There was nothing to hide about this, so Chu Xinghui recounted the details of how he had come to possess the sacred object.

He hadn’t had time to pay attention to it before, but now that it was specifically brought up, Chu Xinghui felt that something was off: “This object… how did it end up in Qin Yuwen’s hands?”

Also, previously, the sacred object contained the demon core of the demon beast that injured Qin Xueyi.

Qin Yuwen had destroyed the beast’s corpse to prevent the Lingxiang Sect family from noticing anything, which was understandable. But for some inexplicable reason, he had embedded the demon core into the cup… What was his purpose in doing that?

“Although I don’t usually tell the truth, my ignorance about the sacred object wasn’t a lie. I’ve really never seen it with my own eyes. This object disappeared five hundred years ago, which happens to be around the time the previous pseudo-god descended to this world. According to my previous uncle’s confession, he used this sacred object to activate the formation that connected to the Book of Fate… So, this sacred object might be used by people from the upper realm, taking advantage of the loopholes in the heavenly ladder, to directly reach the vicinity of the Book of Fate through the formation.” Yue Yao slowly speculated: “Since this object ended up in Qin Yuwen’s hands… Perhaps he didn’t obtain it from this world, but instead brought it down from the upper realm.”

Chu Xinghui felt that something was off and began to rethink all the information related to the sacred object.

Suddenly, he remembered something.

He rummaged through the miscellaneous items in his storage bag, pulling out a white jade fan pendant and placing it on the table.

This was the first thing Yue Yao had given him when they met.

It had never played any real role for him. Yue Yao had kept saying that she had found the sacred object, and over time, he almost forgotten about the existence of this pendant.

Yue Yao recognized it at a glance and froze for a moment: “This is… the token of Bihai Taohua Island?”

Chu Xinghui asked directly: “You told me before that there was a talisman sealed within this token that could resonate with the sacred object. But after handling this cup for a long time, I’ve never sensed any resonance between the pendant and it. Fellow Cultivator Yue, either you were lying, and we found the wrong sacred object, or… who exactly created the talisman within this token?”

Yue Yao suddenly stood up.

She stared at the white jade fan pendant on the table as if she intended to burn a hole through it with her gaze.

Then, she took a deep breath, extended her hand, and examined the talisman inside the token carefully.

It was complete, with no signs of damage.

She raised her head and fixed her gaze on Chu Xinghui, urgently confirming: “This item… truly cannot resonate with the sacred object?”

Chu Xinghui nodded.

At least, from the situation he had encountered, it was true.

Yue Yao’s behavior was extremely strange. Chu Xinghui grew cautious and subtly shifted back, distancing himself from her.

After checking the talisman, Yue Yao walked a few circles around the pavilion, nervously chewing on her nails, muttering: “It really… doesn’t resonate.”

Chu Xinghui waited for a while, seeing that she hadn’t returned to normal. He finally asked: “Fellow Cultivator Yue, do you know what’s going on?”

Yue Yao calmed herself a little, shaking her head: “I don’t know.”

Chu Xinghui: “…”

Yue Yao finally slowly explained: “This white jade fan pendant has been used as the token of Bihai Taohua Island since the sect was founded. The talisman inside was added when the sacred object became a sacred object. The power within it comes from the same source as the sacred object… or, more precisely, it’s from the Book of Fate. Now that the sacred object can no longer resonate with the talisman in the token… perhaps it’s also no longer detectable by the Book of Fate.”

Her eyes suddenly gleamed with a striking light: “This means that this sacred object might be able to block the Book of Fate’s detection, and the disciples of our sect… may temporarily stop transmitting the world’s fortune to the Book of Fate.”

Although she didn’t know what had happened during the time the sacred object had been missing that caused this change, this development was undoubtedly a good thing in the current situation.

As long as Bihai Taohua Island no longer opposed the entire immortal cultivation world, many things could still be bought time for.

Chu Xinghui, far calmer than her, reminded: “Currently, the lives of all the disciples of Bihai Taohua Island are tied to the Book of Fate. If you just isolate the Book of Fate’s detection without addressing the connection between the two, your disciples might not survive.”

Raising expectations in this situation wouldn’t be beneficial.

Yue Yao was doused with a bucket of cold water and finally calmed down. She sat back down.

She pondered the pros and cons, the light in her eyes flickering. Finally, she gritted her teeth and said: “No matter what, this is the most feasible direction for now.”

Chu Xinghui didn’t try to dissuade her.

It was understandable that Yue Yao wanted to take the risk.

The issues surrounding the Book of Fate and the Heavenly Ladder couldn’t be solved in the short term. If Bihai Taohua Island continued to stand in opposition to the immortal cultivation world, the sect would soon be lost.

And if it could truly block the Book of Fate’s detection, it would be beneficial to the entire immortal cultivation world.

Yue Yao made up her mind and looked at Chu Xinghui: “I need to prepare some things to confirm the condition of the sacred object. In a few days, I’ll visit you again.”

Chu Xinghui affirmed: “We can cooperate. If it proves useful, we can also hand over the sacred object to you. But the premise is — you need to inform us of all your plans.”

Yue Yao nodded, promising: “Of course.”

Chu Xinghui thought about the current role of the sacred object and felt that he should also consider the contents within it: “Your master’s remaining soul?”

