Saintess Yu Die

The girl's hands were smooth and lustrous, like jade fat, You Su's hands were rough and calloused, creating a stark contrast.

The girl seemed to be touching the man's hand for the first time; her face instantly turned ashen, and she appeared shy and hesitant to speak.

As their hands met, the surrounding music changed rhythm, with fewer metallic sounds and more string and wind instruments, the melody becoming tender and poignant, the atmosphere soft and affectionate, as if one were witnessing a couple overcome with emotion amidst a sea of flowers. The remaining six dancers also retreated to the sides, leaving the entire stage to You Su and the young woman.

You Su had never danced since birth, let alone been slow-witted due to his blindness. The girl, however, very considerately guided him, her earlier shyness vanishing in an instant, replaced by the poised and confident dancer she had been at the beginning.

In fact, her confidence was not unfounded; among all the dancers, she was undoubtedly the queen.

Her hair was as black as ink, with colorful ribbons flowing freely. Sometimes she raised her wrist and lowered her brows, sometimes she gently extended her hand. Her beauty was like that of a pink peach petal, and her demeanor was as graceful as an orchid.

Standing by the Jade Ring Pool, she, though lacking cultivation, appeared as an ethereal Fairy who seemed to float on the water.

You Su, who Spirit Platform Middle Stage, was clumsy in front of her, like an ordinary mortal on the shore who was bewitched by Fairy.

Fortunately, You Su's swordsmanship skills remained intact, and his movements were not too stiff. His reactions were quick, and he did not lose touch with the girl's dance. He was led by the girl and gradually entered a better state. His feet touched the ground lightly, his clothes fluttered, and he moved as swiftly as Yi shooting down nine suns, and as gracefully as emperors riding dragons.

Yu Meng and Yu Long watched the two dance on the dance floor, their eyes filled with fascination. In their eyes, this perfect couple was inseparable, like glue.

But the music took a sharp turn, and the captivating sound of the flute suddenly rose up, sweeping away the tender atmosphere. Six dancers, hidden to the side, with their long sleeves flowing, transformed into a sea of flowers and swept towards the two of them.

You Su was at a loss, his steps faltering as he stood still. The girl, as if swept away by a sea of flowers, began to retreat. She held onto You Su's hand reluctantly, as if making a vow that she would never part from him even if the sky were to fall.

Just then, the music stopped abruptly, and the two intertwined fingers separated abruptly, like a broken zither string.

And so, the dance came to an end.

The maids watching all looked wistful, as if they were witnessing a tragic drama of unrequited love.

You Su stood there, stunned and lost. It was just a dance performance, but he felt as if he had really lost someone very important.

After a long silence, the concubines dispersed, and the young girl stepped forward. Her black hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, and her pink gauze dress trailed on the ground. Her face, with its simple and elegant features, wore a faint smile. Even with large swathes of skin exposed, she did not appear alluring or seductive at all.

"Young Master You, you seem to have quite a talent for dance."

The girl chuckled softly, her voice as shimmering as a pool of water under the moonlight.

You Su snapped out of her daze and bowed, saying, "It's thanks to the Fairy's excellent teaching."

"The first half may be a joint effort by Young Master You and myself, but in the second half, Young Master You alone brought the male protagonist's panic and helplessness to its fullest expression, which has nothing to do with me."

The girl covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her bright eyes curving into crescent moons of pink.

You Su looked embarrassed, knowing that the girl was probably mocking him for being too dramatic when he parted ways with her earlier.

"Please don't tease You Su, Fairy. To be honest, this is my first time dancing."

The girl looked up, her fingers nervously clenching together.

"Young Master You misunderstands. I had no intention of mocking you! I genuinely believe Young Master You are skilled in this art! I had initially thought you were as foolish as you described, but you far exceed my expectations. I was so delighted that I Young Master You."

You Su was slightly taken aback. "You Su flatter me, Fairy. I am well aware of my own limitations."

The young woman extended her fair arm and said, "Young Master You, please do not belittle yourself. Please take a seat. I will tell you the story behind this dance, and then you will understand why I said you danced well."

Following her directions, You Su sat cross-legged in his seat, while the girl sat opposite him, the refreshing fragrance of flowers wafting towards You Su.

