Chapter Eighty-Three: Yun Ranran of Jiuzhou Academy

How foolish he had been, letting himself be led by that little one, still carrying the lingering scent of her embrace—delicate lotus fragrance drifting into his nostrils, haunting his soul. Chong Li truly felt as though he had fallen under a spell, harboring such forbidden thoughts for his erstwhile disciple.

He had raised her with his own hands; yet now, at the thought of her marrying another in the future, his emotions threatened to unravel. But what could he do? Chong Li, who could ascend to the highest heavens or descend into the netherworld, who could foretell the future, could not divine Lian’s heart. He feared that any rashness on his part would frighten the lotus spirit he had nurtured for two centuries into hiding.

He didn’t even know where he himself had come from; no memory told him how to pursue a girl. Leaning against the edge of the bath, he found some comfort in the cool water—at least he wouldn’t catch a chill this season.

So it was, over countless years past, that his love for Lian Bao had already fermented and changed, though his desire to protect her for a lifetime had remained unchanged. Such was fate, such was his true nature.

...

In the Thirty-Third Heaven, the lotuses bloomed splendidly in the Wan Hua Palace. Chong Hua sat dazing over a game of chess, when suddenly, his heart felt filled to overflowing.

A man in white robes rode the clouds to Chong Hua’s side in haste. “Chong Hua, Chong Zi has somehow escaped her confinement and gone into the Demon Realm!”

Chong Hua roused himself, casting a calm glance at High God Jiu Yun. “It’s of no consequence. This game grows ever more difficult. The Abyss of Resentful Souls has been sealed for thousands of years; perhaps the seal is weakening.”

What Chong Hua said seemed unrelated to Jiu Yun’s question, but if one thought carefully, wasn’t the barrier to the Abyss of Resentful Souls located at the Demon Well in the Demon Realm?

Back then, Chong Lian had suddenly reincarnated for reasons unknown, Chong Ye vanished without a trace, and Chong Zi, searching for her brother Chong Ye, exhausted half her cultivation in vain.

Of the four Innate Gods, only Chong Hua remained, struggling to hold everything together.

Far off at the horizon, the crimson clouds reflected a glow like blood. From the day Chong Lian reincarnated, the world had known no peace. Chong Hua, did you foresee this in your heart...?

After taking his leave, Jiu Yun returned to the Ninth Heaven. If a great calamity truly approached, they would do their part.

Chong Hua lingered, gazing into the pond where splendid lotuses bloomed, lost in thought.

...

The Demon Realm was but one of the Six Realms. Its open customs led many to assume that its people were wanton and indulgent, given to vice and excess.

The skies there were never as pure as those of the God Realm; crimson clouds stretched across the heavens, as though the sky itself had been dyed with blood.

No woman on the streets lacked allure—boldly dressed, these were the middling demons, fond of using their beauty to tempt mortals to sin.

Chong Zi walked down the street, her immortal aura and divine power drawing both fear and aversion from the demons. It seemed that from the moment gods and demons were born, their worlds were destined to be absolute opposites—good and evil, clear as day.

A female demon, swaying like a willow, her eyes brimming with autumn seduction, approached and bowed gracefully. “Honored God, please come with me.”

Even her words were melodious, like the song of an oriole, enchanting the soul.

Determined, Chong Zi followed the demon’s steps, unaware that there would be no turning back from this path…

The entire palace was awash in black and red. Chong Zi, in her white dress, stood out glaringly in the great hall.

On the throne sat a man garbed in a black robe, a nine-tailed fox fur draped about his neck. Noble and elegant, the red at the corners of his eyes and the mark on his forehead revealed his identity to Chong Zi—this was the Demon Lord, Mo Ye.

“Chong Zi, Honored God, one does not come to my palace without reason. To what do I owe your visit to the Demon Realm?”

Mo Ye toyed with a skull in his hand, asking the question offhandedly, his gaze never truly settling on Chong Zi.

Chong Zi felt a spark of irritation, but reminded herself this was not the Thirty-Third Heaven, swallowing her anger. “I have come to make a deal with you!”

Mo Ye laughed wildly, his rich, magnetic voice bewitching the maids around him. “You have the authority? Since Chong Ye disappeared, it seems Chong Hua can no longer restrain you.”

Chong Zi repeated herself, “Will you make this deal or not?”

“Don’t be hasty. I’ll do it—of course I will. Isn’t this for your brother? In the Demon Realm, we act as we please.”

Chong Zi had not expected Mo Ye to agree so easily. With that thought, she no longer dwelled on it—her brother would soon return!

Brother, wait for me! Your little Zi will bring you home soon!

...

Days spent with Chong Li always seemed to pass quickly; in the blink of an eye, another month had gone by.

“After the minor exam, let’s take a trip outside the academy! The Nine Provinces is vast, and since there’s no news of the lotus petal, we might as well explore more,” Yun Ranran suggested.

Chong Li had no objections; so long as he was with the one he loved, anywhere would do.

This past month, he had been endlessly teased by Yun Ranran, nearly losing control. Cold baths every night had become routine, but he found it all sweetly endurable.

“Little Uncle, Master wants you to come over, and Junior Brother Chong Li too!” At some point, Tangtang had appeared at the door.

Yun Ranran set down her teacup. “Alright, we’ll be there in a bit.”

When she had developed her fondness for tea, Yun Ranran could not remember—no doubt she had picked it up from Chong Li, as she had so many of his habits.

After Tangtang left, Yun Ranran took Chong Li to the headmaster’s office. She had expected other elders to be present, but found only the three of them.

Zitan regarded them with inscrutable eyes, his smile fox-like. “Ranran, have a seat. You too.”

Yun Ranran always felt there was a message behind Zitan’s smile. “Just say what you have to say. If it’s within our power, we’ll do it. But your look is truly unnerving.”

Zitan’s smile deepened. “You always did understand me best, Ranran. I hope you two can use the days after the exam to handle a task for me in the Nine Provinces.”

“So, he doesn’t have to take the exam?” Yun Ranran pointed at Chong Li in disbelief.

“You know his abilities. Or should I say, Lady Divine Maiden?”

Yun Ranran fell silent. How did this old man know everything? “When did you realize I wasn’t the real Yun Ranran?”

“The true Yun Ranran is with Yun Shu now, so you must be an imposter. And as I approach ascension, I recently received a divine decree—only then did I understand everything.”

Zitan no longer concealed what he knew, explaining it all.

“So, a piece of your true self is in the Holy Temple of the Nine Provinces, and Luo Nanshu came to the academy for this as well?”

Zitan nodded. Throughout, Chong Li remained silent.

“I had thought to go after the exam, but it seems this trip will have to be brought forward…”

Now that her identity was exposed, there was no need to be called Yun Ranran any longer.

Chong Li placed his hand on Lian’s shoulder—he would take care of everything.

Lian was not truly worried; she just didn’t know how to speak to the real Yun Ranran. According to Zitan, they were bound to meet, and at the thought of that scene, Lian grew anxious.

Two identical people standing side by side—would Chong Li be able to tell the real from the false? She pushed the sudden thought from her mind.

After leaving Zitan, the two began to plan their route. Even if their “work trip” was a romantic journey, it still needed to be planned, despite their ability to cross great distances in a single step with a spell.