within Hua Shen Valley, and violators will be punished by the will of Hua Shen Valley.
Petals swayed in the wind, and the faint floral fragrance in the air intertwined with Chu Xianning’s scent. The two people disembarked from the spirit boat and stepped onto the soft grass. Chu Xianning’s black robe clashed with the vibrant colors around them. Jiang Huai walked beside her, keeping pace with her.
“Has Master heard the legends of the Phoenix Tail Flower?”
Jiang Huai suddenly chuckled towards Chu Xianning. Chu Xianning paused slightly and replied, “I have.”
There are many strange tales and anecdotes in this world, and the Phoenix Tail Flower is one of them. The Phoenix Tail Flower blooms in the deepest part of Hua Shen Valley in the Southern Region. Before it blooms, it is just a small bud, but if it is watered with the fresh blood of two people in love, it can grow into a magnificent and vibrant flower. At that time, the Dao Companion couple can pick it as their spirit flower for their wedding ceremony.
This has been the custom for many cultivators in the Southern Region to get married for years. However, it gradually became a hurdle for lovers to test each other. This Phoenix Tail Flower can only bloom if they have a telepathic connection and share mutual feelings. If they only speak sweet nothings and their hearts are not sincere, even their heart’s blood will be meaningless.
Chu Xianning’s footsteps did not stop, and her voice was cold and aloof, “Do you want me to water the flowers with you?”
“Yes,” Jiang Huai replied softly.
“What if your blood and mine cannot make the flower bloom?”
“Then I will beat my head against Hua Shen Valley until I die,” Jiang Huai replied with a mixture of laughter and tears. Chu Xianning let out a soft hum, but her steps became much lighter. She wore black embroidered shoes and walked on the green grass. The colorful butterflies, attracted by the sweet floral fragrance on her body, perched on her shoulders. The two people walked through a sea of vibrant flowers and arrived at the depths of Hua Shen Valley in the Southern Region.
In the depths of Hua Shen Valley, clusters of flower buds swayed gently in the wind. Jiang Huai and Chu Xianning arrived before a cluster of Phoenix Tail Flowers. Jiang Huai first took out the illustrated book he had consulted earlier to confirm that it was indeed the Phoenix Tail Flower. Then, he looked up at Chu Xianning.
Chu Xianning gently bit her lips.
A sense of inexplicable anticipation suddenly arose in her heart, yet it seemed to be accompanied by a subtle uneasiness. Even though she was so sure and had accepted Jiang Huai’s presence, and he had quietly settled into her heart, what about Jiang Huai at this moment? He had so many confidantes around him; how much of his love for her could remain in his heart?
Chu Xianning never asked Jiang Huai about her position in his heart. She felt it was not important. The moment she was sure she loved someone, she loved them entirely, and it could no longer be measured by numbers.
Jiang Huai gently pricked his finger. Chu Xianning did the same. Their fingertips touched, and a drop of blood fell onto the bud of the Phoenix Tail Flower. At that moment, the Phoenix Tail Flower emitted a misty fragrance. Their bodies froze for a moment, as if they had fallen into some kind of illusion.
A phantom image of a flower petal appeared before Chu Xianning. She vaguely heard a childish voice asking, “Do you want to become Dao Companions with him and be his wife?”
“Who are you?”
“I am the flower spirit left behind by the Master before ascending, responsible for managing this Hua Shen Valley. It’s been a long, long time since anyone came to pick the Phoenix Tail Flower. It’s rare to see you all here. I ask you, do you want to become Dao Companions with him and be his wife?”
Chu Xianning slowly came back to her senses. The phantom image of the flower petal in front of her transformed into a little girl of six or seven, wearing a fiery red dress. At this moment, she blinked her innocent eyes at Chu Xianning. Without a moment’s hesitation, she softly replied, “I do.”
“Are you really, really willing? He is your direct disciple, and you are over five hundred years older than him. He was by your side when he was a child. According to your Human Clan’s rules, this is against human ethics and highly rebellious. Your marriage might not be blessed or accepted by others. Even so, are you still willing?”
Chu Xianning’s eyes were calm and serene, “I am willing.”
Not even a trace of hesitation or doubt could be heard in her tone. She never cared about external opinions. The moment she made a decision, nothing could shake her.
“I have roughly scanned your memories, and I believe you. Hmph… but that man, quickly think with me, how should we test him together?”
“Do you really, really, truly love her?”
“Who are you?” Jiang Huai looked at the phantom image of the charming little girl before him.
“I am the guardian spirit of Hua Shen Valley. Hmph, I have already scanned your memories. You are entangled with so many women. Do you really dare to say you love her?”
“Of course.”
“Just saying it is useless. Men like you who are entangled with many women are the most eloquent. You, clearly, were just lusting after her body when you were a child, always staring at her feet, clearly…”
“Little one,” Jiang Huai said softly, not feeling embarrassed, “mutual admiration between men and women, most of the time, begins with initial lust. Only later do they get to know each other. I love her beauty, her cold and pure demeanor, her gentleness and pampering towards me, and her shy blushing appearance.”