You Su sat upright, waiting for the beauty to speak. The young woman smiled faintly and parted her cherry lips slightly:

"Young Master You may not know this, but this dance is called 'Jade Immortal Rushing Pool.' Its story is not fictional, but a true tale that happened in the history of Jade Ring Pool. In our Jade Ring Pool, there has always been a Saintess of the pool. Although she is not the head of the family, she holds an equally outstanding position and is regarded as the earthly manifestation of Jade Ring Pool."

You Su nodded slightly. "Yes, I've heard a little about it."

Through Bai Yu Meng, Yu Long narration, he also gained some understanding of the Saintess of Jade Ring Pool. Historically, there was only one Saintess, selected through a special method. Each one possessed unparalleled talent and beauty, but they often died young, like a stunning flower with an extremely short blooming period.

"There was once a Saintess in history who, from the moment of her birth, was the most beautiful woman in Jade Ring Pool and possessed extraordinary talent, and was highly regarded by Jade Ring Pool. Although the Saintess of Jade Ring Pool was unparalleled in the world, as the symbol of Jade Ring Pool, Saintess could never leave Jade Ring Pool. Yet, she fell hopelessly in love with someone she should not have loved, a fisherman who had mistakenly entered Jade Ring Pool."

She knew there would be no happy ending for her and the fisherman, but that couldn't extinguish the love that had blossomed in her heart. One day, to see him, she fled Jade Ring Pool. She transformed into a mortal woman and married the fisherman, believing they would grow old together. But the Jade Ring Pool Immortal Master discovered her. Unable to defy her fate, she flew past the silver-shimmering Jade Ring Lake before the fisherman, returning to Jade Ring Pool to continue her mission.

"The fisherman, however, was stripped of his right to sail and could only play the flute music he and the Saintess had composed together, facing the Jade Ring Lake every night, hoping for his lover's return until he withered away. That night, the Saintess could no longer hear this flute music she never tired of. She flew to the center of the lake, leaving behind this wondrous dance based on the flute music, encompassing all the joys and sorrows of life, before falling into the lake and departing from the mortal world forever."

The young girl spoke softly, her tone devoid of sadness, yet the maids around her were on the verge of tears.

Although the story isn't particularly original, the genuine emotions remain, as You Su remarked:

"Although they were separated by only a lake, it was like an insurmountable chasm, forever separating two lovers. It is truly a tragic and lamentable situation."

If it were merely a lake, crossing it would be easy. But Jade Ring Lake symbolizes an unbridgeable chasm between immortals and mortals. Therefore, in the mortal world, it is rare for immortals and mortals to fall in love. When a black-haired person dies, it is both a regret and a relief for the white-haired person, but the black-haired person will be tormented by emptiness for the rest of their life.

"Young Master You is quite right. As a novice dancer, you perfectly captured the fisherman's panic and helplessness at parting. If you were a true master dancer, you wouldn't be able to convey this spirit. That's why I said Young Master You danced well."

The young woman raised her wine glass, the floral wine inside fragrant and mellow. She said:

"I've been rambling on for so long that I forgot to introduce myself. Please forgive me, Young Master You. My name is Yu Die, and I am the Lotus Saintess of this generation at Jade Ring Pool. I, Yu Die, will punish myself with a cup of Yu Die to apologize to Young Master You."

After saying that, she raised her head and drank the wine in her cup in one gulp.

She seemed to have drunk a little too quickly, and choked on her throat, coughing softly. Her full breasts, each a handful, heaved with each sip. By the time she finished drinking, her face was flushed and radiant.

Despite his blindness, You Su quietly turned his head, raised his wine cup, and said:

"You Su was unaware of the Yu Die Saintess's identity and hastily danced with you, which was also a mistake. You Su will punish himself with a cup."

You Su also downed the flower-infused wine in one gulp. As the wine entered his throat, its delicate fragrance instantly filled his chest, and his stomach felt as if warm coals were burning inside. Only then did he realize that this was no ordinary wine, but a wine that could intoxicate even immortals.

Is it possible for the Yu Die Saintess, who has no cultivation, to drink this kind of celestial wine?

"Young Master You is indeed just as described in the book, a refined gentleman as clear as the moon and the pine tree," Yu Die said softly, glancing at You Su without noticing.

"The Saintess flatters you. Unofficial books are not to be trusted; they are all falsehoods and lies."

"So, in Young Master You's opinion, the Divine Mountain Gazette is considered a 'wild book'? The Divine Mountain Gazette is produced by the Cardinal Pavilion, which specializes in collecting intelligence at the Immortal Ancestor Tower. It is the most widely circulated and authoritative newspaper in Divine Mountain, published every seven days, covering everything that happens in Divine Mountain during those seven days. Young Master You is featured on the cover of the latest issue, shining quite brightly."

