Chapter 458: Dying Grass on the Plain

Outside the Sword Pavilion's courtyard, sparse snow lay piled on the walls. The wind was still biting, yet new willow buds had already emerged.

Konglie shattered his divine realm, using his body to calm the sea. His people, too, sank into the ocean depths, where over long years they would assimilate into fish, never again setting foot on land.

The final sea disaster had subsided. Nearly all cultivators had descended from the high mountains, and those who had survived the catastrophe were now rebuilding amidst the ruins.

Shao Xiaoli felt as if she had been in a very long dream.

When she awoke, it was already late February.

The last whisper of winter wind blew across the land, carrying both coldness and mildness.

Shao Xiaoli slowly opened her eyes, her nose catching a faint scent of medicine that seemed to emanate from her own body.

Shao Xiaoli lay still for a while. Once her senses returned, she bit the quilt covering her and lifted it slightly. Lowering her gaze, Shao Xiaoli saw her body covered in bandages. They were wrapped so meticulously and beautifully that it was clear the person who applied them was highly skilled.

Shao Xiaoli glanced at her body, her mind picturing the scars beneath the bandages. A sudden wave of dizziness overcame her, and she leaned back onto the goose-down pillow, closing her eyes for a brief rest.

The door opened, and Siming, cloaked in divine robes, entered. She sat down beside Shao Xiaoli and said, "Alright, Xiaoli, stop pretending to sleep. Wake up now."

Shao Xiaoli was startled. She slowly opened her eyes, looked at Siming's face, and said admiringly, "As expected of Sister Xueci, you can see right through me."

Siming also looked surprised. After a brief pause, she tucked back a strand of silver hair and chuckled softly, saying, "I didn't expect you were actually awake."

Shao Xiaoli was silent for a moment, then whispered, "Does Sister Xueci say that every day?"

Siming merely smiled.

Shao Xiaoli closed her eyes in a huff.

Siming reached out, placed her hand on Shao Xiaoli's forehead, and gently rubbed it. "There, there," she said, "Xiaoli is our great hero now, someone to be admired by thousands."

Shao Xiaoli opened her eyes and said firmly, "The world was saved by everyone together, and the disaster was overcome by everyone together. I was merely an insignificant part of it."

Siming smiled at her, saying nothing but, "How does Xiaoli's body feel?"

Shao Xiaoli thought for a moment and said, "I don't feel anything at all... will I be crippled?"

"That means your wounds have healed," Siming interrupted. She pulled back Shao Xiaoli's quilt, looking at the tightly swaddled girl. "Sister will help you remove the bandages."

Shao Xiaoli looked at Siming's elegant profile, gnawing at her lip in hesitation for a moment, then finally asked, "Sister Xueci, who helped me with these bandages...?"

"Xiaoling tied them," Siming said, her expression unreadable.

Shao Xiaoli frowned slightly. "Even though I've been unconscious for a long time, I'm not a fool. Xiaoling is in the Underworld Ancient Kingdom; she wouldn't have had time to come out and bandage me! You can't fool me!"

"Yes, I was just fooling you," Siming admitted openly.

"You..." Shao Xiaoli was somewhat annoyed.

Siming's smile didn't waver. "Since Xiaoli believes she's not a fool, why ask what you already know?"

Shao Xiaoli froze, her spirits instantly deflating. Her gaze darted away from Siming's playfully pursed red lips, and she pouted, no longer wanting to speak.

Siming sat by her bed and began to unwrap her bandages.

A rustling sound filled the air.

Beneath the bandages, her skin was new, exquisitely tender and flawless, without a single ugly scar.

"What are you covering? There's nothing to hide, it's not like anything's visible anyway," Siming's voice rang out.

"You're talking nonsense with your eyes wide open! Xiaoli has clearly grown up!" Shao Xiaoli erupted angrily.

"Oh really? Then let Sister have a look?" Siming's smile was enchantingly seductive.

"No!" Shao Xiaoli fought back desperately.

But her body was weak; how could she possibly resist Siming's advances? She quickly found herself completely at her mercy.

"Oh, remember to burn those bandages..." Shao Xiaoli said weakly.

"I know," Siming replied indulgently.

"Oh, then what will I wear later?" Shao Xiaoli's small hands clutched the quilt, covering her body.

Siming narrowed her eyes and said, "Your clothes are already prepared, you know?"

