The sun vanished, the horizon somber, and dark clouds gathered overhead. A breeze rippled the lake, weaving patterns of diamonds. The water glinted afar with a bright, shimmering light.

Master Zong stood frozen. The shrimp king gone, the black ghost-fin dispersed. His avatar returned, yet his mind was far from the fish Gongsun Liang caught. Why had Yue Hun been so serious about bringing this child to his mentor?

Gongsun Liang fished diligently, but his luck seemed to have vanished. Half an incense stick passed, and no fish bit. His patience thinning, he glanced at Master Zong.

Thunder rumbled, and the sky darkened swiftly. Night seemed to descend prematurely. A downpour was coming. Master Zong waved his sleeve, and the fishing pole vanished. They hurried back to the village.

Master Zong wouldn't have cared about the storm, but Gongsun Liang, lacking his abilities, was deeply concerned. He scurried home, and Master Zong, feeling unsettled by Yue Hun's words, followed.

As Gongsun Liang neared his home, a flash of lightning struck behind him. Thunder boomed, and the heavens opened, unleashing a torrential downpour.

Master Zong realized the rain was upon them. He appeared before Gongsun Liang, scooped him up, and darted inside. The rain pounded the door and eaves, sounding like a relentless drumbeat.

Gongsun Liang darted through the gate, and immediately, a gray mist swirled before his eyes. He felt a tightening all over his body as something wrapped around him, lifting him several yards through the courtyard. Gongsun Wife, his demonic mother, yanked him to her side with a piece of apron and scolded, "Why didn't you run home with the rain falling? Where were you wandering?" She smoothed out his clothing, adding, "You're always playing with oddballs instead of studying. Did you meet a homeless person today?"

Liang tried to speak, but Gongsun Wife cut him off, saying, "Your evening studies are doubled tonight!" She gently plucked a grass blade from his clothing and turned to Master Zong. "How did you know my son?" she asked.

Master Zong felt amused and annoyed. He replied, "Madam, I met your son while fishing at the Jade Lake. He showed interest in my belongings, and we spent some time together. Then the rain came, and since I'm not very nimble, I followed him here to seek shelter. I hope you'll allow me to stay until it stops." Gongsun Wife nodded, and Liang looked at her, silent.

Gongsun Wife stared at Master Zong. "Hey, you don't look local. I've never seen you in Yuxian Town. Where are you from?" Master Zong sighed, feeling like a criminal under interrogation. "I'm just a wandering traveler, enjoying the scenery wherever I go. Here, I came on a whim, no fixed destination."

"Oh? Makes sense. Come inside, rest a bit." Gongsun Wife didn't continue questioning, surprising Master Zong.

She gestured for him to enter. Passing her, he felt something strange. Dodging quickly, the whooshing wind vanished in a blink. He turned, coldly staring at her. She chuckled. "You said your legs were clumsy? But your moves are impressive! Better than our clumsy goose at home!" Master Zong, harboring a grudge, blushed. His lie was exposed.

Gongsun Wife's tone cooled. "Who are you? Why here? Answer truthfully. Yuxian Town is not a place to come and go freely." Master Zong knew trouble was brewing. If he didn't explain clearly, his hopes of taking a disciple would be dashed. This wasn't a matter of force, so he prepared to explain.

Master Zong and Master Wen Ruyu both came to Yuxian Town for the same reason: to search for a reincarnated immortal in the Lieyu Mountains. Their masters had given them this task. This immortal, having returned to the mortal world, carried a high status, so there would be unusual signs at his birth.

Master Wen Ruyu of Qinglian Sect and Master Zong Daoyi of Taiyi Sect had a long history. When they were young and studying, they traveled together through the desolate northwestern lands, even braving the furious god peak at Yunji Mountains' southernmost tip. They knew each other well. But the connection between their masters was even stronger.

In the realm of mortals, Liu Ye's name echoes loudly among those who pursue immortality. A woman of unparalleled beauty and renown, she is known everywhere, her fame, whether praised or criticized, surpassing all others.

Before her ascension, Liu Ye had no nickname. Her master offered her a daoist title, a mark of respect for her achievements, but she gracefully refused, believing titles were superfluous. Years of cultivation had made her transcend the vanity of fame and fortune; she was simply Liu Ye.

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Despite this, fame and fortune followed her closely. Her descent from the mountains into the mortal world caused a stir unlike any other. People gasped in awe at her beauty, and those who witnessed her emergence recalled the frenzy she caused. Crowds, including mortals and cultivators, traders and monks, gathered wherever she walked, drawn to her irresistible presence. Unable to explain why, their eyes were fixed on her. Vendors set up stalls, selling food and drink, drawing even more people, forming an odd yet prosperous caravan.

Liu Ye's master worried the heavenly officials might accuse her of disturbing the mortal realm. But a heavenly messenger dismissed the reports, citing cross-realm prosperity, communication, and demand.

