Chapter 470: In the Blink of an Eye

With a delicate, almost crystalline sound, Ye Changong handed over the marriage contract, and Ning Changjiu took it. He unfolded the contract; the soft paper felt like a freshly picked flower petal, subtly scented with a young woman's fragrance. As he opened it, like a blossom unfurling, familiar handwriting came into view.

"Ye Changong."

Ning Changjiu looked at the characters, his fingers trembling slightly. A moment later, he refolded the marriage contract.

He looked at his master, smiling faintly. "A master's command is hard to defy," he said. "Your disciple dares to accept this marriage contract."

Ye Changong hummed in acknowledgment.

The slight curve of her lips slowly smoothed away. That fleeting smile was brief, but enchanting enough to stir the soul.

The two sat opposite each other in silence.

Ye Changong's graceful neck was slightly bowed, her long hair cascading down, utterly still and beautiful.

Ning Changjiu held the marriage contract, gazing at the maiden before him, radiant as moonlight. The hazy moonbeams that had separated them seemed to be swept away by an invisible breeze. At that moment, Ye Changong's form became clear, and the distance between them felt tangible, as if a little closer, they could leave an eternal footprint on the moon.

He felt he should say something, but when the words reached his lips, he didn't know where to begin.

Ye Changong looked up, her gaze equally calm as she watched him.

Time quietly flowed between them. In the blink of an eye, winter turned to spring, then green grass withered, and soon heavy snow blanketed the sky again.

Life within the Immortal Abode remained unchanged by the marriage contract. They continued to live peacefully in the Eternal Realm, still addressing each other as master and disciple.

Both had expected the other to make a move, yet they both retreated, as if by unspoken agreement, returning to their initial state of peace and harmony.

In time, they no longer found anything amiss with this kind of life.

Occasionally, Ning Changjiu would take out the marriage contract and gaze at the elegant handwriting, lost in thought for a long time. Each time, Ye Changong would pretend not to notice, calmly attending to other matters.

They were like a couple who had lived together for many years, silently cherishing a precious tranquility.

Ning Changjiu's clothes were gradually becoming smaller.

He was growing younger and his face more childlike.

He, who was once significantly taller than Ye Changong in her maiden form, was now almost at eye level with her.

"Master, don't we seem like childhood sweethearts now?"

Under the large tree in the courtyard, Ning Changjiu and Ye Changong sat back-to-back, each reading a book. Ning Changjiu watched a butterfly fly by, then suddenly asked this.

Ye Changong recalled the past. "We are more than just childhood sweethearts, aren't we?" she said.

Ning Changjiu smiled. "You're right," he said.

"However," Ye Changong said, "you'd better cherish this time as childhood sweethearts. In a few more days, I'll be your older sister."

Ning Changjiu sighed with a smile. "I truly am 'growing up' healthily under Master's care..."

"Actually, a younger you is even cuter," Ye Changong said.

Not to be outdone, Ning Changjiu replied, "A younger Master is also cuter."

Ye Changong thought for a moment. "For a thousand years, you don't seem to have seen me grow up," she said.

Ning Changjiu, however, smiled faintly. "I have," he said.

"When?"

"Towards the end of my previous life... Though it was only once, it's enough to remember for a lifetime."

"I see..." Ye Changong pursed her lips, gazing idly at the leaves above.

"I didn't bring this up to seek revenge, Master," Ning Changjiu said. "Don't overthink it."

"Your desire for revenge has long been obvious," Ye Changong said. "There's no need to explain."

Ning Changjiu smiled helplessly. "Master truly misunderstands your disciple," he said.

Ye Changong, unrelenting, exposed his past. "At Sword Discourse Heavenly Sect, Lu Jiajia punished you with a wooden ruler. In Linhe City, you were beaten by Xiang'er quite a bit. And... there's Siming. After that, which of them did you not retaliate against, one by one?"

Ning Changjiu lowered his head in shame. "Is Master ready for my revenge, then?" he asked.

"If you dare, you can try right now," Ye Changong said.

So Ning Changjiu actually tried.

Then, he received a beating on his palm and was made to stand in punishment at the entrance of the Daoist hall.

"Revenge requires sufficient power," Ye Changong said. "This is the lesson your master teaches you today."

Ning Changjiu sighed. "When Master handed me the marriage contract, you gently told me it was your everything. But even today, Master is still like a little hedgehog."