Shao Xiaoli's throat tightened slightly. "It's not a wedding dress, is it? I... I'm not ready for that yet."

Siming said, "Dream on! I haven't even worn a wedding dress myself."

Inside the room, as the two spoke, the door opened again.

This time, Ning Changjiu and Sili entered.

Their senior sister and second senior brother had already returned to the Immutable Abode, but Sili chose to remain, waiting for Shao Xiaoli to awaken.

Ning Changjiu looked at the discarded, faintly medicinal-smelling bandages nearby, then at Shao Xiaoli's fair face, and finally a relieved smile appeared on his face.

"Master... Senior Sister..."

Shao Xiaoli murmured softly. After speaking, she felt there was something slightly off about the seniority, but she didn't have time to ponder it.

Scenes of the disaster's arrival churned again in Shao Xiaoli's mind: towering tsunamis filled her vision, and feelings of loneliness and coldness gripped her heart. Even now, phantom sounds of the tsunami lingered in her ears, making this reunion feel all the more precious.

Shao Xiaoli, still wrapped in her quilt, got out of bed and quickly ran to the two, embracing Sili in a rush.

Sili was a little surprised; she had expected Shao Xiaoli to hug Ning Changjiu instead.

After her hands briefly hovered, finding no place to rest, Sili also embraced her.

When they parted, Shao Xiaoli's eyes were already misty with tears.

"It's good that Xiaoli is alright," Sili said, looking at her cheek. "Now that I've confirmed you're fine, Senior Sister... should be leaving. I've been very happy these past few months, thank you."

Shao Xiaoli wiped the corners of her eyes and choked out, "I'm very happy too."

Sili smiled faintly. "From now on, Xiaoli will be the true Goddess of Luo. Your becoming the shared master of rivers is already foreseeable."

Shao Xiaoli nodded vigorously. "I will protect the human world well."

Sili said, "You must also diligently practice the martial arts I taught you; never slack off."

Shao Xiaoli made a gesture of swinging a long whip and said, "Don't worry, I've already found my future sparring partner."

As she spoke, Xiaoli glanced at Siming, who blinked, unsure what she was referring to.

At the doorway of the room, Shao Xiaoli and Sili waved goodbye.

Shao Xiaoli changed into her favorite red dress. This new red dress, consisting of a top and skirt, was cinched at her slender waist with a neat sash, elegantly outlining her youthful curves.

"Master!"

Shao Xiaoli and Siming pushed the door open and stepped out.

While they were changing, Ning Changjiu had waited alone outside.

Ning Changjiu turned around, looked at the radiant girl, and smiled softly. He walked to her side, instinctively wanting to ruffle her soft hair, but Shao Xiaoli gently stopped his wrist, saying, "Xiaoli isn't a child anymore, you know."

In terms of age, they were even peers.

Ning Changjiu said with a hint of apology, "I couldn't be by your side during the most difficult time; I'm sorry you suffered, Xiaoli."

Shao Xiaoli, however, became shy. She lowered her head slightly and said, "It's alright. Master told me to wait for you, and look, Xiaoli waited."

Though a bitter feeling stirred in Ning Changjiu's heart, he pulled her into his arms and held her tightly.

Shao Xiaoli secretly glanced at Siming, who was standing nearby, feeling a little embarrassed.

Siming stood to the side, hands clasped behind her back, her eyes narrowed as she watched them. "Alright," she said, "I should return to my cultivation. Xiaoli has just awakened, so you, husband, can accompany her for walks to clear your mind, but don't get too relaxed. Though the Sinful Monarch is an old acquaintance, don't let your guard down."

After her reminder, Siming didn't wait for their reply and quickly left the courtyard.

In the courtyard, where the snow had not yet fully melted, only the two of them remained.

Ning Changjiu looked at Shao Xiaoli's clear and beautiful face and said softly, "From now on, I won't let Xiaoli put herself in such danger again."

Shao Xiaoli said, "Let's not talk about that."

Ning Changjiu nodded and smiled, asking, "So, where would Xiaoli like to go next? Should we return to the room to rest, or...?"

Shao Xiaoli's eyes curved as she smiled. "Let's go sunbathe."

Ning Changjiu looked momentarily stunned, then chuckled. "Alright, let's go sunbathe."

