Mu Congyun took Shen Qi to the Obscure Star Pavilion.
Before entering, he deliberately offered some reassurance:
“Don’t be afraid later. It’s just to examine your bone structure. Although Shizun may appear strict on the surface, he’s actually very kind-hearted and treats us all with great benevolence.”
He didn’t notice that when facing Shen Qi, his words had become much more numerous and his attitude noticeably gentler.
But Shen Qi noticed.
Who would have thought that just by putting on a little act, this foolish rabbit would actually mistake him for one of their own.
He nodded silently while discreetly running his fingers over the wooden bracelet on his wrist.
The suppressed Filth Essence within his body instantly circulated, sealed within the bracelet by secret arts.
In order to absorb the power of the Corrosive Mist, he had dispersed all his Spiritual Power after rebirth, traveling everywhere to seek out mutated areas where he could absorb the Corrosive Mist for cultivation.
Now all his Filth Essence was sealed within the wooden bracelet, leaving not a trace of Spiritual Power in his body—indistinguishable from an ordinary person.
The people of the Western Regions knew nothing of Filth Essence.
Not even Xie Cifeng could detect anything amiss, let alone some great master from the Ascended Immortal Realm.
Shen Qi followed half a step behind Mu Congyun as they entered.
Xie Cifeng was already seated in the hall.
He wore blue-gray Daoist robes, his salt-and-pepper hair casually tied back with a bamboo twig.
His strikingly handsome face was revealed, particularly those gray eyes lighter than most-like they contained the vast Milky Way.
Meeting his gaze evoked a sense of ancient, eternal desolation.
It felt like gazing not at a person, but at the boundless starry sky.
After cultivators pass through the Forget Dust Fate Realm, their aging slows dramatically.
Upon entering the Supreme Celestial Realm, they can maintain eternal youth.
Xie Cifeng had reached the Supreme Celestial Realm before turning a hundred, his appearance that of a man in his twenties.
Yet the aura about him carried a simplicity that returned to fundamentals, preventing others from underestimating him due to his youthful looks.
Standing in the hall, sensing the profound mystery in his aura, Shen Qi thought Xie Cifeng’s elegant title “Myriad Stars in His Sleeves” was not undeserved.
If given the chance, he would definitely test that Three Enclosures Sword rumored to shatter stars and moon.
“Shizun.” Mu Congyun performed the proper salute before introducing Shen Qi at his side.
Shen Qi stood there neither haughty nor humble, meeting Xie Cifeng’s gaze fearlessly like a newborn calf unafraid of tigers.
Xie Cifeng studied him, brows furrowing imperceptibly.
“Come forward.”
Shen Qi obeyed.
Xie Cifeng rose and approached, placing a hand atop his head as gentle Spiritual Power slowly infused him.
Suppressing his rising irritation, Shen Qi pretended to be a block of wood to avoid resisting.
That hand channeled Spiritual Power through his crown, then moved to feel the back of his head and spine.
A storm brewed in Shen Qi’s eyes as his patience neared its limit.
Fortunately, Xie Cifeng finally withdrew his hand and nodded.
“Good bone structure.”
Delight flashed in Mu Congyun’s eyes. He gave Shen Qi a slight push.
“Hurry and serve Shizun tea?”
Gritting his teeth, Shen Qi suppressed his displeasure to pour and present the tea.
Xie Cifeng accepted it but didn’t drink immediately, instead saying to Mu Congyun, “This master has some words for him alone.”
After a brief pause of surprise, Mu Congyun understood and withdrew to wait outside.
In the inner hall, Xie Cifeng set down his teacup, no longer as benevolent as he had been with Mu Congyun.
Frost and snow seemed to gather between his brows: “Born with a rebellious nature, a source of calamity. This is what I saw in your fate.”
Shen Qi narrowed his eyes slightly, meeting his gaze, no longer as submissive as before.
“I had no intention of taking you in,” Xie Cifeng said without mincing words.
“But Congyun cares deeply for you. Your fates are intertwined, and even I cannot see the future clearly.”
He picked up the ceremonial tea for the master-disciple rite again, took a sip, and sighed.
“No matter what happens in the future, remember this: fortune and misfortune are not predestined but summoned by one’s own actions. The cycle of karma spans three lifetimes, never failing.”
The teacup clinked softly as it was placed back on the jade saucer.
Xie Cifeng stood and left, his voice trailing behind him: “You may go.”
