After clearing away the items for the day, Yue Yao yawned tiredly and began to see off her guests: “Alright, that’s enough business for today. I’ve arranged accommodations for the two of you. You can head straight to your rooms once you leave here.”

As she spoke, she waved her fan and, with a somewhat embarrassed smile, added with more confidence: “These days, Bihai Taohua Island will be quite busy. If any kind-hearted guests are willing to lend a hand, I would be truly grateful.”

Chu Xinghui: “…”

He politely bid farewell to Yue Yao, then left with Xie Liufeng.

*

After leaving the wooden building, Chu Xinghui tugged at Xie Liufeng’s sleeve and quietly mentioned something odd he had just noticed: “Did you feel it too? Yue Yao’s aura seems off.”

Xie Liufeng thought for a moment, then nodded: “It’s the aura of that sacred item.”

Even though Yue Yao’s soul-searching skills were advanced, she still hadn’t ascended. The fact that she had managed to fully search Fu Guan’s soul, who was still alive, only meant that her current state wasn’t normal.

Chu Xinghui frowned: “She…”

Before, Yue Yao had only explained her plans to them, but she hadn’t gone into details.

Now, it seemed that the sacred item could be embedded into the small world that contained all of Bihai Taohua Island. It was clear Yue Yao had paid some sort of price for this.

Xie Liufeng grasped his hand, leading him as they continued toward their quarters: “No matter what, it’s her own choice.”

Others couldn’t interfere.

Chu Xinghui didn’t say anything further.

*

After Chu Xinghui and Xie Liufeng left, Yue Yao also returned to her own residence.

When she entered, someone was already waiting for her in the living room.

It was the young disciple who had been tasked with receiving Chu Xinghui and Xie Liufeng earlier that day.

He was holding a stack of freshly written papers. Seeing Yue Yao enter, he bowed respectfully.

Yue Yao walked into the living room, in a rather good mood, and asked: “Is everything written out?”

The young disciple lowered his head, hesitated, and seemed reluctant to hand over what he had written: “Senior Sister…”

Yue Yao extended her hand, smiling wryly: “Why the long face? Just give it to me.”

The young disciple hesitated, then sighed and handed over the paper, the ink still fresh.

Yue Yao carefully examined the record of her life, especially the praise she received at the end from her fellow disciples.

According to the rules of Bihai Taohua Island, after the island master stepped down, they were required to record their life story and inscribe it on a special jade slip for future generations to read.

Though Yue Yao had served as the leader for many years, she hadn’t truly been the island master for long. Still, by tradition, she had to leave behind her own record.

After finishing the document, the young disciple stood by and began to report on the current preparations for Bihai Taohua Island.

She listened carefully, confirming that everything was in order, before nodding.

Although she had reminded them many times, Yue Yao couldn’t help but repeat: “I haven’t had time to raise the next successor, so from now on… the various affairs will be in your hands and those of your junior sister. You two have been helping me for years, so handling the daily tasks should be no problem. If you’re unsure about anything, discuss it together. If that doesn’t work, ask a few of the elders for help…”

She seemed like she had more to say, but with a mind full of thoughts, she decided that it was all probably said and done. She let out a light sigh and handed the paper back to her junior brother: “That’ll do. If you need to make any changes, just add more praise for my taste in aesthetics.”

Time was running short, and Yue Yao still had many things to arrange. Not wanting to stay any longer, she stood up to leave.

Just as she reached the door, Yue Yao suddenly heard the faint sound of sobbing behind her.

The young disciple, clutching the paper in his hands, had begun to crumple it. Unable to hold back, he finally spoke up: “Senior Sister, why… why should we innocent ones have to bear the consequences for the sins of others?”

Yue Yao paused, smiling lightly as she turned slightly, though she didn’t fully face him: “There’s no reason. You don’t want it, I don’t want it, the Celestial Child and his partner don’t want it, and neither do the sentient beings of this world. But things have happened, and we have to find a way to resolve them. I’m not one of those heartless seniors who would just abandon the mess and run away. So, we have no choice but to do it this way.”

She didn’t look back, merely waved her hand in his direction before stepping out the door.

*

The next few days unfolded just as Yue Yao had predicted. Bihai Taohua Island fell into an organized flurry of activity.

The disciples of the island silently checked and packed away their most essential belongings, carefully gathering them in an open space on the island.

Transporting the entire sect into a small world wasn’t a simple task. The fewer items they had, the more secure the process would be.

With Chu Xinghui and Xie Liufeng present, they inevitably ended up helping Yue Yao with much of the work.

In the midst of the busy preparations, the day Yue Yao had long predicted arrived.

She led a group to the spiritual eye, where she began to form a formation. The sacred object hung above the array, its cup turned downward, emitting a faint golden glow, quietly awaiting the entire sect to enter it.

At that moment, every disciple of Bihai Taohua Island stood near the wooden building, each with their belongings, stepping into the formation one by one.

The entire process was silent, broken only by the sound of footsteps and the occasional murmur.

Chu Xinghui and Xie Liufeng stood outside the formation, watching as the island’s people began their migration.

Yue Yao didn’t immediately join her fellow disciples. She stood beside Chu Xinghui and Xie Liufeng, calmly directing the flow of spiritual energy in the formation.

At last, the last disciple of Bihai Taohua Island stepped into the array.