They left the Sword Pavilion and came to a small river. The spring sunlight was bright but carried a chill. In the shimmering ripples, the reflections of the willows were still like withered scrolls.

Ning Changjiu and Shao Xiaoli walked side by side along the riverbank, bathed in the transitional sunlight of winter and spring.

Shao Xiaoli liked this serene feeling. As the wind blew against her face, the phantom roar of the tsunami in her ears naturally faded. She instinctively reached out to block the wind; her new skin was flawlessly white, every inch of it gently quivering in the breeze, and her eyes sparkled with the sunlight.

Shao Xiaoli looked up at Ning Changjiu and said, "The sect master of the Joyful Union Sect inviting his disciple out for a stroll alone... it sounds so embarrassing."

Ning Changjiu also laughed, saying, "Didn't this little disciple of mine also secretly long to 'eat' her master?"

Shao Xiaoli retorted playfully, "Not at all! Xiaoli has always been pure-minded."

Ning Changjiu brought up old memories, saying, "Wasn's Xiaoli like this in her previous life too? Except back then, you were the teacher, and I was the disciple."

Her previous life... Shao Xiaoli's expression became distant. Back then, she truly was a living, cold beauty, holding a zither with quiet elegance, every frown and smile utterly graceful. No wonder the young Hou Yi of that time couldn't resist her allure.

"Xiaoli is made of water, and you were the one who corrupted me," Shao Xiaoli argued self-righteously. "In your previous life, you even gave me an umbrella! Your little intentions were so obvious!"

Ning Changjiu said, "Didn't you accept it?"

Shao Xiaoli scoffed, "So what?"

Ning Changjiu asked, "When will Xiaoli return my umbrella?"

Shao Xiaoli said, "The umbrella's long gone! If I absolutely have to repay it, Xiaoli can only use herself as payment."

Ning Changjiu said, "Xiaoli is far more precious than an umbrella."

Shao Xiaoli's lips curved subtly, and she smiled secretly.

Having just awakened today to see the world restored to peace, her mood was exceptionally bright. Xiaoli twirled her red sleeves, then touched Ning Changjiu's arm. Their sleeves brushed, and their hands inside the sleeves lightly touched. Xiaoli's hand was cool, while Ning Changjiu's was warm. After that brief touch, their hands intertwined, like the warm sun reflecting on river water.

Neither of them spoke, walking tacitly through the streets and entering a teahouse like an old married couple.

Boiling water poured from the spout, dispersing the tea leaves and releasing a verdant hue.

Shao Xiaoli looked at the clear, lustrous tea and said, "From now on, whenever you drink water, it'll be Xiaoli kissing you."

Ning Changjiu sipped his hot tea and asked, "Why?"

Shao Xiaoli said, "Because I am the Goddess of Rivers."

Ning Changjiu put down his teacup, looked out the window, and said, "By that logic, I am also the God of the Sun. If the sun shines on Xiaoli, wouldn't that mean..."

Shao Xiaoli followed his words to their conclusion, then her pretty face flushed slightly, and she softly chided, "Master is truly naughty."

Xiaoli drank her tea, feeling a bit more alert.

This was a small town near the Sword Pavilion. Because of its proximity to the pavilion, it hadn't been severely affected by the disaster and was now bustling with renewed prosperity.

The two left the teahouse and returned to the street. Shao Xiaoli looked at the unbudded flowering trees on both sides and said with a hint of regret, "It's a pity the flowers haven't bloomed yet. Otherwise, this street would be beautiful."

Ning Changjiu looked over and said gently, "They always do."

Shao Xiaoli gathered her dark, beautiful hair, making a gesture as if pinning it up, and said, "But I want a branch of mountain peach blossoms."

Ning Changjiu recalled memories from his previous life and said, "I can't quite remember the incantation for conjuring objects from talismans."

Shao Xiaoli frowned. "You can forget that?"

Ning Changjiu said, "Because I didn't study it diligently back then."

Shao Xiaoli realized, "So it was something you learned on the fly, a spell specifically to flatter the Goddess of Luo! What ill intentions, you've exposed yourself!"

"Not really," Ning Changjiu said, ruffling her hair. "Conjuring objects from talismans isn't a simple spell. It utilizes the innate divine connection between words and all things, requiring complex incantations and a calm mind. Furthermore, this spell isn't widely useful. For example, if you write the character 'sword' on a talisman, you can conjure a sword, but this sword may not be as powerful as a true treasured sword, making it rather useless for cultivators."

