Three days after Rong Zheng left, auspicious signs appeared from the heavens.

Before the sun had risen, vast expanses of clouds were dyed a fiery red.

Such brilliant clouds drew the attention of the villagers heading out to work, causing them to look up in amazement.

A clear, melodious call came from the horizon. Noble Consort Xin, who was resting in her nest, opened her eyes upon hearing it and responded with a call of her own.

The source of the call paused briefly, then suddenly called out three times in succession, as if responding to the phoenix in the mountains.

Noble Consort Xin called out a few more times, letting the other know she was there.

Soon after, a phoenix-shaped cloud appeared in the sky. The cloud was dyed red by the morning sun, its wings spread like sails, its tail trailing like ribbons, as if a true fire phoenix was soaring through the sky.

Those unaware thought it was a divine manifestation, dropping their farming tools to kneel and pray.

But to the Immortal and Noble Consort Xin, it was indeed a golden-red phoenix flying towards Peach Blossom Mountain.

Its entire body was bright and resplendent, its tail feathers fluttering, scattering stardust with each wingbeat. From afar, it appeared as a bright golden orb, and only when it flew closer did one realize the vastness of its wings.

The phoenix circled but did not land, waiting patiently.

The Immortal stood outside the Taoist Temple, in Noble Consort Xin's small courtyard.

He looked up at the phoenix, which let out a gentle call. The Immortal smiled and nodded, and thus they exchanged greetings.

When Tao Mian lowered his gaze, he met the calm eyes of Noble Consort Xin.

"Go on, it has come for you."

Noble Consort Xin seemed hesitant, unsure if it was the enchanting mountains and waters she was reluctant to leave, or the Immortal before her.

"Go," the Immortal opened the small gate of the fence, "Life is a journey against the current, and this is only a temporary resting place. It's time to return to your true home."

Noble Consort Xin stepped out of the "home" Tao Mian had personally built for her, nuzzling his hand one last time with affection.

She stood in an open space, lifted her head, and spread her short wings.

With a powerful push, she leapt into the air, her wings suddenly expanding, regaining the fullness of a phoenix's plumage, her tail feathers dancing in the air as she soared away!

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The phoenixes sang in harmony, the pair of divine birds circling three times over Peach Blossom Mountain, countless golden lights falling and seeping into the earth and streams. The villagers were blessed, and the harvest next year would surely be bountiful.

The Immortal clasped his hands in gratitude, his dark hair gleaming under the shimmering golden light. He thanked the phoenixes for their goodwill on behalf of the mountain folk and bid them farewell.

Noble Consort Xin departed, and Yellow Chicken stood at the courtyard gate for a long time, gazing into the distance.

Tao Mian fed it some extra grain, but Yellow Chicken only pecked at it a couple of times before refusing to eat.

He sighed softly.

"It seems you have to get used to another farewell, poor thing."

A month after Rong Zheng left the mountain, there was no news, and Tao Mian couldn't help but worry. But Ah Jiu sent a letter saying Rong Zheng had treated her to a meal, and they had a pleasant chat, reassuring Tao Mian not to worry too much.

After that, another half month passed before Rong Zheng's first letter arrived.

She said she was lucky; among the names Shopkeeper Xue provided, the second Divine Doctor she found said he could treat her illness.

Though it couldn't be cured, there was hope to snatch a few more years from the judge of the underworld.

However, the treatment would take a long time, and the Divine Doctor wanted Rong Zheng to stay there for years. Rong Zheng said that wouldn't do; if she spent year after year there, how could she return to Peach Blossom Mountain? Wouldn't that be like dying away from home?

So she negotiated with the old Divine Doctor to find opportunities to return to the mountain for a few months each year. The old Divine Doctor was so exasperated that he blew his beard and glared, but Rong Zheng, with her persistence, managed to convince him.

In her letter, she told Tao Mian not to worry about her, as she was already in the process of detoxification. Once the first stage was over, she would return for a visit.

Reading the letter, Tao Mian felt naturally joyful. When he first took her as a disciple, the system had told him that Rong Zheng's Gu Poison was incurable, which had left him quite disheartened. Now, even if it couldn't be completely cured, delaying its onset was still a blessing.

People are like that, often holding onto hope. Even though the system had firmly stated that Rong Zheng would live no more than fifty-five years, Tao Mian thought, even one more year would be good.

Once Rong Zheng settled with the old Divine Doctor, she sent more letters to Peach Blossom Mountain. She talked about everything. The old Divine Doctor was like an old child, needing her to coax him like a child every day for treatment.

She lived by a not-too-large lake, surrounded by herbs, a suitable place to reside. Unfortunately, the Divine Doctor didn't allow visitors, or else Tao Mian could have visited to relax for a few days.

They also talked about everything on Peach Blossom Mountain. Which flowers bloomed, which trees bore fruit... such trivial matters. Rong Zheng wrote letters diligently, each one arriving before Tao Mian could respond to the previous one.

Rong Zheng once remembered the promise Tao Mian made to her.

She said Tao Mian had helped her retrieve the Snow-Embroidered Sword, take the Jade-Hiding Altar, and obtain the Bone-Illuminating Mirror. Tao Mian had fulfilled his promises to her, and now it was her turn to do something.

Tao Mian, recalling the past, felt a sense of nostalgia.

He said, "You have already done it."

What could an Immortal ask of a disciple? He only hoped Rong Zheng could live as herself and no longer as a kite.

Rong Zheng's next letter contained not a single word, only crumpled paper, indicating she was moved to tears.

Tao Mian folded the letter neatly, placed it back in the envelope, and opened the drawer.

Inside, the drawer was neatly divided into two sections, one for the Fifth Disciple's letters and the other for the First Disciple's.

Gu Yuan's belongings were buried in the mountain, but the Immortal couldn't bear to part with these letters.

He tidied up the letters, picked up the bamboo basket beside him, and went up the mountain to sweep the graves.

The clear wind blew through the willow catkins, and new fires lit the kitchen smoke.

Spring had come once again.

Children at the foot of the mountain flew paper kites, the colorful ink-painted kites soaring high.

Those who had gone far away should slowly return.

The Story of Rong Zheng · End

——— Divider ———

The story of the Fifth Disciple, Rong Zheng, ends here. Little Hua will still have opportunities to appear, but she won't be the main focus, as the Sixth Disciple is about to make their debut.

Everyone probably knows who the Sixth Disciple is. Although it was mentioned before that this disciple would be quite irritating, I've made some adjustments to the storyline, and the early to mid-stages are actually quite cheerful!

During this time, I've carefully reconsidered the overall story structure and decided to focus on the interactions between Little Tao and the disciples, occasionally inserting some characters like Junior Brother Chen Yan. Since there are ideas that need to be conveyed through supporting characters, I'll reserve some space for these briefly appearing roles.

There's no need to worry about Tao Mian's romantic storyline; this is a no-CP story. Little Tao simply cares for each disciple equally (Tao Sect) (hands clasped in prayer).

I also hope everyone can find joy in this. Although I wield the knife (crossed out), there are many interesting plots within! Joys and sorrows are part of life! Being too immersed in one or lacking the other doesn't quite capture the essence.

Once again, thank you for your support! I've written 220,000 words, and I'm truly amazing (beating drums and gongs) (spreading the news)—