When Qing Xuan returned to Purple Star, Qing Yi went to check on the Gourd Vine first.
The leaves and branches in the valley were still lush and green. Three newly formed gourds nestled among the vines, swaying gently beneath the falling starlight.
The earth-shaking battle in the East Sea seemed never to have disturbed this place.
He walked beneath the vine, where Qing Yi was smoothing out a curled leaf.
Seeing him approach, she smiled. "The new gourds should be fully grown in less than an Epoch Cycle."
Qing Xuan nodded with a smile. "A little sooner than we expected."
His gaze settled on the gourds among the leaves. At the heights he and Qing Yi had now reached, even a Supreme Innate Spirit Treasure mattered little to them.
Still, they had nurtured this Gourd Vine anew together. Who knew what a sight awaited them when its fruit finally ripened?
Beyond the sea of stars, a familiar strand of sacred light suddenly descended.
Kong Xuan had already gone out to greet the visitor, five-colored clouds parting to either side as she passed.
An apricot-yellow immortal gown emerged through the starlight. The sacred radiance around Nuwa had already withdrawn, and she followed the same path she had taken with Fuxi all those years ago.
"Kong Xuan greets Martial Aunt Nuwa."
Kong Xuan bowed before the Star Routes, a smile already in her eyes. "Master and Mistress are both in the valley. Let me take you to them, Martial Aunt."
Nuwa smiled as she studied the harmonious Dao resonance of the Five Elements surrounding her.
"You've reached Great Luo now. You truly are different from the girl you were."
The corners of Kong Xuan's lips lifted, and she led Nuwa into the valley.
Along the way, she spoke of several recent