Ye Changong idly tapped a chess piece. "The moon waxes and wanes, a matter hard to perfect since ancient times," she said.

The Eternal Realm was like a long dream, while in the mortal world, seasons came and went.

In a flash, four years had passed since the meteor descended.

Lu Jiajia realized that the four years since she met Ning Changjiu had been spent constantly moving and struggling, a journey full of ups and downs, making each year feel long and filled with many events. But now, another four years had passed in an instant, light as a breeze over fingertips, fleeting as clouds across the eyes.

It was another summer, and the Sword Pavilion Grotto-Heaven was filled with blooming lotuses.

Lu Jiajia was rowing a boat alone, reminiscing about the past, when a sword's hum suddenly resounded within her body. Instinctively, she stretched out her hand, and ten thousand streaks of sword light converged into her grasp.

Lu Jiajia came to her senses, realizing that her cultivation had advanced to a higher level.

Seated in the lotus boat, she had also ascended to the true summit of the Five Paths, which was the Immortal Dao.

Three months later, Siming also emerged from her seclusion. Her Heavenly Stele was now inscribed, its contents still related to time.

It was late autumn, and they went together to the Ancient Spirit Sect to visit Ning Xiaoling.

Four years earlier, when Ning Changjiu came to the Ancient Spirit Sect with them, he used his empathetic ability to inform Ning Xiaoling of the impending disaster caused by the meteor.

After they left, she cried for a long time.

Now, the blooming young woman from those years was twenty-two, growing ever more graceful and charming. Although she was the queen of the Underworld Ancient Kingdom, her immortal aura was exceptional.

When Siming and Lu Jiajia arrived, they happened to meet Baizang, who was returning with her blade folded.

That day, they had killed the agreed number of spirit devourers in the Ancient Spirit Sect and prepared a large amount of spiritual energy to feed them over the next few years.

Seeing her master and Sister Siming arrive, Ning Xiaoling was in high spirits and pulled them along to wander through the ancient kingdom. The kingdom now had many statues, all of Ning Changjiu, making the entire Underworld Ancient Kingdom resemble a memorial hall.

Ning Xiaoling counted the days on her fingers with them and spoke about her future cultivation plans.

"Oh, by the way, Xiaoling," Lu Jiajia suddenly remembered something. "Changjiu once told me something."

Ning Xiaoling asked curiously, "What bad things did Senior Brother say about me this time?"

Lu Jiajia smiled faintly. "When you and Ning Changjiu returned to Linhe City, Lu Yuanbai asked you who was prettier, me or Xiang'er. Xiaoling answered that we were eight years apart, and you could only say after eight years."

Ning Xiaoling's bright, clear eyes widened. She bit her lip, surprised. "How does Senior Brother remember everything?" she exclaimed.

Lu Jiajia looked at her. "Xiaoling, it seems this year is precisely the eighth year," she said.

"Oh, right, time flies so fast. In four years, Senior Brother will be back..." Ning Xiaoling said, trying to gloss over it.

"Xiaoling, answer quickly," Lu Jiajia pressed.

Siming watched the scene with interest.

Just as Ning Xiaoling was preparing a lengthy draft of praise for her master, Siming interrupted. "What's the point of saying it now? Xiaoling can answer when Zhao Xiang'er is also here."

Lu Jiajia accepted her suggestion. "That's fine too," she said.

Ning Xiaoling felt wronged and helpless, so she could only glare at Siming, inwardly wishing for Senior Brother to return soon and properly punish the "bad woman."

Ning Xiaoling puffed out her cheeks. After a while, she asked again, "By the way, Master, have you returned to the Sword Sect in recent years? How is our sect developing?"

"Yes, I have," Lu Jiajia replied. "The Sword Discourse Heavenly Sect is naturally flourishing. We now have several cultivators who have reached the Purple Courtyard's lofty heights, and two peak masters have successfully broken through to the Five Paths."

"Two peak masters..." Ning Xiaoling asked, "Surely Uncle Lu hasn't broken through, has he?"

Lu Jiajia smiled faintly. "Yes, your Uncle Lu not only broke through but also got married last year."

Ning Xiaoling's eyes widened. "Did Uncle Lu finally marry that... Senior Sister from what-her-name peak? Ah, it truly wasn't in vain that Uncle Lu worked so hard, persistently pursuing her until they became a couple!"

