Opening

Zhu Yaoyao had arrived earlier than most. She chose a spot with a clear view of the secret realm's entrance that would not draw too much attention. She seemed to be resting with her eyes closed, but her thoughts were already fixed on the horizon.

When the sword lights of the Profound Heaven Sect appeared in the distance, she could barely contain her excitement. She was about to rise, straighten her dress, and greet them with just the right smile when a coarse rogue cultivator appeared from nowhere and planted himself in her path like a stubborn rock, ruining her plan.

For an instant, her anger was real. She wanted to slap the nuisance straight into the sand. Then another idea occurred to her—

Chu Xuan hated injustice and could not stand seeing the weak bullied. If she saw Zhu Yaoyao being "harassed," she would surely be the first to rush over and teach the lecher a lesson. They could reunite naturally after that.

So Zhu Yaoyao played along.

But though she gave a convincing performance and the onlookers reacted strongly enough, the one person she wanted to see never appeared.

Her gaze swept again and again over the disciples in Profound Heaven Sect robes, from the steady young man leading them to the fresh-faced newcomers farther back. Face after face passed before her eyes, and every one was unfamiliar.

Her hopes deflated like a balloon pricked by a fine needle. Zhu Yaoyao pressed her lips together, unable to hide her disappointment.

She could not help searching once more, carefully this time. She even checked the disciples standing at the edges, whose auras seemed the most ordinary.

Only after confirming there was not a single familiar face did she withdraw her gaze. The small flame kindled by the prospect of