Lying in wait

"I honestly never expected that to be what made him faint." Mujiu could not hide the laughter in their voice.

Kukulu helped him to one side to rest, then Jun Yi sent him out of the Castle of Memories with a spell.

At those words, the corners of Sen Lijiu's lips lifted into a faint smile. His eyes were clear and bright, dazzling as stars twinkling in the night sky.

Standing beside him, Jun Yi gazed quietly at Sen Lijiu, his eyes filled with boundless tenderness.

With the matter settled, Sen Lijiu returned to the reading room at Bieyun's urging and continued reading.

Jun Yi also returned to his study, where several shadowy figures knelt on the floor, awaiting orders.

Jun Yi's eyes tilted slightly upward, and a hint of a smile curved his lips, yet it carried a chilling air. "You are to infiltrate the Human World and keep a close watch on developments there. Jiujiu will go to the Human World sooner or later. When he does, you must ensure that he comes to no harm. This is absolutely crucial! Understood?"

His voice was low and cold, carrying an irresistible authority that inspired awe.

They all bowed their heads and assented, promising to obey Jun Yi's orders faithfully and do everything in their power to protect Jiujiu.

Jun Yi nodded in satisfaction, but his gaze remained cold as frost.

He knew full well how important and dangerous this mission was. There could be no room for carelessness. Only by ensuring Jiujiu's absolute safety could they carry out the plans that followed.

At that thought, he silently resolved to protect Jiujiu, no matter what difficulties or challenges arose.

After giving his orders, Jun Yi turned and left for the reading room.

The Star-Moon Wheel returned to its original form and floated quietly behind him like a brilliant star, lending him the air of an immortal. His peerless beauty was enough to make hearts tremble.

As he entered the reading room, Jun Yi's gaze was immediately drawn to Sen Lijiu, who was absorbed in his book.

Sen Lijiu's white hair was smooth as silk, with a few strands falling beside his ears like willow branches swaying gently in the breeze.

His platinum eyes shone like brilliant stars, clearly reflecting the contents of the book, as though the words on its pages were leaping and dancing within them.

Jun Yi asked softly, "Jiujiu, is there anything you would like to know?"

Sen Lijiu nodded slightly and, after a moment's thought, said, "I'd like to learn about the history and culture of the Flower Fairy World."

Jun Yi smiled and nodded, took Sen Lijiu's hand, and led him toward the bookshelves.

Pointing to a thick volume, he said, "This book, Chronicles of the Flower Fairy World, records the origins and development of the Flower Fairy World. You'll find many interesting stories in it."

Sen Lijiu took the book, opened it, and immersed himself in a sea of knowledge.

Meanwhile, the covert guards had already reached the Human World, where they would lie in wait as Jun Yi had instructed...

In the Human World, several shooting stars suddenly streaked across the night sky.

They gleamed briefly like dazzling pearls, but most people did not notice them.

The city's residents were busy with the minutiae of their lives, buried in work or engrossed in entertainment in virtual worlds; farmers in the countryside focused on their work in the fields, paying no heed to the fleeting celestial phenomenon.

Only a few curious children looked up at the stars, their eyes sparkling with delight and puzzlement, but their parents soon called them indoors to bed.

That seemingly unremarkable moment slipped quietly by, as though nothing had happened at all.

Yet no one knew what secrets and stories lay hidden behind those shooting stars...