Shen Qi watched his retreating figure, pondering his words twice over, a mocking curve lifting the corner of his lips.
Fortune, misfortune, karma—what could they possibly do to him?
Mu Congyun waited anxiously outside.
When Shen Qi finally emerged, he immediately turned to scrutinize him.
The worry and questions in those clear eyes were unmistakable.
In a foul mood, Shen Qi twisted the wooden bracelet on his wrist, deliberately avoiding his gaze as he reactivated the tainted energy within him.
Unable to hold back any longer, Mu Congyun spoke up: “What did Shizun say?”
Only then did Shen Qi look up, his eyes drooping listlessly, appearing dispirited.
“Shizun doesn’t like me.”
How could that be?
Shizun cared deeply for every disciple.
When Mu Congyun had first been picked up, starving and weak, filthy and reeking, refusing to speak to anyone, it had been Shizun who personally tended to him.
To coax him into speaking, Shizun had even read to him and talked to him day after day.
How could such a Shizun dislike Shen Qi?
Mu Congyun was certain Shen Qi had misunderstood.
But his linguistic skills were woefully inadequate.
After much deliberation, he couldn’t figure out how to dispel the misunderstanding and could only awkwardly pat Shen Qi’s head, offering comfort:
“You’re so likable. No one could dislike you. Don’t overthink it.”
Likable?
Shen Qi nearly laughed at the foolish rabbit. In both his past and present lives, spanning over a hundred years, no one had ever called him likable.
Even his own parents had cast him aside like trash. Who would ever like him?
Those people only ever bullied him or watched his suffering for their amusement.
Even this foolish rabbit, spouting such sweet words now, would surely turn against him once he learned the truth, wouldn’t he?
Darkness swirled in his eyes as malice surged within him, yet his expression grew even more despondent.
He didn’t respond, merely lowering his eyes and shaking his head.
Shen Qi’s pitiful expression felt like a needle pricking Mu Congyun’s heart, leaving it sore and heavy.
Upon reflection, such obvious words of comfort wouldn’t have convinced him either if someone else had said them.
He patted Shen Qi’s head again, this time less stiffly, his expression earnest as he spoke with utmost sincerity: “No matter what others think, your shixiong definitely likes you.”
Shen Qi lifted his gaze, stung by his earnestness, the malice in his heart growing even more unruly.
Suddenly, he curved his lips into a smile, stepping forward to embrace Mu Congyun. Feeling the other’s body stiffen abruptly, he leaned in close to his ear and whispered, “I believe you, shixiong.”
If you ever break your word, don’t blame me for tearing you limb from limb.
Liars deserve the harshest punishments.
The warm breath that didn’t belong to him sprayed against his skin, causing goosebumps to rapidly rise on Mu Congyun’s back.
He had never been this intimate with anyone before, and the rejection in his heart was endless. Instinct urged him to push the other person away.
But reason made him restrain himself.
Pushing someone away now would only be rubbing salt in Shen Qi’s wounds, wouldn’t it?
Taking a deep breath to suppress his instincts, he stiffened his body and with great effort moved his numb, uncontrollable arms to pat Shen Qi’s back reassuringly.
This was also Shen Qi’s first time being so intimate with someone.
He had only done it to deliberately make things difficult for this foolish rabbit, knowing he disliked physical contact.
But when he actually held the person in his arms, he found… it wasn’t as disgusting or repulsive as he had imagined.
This foolish rabbit seemed to use some kind of fragrance—a clean, crisp scent of grass and trees, like trees growing on a snowy plain, without a trace of impurity.
When he let go, Shen Qi actually felt a twinge of regret.
The feel of this foolish rabbit wasn’t bad at all.
Finally released, Mu Congyun felt like he could breathe freely again.
He discreetly hid his hands in his sleeves, clenched his fists tightly, and took small, controlled breaths until he finally regained his composure.
But the earlier contact had left some lingering unease, and he instinctively put some distance between himself and Shen Qi.
“Let’s go find Junior Sister Lingyue to arrange your accommodations first,” he said.
Shen Qi, inexplicably in a good mood, was still immersed in the mischievous embrace.
Hearing this, he looked at Mu Congyun in confusion.
“I’m not staying with you, Senior Brother?”
“….”
This question stumped Mu Congyun.
He had always lived alone in Hidden Herons in Bright Moon.
To prevent outsiders from invading his space, he kept a stock of fasting pills year-round and left unused rooms empty to avoid dust accumulation that would require cleaning.