Yue Yao didn’t blink: “When I come next time, I’ll find a way to deal with it. Don’t worry, she won’t continue living.”

As long as she could die, Chu Xinghui was at ease.

With the important matters discussed, Chu Xinghui politely bid farewell to Yue Yao.

“I still need to think about this matter.” Yue Yao pressed her temples, gazing at the snowstorm outside the pavilion: “Fellow Cultivator Chu, you may return now. Bihai Taohua Island rarely has snow. I grew up on the island and haven’t really seen snowflakes. The scenery here is beautiful, so I’ll stay for a little while longer.”

Although admiring the snow was indeed a graceful activity, it was nighttime, the light was faint, and the wind and snow in the mountains were heavy. Chu Xinghui felt that the eerie atmosphere outweighed the beauty.

Still, he chose to respect Yue Yao’s preference, standing up and preparing to leave.

Yue Yao remained seated.

As he walked around the corner, Chu Xinghui glanced back and saw Yue Yao stretching out her hand, calmly catching the falling snowflakes.

He withdrew his gaze and continued walking back.

*

Chu Xinghui went straight home.

The kitchen lights were on, and Xie Liufeng was busy in the kitchen.

There was also a black creature walking back and forth outside the door.

Chu Xinghui smelled the sweet fragrance of tangyuan (sweet rice dumplings).

It seemed to be filled with peanut paste.

Though he didn’t know why they were eating tangyuan at this time, it was not surprising considering it was Xie Liufeng who was cooking.

Xie Liufeng was free-spirited, he could even make zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) during the New Year.

Chu Xinghui thought for a moment and then walked over.

The black bird’s nest was full of snow, and it was wandering aimlessly under the kitchen eaves because it had no home.

When it saw Chu Xinghui return, it let out a weak cry and continued to walk around his feet in a depressed manner.

Chu Xinghui looked down at it with indifference before casually walking past.

Seeing him about to leave, the black bird, unwilling to give up, followed him and tugged at his clothes with its beak.

Chu Xinghui didn’t know what was wrong with the bird late at night, so he picked it up by its wings and brought it up to his eyes.

The two stared at each other for a moment.

The black bird weakly chirped.

Chu Xinghui finally understood what it meant.

He walked over to the bird’s tree, cleared the snow from its nest, and then placed a snow-proof talisman on the nest.

The black bird was satisfied and stopped tugging at his clothes. It no longer wandered aimlessly, and, after a few hops and flaps, happily flew into its now-dry nest, rolling around in glee.

Having dealt with the bird, Chu Xinghui finally brushed off the snow from his clothes and could enter the kitchen.

Inside, Xie Liufeng was still busy, and Chu Xinghui quietly found a place to stand, watching as Xie Liufeng moved about.

The dishes Chu Xinghui had ordered were already done, and they were being kept warm on the stove with spiritual power. Xie Liufeng was focused on boiling tangyuan in a pot.

Snow was still falling outside.

Inside, the room was filled with the warm, fragrant mist of food, which made one feel relaxed and sleepy.

Chu Xinghui suddenly understood the black bird’s feelings of rolling in its nest. He was starting to feel a bit lazy.

Xie Liufeng glanced at the pot, took out a tangyuan, and, noticing Chu Xinghui standing in the corner, offered it with a smile: “Would you like to try it?”

Chu Xinghui nodded.

Xie Liufeng brought the food on his chopsticks toward him.

Chu Xinghui was drawn in by the sight and followed the chopsticks with his gaze.

However, when the chopsticks passed in front of him, Xie Liufeng pulled his hand back with a smile and ate the food himself, chewing and swallowing it.

Chu Xinghui: “…”

He looked up and silently stared at Xie Liufeng.

Xie Liufeng also looked back, and the two stared at each other.

Finally, Xie Liufeng couldn’t hold back any longer and burst out laughing.

Chu Xinghui continued to stare at him, trying to express his disapproval with his gaze.

Xie Liufeng laughed mischievously for a while, then explained: “It was overcooked, and the filling leaked out. I was going to eat it myself.”

Chu Xinghui said: “I wanted to try it.”

Xie Liufeng would never refuse such a small request from his partner. He lowered his head, lifted the lid of the pot again, and said: “Alright, alright, let me find a good one for you.”

Chu Xinghui wasn’t very satisfied, so he clarified: “I want the one you just ate.”

Xie Liufeng turned to look at him, his eyes filled with amusement, and shrugged: “Well, it’s too late now. I already ate it.”

Chu Xinghui stared at Xie Liufeng for a while and decided that there was another way.

He walked up to him, tilted his head, and kissed Xie Liufeng’s lips.

He carefully savored the taste of his breath and was quite satisfied. He commented: “Very sweet.”

He really liked the filling today and decided he would have another bowl later.

Xie Liufeng wrapped his arms around his waist, lowered his head to look at him, and laughed: “Next time you want to kiss me, you don’t need to find an excuse.”

Chu Xinghui thought for a moment and agreed with him. He kissed Xie Liufeng again.

But this time, he wasn’t able to pull away easily. Xie Liufeng held onto him and deepened the kiss.

Chu Xinghui was thoroughly kissed inside and out.

Finally, Xie Liufeng kissed him on the forehead and said: “Alright, it’s almost done. Come over and help me with the bowls.”

 

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