Lu Jiajia interrupted Ning Xiaoling's exclamation. "No, it was with Peak Master Xue."

Ning Xiaoling froze. A moment later, she gave a thumbs-up and genuinely said, "Xiaoling still underestimated Uncle Lu."

The three walked through the Underworld Ancient Kingdom, chatting about interesting events that had occurred over the years.

Baizang followed beside them, arms crossed, wearing a scarf, and holding her ancient blade Shentu. She remained silent, keeping her distance from Siming, as if disdainful of their casual chatter.

Baizang was neither optimistic nor pessimistic about the decisive battle four years later. She simply followed her tiger nature, wanting to challenge the strong, and then challenge the even stronger...

There were currently four divine realms remaining: Quanlin, Leilao, Suzaku, and Tishan.

Baizang always felt that the two divine realms, Quanlin and Tishan, constantly suspended in the air, were hidden dangers that could become variables.

It was a pity that igniting the Leilao star must have exhausted the power of the demonic forces from Uranus. Four years had passed, and they still lacked the ability to ignite the other two stars, thus preventing future calamities.

They stayed in the Underworld Ancient Kingdom for a while, and when they emerged, the world was covered in pristine white snow.

Their reunion was brief, their separation long. They returned to the Sword Pavilion and began their next round of seclusion, unsure when they would emerge again.

Baizang did not go with them.

Four years ago, Baizang had already gained her freedom. Now that her spirit-slaying task was complete and she had fulfilled her agreement with Heng'e, she contemplated doing something she truly desired.

"Are you really going?"

Before parting, Siming looked at Baizang with a worried expression, as if wanting to advise her against something.

Just then, Baizang had said she wanted to go to the Three Thousand Worlds and challenge Zhao Xiang'er.

Baizang said, "In this world now, Ning Changjiu sleeps eternally in the divine realm, and Heng'e has also disappeared without a trace. I want to find a place to sharpen my blade, and looking around, only Xihe remains."

"Do you think you are her match?" Siming asked.

Baizang shook her head. "Precisely because I don't know, I want to try," she said.

Siming smiled faintly, warning her, "You can brave a dragon's den or a tiger's lair, but the Three Thousand Worlds are off limits. Little white cat, you must think this through carefully."

"Is she really that strong?" Baizang asked.

Siming thought for a moment. "Ning Changjiu is not her match," she said.

The girl with snow-white hair and a silver dress frowned, seemingly in disbelief.

Lu Jiajia also added, "Back then, Ning Changjiu fought Zhao Xiang'er for an entire night. Ning Changjiu was defeated and couldn't even get out of bed for a day."

"She defeated Ning Changjiu in just one night..." Baizang exclaimed sincerely, "How strong."

"So, Miss Bai, it's best to be careful," Lu Jiajia advised, adhering to the principle of valuing peace.

Baizang indeed felt a hint of retreat. Yet, during those four monotonous years of spirit-slaying, watching fearsome spirit devourers easily cut down by her, the clear ring of her blade always spoke of her weariness. She had always thought that after her task, she must seek a truly powerful opponent for a sword challenge.

Baizang's mind was slightly disturbed, and her snow-white hair suddenly swirled. Her famous blade Shentu, held in her arms, let out a clear hum.

Amidst the blade's hum, Baizang dispelled her hesitation, and her heart settled into tranquility.

"If the Desert River Dragon-Sparrow could defeat her back then, why can't I?" Baizang declared resolutely. "My decision is made."

Siming and Lu Jiajia exchanged a look, then a helpless smile, no longer trying to dissuade her.

Holding her ancient blade Shentu, Baizang set off alone on the road to the Three Thousand Worlds.

Heavy snow fell.

What Baizang sought was a fair fight, and Zhao Xiang'er gave her fairness, not using the authority of the Three Thousand Worlds. They fought a great battle outside the Western Kingdom.

Lu Jiajia and Siming did not know the exact details of that battle. They only heard that the boundary of the heavy winter snow that year was pushed back tens of thousands of miles due to their fight, and day and night, the cries of phoenixes and roars of tigers echoed in the sky.

This unparalleled battle concluded only when the winter snow first began to melt.

And in the end, the Three Thousand Worlds gained a small white tiger, and the small white tiger gained a female master.

"If Zhao Xiang'er were to accompany you for eight years, would you be happier?"

Ye Changong asked in the Eternal Realm.

