Wang Sheng reopened the great Buddha statue, which he had sealed long ago, and let the two shuttles fly out. Lishang and Lin Yun escorted them to Fengmo.

Qing Long and Yuan Pu Zhenren stayed behind and waited to travel with Wang Sheng, though Qing Long really just wanted to pay his respects to Qinglin. Unfortunately, Xi Lian and Qinglin had been walking together in a corner, which left him no chance to step forward.

On the surface, Wang Sheng chatted with the two elders about the customs and conditions outside the Realm of Exiled Immortals, but he was really eavesdropping on the conversation between Qinglin and Xi Lian. Yaoyun, who was teaching her only disciple nearby, also read Wang Sheng's mind to "listen" to them.

Xiaomiao knelt obediently before Yaoyun. Because of her earlier slip of the tongue, her master was now lecturing her. Looking aggrieved, she cast pleading looks at her brother, but he pretended not to notice.

She was still so young, yet instead of focusing on proper matters, she had already become so bold, and her thoughts had already become so complicated. It was clear she required a proper scolding.

Meanwhile, Qinglin continued speaking at length.

"Little Lian, I know you have feelings for me, but I have always regarded you as a junior."

Xi Lian nodded. "Mm, mm."

"We have to prioritize cultivation, immortality, and fulfilling our responsibilities. Matters of the heart should not be given too much weight."

"Mm, I understand," Xi Lian replied softly, though the smile at the corner of her lips refused to fade.

Qinglin smiled faintly. "Little Lian, are you... Never mind. At this point, you wouldn't listen to anything I say."

He gestured for her to come with him. They headed toward Wang Sheng.

Seemingly already aware of what Qinglin had in mind, Wang Sheng turned away to repair a crack in the great Buddha statue. Qing Long seized the chance to finally greet Qinglin.

In the end, they decided that Ling Sheng and the Spirit-Stabilizing Tea Tree would remain behind to guard the place, while Qinglin and Xi Lian would accompany Wang Sheng to Fengmo. Qinglin didn't want to leave the statue, but because Xi Lian kept following him, he thought a change in the environment could help shift her focus.

The Shadowless Shuttle that Wang Sheng had brought out for the return journey became rather crowded. Nevertheless, he filled the shuttle with gentle immortal light and brought in two medicinal herbs that freshened up the interior to make the space more comfortable for Xiaomiao.

At the back, Qinglin and Xi Lian talked quietly. Qinglin kept finding topics, while Xi Lian simply watched him, nodding from time to time.

Yaoyun seemed to be in a good mood. Standing to the side, she explained the scale of the ancient battlefield and its cultivators' way of life to the two elders.

Xiaomiao, who had just been scolded, stayed close to her brother, chatting with him about things back home. She knew he had suffered a great deal out here and that many years had passed for him. Hence, she described everything in detail—even the smallest of events.

She talked about their parents' wallet being stolen on a beach while they were traveling abroad. When they chased the thief, one of them twisted an ankle, which led to a misunderstanding that foreign cultivators had attacked an ordinary couple. Over a thousand Special Warfare Unit members ended up being deployed in haste.

She also spoke about the rapid changes in the Hua Republic, the accelerating fusion of primal qi and technology, and the steadily progressing lunar development plan.

Listening attentively, Wang Sheng felt deeply content. After fighting for his life out here, what he worried about most was trouble arising back home. Fortunately, nothing had gone wrong, and everything was moving in a positive direction.

Xiomiao whispered, "Brother, when I meet Senior Sister in the future, should I call her Sister-in-Law?"

She likely heard about Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan's marriage along the way.

"Mm." Wang Sheng patted her on the back. "You can change how you address her next time you see her, but she probably won't remember to give you a red envelope[1]."

Xiaomiao's eyes lit up. "Whoa. Have you already completed the marriage rites?"

"Yes, but since it was done on short notice, only a few people were present. We will definitely hold another ceremony one day."

Xiaomiao grinned. "I am not worried about that. When are you two planning to have a baby? I can finally become an aunt!"

Wang Sheng's lips twitched. He sighed. "Right now, your sister-in-law and I are separated by who knows how many galaxies. It is even worse than the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl[2]."

"What happened?"

"Senior Sister went to cultivate with a very powerful being. We rushed the marriage because we likely would not see each other for a long time."

Xiaomiao frowned slightly. "Does that mean I won't get to meet her for a long time?"

Wang Sheng said seriously, "There is no helping it. Because we are still too weak, she had to improve herself quickly. Earth's cultivators started too late. That's why we need time the most.

"From now on, you should cast aside distractions and focus on cultivation. Keep growing stronger. I know you're clever. Huai Jing and the others even think highly of you. To be honest, though, you are still too inexperienced."

Xiaomiao gave him a bitter look. "Yeah, yeah, got it. You are becoming more and more naggy, Brother."

Wang Sheng smiled. "Well, I am already a few hundred years old. Are our parents doing well?"

"You already asked that just now." Xiaomiao sighed. "They are doing great and are under full protection now. Wherever they go, there are teams secretly guarding them.

