Chapter Eighty-Six: The Flower Deity

Muya returned to the room and sat beside Yun Chuxue, staring at her flushed cheeks, lost in thought. "The Fallen Star of Misfortune and the Rising Star of Destiny," she mused. "With disaster comes fortune, but what is the disaster and what is the fortune? The continent is splitting into two factions. One claims to be righteous while the other fights to defend their territory. This will take years to unfold. Their target is Yun Chuxue. They will certainly use extreme measures to force her to comply. If she goes now, it will be like walking into a trap."

Muya grasped Yun Chuxue's hand and used her spiritual power to examine her body. "It's clear from her meridians that she has absorbed the Sun God Flower, but there are also traces of other medicines assisting in the reconstruction of her meridians. It seems the High Priestess's sealing and nurturing method is working. Now, it's just a matter of time."

Breathing a sigh of relief, Muya gently placed Yun Chuxue's hand down and caressed her cheek, murmuring, "Forgetting the past is your best option."

Hours passed, and night fell. The moon hung high in the sky, while Muya's room was brightly lit. She held Yun Chuxue's hand, lost in thought.

Yun Chuxue slowly opened her eyes and saw Muya sitting beside her, raising a question in her mind: "Has she been sitting here for a long time?"

She turned her head to look out the window and saw it was already night. Lifting her right hand, she tugged at Muya's sleeve.

Muya glanced back and noticed Yun Chuxue was awake. She released Yun Chuxue's hand and stood up, walking towards the table.

"Have you been sitting here the whole time?" Yun Chuxue asked.

Muya replied while pouring water, "Do you think I would do that? You took my spot, and I couldn't sleep well."

Muya helped Yun Chuxue sit up and handed her the water. Yun Chuxue knew Muya was lying and placed the empty cup aside after drinking.

"Do you really want to forget the past?"

Yun Chuxue was taken aback and, after a long pause, replied, "No."

"No? After drinking so much, you still deny it?"

Muya scolded her like a child.

Yun Chuxue lowered her eyes, not knowing what to say.

"Although I don't understand what you're thinking, it makes me look down on you."

Muya's words made Yun Chuxue bow her head even lower.

"If I were you, I would seize the opportunity to recover my meridians and seek revenge instead of drowning my sorrows in alcohol."

"But my meridians are severely damaged, I..."

"Think there's no way out?"

Yun Chuxue nodded.

"Nothing is impossible. Didn't you always say, 'There's nothing Yun Chuxue can't solve'? What, a little setback and you're giving up?"

Yun Chuxue looked up at Muya. Was this the Muya she knew?

"What, are you moved? If you are..."

Before Muya could finish, Yun Chuxue hugged her tightly. "Thank you, Muya, I understand now."

"Good, as long as you understand."

"But I realized one problem."

"What?"

"The more I drink, the more sorrowful I become."

"What?"

...

A few days later, Yun Chuxue resumed her daily activities as usual.

"Yun Chuxue, you've recovered well!"

"Yes, not too bad. It feels like I didn't drink much."

"Pfft, you really can drink. Come, have a few drinks with me."

"Sure."

Yun Chuxue and Muya sat at the tea table in the study, a pot of wine and two cups set before them.

Muya poured a cup of wine for both herself and Yun Chuxue. After a courteous toast, Muya said contentedly, "Yun Chuxue, in my life, I only drink with those I truly admire. You are the first."

"Why is that?" Yun Chuxue asked.

"I am most impressed by how you single-handedly fought against eleven late-stage Spirit God realm experts. It truly left me in awe," Muya replied.

Yun Chuxue smiled slightly and said, "They all say I'm strong because of my innate talent, but they don't know the hardships I endured to reach the Spirit God realm. I remember once, when I was in the Spirit Saint realm, I challenged a hundred-thousand-year-old spirit beast alone and nearly lost my life. How reckless I was in my youth."

Muya poured another cup of wine for Yun Chuxue, who drank it in one gulp, while Muya sipped hers slowly.

"The Demon Sect has already extended its dark claws, and a new war is about to erupt on the continent. Muya, could you help me find out what's happening with the Spirit Master's Hall?" Yun Chuxue asked.

"The Spirit Master's Hall? What could possibly be happening there?" Muya replied indifferently, as if it had nothing to do with her.

"I fear the Demon Sect's leader might attack the Spirit Master's Hall."

"First, Yu Shi's strength surpasses yours; that leader cannot easily defeat Yu Shi. Second, the Spirit Master's Hall has deep roots; they cannot be attacked easily. Third, their target is you, not the Spirit Master's Hall."

"Me? Why?"

"If you ask me, who should I ask? Anyway, their target is you. As long as you're alive, they won't attack the Spirit Master's Hall to dominate the continent."

Yun Chuxue was puzzled as to why she was the target. Muya explained, "If I'm not mistaken, that leader has taken a liking to you."

"What?" Yun Chuxue was shocked.

"Not you, but your talent," Muya quickly clarified, and Yun Chuxue sighed in relief. Muya continued, "His goal is to have you join the Demon Sect and learn their complete techniques. This is what my subordinates found out. I'm not sure why he wants this."

"I've practiced righteous techniques since childhood. If I were to learn those sinister techniques, it might cause an imbalance within me, leading to inner demons."

"Not necessarily. Harmonizing yin and yang isn't a bad thing. It might even be a chance for you to transform, breaking through after reaching a low point. Nothing is impossible."

"It still won't work... Wait, you said their target is me?"

"Yes, that's right."

Yun Chuxue thought for a moment and then realized, "So, your target is also me, isn't it?"

"Indeed, Yun Chuxue. I've long heard of your exceptional intelligence. You did not disappoint."

"The seal..."

"We'll discuss that in a couple of years. For now, let's drink."

"Alright."

Yun Chuxue didn't ask further. From the past few days, she had learned that Muya always kept her word. She chose to trust Muya.

A month later, heavy snow began to fall from the sky. Yun Chuxue, dressed in light clothes and a short skirt, sat by the window with a cloak draped over her. She extended her hand outside, waiting for the snowflakes to land on her palm.

A larger snowflake landed on Yun Chuxue's hand. She smiled and examined it closely, waiting for it to melt in her palm.

Muya walked out from the study and, seeing this scene, approached her. She came up behind Yun Chuxue, squatted down, and embraced her, resting her head on Yun Chuxue's shoulder.

"Yun Chuxue, I'm a bit tired. Stay with me while I sleep," Muya said.

Yun Chuxue agreed without hesitation.

The fire in the stove burned brightly, warming the room. On the bed, Muya held Yun Chuxue's waist as she slept soundly, clearly exhausted.

Yun Chuxue didn't fall asleep. She lay still, staring out the window, because she was thinking about her child.