Ning Changjiu grew progressively smaller, his refined features becoming increasingly childlike, yet his eyes still held a serenity far beyond his apparent age.

Ning Changjiu smiled faintly. "Is Master trying to kill your disciple?" he asked.

"Four or five millennia ago, when the Sun Ancient Kingdom still existed, Xihe was gentle and docile, like a small bird," Ye Changong said. "Why can't you keep her in line now?"

Ning Changjiu asked with a laugh, "Is it shameful not to be able to control Xiang'er?"

Ye Changong looked at him, shaking her head. "Our sect is truly unfortunate," she said.

"Then will Master help your disciple get even?"

"Xiang'er punishes the wicked and eliminates evil; all her actions are good deeds. Why should I help you?"

"...Such a caring Master, indeed."

Today, they were strolling through a forest, golden leaves drifting down from above, spiraling to the ground.

Beyond this forest lay a sea of flowers.

The sea of flowers was in full bloom, and Ye Changong stood amidst them, her features as clear and cool as snow, her gauzy dress swaying gracefully.

"It seems we've been here before," Ning Changjiu said, looking around.

"Yes, we have," Ye Changong replied. "We've traveled all over the Eternal Realm."

"Then let's settle down here," Ning Changjiu said.

"Alright," Ye Changong answered simply.

The Immortal Abode rested just beyond the sea of flowers, ethereal and transcendent.

Ning Changjiu and Ye Changong returned to the Immortal Abode.

"These days, I've become more and more fond of sleep," Ning Changjiu said, closing his eyes. "Master... am I going to turn into a butterfly?"

Ye Changong lowered her head slightly, seeming a little sad. She whispered, "It could also be a little deer."

Ning Changjiu smiled. "What does Master wish I would turn into?" he asked.

"I wish you wouldn't change at all," Ye Changong said.

As she spoke, she extended her hand, the authority of dreams swirling around her fingertips.

Ning Changjiu took her hand and shook his head. "No need," he said.

Ye Changong looked at him, still hesitant.

"Does Master dare to disobey now?" Ning Changjiu said.

Normally, if Ning Changjiu spoke like this, he would inevitably be disciplined with a ruler.

But today, this little hedgehog of a master was unusually docile. Listening to Ning Changjiu's gentle words, her nostrils flared slightly as she softly said, "Mm, your master... will obey."

Ning Changjiu smiled and closed his eyes, his eyelids growing heavier and heavier.

Ye Changong quietly watched him. She sat beside him, watching Ning Changjiu slowly drift into peaceful sleep.

After a slight hesitation, Ye Changong actually lifted a corner of the blanket, her petite body slipping in, like the moon disappearing into the clouds.

Ning Changjiu still retained some consciousness. He whispered, "This... isn't right."

"You're a child now," Ye Changong said. "The younger you didn't have bad intentions."

"Will I be very bad when I grow up?" Ning Changjiu asked, feigning ignorance.

"You'll know when you grow up," Ye Changong replied, playing along.

"Alright then, when I grow up, I'll marry Master," Ning Changjiu said.

"You... are truly naughty," Ye Changong said.

Ning Changjiu smiled and gently closed his eyes.

Ye Changong gazed at the face so close to her, gently reached out to touch him, then slowly withdrew her hand.

She also closed her eyes, her slightly stiff body gradually relaxing. Then, her body slowly curled up, her lower legs bent, her hands clasped into fists resting on her chest, and she slowly drifted into peaceful sleep.

And just slept.

For a long time after that, Ning Changjiu needed to sleep for extended periods.

He could no longer distinguish the passage of time. When he occasionally woke, the first sight he saw was always Ye Changong's peaceful sleeping face. Though they were very close, and the maiden was exquisitely beautiful, Ning Changjiu felt no sense of ambiguity, only warmth and tranquility, as if a thousand years had already passed in this manner.

He was like a stone by the water, forever sleeping by the stream.

Time flowed like water.

Ning Changjiu's clothes became progressively smaller, and his face grew increasingly childlike.

When they read together under the tree, the scene resembled a female teacher instructing a newly awakened child. This child was clearly disobedient, often drowsy. Many times, under the tree, Ning Changjiu would gently lie on Ye Changong's lap, resting his head on her soft, jade-like gauzy skirt, gradually drifting into slumber.

Ye Changong would quietly caress his hair, as if comforting a cat sleeping on her lap in the afternoon.