Other women saw Liu Ye and fled, whispering. "Look at her beauty!" "She's just a fox spirit." "Beauty's not all. She dresses well. What perfume?" "It smells like lotus." "Like the ad guy?" "No, his name is XXX. He won the duel too. He thanked the audience with that perfume." "You snatched a bottle, couldn't sleep for days!" "He whispered to me, 'I don't tell everyone!'"

Liu Ye tried to conceal her beauty, but people always found her. After trying to change her appearance, she gave up. Her fame spread through messengers. Li Changfeng, known for his news, eagerly spread her fame, giving her the nickname "Red Dust Fairy."

As Liu Ye neared exhaustion, two figures appeared: Ye San and Dee Lang, both deeply linked to her story. Their names echo in the immortal realm, remembered for their fiery era. Once they joined Liu Ye, her unnoticed followers dwindled, until only the three remained: Liu Ye, Ye San, and Dee Lang.

Back then, Ye San and Dee Lang, their names ordinary, faces unremarkable, seemed no different from regular cultivators. Yet what made them stand out was their unwavering devotion to Liu Ye. Unlike others who dwelled in daily trivia, they seemed immune to such banalities.

Ye San, sword in hand, smiled constantly, his white robe always pristine, silently trailing Liu Ye. Dee Lang, a rogue adventurer, with wild, blood-red hair pointing skyward, frequently swapped his faded clothes.

Despite their disparities in demeanor and habits, they shared a remarkable trait: whenever Liu Ye needed something, they conjured it out of their hands, clean and ready. Liu Ye admired their constant smiles, whatever the situation.

As young men often compete, so did Ye San and Dee Lang, rivals in love. Whether in the Soul-Stealing Pass or the Crimson-Glass Bay, from the Divine Sea to the Cloud-Sacrifice Mountains, they engaged in subtle contests, honing their skills and powers.

Liu Ye, on a journey of self-discovery, found herself torn between fear of loneliness and confusion in solitude. Yet whenever Ye San and Dee Lang proposed exploring treacherous locales, Liu Ye instinctively agreed. Unknown to her, these locales tested not just their martial arts but also their courage.

Little did they know that this adventure would broaden their horizons and strengthen their abilities, laying the foundation for their future standing in the Ling-continent and beyond.

As their training progressed and the years flew by, the early competitive spirit faded, replaced by an even stronger urge to ascend to the heavens. Eventually, further wandering became redundant, and the trio parted ways, each heading their separate paths. But none ever forgot the shared trials and tribulations of those years. To show gratitude, Liu Ye bestowed each of them a small wristband before bidding farewell.

Ye San vanished for ages, only emerging a millennium later. Meanwhile, Dee Lang rose to fame in the South Wilderness. After a fierce battle at Soul-Stealing Pass, he vanquished the infamous Three Lost Souls, earning a star-like reputation among the Ling-continent folk. Shortly after, news arrived from the demonic frontier, introducing Ling Jianxiu, a name that would forever resonate in Dee Lang's heart.

As a youth, Zong Daoyi trained under Dee Lang, unaware of his mentor's esteemed reputation. Upon mastering his arts, Dee Lang presented him with a wristband, revealing a rare moment of nostalgia. For the first time, he recounted his travels in his younger days. He mentioned that though the wristband wasn't a treasure, it had been invaluable during his own training.

Zong Daoyi had come to greet the reincarnated mortal form of a great figure, but found Master Wen Ruyu had already arrived. Not caring who received the mortal, Zong followed Wen Ruyu's unexpected turn to the Gongsun family. With a clear mind, he saw what Wen missed, leading to contrasting outcomes. After six years of waiting, Zong deemed the time ripe and decided to take his apprentice back to meet his mentor.

Zong Daoyi explained his intentions briefly, revealing only his ties to the renowned Dee Lang and his desire to take Gongsun Liang as his apprentice. Deeply interested in the boy, he spoke cautiously to Gongsun's mother, fearing any misstep could lead to regret.

Gongsun Liang, bundle on his back, walked, his mind still wondering about Dee Lang. After all, just hearing his name had caused his mother to drop her apron yesterday. And that evening, she had spoken gently and prepared the bundle for him, skipping their usual evening prayers.

That evening, Zong Daoyi spoke his piece and returned to his Lieyu Mountain abode to await news. Early the next day, Gongsun Liang was tasked by his mother to deliver a small bundle to Zong Daoyi. He puzzled over why his mother didn't give it to the old man herself yesterday, but sent him instead. Facing his mother's stern gaze, he said nothing and fled, dashing to a village ten miles from Yuxian Town.

Not once did Gongsun Liang turn back. Had he done so, he'd have seen tears on his mother's usually strong face. Had he glanced back, he'd have noticed her hand trembling as it fell. Had he looked, he might have realized that by not turning back, he might never see her again.