You Can Still Stand by My Side

In late spring and early summer, under the scorching sun.

Deep within Falling Star Valley, the trees are lush and green, with flowers blooming beneath them, and birdsong can be heard from time to time, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

Dappled sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling the robes of the group of cultivators and leaving them momentarily lost in thought.

The wind blowing through the valley still carried the desolate, dusty smell unique to Falling Star Valley.

They were cultivators from the Evil Warding Department stationed outside the valley. This morning, they were suddenly granted permission to enter the valley to check the results of the exorcism. However, they hadn't done anything yet; they had only been guarding the valley for a few days and hadn't even seen a trace of evil spirits. As they walked deeper into the valley, they felt as if they had fallen into a maze.

Because the difference between this place and the shallow part of the valley is so great, it's like a completely different world.

In their minds, Falling Star Valley had long been cleared out and was desolate, so much so that even a withered blade of grass could hardly grow there, and even the poorest commoners had abandoned this land.

It's like a sponge that's been completely drained of water, but unexpectedly, water has spontaneously generated in the very center of the sponge.

"So, all of this... was accomplished by that Mind-Wishing Buddha?"

The speaker was an ordinary-looking middle-aged male cultivator. Because his hometown was a city near Falling Star Valley, he knew this land very well.

As a clerk dispatched by the Evil Warding Department, he needed to record the process of the evil spirit being exorcised and verify it. However, he still found it hard to believe the scene before him.

"Uncle Lu, do you think I don't know what level of crime it is to fabricate an exorcism process?"

Tao Yaoyao pouted her pink lips, looking playfully displeased at being questioned.

She wore an orange-pink dress, her oval face still showing signs of childishness, her black hair styled into symmetrical buns, which made her cheeks appear even whiter. She looked like a petite and adorable girl next door, the kind who would stuff a lot of steamed buns into her clothes, making her chest bulge.

"I didn't mean to question Xiao Tao, and besides, You Su Shenzi is here too. Although he doesn't know much, what he said basically matches what you said."

You Su nodded silently beside him. He had been unconscious ever since he was inexplicably forced into bed by Hua Jing, First Seat last night. It wasn't because he was so comfortable that he was about to die; he was just too weak.

When he woke up again, he was already in Tao Yaoyao's tent. Then, he was used as a witness and went into the valley with Uncle Lu to collect evidence.

"Let's close this case then," Tao Yaoyao urged.

"No rush, we've only just arrived, we should at least go through the whole area first."

Uncle Lu was very meticulous in his work; after all, this was not a job that could be easily glossed over. The post-war cleanup was even more important than simply exorcising evil spirits.

Feeling rather helpless, Tao Yaoyao had no choice but to continue leading the way forward.

"You say... this Falling Star Valley was originally a desolate place, but now it has come to life because of evil spirits... doesn't that mean these evil spirits...?"

Among the accompanying cultivators, someone murmured a sigh, only to be abruptly interrupted by Uncle Lu's stern voice:

"What does this mean?! Lu Mingzhao, be careful with your words and actions!"

Just from their surnames, you can tell that Lu Mingzhao is probably closely related to Uncle Lu.

Lu Mingzhao indeed behaved himself and dared not say anything more.

Before long, we arrived at the altar used for worshipping the Mind-Wishing Buddha.

Everyone stared in astonishment at the deep pool in the desolate valley, truly shocked by the bizarre power that Mind-Wishing Buddha to conjure something out of thin air.

Tao Yaoyao then briefly recounted their exorcism process:

Upon learning that there was a Buddhist altar for sacrifices in the deep valley, she and Hua Jing, First Seat went into hiding together, and only then did they confirm that this was the source of the evil spirits in the valley.

Zi Yiyi killed the Glazed Great Buddha, only to realize it wasn't the real Mind-Wishing Buddha. But she was already seriously injured, so Tao Yaoyao settled her in the camp.

Then You Su followed Hua Jing, First Seat to track down the true Mind-Wishing Buddha, and ultimately succeeded in eliminating the evil.

Under Tao Yaoyao's guidance, Uncle Lu recounted the battle process one by one. Although the evil spirits would turn into pus and dissolve into the earth after they died, the traces of You Su's desperate battle with the Evil Tide were still preserved.

Uncle Lu had great respect for this divine child, praising him repeatedly, which made You Su a little embarrassed, as if he were the key figure in exorcising the Mind-Wishing Buddha.

Looking back over the entire day and night, aside from offering a few words of advice to Hua Jing, First Seat as a clear-headed observer, he accomplished nothing else.

Instead, he received a 'reward' he never dared to dream of...

Looking back, it all seems like a dream.

After it was over, the darkness in You Su's eyes gradually faded, but he still remembered the last glance before his gaze disappeared.

The woman, whose beauty was unparalleled, still showed no lust in her eyes. He was not yet able to explore the true flower path of Hua Jing, First Seat. This was not a misunderstanding, but rather a mistake that should not have happened but could not be avoided.