At this point, Ning Changjiu couldn't help but recall a past event. "However, someone once used this technique to commit suicide," he said. "For instance, by placing a specific talisman inside a scroll, when the scroll was fully unrolled, it would achieve the effect of 'when the map is unrolled, the dagger is revealed'."

Shao Xiaoli softly murmured, "Learned it."

Ning Changjiu looked at her thoughtful expression and said warily, "What is Xiaoli thinking of doing?"

Shao Xiaoli smiled mischievously. "In short, you've explained all this just because you don't want to give me a flower!"

Ning Changjiu couldn't resist the girl's gaze and finally agreed. They bought talisman paper and brushes together, then sat at a stone table by the river. Ning Changjiu spread out the paper, recalled the incantation, and began to tentatively draw talismans.

Ning Changjiu drew more than ten talismans, depicting objects like flowers, swords, umbrellas, hairpins, and jewels, but all ended in failure.

Shao Xiaoli gloated, "Is this the greatest expert in the world? How can he not even manage a simple conjuring spell?"

Ning Changjiu looked at the table full of wasted paper and murmured, "I clearly didn't remember it wrong."

Shao Xiaoli came behind him, pinched his cheek, and said, "Master, you don't have to keep up appearances."

Ning Changjiu sighed. "Alright, alright, I remember now. It'll definitely succeed this time."

Shao Xiaoli grew interested. She leaned closer, staring intently at the talisman paper.

Ning Changjiu dipped his brush in ink and, with a flourish, wrote the three characters 'Shao Xiaoli' on the last talisman. Then, with lightning speed, he pinched the talisman between his fingers, waved it in front of Shao Xiaoli, and flames instantly consumed the paper, leaving only Shao Xiaoli's slightly stunned face.

"See, it worked," Ning Changjiu said with confidence.

Shao Xiaoli snapped out of her daze, swung a punch, and said huffily, "You're fooling a fool!"

Ning Changjiu begged for mercy. "Alright, I'll conjure something for you later."

"Later?" Shao Xiaoli thought, *That's just another empty promise*. "When is 'later' going to be?"

"Later... is later. Don't worry, I'll keep my promise."

Ning Changjiu gazed calmly at the sky, white clouds drifting leisurely across his vision. A frosty glint, imperceptible to anyone else, flashed in his eyes.

Shao Xiaoli didn't notice the brief anomaly. She looked at the clouds forming in the river below and asked, "Oh, by the way, what day is it today?"

Ning Changjiu said, "It's February twenty-seventh."

Shao Xiaoli rubbed her cheek, saying in disbelief, "I've been unconscious for so long!"

Ning Changjiu said gently, "Because Xiaoli worked too hard."

Shao Xiaoli said, "Then this month will be over in three or four more days."

Ning Changjiu tapped her head. "Has Xiaoli slept herself silly? This month only has twenty-eight days."

Shao Xiaoli was startled. "Oh right... only twenty-eight days."

Ning Changjiu asked, "Does Xiaoli regret coming out to sunbathe? We can still go back now."

Shao Xiaoli, however, still shook her head. "No, let's not go back. We... should go to the Luo River."

The Luo River quietly flowed through the border between Central Land and the Northern Kingdom. Its waters still moved ceaselessly, yet they were as docile as a hibernating beast, no longer raging.

Spring arrived later in the north, and both banks were still covered in a blanket of white snow, beneath which lay the withered grass from the previous autumn.

Shao Xiaoli stood quietly by the riverbank, her red dress billowing in the wind, her reflection a fleeting beauty. Past events chased the river water, gracefully flowing towards the North Sea.

Ning Changjiu stood beside her, his white robes appearing like spring snow against the river's flow.

At one point, Shao Xiaoli suddenly stood on tiptoe, her lips slightly parted, and bit Ning Changjiu's ear, saying, "Come find me."

As she spoke, Shao Xiaoli leaped, gracefully falling into the river.

The river swallowed her, and in the blink of an eye, she was gone.

Ning Changjiu quickly understood and also leaped in.

The river was warm, and they were both top cultivators, unafraid of the cold.

Most of the sunlight was reflected by the river water, and the ripples on the surface shimmered in the sun, concealing their shadows within the Luo River.