Yu Die smiled and said, "Since birth, I have grown up by the Yu Die Jade Ring Pool and have never seen a single outsider. This newspaper is my important channel for getting to know people outside the pond, and I can't bear to put it down every time I read it. Now that I have actually met the living person in the book, I couldn't help but invite Yu Die Young Master You to dance with me. Please don't be offended."

No wonder the Saintess was so enthusiastic; she had her reasons.

You Su Suqian said:

"Saintess, you are overthinking it. You are a legendary figure even to You Su, and it is a great honor to meet you today."

"Young Master You can't even lie properly. Jade Ring Pool has already lost much of her reputation by living in seclusion. Not to mention me, Saintess without any cultivation, what legends could I possibly have outside?"

You Su was slightly taken aback, and even more puzzled. Weren't these Saintess all exceptionally talented individuals, considered pillars of the Jade Ring Pool? Why was Yu Die a mortal?

"Alright, let's not talk about that anymore." Yu Die poured herself another cup of wine and smiled gently. "Young Master You has come from afar. The three family heads originally wanted to welcome you in person, but they were all busy with important matters and couldn't get away. So they specially instructed me to treat Young Master You well. I've prepared a banquet here at the Little Pond Palace, and I hope Young Master You will enjoy it. To show my sincerity, I'd like to Young Master You."

As she spoke, she raised the jade wine cup again.

You Su hesitated, however, because mortals who drink Immortal Wine are very likely to become drunk and lose consciousness.

Seeing this, Yu Die hesitated, her expression somewhat somber. She said, "The court report says that Young Master You was born blind, yet he never admits it, always presenting himself as an ordinary person. Some don't understand Young Master You actions, but I, Yu Die, can empathize. Among all the cultivators, am Yu Die, a mere mortal, not also born with a disability? Everyone treats me with utmost care, but Yu Die, too, long for others to see me with normalcy. I thought Young Master You would share my plight, and thus I haven't viewed you as Young Master You, but I never expected you to be no different from anyone else..."

Towards the end of her sentence, her voice choked with emotion.

You Su felt a chill run down her spine, secretly lamenting that she was also a 'good person' who arbitrarily labeled others as weak.

He then raised his glass and said loudly:

"What the Saintess says is absolutely right. True friends are hard to find. I respect the Saintess the most."

Upon hearing this, Yu Die lit up with a smile, like spring snow melting away. She couldn't wait to raise her cup again, clinking it with You Su's from afar, and then downed it in one gulp. Not used to alcohol, she couldn't help but cough softly after drinking.

You Su swallowed the wine and reminded her, "The Immortal Wine is strong; the Saintess should drink it slowly."

Yu Die wiped the remaining water droplets from the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief, her face flushed, and said apologetically, "Young Master You is right, it was Yu Die who was presumptuous. The wine is fine, but these delicacies should not be neglected. Yu Meng Yu Long, let's cut the fish for Young Master You."

At her command, the twin sisters standing to her side bent down and lifted the wooden box on the table.

A wisp of cold frost rose up, and inside the box was a piece of already processed fish meat, so white it was almost transparent, like a crystal-clear ice block.

"This is the best belly meat from the White Dragon Carp of Jade Ring Pool. If the White Dragon Carp is too small, the meat is tender but easily becomes greasy; if it is too large, the meat is firm but bland. Only a hundred-year-old White Dragon Carp can be considered to have the best flavor. This one is exactly one hundred years old, extremely rare. Young Master You, please have a taste."

I never imagined that a simple plate of fish would involve so many intricacies.

You Su marveled at the luxurious material comforts enjoyed by these immortals, while Yu Meng Yu Long, already wearing special gloves made from fish bellies, carefully sliced the fresh fish for You Su.

The two men, one on each side, picked up a piece of fish, dipped it in the specially prepared sauce, and then fed it to You Su. The warm, fragrant aroma was irresistible; no one could refuse such a treat.

You Su sighed softly, about to stop them, but Yu Die spoke first, coldly:

"Yu Meng Yu Long! Don't overstep the bounds!"

