When new disciples join the sect, they need to be assigned to dormitories, receive their clothes, learn the cultivation methods, and be given their spiritual tools, as well as briefed on important matters.
By the time all these tasks were completed, the night was already very deep.
In the small courtyard, the new disciples chattered excitedly, looking forward to their future life in the sect. A young man in white, illuminated by starlight, walked through the night of Gufeng Mountain.
Gu Baiying was in a particularly foul mood today.
The new disciples who didn’t follow the rules, had sky-high ambitions, spoke arrogantly, or tried to fight to establish their status were all silenced by Gu Baiying’s reprimands.
Tian Fangfang had advised him to be gentler to avoid scaring off the new disciples before the sect’s assessment was even over. Gu Baiying dismissed his concerns. His temper had always been like this. Everyone knew that the Taiyan Sect’s Junior Uncle was fierce and ruthless, scolding people without mercy, even sparing no consideration for his own senior brothers.
The senior brother in question was Xuan Lingzi.
Last month, Gu Baiying had a fierce argument with Xuan Lingzi because Xuan Lingzi wanted to erect a statue of Zanxing beside the statue of Sage Yushan in the main hall of the Taiyan Sect. Gu Baiying refused to allow it.
Xuan Lingzi had angrily said, “Back then, the Sage halted his ascension, holding up the Divine Turtle to save the world. Now, Zanxing has sacrificed herself to mend the heavens, which is also a great benefit to the people. What’s wrong with giving her a golden statue? Not to mention the people of Douzhou, at least the disciples of our Taiyan Sect should honor and worship her when they join. What’s the problem? It’s not like I’m asking you to provide spirit stones!”
Gu Baiying slammed his spear into the ground, stared at him coldly, and said two words: “Not allowed.”
Xuan Lingzi, unable to prevail against him, left in anger, waving his sleeves as he departed from the hall and went down the mountain to clear his mind.
As for Gu Baiying, he continued as usual, practicing cultivation and scolding people.
Passing by Doluo Terrace, he noticed a few green fireflies fluttering and settling in the pond.
Gu Baiying paused.
It wouldn’t be long before the lotus viewing season arrived.
The green lotus leaves were layered and covered the surface of the water. Though the pool was still filled with buds that had not fully bloomed, there were already new red buds standing on the lotus leaves, shyly awaiting their bloom and exuding a captivating fragrance.
It was as if a crisp bell was ringing throughout the mountains.
A woman in a dress of azure silk shimmered with silver stars in the night, had swayed drunkenly in the lotus pond. She held his face and moved closer.
He had felt anxious and awkward, unable to respond.
Yet she persisted, stepping closer.
The evening breeze was silent, and fireflies danced around. He saw the softness in her clear eyes and felt the gentle breeze between her lips, as she continued to advance like a hazy dream regained in a summer night.
A light green firefly was blown askew by the night wind and flew away from the lotus leaf it had been resting on.
Thus, the dream dissipated.
The young man stood by the Changchun Pond, his figure lonely.
He heard a soft footsteps approach from behind, and his brow twitched. He turned abruptly and asked, “Who’s there?”
The newcomer’s steps paused, hiding the myriad of emotions in her eyes, and she replied softly, “It’s me.”
The visitor was Pu Tao.
Rong Shuang had sent her to the Taiyan Sect to discuss next month’s sect conference. Pu Tao had just arrived at the Taiyan Sect today. The summer nights on Gufeng Mountain were quiet, and unable to sleep, she had tossed and turned in bed until deep into the night. For some reason, she suddenly recalled the time when she had first arrived at the Taiyan Sect and had shared a drink with Gu Baiying and others at Doluo Terrace.
By a strange twist of fate, Pu Tao found herself here again.
Her Martial Aunt had long seen through her thoughts. However, it was well known that Gu Baiying had feelings for Yang Zanxing. After the parting at the Golden Gate Ruins, Pu Tao returned to the Xiang Ling Sect, where she busied herself every day, but she often recalled some past events.
Her Martial Aunt knew of her heartache, so for this sect conference, she specifically sent Pu Tao here. It might not be about bringing her and Gu Baiying together, or even about expecting any outcome between them. It was just that some things needed to be seen and faced again by herself before she could truly let go.
“It’s been a long time,” Pu Tao said, gazing at Gu Baiying.
The young man appeared much the same as before, with pride and arrogance in his eyes. If she hadn’t seen Gu Baiying’s solitary and desolate figure earlier, if she hadn’t noticed the fleeting disappointment in his eyes, no one would have suspected his hidden sorrow.
“It’s you.” After a moment, Gu Baiying spoke.
The youth’s affections and grievances were straightforward. All his patience and kindness were reserved for another person.
It was truly enviable.
Pu Tao suppressed the bitterness in her heart and said, “My Martial Aunt sent me from the Xiang Ling Sect to discuss next month’s sect conference with your sect. I didn’t expect to run into you here. As for Yang Zanxing…” She struggled to continue, “Please don’t be too heartbroken.”
Pu Tao had been present when Zanxing mended the heavens.
She had not anticipated that the woman would possess such courage, willing to sacrifice herself for the countless lives of Douzhou despite being of the demon race. Because of this, whenever jealousy and envy arose in her heart, she couldn’t help but feel guilty and ashamed.
Perhaps before this, Pu Tao had harbored thoughts of competing with Zanxing. In her sect, female disciples never retreated from challenges, whether in love or other matters. But afterward, Pu Tao abandoned that notion.
In truth, Pu Tao admired Zanxing greatly. If it were her, she might not be able to be as decisive and composed as Zanxing. Perhaps she could, but the process would surely be filled with hesitation and sorrow.
Unlike Zanxing, who remained calm and smiling throughout.
It was precisely because of this that after parting at the Golden Gate Ruins, Pu Tao had many opportunities to visit the Taiyan Sect and spend more time with Gu Baiying.
But she didn’t.
Regardless of how Gu Baiying treated her, she simply couldn’t bring herself to cling to him as naively and heedlessly as she had before.
The boy stood before her, and suddenly, Pu Tao recalled that night a few years ago when she had faced Gu Baiying here, mustering all her courage to confess her feelings. The boy had rejected her, and he had done so cruelly. That summer night was just like tonight—the evening breeze was gentle, the night was filled with a lingering atmosphere—he looked at her, but his heart was set on someone else.
The night breeze turned a bit colder. The mountaintop in early summer always carried a hint of chill.
Countless green fireflies gathered and scattered, like the fleeting nature of human separation and reunion.
Pu Tao heard her own voice, soft and almost as if it were meant to drift into the wind. She said, “She is no longer here. Are you still going to wait?”
Others often said Gu Baiying was heartless and unfeeling. Even though his beloved had died, he went about his days seemingly unaffected—no tears, no drunken sorrows, just the same relentless training, seclusion, and scolding others.
But Pu Tao knew he was waiting, just as she was, for a hopeless end.
The night was desolate, the fragrant waters of the lotus pond reflecting the summer’s twilight. The previous night’s bustle had dissipated, and the summer pond was quiet, with green clouds like smoke.
The young man was silent, the red ribbon in his hair standing out vividly in the night like a brilliant flower.
He didn’t speak further, walking past Pu Tao. As he brushed by, he said softly:
“I’m not afraid of waiting.”