After sealing the Divine Spring, the Heavenly Realm lost a scholar, while General Jun Lan, who had once endured heavenly punishment, returned.
The reason was that Ye Ziling, using the Jixin Flute, broke through the fusion with the Divine Spring's power, unsealing General Jun Lan.
The Heavenly Emperor and the Queen Mother were overjoyed, and with the engagement of Emperor Qingbai, it was a double celebration.
To mark the occasion, the Heavenly Realm hosted a banquet for three days and three nights, filled with song and dance.
Ye Ziling wandered aimlessly in the courtyard. The immortal tree before her was now laden with red blossoms, swirling in the wind with the fluttering red sashes.
Petals fell upon her dark hair.
She used her injuries as an excuse to decline the banquet invitation.
Everyone was celebrating General Jun Lan's return, yet she still felt guilty for Bai Yu's sacrifice.
Bai Yu had traveled in the four directions for years, and the Heavenly Realm seemed to have forgotten his existence.
With Jun Lan's return, those who had once supported him had long since attached themselves to others.
Her injuries had just healed, and though it was only a few days in the Heavenly Realm, it felt like several cycles had passed.
As she stood in a daze, a cloak was gently draped over her shoulders. Turning, she saw Ye Jingxian smiling and saying, "Ling'er, it's still cold in early spring. You've just recovered from your injuries and shouldn't be exposed to the wind."
Ye Ziling smiled, "Brother, didn't you go to the banquet? Why have you returned?"
Ye Jingxian waved his hand and sighed, "What's so fun about it? I thought your Heavenly Realm was lively, but who knew it was all grandeur and nothing else? Those immortals are as cold as dead people. All they do is drink and sip tea; it's terribly boring."
"Boring? You've only been here a few days, Brother, and you're already bored." Ye Ziling frowned and asked.
Just a few days ago, he was clamoring to stay a lifetime. Had he changed his mind so quickly?
"By the way, Ling'er, there are some matters to attend to in the valley. Brother can't stay by your side anymore. Take good care of yourself." Ye Jingxian gently placed a hand on her shoulder, patted her back with open hands, and said in a gentle tone, "If you miss your brother, return to the mortal world. There's nothing much here in the heavens."
Ye Jingxian suddenly understood why his sister looked so cold all the time. Being with this group of emotionless beings, how could she not turn into an ice sculpture?
"Alright, I'll have someone prepare a boat to send you off," Ye Ziling said to him.
"Good, I'll go pack." Ye Jingxian said, carefully tying her cloak, and stepped into the hall.
Ye Ziling watched his figure disappear before her eyes, then slowly withdrew her gaze. She discovered another figure standing outside the courtyard, who had been there for who knows how long.
"I did not expect the General to pay a visit; Ziling is remiss in her welcome." Ye Ziling looked up and saw him walking towards her with a calm gaze.
Jun Lan looked at the red blossoms covering the tree. He spread his palm, and a red sash appeared in his hand.
"Has the Goddess's injury improved?" Without looking at her, he gazed at the red sash in his hand, his expression as composed as ever.
"Thank you for your concern, General. My injuries are no longer a problem." Ye Ziling finished speaking, then walked to the stone table in the center of the courtyard and sat down, picking up a teacup and pouring two cups of tea.
Jun Lan walked forward, sat opposite her, and tilted his head, taking a gulp of tea.
Jun Lan assumed she wasn't attending the banquet because of Qingbai's wedding. He set down his teacup, his gaze indifferent, and tentatively asked, "Is the Goddess heartbroken because of Emperor Qingbai's wedding, or because of Immortal Jun Bai Yu?"
After all, it was never because of him.
Ye Ziling's thoughts were pierced by his question, causing her to almost spit out the tea. She steadied her chest, "...Ziling is injured and it's inconvenient to attend the banquet. There is no other intention."
The person before her smiled faintly, but a chilling darkness lurked in his eyes. "Oh? But this General just heard that you have already recovered?"
Ye Ziling's gaze met his, feeling guilty, and she lowered her eyes. "Immortal Jun Bai Yu is still sealed in the Divine Spring... Ziling feels remorse."