"The cultivation world outside the Hua Republic has pretty much collapsed as well. The Daoist sects and the Special Warfare Unit are now far stronger than any other force across the five continents.

"However, it seems we have no intention of expanding. Deep down, everyone thinks expansion would only create more burdens, and national benefits should not be handed out so easily to foreigners."

Still smiling, Wang Sheng nodded.

Yaoyun walked over from the side and took Xiaomiao away again for more lessons. She didn't lecture her about conduct again, but guided her in cultivation. It was clear she took her role as Xiaomiao's master seriously.

Although Wang Sheng and the others set off later, their smaller shuttle was faster. They arrived at Fengmo with the two large shuttles.

The planet was now calm and stable. With the Xinghai Sect providing cover, the group of over a hundred quietly entered its new base. Since there were still only a few of them, they only occupied a corner of the empty city that Wang Sheng had overseen—a place protected by powerful arrays.

There would be no battles for a while. These hundred people would serve as the first "Fire Seed" of Earth's cultivation world. They would grow into torches, into blazing fires, and eventually into a great flame that would light the path for those who would come after. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Hoping to strengthen the ties between the Earthlings and the Xinghai Sect, Wang Sheng invited Yao Xingzi and Lishang to attend a celebration held by his compatriots. Yao Xingzi and the two grandmasters spoke at length during the event. They got along so well that they seemed to regret not meeting sooner.

In truth, they all understood that the Xinghai Sect was ultimately just one Daoist heritage, and that Earth's cultivation world had immense potential.

The sect would act as a shield in the early stage of expansion. Once the Earthlings developed and secured their footing, the sect would stand in the open as a front. One day, it would naturally become just another Daoist heritage within Earth's cultivation world. After all, the promises that Wang Sheng had made to the Xinghai Sect were only to ensure that it would not be controlled or consumed.

***

Three days later, the celebration finally ended, and Earth's cultivators obediently went into seclusion to cultivate.

Wang Sheng spent a few more days wandering Fengmo with Xiaomiao, showing her the sights and letting her enjoy the local food. Once her initial excitement faded, he had her enter the Xinghai Sect to cultivate alongside the newer disciples.

Naturally, she was given special treatment. Two female elders stayed with her at all times, worried that other young disciples would bully her, which in turn would anger their new vice sect master.

With Lin Yun overseeing Fengmo, everything remained extremely stable.

Wang Sheng handed over the various matters related to Earth's cultivation world to the two grandmasters, Zhang Zikuang, and the other instructors. He told them to discuss and handle everything as one, then returned to the Xinghai Sect with Spiritless to prepare for long-period seclusion.

Meanwhile, in the past few days, Xi Lian followed Qinglin wherever he went. She stayed within a few steps of him at all times. She did not say much; she simply followed.

Xi Lian nodded in agreement when Qinglin told her to stay on Fengmo and cultivate, yet she still trailed three paces behind him. Though she did not press too close, she refused to let him go either.

He tried several times to speak with Wang Sheng about Xi Lian, but Wang Sheng kept evading him. By the time Wang Sheng entered secluded cultivation, Qinglin still hadn't managed to catch him even once.

Qinglin tried deliberately speaking harshly to her, but Xi Lian just kept listening with a smile. Anger and frustration seemed to have been stripped away from her mind, leaving only patience and persistence.

He eventually returned to the great Buddha statue to continue guarding the gate of the Realm of Exiled Immortals. Xi Lian followed him all the way, chasing after him from behind.

Wang Sheng also did what he could to help Xi Lian. He instructed the Earthlings to give her any Immortal Stones and supplies that were supposed to be sent to Qinglin, effectively binding him to her in some way.

No one could say what would become of the two. One had feelings; the other remained distant. The rules rooted in Qinglin's heart were difficult to erase, while Xi Lian's attachment now ran even deeper than simple love.

Perhaps there would be no ending between them. For now, though, Xi Lian was content just being able to stay by his side.

Qinglin was not truly opposed to her following him, either. He repeatedly attempted to have her remain on Fengmo simply because he feared he would soften.

"That's one matter I can finally set aside, at least."

Wang Sheng placed Spiritless beside him and sat within his rather modest cave dwelling. He slowly closed his eyes and entered meditation, contemplating the Great Dao of Pure Yang, the Heavenly Ziwei Sword, and Dual Polarity.

He still did not dare dwell on the Dao of Heavenly Tribulation. After all, he still hadn't accumulated enough insights. If he could not achieve a true breakthrough in one go, it would only waste his chances of enduring heavenly might.

From the Devil-Sealing Well to now, Big Sister Xi Lian has come so far.

Wang Sheng suddenly said, "It truly is difficult to complete a destined bond."

"Mm," Yaoyun responded softly but did not continue.

Wang Sheng smiled faintly and immersed his consciousness in the Great Dao. Time seemed to pass a little faster, bringing him closer to his own destined bond.

1. In Chinese tradition, married couples usually give out red packets to younger generations on Chinese New Year. ☜

2. The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl is a famous Chinese folk story about two lovers who were separated by the Milky Way and can only meet once a year. ☜