Compared to her Mistress is passively sealed off from love but is actually gentle as water, and her senior sister, who appears aloof but is actually naive, You Su feels that the Hua Jing, First Seat is the one who truly best embodies the title of "Ice Fairy."

Because she is indifferent to everyone, it is her innate nature, not something external that brings her coldness.

After he woke up, he checked the Golden Paper in his Sea of Consciousness, but the noble woman was not listed in the "family" section.

He did indeed inject the Corrupting Evil into it, but it seems that the woman quietly expelled it from her body after she left, leaving nothing behind.

It should have been this way, but he felt both fortunate and disappointed.

Even after what happened, he still couldn't get any closer to her. You Su felt that this woman was like a piece of cold, unyielding silver stone that could never be warmed, so stubborn.

"You Shenzi, what are you thinking about so intently?"

Tao Yaoyao nudged You Su with her elbow and then asked him telepathically.

She looked at You Su with suspicion, her heart filled with bitterness as she gazed at his forlorn expression.

"You... you're not worried about Sister Yiyi, are you?"

You Su snapped out of her daze and nodded quickly.

"She'll be alright. Her merits are still there. Even if she were possessed by evil spirits, the Evil Warding Department wouldn't take her life..."

Tao Yaoyao hadn't revealed that she had let Zi Yiyi go yet. In her opinion, she only hoped that the people from the Evil Warding Department would find out as late as possible, so that Zi Yiyi could run far away.

Otherwise, if she decided to become Evil Cultivator and was caught and brought back the very next day, wouldn't that be a betrayal of her determination to go to great lengths for her friends...

After walking for most of the day, we finally finished exploring Falling Star Valley.

"I will show the case file to Hua Jing, First Seat for review. Once she has read it and has no objections, the case can be closed."

Uncle Lu adhered to a meticulous work style.

Tao Yaoyao secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't know the truth either, and only hoped that her best friend would be exposed later.

The group returned to the camp, only to find that Hua Jing, First Seat, who had been missing for two days, had returned.

Her face remained shrouded in mystery; no one could look directly into her eyes.

She briefly instructed her subordinates on the tasks to be completed, and then only the young man and woman remained in the accounting office.

You Su and Tao Yaoyao both became visibly tense instantly, each with their own guilty consciences.

"Yaoyao."

Tao Yaoyao was suddenly called out, her delicate body trembled, and her breasts swayed so violently that it made people dizzy.

"Yes!"

"According to the law, concealing someone who has fallen into evil ways and failing to report it is considered harboring them, and is guilty of the same crime as Evil Cultivator. Are you aware of this?"

Tao Yaoyao. She knew that nothing could be hidden from her master, Hua Jing.

"Yaoyao knows..."

"Then why did you let her go when I ordered you to take her to the Evil Warding Department for punishment?"

Tao Yaoyao thought she had gotten used to Hua Jing, First Seat's usual cold tone, but she was still so frightened that she trembled all over.

Her pink lips trembled, and she stammered, unsure how to answer. Her eyes reddened with anxiety, and she felt a deep unease. In her heart, she even began to resent the Hua Jing, First Seat. If it weren't for this test, she wouldn't have had to part ways with her sisters.

As the atmosphere grew increasingly tense, You Su felt that Hua Jing, First Seat's questioning lacked conviction.

If she didn't want to let Zi Yiyi go, Zi Yiyi have no chance of escaping.

"She disappointed me greatly, and I don't want you to disappoint me too. Otherwise, I wouldn't have needed to take you both as my personal servants. Do you understand?"

"Yaoyao understands..."

Tao Yaoyao bit her lower lip, and bright red blood seeped from the wound.

Before these two women, Hua Jing, First Seat had no close relatives; he devoted himself entirely to eliminating evil and protecting the righteous path.

Everyone secretly thought to themselves that these two women, though called personal servants, were more like adopted daughters. Hua Jing, First Seat knew he was getting old and wanted to train two successors, so he took them in.

When Hua Jing, First Seat asked her that question, Tao Yaoyao's resentment vanished without a trace.

You Su finally understood. Hua Jing, First Seat was trying to warn Tao Yaoyao. Although she had tacitly approved of letting Zi Yiyi go, she still wanted Tao Yaoyao to remember not to do it again.

She went to great lengths to take care of these two servants, whom she treated like goddaughters.

Suddenly You Su shamelessly wondered when he would become someone special to her as well.

That's probably impossible...

"I will not hide it for her. I will proclaim to the world that she has turned to Evil Demon, for since she has chosen this path, she deserves it. If you wish to atone for your sins, arrest her as soon as possible, so that I may cleanse my own house."

Hua Jing, First Seat's voice was as cold as a spring, and even the most naive Tao Yaoyao could discern a different meaning in it.

She was terrified just now, but it seems that Hua Jing, First Seat doesn't really intend to make her 'equally guilty'.

Besides, if we really want to clean house, wouldn't it be better for Lord Huajing to just go and bring Sister Yiyi back himself?

"Yes! Yaoyao will definitely bring that traitor back to you and have him kowtow and admit his mistake!"