In the deep river water, Shao Xiaoli lay on the soft riverbed, quietly watching him.

"Master, I've been your disciple for so long, shouldn't I learn our sect's fundamental cultivation method?" A mischievous glint sparkled in Shao Xiaoli's bright eyes.

Ning Changjiu also smiled faintly at her, saying, "This master has been negligent. Let's impart Xiaoli's first lesson today."

In the Luo River, two figures embraced like mermaids, their entwined lips like flowers blooming in the dim river water.

The current gently pushed them.

Soon, the red dress and white robe slowly floated to the surface together, like two twin roses in full bloom.

But the owners of the clothes remained hidden at the river bottom.

If the red dress and white robe were lotus leaves, then they were fish hiding beneath those leaves, their forms indistinct, with only a faint, elusive floral scent detectable.

The gently flowing Luo River surprisingly became a little more turbulent. It swirled up spring snow, rushing towards the North Sea. The whistling sound of the water against itself was full of joy, like the resonant harmony between a maiden's heart and the heavens.

Many, many years ago, she waited alone in the Red Pavilion at the bottom of the Luo River, unable to tell if she harbored hope or despair. But now, the Red Pavilion was no more, and they, having crossed vast expanses of time, were finally entwined.

Sunlight pierced into the emerald river water, and the river responded with an unceasing murmur.

Ning Changjiu and Shao Xiaoli's figures shifted in the water with exquisite grace: at times like a goddess holding a purification vase returning to her throne, at times like a wild horse leaping over a mountain stream, at times like a summer cicada clinging to a branch, at times like the Luo River crashing against the bank...

Their pale figures thus immersed themselves in the shadowy currents.

The white robe and the river also drifted with the current, swirling away. If the river surface were the sky, then they would be clouds floating in the sky, one pure white, the other tinged with rosy red.

Time seemed to pass for a long while.

The evening sun, like blood, stained the river red.

Ning Changjiu and Shao Xiaoli finally surfaced, their robe and dress floating perfectly to their sides.

Donning their clothes, they came ashore, and with their spiritual energy like fire, instantly dried their garments.

Shao Xiaoli's features were exquisitely beautiful, and a faint smile always lingered at the corners of her lips.

She subtly rolled up her sleeves, revealing her fair arms, and at the same time, tilted her head, tossing her hair back. Her bright, clear eyes looked at Ning Changjiu, and she said, "Master's lesson was truly excellent. Xiaoli wants to hear more."

Ning Changjiu said, "Didn't Xiaoli just say she didn't want to hear it?"

Shao Xiaoli blushed slightly and lowered her head, whispering, "Now I do."

Ning Changjiu reached out, pinched her cheek, and said, "I think you're the little foxy Xiaoli."

Shao Xiaoli said, "Let's go back to that wooden hut, the one Sister Sili and I lived in. It should still be there."

Ning Changjiu, however, shook his head. "Let's go back later," he said.

Shao Xiaoli asked, "Why? Aren't you tired?"

Ning Changjiu said, "How could I be tired?"

Shao Xiaoli said suspiciously, "But I heard that with Sister Xiang'er..."

Ning Changjiu frowned and asked, "Who told you that?"

Shao Xiaoli quickly covered her lips, then said firmly with a stammer, "I... I can't betray Sister Siming!"

"It was Xue'er..." Ning Changjiu sighed with a smile. He looked at Shao Xiaoli and said, "When we get back later, I'll call Xue'er over and let Xiaoli demonstrate her cultivation progress from these past days."

Shao Xiaoli's lips curved upward, but her face was innocent as she said, "Wouldn't that be... inappropriate?"

Ning Changjiu smiled without answering.

Shao Xiaoli asked, "What do we do now?"

Ning Changjiu said, "I want to watch a sunset with Xiaoli, seriously."

A sunset... Shao Xiaoli's heart trembled slightly. Her gaze slowly turned forward, watching the red sun gradually sink below the horizon, and she suddenly felt an urge to cry.

The sun set in the west.

On the same day, Ye Changong finally completed her journey through the mountains and rivers.

She also watched the red sun descend from afar.

Around them, faint wild grass seeds pierced through the frozen soil, revealing pale yellow shoots.

After this season of decay and regrowth, the world would reveal a brand new, endlessly vibrant appearance.