Chu Xinghui turned his head and looked at Yue Yao: “Aren’t you going in, Cultivator Yue?”

She stood under the sunlight, her body now becoming half-transparent.

Yue Yao smiled and, with a flick of her hand, sent a wave of spiritual energy toward the glowing sacred object in the air.

The restrictions on the cup of the sacred object began to slowly close.

She withdrew her hand, looking at Chu Xinghui and Xie Liufeng: “By now, you two must have already guessed, right? I can’t enter the small world with my fellow disciples.”

She sighed lightly, adopting a casual tone: “Actually, a year ago, when I first obtained the sacred object, I tried many methods but couldn’t successfully modify it to embed a suitable heavenly realm. Even if I managed to force it, the heavenly realm would only be able to hold inanimate objects—there was no way to fit the living beings of the entire island in.”

“Nothing in this world is that easy. Just because the sacred object can hide the island’s presence doesn’t mean it will do so effortlessly.”

She turned to look at Chu Xinghui: “Although I’m not as powerful as you, Cultivator Chu, with the power of the Celestial Path, I’m still the rightful island master of Bihai Taohua Island. Due to the unique nature of our cultivation, the rulers of this island are much more closely connected to the sect than those in other sects. So, in a way, I can act as the representative of Bihai Taohua Island, using my own life force to refine the sacred object, ensuring it no longer rejects the life force of the island’s beings. Only then could the foundation for the small world inside the sacred object be established.”

As she spoke, Yue Yao couldn’t help but shake her head and laugh: “Thinking about it, I’m a bit reluctant. I had planned to cultivate diligently and ascend, but it seems those with a good heart always have to work a little harder in this world.”

She glanced around at the now empty Bihai Taohua Island and, after a moment, she felt a sense of release: “Oh well, I’ve grown up here. I’m not used to the northern snow, nor do I like the heat of the south… So, I suppose I wouldn’t be accustomed to the sights after ascending anyway.”

In that case, staying here forever might not be so bad.

Yue Yao smiled to herself for a moment, then turned to Chu Xinghui and Xie Liufeng: “With the matter of Bihai Taohua Island wrapped up here in this world, things are drawing to a close. Although I haven’t exactly gotten along with the two of you in the past, before everything ends… perhaps you should spend more time together.”

Chu Xinghui didn’t expect her to speak like this even at such a moment. His lips twitched: “…Cultivator Yue, you’re still so unpleasant to deal with.”

Yue Yao felt unjustly accused: “What’s so bad about what I said? It’s always right to cherish the people in front of you, no matter the time.”

She might have added a touch of personal grievance, but after all, she had tried to stir things up several times before.

Chu Xinghui: “…”

He changed the topic: “Where’s Cultivator Baiyun? I haven’t seen her today.”

When talking about her beloved master, Yue Yao couldn’t help but brighten up: “I’ve chosen a good place for her, and she’ll have the best outcome.”

She then thought of another related person: “By the way, my good senior uncle… it’s a pity I couldn’t attend to him earlier with everything going on. He’s now abandoned his soul, just like my master did before, and he won’t be helping the life book steal the world’s fortune anymore. As for the ritual offerings, I’ve already handled them before ‘reviving’ my master. Once everything is done, please remember our agreement and send him back to Bihai Taohua Island to live out his days. If things don’t go as planned… please make sure to send him off for me.”

Chu Xinghui and Xie Liufeng nodded, agreeing to the task.

The restrictions above slowly began to close, and Yue Yao’s form grew increasingly indistinct.

She raised her head, silently watching the golden light above, ensuring all matters had been considered and nothing was forgotten. She then turned to Chu Xinghui and Xie Liufeng with a smile: “Ah, it seems I don’t have much time left. You two should leave as well. No one will be receiving you here anymore.”

Yue Yao thought for a moment, realizing that while neither side could be called friends, they had at least become familiar with each other. She offered her final blessing sincerely: “It seems like we won’t meet again. You two are bound to be more powerful than I am, so I wish you both… may you break free from the shackles of fate and survive this ordeal.”

…

The barrier high in the sky finally sealed completely.

The sacred object and Yue Yao vanished at the same time, leaving only an empty, silent island behind.

Chu Xinghui felt like he heard a faint cracking sound in the air.

Xie Liufeng grabbed Chu Xinghui’s arm, and the two of them quickly soared into the sky.

The people of Bihai Taohua Island had taken some of the core mechanisms with them. The barrier surrounding the island could no longer hold, and it began to shatter gradually.

The island, which had long been hidden beneath the sea, finally revealed itself in its entirety, now appearing just like any other ordinary island on the ocean.

The commotion was too significant. Countless cultivators searching for Bihai Taohua Island on the sea noticed the disturbance at once.

Without lingering any longer, Xie Liufeng and Chu Xinghui quickly left the area.

The moment their feet touched the ground, the well-informed Fang Yan sent them a transmission: “Uncle Shi, Junior Brother Chu, are you still on Bihai Taohua Island? What’s going on over there?”

Xie Liufeng explained what had happened during their visit to the island.

Fang Yan remained silent for a while before letting out a long sigh.

Although this incident started with Bihai Taohua Island, the ordinary disciples of the island were, in the end, rather innocent victims.

Fang Yan no longer focused on the troubles of other sects. He turned his attention back to his own matters and urged: “Come back soon. I’ve got those two pseudo-gods for you.”

 

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