Xi He's Choice

Moon Star.

The cool moonlight poured down like mercury, enveloping the entire palace in silence.

Xi He and Chang Xi, the two sisters who have been inseparable since birth, sat facing each other in silence.

On the jade table before them, wisps of steam rose from the spirit tea, yet they could not dispel the tense atmosphere between the two.

Finally, Chang Xi broke the suffocating silence.

"Sister, are you really going to become Dao Companion with that Di Jun?"

Her voice trembled slightly, conveying both confusion and deep worry.

"Indeed, this matter has already been decided; what else is there to ask?"

Xi He's voice was as calm as still water, without any discernible emotion.

"Settled?"

"Sister, have you forgotten Master's instructions?"

"Before she passed away, my master gave me countless instructions."

"Let us sisters cultivate our minds in tranquility and never meddle in the conflicts and disputes of this Primordial Wilderness!"

"The Demon Clan race and the Immortal Court are sworn enemies, and a great war is imminent!"

"If you marry Di Jun now, wouldn't that be tying yourself to the Demon Clan's war chariot?"

"Isn't this just stepping into the biggest vortex of conflict in the Primordial Wilderness?!"

"Once you Di Jun become Dao Companion, the Demon Clan will have complete control of the Moon Star."

"Then the next step will inevitably be to wage war against the Immortal Court!"

Chang Xi became more and more agitated as she spoke, her chest heaving violently. She pointed at Xi He, her eyes filled with heartache.

"Sister, marrying him is such a foolish choice!"

Despite her sister's questioning, Xi He remained unmoved.

She simply raised her eyes and looked at Chang Xi.

I know all of that.

Chang Xi felt a tightness in her chest from anger at her nonchalant attitude.

"You know? You know and you still did it!"

"Little sister, you're too naive."

Xi He shook her head gently, her voice tinged with helplessness.

"The Primordial Wilderness conflicts cannot be avoided simply by wishing to."

"Just like this time, you and I, sisters, have stayed put and cultivated ourselves on this Moon Star."

"Didn't they still come knocking on our door, Di Jun and Taiyi?"

"The tree may wish to remain still, but the wind will not cease! Can we hide forever?"

"Rather than being passively drawn in and at the mercy of others, it's better to actively participate."

"This..."

Chang Xi was speechless, unable to find a reason to refute these words for a moment.

Xi He paused, her voice softening slightly.

"Furthermore, you and I, sisters, are manifestations of the Taiyin Origin, while Di Jun was conceived by the True Sun Spirit,"

"Our Great Dao are inherently mutually attractive, with Yinyang in harmony."

"If we could become Dao Companion, it would bring immeasurable benefits to both of our cultivation."

As for Master...

Xi He paused, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

"I think even if my master finds out, she will understand me and won't blame me."

"Moreover, Di Jun has already invited the Saint Nuwa and the Sage Zhou Ming to jointly preside over the ceremony for us."

"Two Saint officiating at the wedding! What an honor!"

"This matter has already been proclaimed to the Primordial Wilderness, and there is no room for reversal."

"Not to mention..."

She looked at her younger sister and said, word by word.

"And I will never go back on my word."

Two Saint jointly presided over the ceremony!

She knew her sister was telling the truth.

There's no turning back now.

Chang Xi looked at her sister's back and felt completely unfamiliar with her.

She took a deep breath, as if using all her strength, and asked the question she least wanted to ask, yet had to ask.

"Sister... tell me, do you... have real feelings for him?"

Xi He's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.

But she didn't turn around.

"So what if it is? So what if it isn't?"

"The path of the Great Dao is inherently full of Variables. Why let go of an opportunity that you can seize?"

Chang Xi swayed slightly, then gave a bitter smile, "Very well, what a Great Dao opportunity..."

"I see."

She slumped back into her chair, and after a long while, let out a long sigh, filled with helplessness and desolation.

"Never mind..."

"Since my sister has already thought everything through, what else can I say?"

"I hope my sister won't regret her choice today in the future."

Xi He's eyes sharpened instantly.

"I, Xi He, will never regret the decisions I've made!"

"Whether it's fortune or misfortune, whether it's ascending to the Great Dao or dying on the Way."

"These are all my choices, and I will take full responsibility for them!"

After he finished speaking, the hall fell silent once again.

After a long while, Xi He's gaze softened slightly. She looked at Chang Xi and spoke softly.

"Sister, you... really don't want to come with me?"

Chang Xi looked up, her eyes filled with confusion.

"Sister, what did you say?"

Xi He gripped her hand tightly, looking at her intently.

"You should understand how much it helps our cultivation to become Dao Companion with Di Jun."

Chang Xi stared blankly at her older sister.

"Sister! Even now, you're still trying to persuade me!"

"Are you genuinely clueless, or are you just pretending?"

"What I seek is not advancement in cultivation, nor that elusive opportunity!"

"I just want to stay peacefully on this Moon Star and guard the Daoist Dao Field left behind by my master!"

"I don't want to be some kind of Demon Empress, nor do I want to get involved in any Tribulation!"

Chang Xi's eyes gradually changed from agitation and anger to firmness and clarity.

She shook her head, her tone soft but utterly resolute.

"Sister, please stop trying to persuade me."

Chang Xi took a deep breath, as if she had made a major decision.

"Once you Di Jun become Dao Companion, I will go into seclusion in this Guanghan Palace."

"From now on, everything on this Moon Star will be under your control, sister."

"The rights and wrongs of the Primordial Wilderness, the rise and fall of the Demon Clan, are none of my concern."

Xi He watched her sister's resolute back, opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

She could sense that from this moment on, the two sisters had embarked on two completely different paths.

"Good."

After a long while, Xi He's voice rang out again, carrying a hint of barely perceptible fatigue.

"I respect... your choice, sister."

She turned away, no longer looking at Chang Xi, her voice returning to its initial coldness.

"If you ever need anything in the future, come to Heavenly Court to find me."

Chang Xi turned around, forcing a smile on her face.

Thank you for your concern, sister.

"However, this Moon Star is cold and remote; what could possibly happen here?"

"Once my sister marries into the Heavenly Court, this place will be under the jurisdiction of the Demon Clan."

"It should be much safer now, and nothing will happen. Sister, please don't worry."

Xi He listened to her sister's words and thought they made sense, so she nodded and said nothing more.

Finally, Xi He turned around, transformed into a streak of light, and flew towards the Heavenly Court.

She was going to discuss the final details of the Heavenly Marriage with Di Jun.

Chang Xi stood still, watching the streak of light disappear into the horizon.

After a long while, she slowly withdrew her gaze.

She murmured to herself.

"Sister... you only see the benefits of Yinyang in harmony, but you've forgotten..."

"Master once said, 'There is no such thing as a benefit without a reason in this world.'"

"Is Di Jun... truly a good match?"