Golden butterflies flew across the sky.

"I... feel so cold."

Ye Changong looked at him and softly said.

Ning Changjiu, lost in his dream, was completely unaware.

"When will we meet again?"

Ning Changjiu asked in a childish voice. He was fair and tender, looking a bit chubby like a baby.

"We have never left each other, so how can we speak of meeting again?" Ye Changong replied.

Ning Changjiu laughed.

He knew that a very, very long time had passed.

The years he once thought would be unbearable had slipped away so inadvertently. There were no seasons to mark the time for him, only his progressively shrinking body indicating the turn of each season.

"Yes, we have never left."

Ning Changjiu displayed an innocent smile.

Over these years, he had accepted the marriage contract. When he was with Ye Changong, they sometimes seemed like a friendly master and disciple, and sometimes like a harmonious couple. Any occasional arguments always ended with Ning Changjiu conceding defeat.

Their affection and unspoken understanding were enviable, yet Ning Changjiu had never attempted to take the final step.

Although they often shared a bed, their breaths mingling and their lips close, they never engaged in intimate acts.

"Ye... Changong."

It was the first time Ning Changjiu truly called her by her name.

"Mm," Ye Changong responded.

"Changong..."

"Mm."

"Next time, let's meet at the Toad Palace," Ning Changjiu said. "Before, you told me that no matter where you stand in the human world, you can only see six-tenths of the moon; the moon always has a dark side facing away from the mortal realm..."

"That dark side is very cold... very cold," Ye Changong whispered.

That was also her dark side, the deep coldness in her bones. Though she often deliberately hid it, how could it truly be concealed?

"I want to go to that dark side and see," Ning Changjiu said. "I want to see Master's true entirety."

"Alright, when you wake up, we'll go," Ye Changong said gently.

Ning Changjiu, like a child pestering his older sister for an outing, added, "I also want to go to the Dead Star Domain."

"The Dead Star Domain..."

"Mm, I heard from E that it still holds what the first civilization left behind 1.5 billion years ago."

"What they left behind... what could it be?"

"It must be something beautiful," Ning Changjiu said gently.

"Why?" Ye Changong asked.

"Because we were born to pass on that beauty, transcending the ages..."

Ning Changjiu smiled sincerely, and Ye Changong's graceful face blurred before his eyes.

"I... feel so cold," Ning Changjiu said.

Ye Changong gently embraced him, burying him in her soft embrace.

Ning Changjiu closed his eyes.

Within the Immortal Abode, Ning Changjiu's figure was no more. In his place was the soft cry of a deer.

The golden fawn had no patterns, beautiful in its purity.

The deer affectionately nuzzled Ye Changong's arm, as if wanting to remember her scent.

Ye Changong gently held the fawn, pressing her cheek against its.

The fawn walked around her, seeming to gesture at something.

Ye Changong understood.

She gently lifted her snow-white skirt, mounted the deer, leaned slightly forward, her chest resting against the deer's graceful curve, and her arms wrapped around its neck.

The golden fawn carried her out of the Immortal Abode, galloping towards the forest and the sea of flowers.

This was the Eternal Realm, and also their endlessly fantastical and magnificent dream.

This was the final year of the eight-year period.

The mortal realm had been peaceful for seven years, and during this time, the entire world underwent earth-shattering changes.

The number of Five Paths cultivators in the Central Lands had multiplied several times, subtly hinting at the glory of five centuries past.

Every year, these cultivators would journey to the Sword Pavilion in groups to offer blessings to the sleeping hero. Compared to the pessimism of seven years ago, cultivators now were filled with confidence and conviction, vowing that the tragedy of that time would never be repeated. They would pass on the torch, collectively igniting a blazing flame to utterly eradicate the shadow above the firmament.

This was the final year, yet also where the ultimate change occurred.

In the early morning, Ning Xiaoling was awakened by an earthquake.

She didn't know what had happened, only that something had awakened.

In the sky, an explosion suddenly resounded.

A black ancient python, like a sash hanging from the heavens, broke out of its shell and slithered upwards into the sky.

Before people could react, the black serpent crossed the Void Realm and arrived before the Saint's stone Buddha.

The Saint's stone Buddha had endured for seven years, now covered in cracks, as if on the verge of collapsing at any moment.

The black ancient python coiled around it, and at the python's head was an extremely seductive face.