Tao Yaoyao perked up again, her clenched fists and confident demeanor a far cry from her usual lazy self.

After reprimanding Tao Yaoyao, it was naturally You Su's turn next.

You Su was also on edge, feeling that she wouldn't be this nervous even if she were facing Evil God directly.

"The key to unlocking the Mind-Wishing Buddha's secret lies with the Divine Child. This journey is largely thanks to the Divine Child's assistance, and I will record your merit. Now that this matter is settled, the Divine Child may return first. Yaoyao will escort you back and take the information to the Divine Mountain with her."

I never expected that my first words would be to tell them to leave.

You Su pursed his lips, thinking that Hua Jing, First Seat's attitude towards him had not changed at all.

His wish was to finish his work as soon as possible and go back to celebrate his junior sister's birthday, but now he felt a little reluctant to leave.

"Hua Jing, First Seat is too kind; You Su dares not claim credit for myself." You Su hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Mind-Wishing Buddha has been removed, aren't you leaving?"

"This evil is far too insidious; the task of eliminating its remnants cannot be taken lightly. Moreover, I have already surveyed the strata of Falling Star Valley and indeed there is a spring that can be drawn from it. This desolate valley has finally been given a new lease on life, so I will see it through to the end."

Upon hearing this, You Su was slightly taken aback, then praised, "If Hua Jing, First Seat truly brings life to Falling Star Valley, then you are a true reincarnation of a Buddha to the people of this surrounding area."

"This is not a good word."

Tao Yaoyao raised her delicate eyebrows slightly, unable to understand the hidden meaning in their conversation.

She was secretly puzzled. Lord Hua Jing was only concerned with exorcising evil spirits, so why was he doing something unrelated to evil spirits—investigating water sources?

The two bowed and took their leave, then stepped outside. You Su paused just as he was about to take the final step, as he heard that cold, whispered voice:

"If the Divine Child is still in a state of mental confusion, you must come to me. I hope that on the day I sever the Dream Master's head, you will still be standing by my side."

You Su suddenly felt a surge of secret joy, like a female classmate who was usually indifferent to everyone in school suddenly smiling at you.

This statement is perfectly normal; it expresses the hope that You Su will continue to uphold her original aspirations and always stand on the side of the righteous path represented by the Hua Jing, First Seat.

But You Su wondered why she had to use the word "beside"? She couldn't help but let her imagination run wild...

High in the sky, the clouds drift by.

It was the familiar White Horse Carriage; You Su already knew the inside of this Law Artifact inside and out.

Unfortunately, things have changed. It feels like just yesterday that I traveled around in a sedan chair with my junior and senior sisters Zi Yiyi, but Sister Yiyi is no longer here.

Tao Yaoyao was also filled with melancholy, staring blankly out the window.

Although she had a brief exchange with You Su, she still didn't know that her master had been corrupted and then exorcised. After all, he was one of the greatest leaders of the cultivators, and this news was enough to cause a sensation throughout the Five Continents, bringing unimaginable consequences.

However, Tao Yaoyao was ultimately a cheerful person. Thinking of the solemn oath she had sworn to Zi Yiyi, she felt somewhat uncomfortable being alone with You Su, a man and a woman.

"Um... Lord Huajing was just joking last night when he said he would betroth me to you..."

Tao Yaoyao picked up a piece of pastry, a blush creeping onto her pretty face.

"Don't worry, Sister Yaoyao, I didn't take it seriously," You Su replied casually.

The pastry in Tao Yaoyao's hand was suddenly pinched and deformed. Her cheeks puffed out slightly, she crossed her arms and said indignantly:

"What do you mean by that? Does being a divine child give you the right to look down on people?"

"Sister Yaoyao, you've misunderstood. I didn't mean that." You Su had somehow offended the girl.

"So you're not interested in me?" Tao Yaoyao glanced at You Su's handsome face. "If Lord Hua Jing said he wanted to betroth Sister Yiyi to you, you'd probably nod immediately."

You Su thought the girl was naive; he was actually interested in someone else.

He recalled Tao Yaoyao's confession to Zi Yiyi last night; the young sect leader of the Spiritual Treasure Sect had angered Tao Yaoyao because of his 'favoritism'.

She must be annoyed by this right now; sisters who have been together since childhood like to fight for equality in everything.

"Whether it's Sister Yaoyao or Sister Yiyi, it's the same. I know that Hua Jing, First Seat's words were just a provocation and shouldn't be taken seriously."

"You're smart to know what's good for you."

Tao Yaoyao felt a little better and put the pastry in her mouth, but suddenly felt a sense of fear.

Despite her disrespectful words, the divine child remained unperturbed, treating her with the same approachable manner as before. It was as if he didn't consider her a subordinate at all, but a genuine friend.

She studied You Su's face and suddenly felt that You Su was really a good person. No wonder so many people liked her, even the men couldn't escape her charm.

"Speaking of which... He Kongyue's secluded cultivation place seems to be nearby. Would you like to go and take a look?"