Seeing his silence, Shen Qi seemed to understand something, his voice growing subdued.
“I see.”
“…..”
I haven’t said anything yet-what exactly do you see?
Mu Congyun stared at him with an impassive face, his mind in turmoil.
Hidden Herons in Bright Moon had so many rooms-would it really be a problem to give him one?
Besides, Shen Qi was quiet and probably wouldn’t disturb him often…
Mu Congyun clenched his fingers tightly before forcing out the words with difficulty.
“You’ll stay with me in Hidden Herons in Bright Moon.”
“Senior Brother doesn’t have to force himself,” Shen Qi said, wilting even further, like a plant deprived of water, its tender green leaves curling up.
Seeing this, Mu Congyun felt even more guilty.
Shen Qi was new here, unfamiliar with everything, and had such a sensitive, reticent nature.
He ought to take better care of him.
“It’s not forced.”
Mu Congyun no longer hesitated, his tone resolute.
“I’ll send a Message Transmission to Junior Sister Lingyue. You’ll come back to Hidden Herons in Bright Moon with me.”
Shen Qi said nothing more, silently following behind him, his lips curling into a slow smile.
*
When Guan Lingyue received the Message Transmission and learned that Shen Qi would be staying in Hidden Herons in Bright Moon, she was astonished once again.
Jinni was equally baffled, a sense of crisis creeping in.
“What kind of magic does that little tail have? I’ve been here for years and still haven’t been to Hidden Herons in Bright Moon more than a few times!”
Though Guan Lingyue didn’t voice agreement, she clearly thought the same.
The way the senior brother treated Shen Qi was far too special.
She packed the prepared daily necessities into a storage pouch.
“I’ll deliver these and take a look while I’m at it.”
Naturally, Jinni wasn’t about to be left behind, chasing after her and shouting, “I’m coming too!”
The two arrived at Hidden Herons in Bright Moon one after the other.
Passing through the main gate, Guan Lingyue saw the eldest senior brother, as usual, meditating on the Heart-Reflecting Stone.
The only difference was the presence of Shen Qi this time, sitting nearby with his pitch-black eyes fixed on the senior brother. Noticing her and Jinni entering, he showed no extra reaction.
“Senior Brother, I’ve brought all the necessary items allocated for the junior brother. As for cultivation techniques, he’ll need to choose suitable ones himself from the Jade Hall.”
Hearing this, Mu Congyun ended his meditation, took the storage pouch, and expressed his thanks.
As always, he was aloof and distant, like a handful of snow-pure yet icy, keeping others at arm’s length.
But now there was Shen Qi, the exception.
Guan Lingyue hesitated slightly before voicing her doubt:
“Didn’t Senior Brother dislike being disturbed before? There’s another residence near Hidden Herons in Bright Moon, not too far away.”
Her question was tactful, in contrast to Jinni’s bluntness.
Initially, he hadn’t minded Shen Qi tagging along, but seeing the newcomer overtake him and even move into the eldest senior brother’s courtyard made him sour.
This! Was! The! Eldest! Senior! Brother’s! Courtyard!
Usually, they dared not visit often for fear of disturbing him!
Yet now this newcomer Shen Qi had ascended straight to living there!
It was hard not to feel bitter.
He grumbled in agreement:
“Exactly, we usually don’t dare disturb Senior Brother much. Why not have Shen Qi come live with me?”
Shen Qi suddenly turned to him, narrowing his eyes.
Jinni continued rambling:
“My courtyard is spacious. Since the junior brother is new and Shizun and Senior Brother are busy, I can guide him properly…”
Mu Congyun felt a headache coming on, baffled by how even a living arrangement could spark contention.
But he had already promised Shen Qi and couldn’t go back on his word.
“Shen Qi is quiet. It’s fine,” he said.
Seeing Guan Lingyue about to speak again, he quickly pulled out a sword manual from his sleeve and handed it to her:
“You mentioned wanting to learn the third stance of Compassionate Heaven Sword. I’ve sketched the moves.”
Immediately distracted, Guan Lingyue took the manual and flipped through it eagerly, her usually composed face lighting up with joy: “Thank you, Senior Brother.”
With the manual in hand, she was eager to practice and no longer dwelled on Shen Qi’s residence, bidding farewell hastily.
Left behind, Jinni grew even more resentful.
The tagalong got to live with the eldest senior brother.
The second senior sister received a personally drawn sword manual from him.
Only he got nothing!
This wasn’t fair!
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