“She is your Master!”
“So what?”
“This is against ethics!”
“You are so stupid,” Jiang Huai shook his head helplessly and said softly, “In the past, the Human Clan avoided so-called teacher-disciple relationships, mostly because the Master was dominant, possessing far more experience and vision than the disciple. Thus, it was easy to toy with and manipulate their disciples. This rule was created to protect the weaker party from harm. But for me and Master, it’s clearly me who has always had greedy thoughts towards Master, wanting to keep her by my side forever.”
“Hmph, then why do you have so many confidantes? Is she the woman you love the most?”
“There is never a ‘most loved’,” Jiang Huai shook his head gently and replied softly, “Love is not measured by quantity. But Chu Xianning is the first woman I liked, and there was no one before her, never.”
“Hmph, weren’t you engaged to someone when you were sixteen?!”
“I liked Chu Xianning when I was six! Love at first sight, understand?”
“You, you, you scoundrel!”
“What’s shameless about telling the truth?” Jiang Huai looked at the phantom image of the flower spirit helplessly and replied softly, “Back then, I was wandering with my parents at the foot of the mountain, and my family was slaughtered by an evil cultivator. Master descended like a goddess and saved everything for me. Everything I have now is because of her appearance. She is the woman who changed my life, and the first woman in this world who cared for and loved me. How can I not love her? I once knew she was not my moon, but at that moment, such gentle moonlight shone upon me.
I am very clear about my love for her in my heart. No one can influence it. My love doesn’t need anyone else to define it. But if you don’t give me the Phoenix Tail Flower, I will set your Hua Shen Valley on fire.”
“You, you, you, you dare?!”
“You were the one who called me shameless first. I was just trying to scare you,” Jiang Huai’s voice became gentle again. “I love her, and she loves me. Our love needs no proof.”
Perhaps it was because Jiang Huai’s tone had softened, but the phantom image of the flower spirit finally breathed a sigh of relief. “Y-you barely passed the test… Honestly, annoying man! Hmph!”
With that, all the illusions before Jiang Huai disappeared. He looked up, and Chu Xianning was standing quietly beside him. The Phoenix Tail Flower, into which they had dripped their blood, was slowly opening. The fiery red petals became incredibly vibrant, like the red candles on a wedding night, emitting a misty fragrance. The petals swayed gently in the wind. Jiang Huai took out a pre-prepared flowerpot and carefully transplanted the Phoenix Tail Flower, which could be planted in the courtyard later.
This Phoenix Tail Flower now carried the spiritual energy of both Chu Xianning and Jiang Huai. Any cultivator with a higher cultivation level would know at a glance that this Phoenix Tail Flower was cultivated by the two of them.
Jiang Huai held the flower in his arms. Chu Xianning reached out her fingertip and lightly touched the fiery red petal, then quickly retracted her hand, saying softly, “It’s a bit hot.”
Jiang Huai also curiously extended his finger and touched it. A scorching flame, like an electric current, surged through his fingertip. He chuckled and gazed into Chu Xianning’s eyes, “Does this prove my feelings for Master?”
Chu Xianning merely looked up, puzzled, “I have long known your feelings; why would I need this Phoenix Tail Flower to prove it?”
Jiang Huai burst into laughter and leaned close to Chu Xianning, nudging her shoulder gently with his own, “Then when did Master know?”
Chu Xianning looked up, her gaze fixed on the sky, and replied softly, “From the moment you suddenly wanted to change your address from ‘Master’.”
“Then my affection for Master was before that.”
“I heard your conversation with the flower spirit just now…” Chu Xianning subtly reached out and gently pinched Jiang Huai’s waist with her fingertips, “Little bastard.”
Hua Shen Valley had more than just Phoenix Tail Flowers.
In this blessed land, the flowers could be picked. Not being restricted by rules, Jiang Huai and Chu Xianning walked through the flower bushes. Jiang Huai picked some flowers that Chu Xianning liked and wove a small wreath to place on her head. The scenery was exceptionally beautiful. Jiang Huai coaxed Chu Xianning to sit on a bluestone in front of the flower bushes. He took out his easel and drawing board and began to paint with all his heart on the paper.
In the painting, Chu Xianning had shed the coldness she had carried for hundreds of years. She sat there quietly, as gentle and graceful as a delicate white flower, light and airy. The wind slightly tousled her hair. Jiang Huai gazed into her eyes. When he finished painting, he couldn’t wait for the ink on the paper to dry. He walked over and sat down on the bluestone beside Chu Xianning, looking at her delicate pink lips. Before Chu Xianning could speak, Jiang Huai gently embraced her neck.
Her body stiffened slightly for a moment, but as he kissed her, she obediently closed her eyes.
She would not hide anymore.