Startled by their young mistress, Yu Meng Yu Long quickly withdrew their hands. They exchanged a glance and could only offer a hasty, whispered apology. In their hearts, they both thought that feeding the fish was a proper courtesy to guests, and their young mistress should know this better than they did. How could this be considered overstepping her bounds?

The young lady's agitation seems... as if she's jealous.

You Su silently thanked the Yu Die Saintess for her understanding. He then picked up a piece of fish with his chopsticks. The fish was fragrant and had a refreshing taste. It was indeed a top-quality fish belly. No wonder Old Yu had treasured it so much that day.

"Young Master You, how does it taste?" Yu Die asked eagerly.

You Su nodded, "It's incredibly delicious. If one could eat this fish regularly, one probably wouldn't even need to cultivate anymore."

"Even after eating so many White Dragon Carp, I still can't get close," Yu Die said with a hint of sadness, then recovered, "There are still many delicacies ahead, Young Master You must try them all, because once you leave Jade Ring Pool, you won't be able to eat them anymore."

On the table, there was indeed a dazzling array of delicacies: meatballs made from tender fish roe, and drunken shrimp and crab marinated in flower wine...

The most peculiar thing is that in a tall glass, there is a glass of very light vinegar, and in the vinegar water, there are transparent Xiao Yu swimming. They can only be distinguished by their eyes and the golden line on their bodies.

"This is a very special Xiao Yu from Jade Ring Pool, called the Jade Tendon Fish. This size already represents its mature form. Eaten directly with this Golden Fruit Vinegar, the taste is wonderfully unique."

Yu Die patiently You Su.

You Su took a small bite, and the Jade Tendon Fish leaped and tumbled in her mouth. She gently bit into it, and it was as crisp as chewing ice. The bursting fish juice blended with the sweet and sour fruit vinegar, leaving a lingering fragrance on her lips and teeth. Even more amazing was that the golden thread seemed to have special effects. After eating it, she could immediately feel her meridians becoming active.

"The delicacies at Jade Ring Pool are truly the most wonderful I've ever tasted in You Su."

You Su made this assessment, but her tone was no longer as novel and excited as it had been at the beginning.

Yu Die keenly sensed You Su's reluctance to limit the conversation to food and took the initiative to say:

"It's far more than just fine wine and delicacies; everything in Jade Ring Pool is incredibly mysterious. Young Master You's visit to Jade Ring Pool must have its own purpose. May I ask... what brings you here, Young Master You?"

Conversing with the Yu Die Saintess was like a gentle breeze for You Su; she always seemed to know how to strike the right balance in conversation.

"I have come here on the orders of the Third Elder of the Xuanxiao Sect and Bihua Venerable, wishing to exchange a treasure for Lotus Root Heart."

"Lotus Root Heart?" Yu Die's beautiful eyes sparkled. "Is Bihua Venerable that master of Spirit Plant? Legend has it that she Comprehending the Dao under an old tree, which not only underwent a complete transformation but also evolved into a unique divine tree in the world, named 'Illuminating Ancient and Present'?"

It was her.

"What does Bihua Venerable need Lotus Root Heart for?" Yu Die asked curiously.

You Su shook her head. "I don't know either."

"In the art of Spirit Plant, no one in this world can match Bihua Venerable. Could it be that she wants the Lotus Root Heart because she wants to cultivate another Lotus Birth Pool?" Yu Die speculated to herself, her face filled with longing as she exclaimed, "She is truly a powerful woman with both ability and ambition... Jade Ring Pool won't refuse her; we agree to the exchange."

You Su was somewhat surprised, not expecting things to go so smoothly:

"Why doesn't the Saintess first ask what the Third Elder is exchanging?"

To everyone's surprise, Yu Die smiled brightly and said, "If the Third Elder is so willing to exchange, surely he wouldn't exchange it for a treasure inferior to the Lotus Root Heart? If that's the case, why even ask?"

This eighteen-year-old girl seems to possess an intelligence and carefree spirit that transcends her age.

"The Saintess is right. Then when will I be able to exchange Lotus Root Heart with the Jade Ring Pool?"

Yu Die looked somewhat guilty and replied:

"To be honest, Lotus Root Heart are one of the rarest treasures of Jade Ring Pool. Only one batch matures every hundred years, and of those, only two or three are usable. Furthermore, they are extremely difficult to preserve, so Jade Ring Pool cannot offer any in stock for exchange with Young Master You. But fortunately, the next batch of Lotus Root Heart is about to mature, within ten days."

"So lucky?"