Fearing he might fly into a rage like Ling Xi, Ye Ziling avoided his gaze.
As soon as she spoke, she regretted it. Wasn't this pointing out that he hadn't saved Bai Yu for her?
She also didn't know if Jun Lan had Ling Xi's memories from those twenty-odd years. If he did, wouldn't he know about her past with Ling Xi?
"The Jixin Flute cannot break open the Divine Spring; it is the will of heaven, and so is Bai Yu."
Jun Lan's fingertips twitched, his gaze menacing.
Ye Ziling felt a myriad of emotions, her gaze dimmed, and she remained silent.
"So, General believes that suffering heavenly punishment is also the will of heaven?"
"The sin of creating a physical body, you knew it was against heaven, why did you still insist?"
Ye Ziling looked up, her tone firm.
She simply didn't believe in the will of heaven; injustice was injustice.
The will of heaven? It was merely an excuse.
If she had believed in the will of heaven, she would have died long ago.
Along with her soul, buried in the Sun and Moon Divine Lamp, becoming an offering to heaven.
Jun Lan looked at her, his gaze somewhat disappointed. His throat moved, and he was unexpectedly speechless.
"The twenty years of tempering in the mortal world, it seems you haven't improved at all, General," Ye Ziling said calmly, word by word.
Jun Lan clearly hadn't expected her to ask this. His eyelashes trembled slightly as he gazed at her face. The experiences in the mortal world flashed through his mind, and he guiltily averted his eyes.
"A pipe dream. This General remembers that the Goddess also said forgetting everything together was the best choice."
Jun Lan knew that even if he were Ling Xi, he still couldn't capture her heart.
The thought tightened his fists, his face remaining serene.
Ye Ziling hadn't expected him to remember, and simply smiled.
Just as they fell into silence, Ye Jingxian emerged from the house, carrying a bundle. He said to Ye Ziling, "Ling'er, Brother has finished packing. Do you want to send me off?"
Upon exiting, Ye Jingxian saw the man sitting in the courtyard. His gaze was complex as he strode to Ye Ziling's side, scrutinizing the man opposite her.
Jun Lan looked up, a flicker of light flashing in his eyes. His dark pupils slightly arched, and he asked, "And who is this?"
The atmosphere grew increasingly tense. Ye Ziling said, "This is my elder brother."
Ye Jingxian frowned and looked at him with disdain, knowing perfectly well what was going on in his mind.
How could he not understand the man's intentions? Even if Immortal Bai Yu were present, he didn't want his sister, this prize cabbage, to be snatched by these emotionless brutes.
So, he set down his bundle, pulled Ye Ziling, and said, "There are still some matters to attend to in the valley. Ling'er, pack your things and return to the valley with your brother."
After speaking, he tugged at Ye Ziling's hand and was about to head into the house to pack, but Jun Lan blocked him with an arm.
"Now that Emperor Qingbai is getting married, the Heavenly Realm's various affairs will still require the Goddess's assistance."
Jun Lan shot a cold glance at Ye Jingxian, who froze in place, startled.
Ye Ziling was surprised, then quickly understood Jun Lan's implication. Was he asking her to regain power?
Just then, a maidservant approached slowly and said respectfully, "Second Young Master, the boat is ready."
Seeing Ye Jingxian hesitating, Ye Ziling tugged at his sleeve. "Brother, don't worry. I'll return to the valley after I've dealt with things."
Ye Jingxian waved his hand, concerned. "You're always getting into trouble. How can Brother not worry? If Immortal Bai Yu were here, I'd be more at ease, but..."
As soon as he spoke, the teacup was placed down heavily, the sound startling both siblings.
A few harsh words reached Jun Lan's ears. He pursed his lips, his pupils turning extremely cold.
"If the Goddess wishes to return to the mortal world, this General will not stop you."
Ye Ziling's expression was calm. After all, this wasn't the first time she'd seen his face contorted in anger. She urged Ye Jingxian, "Brother Jing Huai has been waiting outside the valley for a long time. Hurry along, Brother."
Ye Jingxian exhorted her again, "Take good care of yourself."
Then, he left, looking back repeatedly, carrying his bundle.