Yu Die smiled subtly and said, "Young Master You a man of extraordinary talent, blessed by destiny. Young Master You only need to wait patiently."

You Su calculated the time; if it were ten days, after deducting the round trip, there would be very little left. Rather than returning to his sect to report back and then coming back, it was indeed best to wait here.

"Then I'll trouble you for another ten days You Su."

"Young Master You's arrival is a true honor, not an intrusion. Now that your mission is accomplished and Young Master You business is finished, you should relax and fully enjoy the beauty of Jade Ring Pool. Jade Ring Pool is secluded and hasn't had any visitors for a long time; it is thanks to Young Master You that people will remember Jade Ring Pool."

"Then You Su truly bears a heavy responsibility." You Su took a sip of his drink and pondered, "But I have a little curiosity, why..."

"Young Master You," Yu Die raised her wine cup, interrupting You Su, "You've only been at Jade Ring Pool for a day, don't be impatient. There's plenty of time ahead. Jade Ring Pool will surely grant you whatever you want to know and whatever you desire."

You Su was taken aback for a moment, but quickly recovered and smiled:

"What the Saintess says is true. I offer Saintess a cup, Saintess may only take a small sip."

Yu Die smiled sweetly, her beautiful eyes shining as she watched You Su drink the wine with an ethereal grace. She drained her cup for the third time and said:

"Young Master You, how about we make a deal?"

"Please speak freely, Saintess."

"Since you have questions, I can't just answer them all without giving a reason. How about you do me a favor and I'll answer one of your questions?"

"With your Saintess status, what favor could you possibly need from You Su?"

Yu Die got up. The cool night breeze seemed to dispel her drunkenness. She looked out the window of the Little Pond Palace, almost lost in thought.

"I'm very busy. They're all afraid of me and protect me, but Young Master You is different... You're the special one, so only you can help me."

You Su paused, then followed the girl's gaze to the window. The tranquil Jade Ring Pool reflected the stars, and in the girl's eyes was an uncontrollable longing—a longing to leave this lake that imprisoned her.

But he knew very well that a smart person like Yu Die wouldn't really expect him to take her away; otherwise, she wouldn't have told him the story of "Jade Immortal Rushing Pool," which was so obviously metaphorical, and even let him experience it firsthand.

This is precisely her heartbreakingly clear-headedness; she is implying to You Su that the experiences of those who came before were tragic, that she will not become like them, and that she hopes You Su will not have any unrealistic fantasies.

Her life had long been intertwined with this lake; she couldn't live without it. She only hoped that a pebble like You Su could bring a few ripples to the still surface of the lake.

"Yu Die Saintess... how do you hope I can help you?"

Yu Die turned around, her skirt fluttering, and then sat down gracefully, her eyes fixed intently on You Su:

"Young Master You, please tell me all your legendary stories from the Xuanxiao Sect."

Why would the Saintess be interested in my experience?

"The newspaper's description of Young Master You is only a few strokes, which, though vividly portrayed, lacks the impact of experiencing it firsthand. Now that the character from the book is before me, I am naturally eager to hear more."

"I'm afraid the Saintess will be disappointed."

"Don't worry, young master, any story will be interesting to Yu Die." The young woman, like a boisterous drinker, slammed her hand on the table and said, "Yu Meng! Go and fetch some more wine!"

You Su frowned slightly. He wanted to decline, but the words that came out were a leisurely narration...

Yu Die felt that every word he uttered was addictive, captivating her completely. Whenever he reached an exciting part, she would involuntarily widen her eyes and clap her hands in response. You Su was also influenced by her, and he became more and more enthusiastic as he spoke.

Before we knew it, amidst the clinking of glasses and flickering candlelight, the stars had shifted and the moon had turned.

You Su, clutching the Ink Pine Sword, lay on the ground, completely drunk, muttering incoherently.

Yu Die lifted the wine cup and drank deeply, the wine flowing down her swan-like neck, past her delicate collarbone, and into her cleavage.

She looked at You Su's face, her infatuation undisguised:

"Young Master You is drunk... Yu Meng, Yu Long, let's help Young Master You back to rest."

Yu Meng glanced at Yu Die and tentatively asked:

"Miss, why don't we take this opportunity..."

"Yu Meng, this is only the first day. He can't rush things, and neither can we..."

The more beautiful something is, the more dangerous it is. That's what I want to write about in this story, so I'll spend more time describing its beauty.

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