On a moonlit night, in the Empress Daughter's private residence.
A cool, clear full moon hung high in the sky as the two sat facing each other in the courtyard.
Fang Qianyuan had helped Empress Daughter Wanji drive off the attacking Yaksha Heavenly General, then willingly bloodied his hands to slaughter the fleeing Human Rank yakshas. Wanji hosted a small banquet to thank him and congratulate him on his advancement to Earth Rank.
Wanji still wore a long dress as white as snow, but had draped a sable coat over it. It concealed her graceful figure, yet lent her an even more majestic elegance.
Her waist-length hair, like drifting snow, was bound with gold and jade. A light touch of makeup made her already city-toppling, kingdom-overthrowing beauty all the more captivating.
Fang Qianyuan had also changed into fresh clothes. He sat casually at the table, admiring the beauty before him and the nighttime mountain forest beneath the moonlight.
Fang Qianyuan keenly noticed that Wanji treated him with less ease and detachment now, and more gravity and earnestness.
That was understandable. Advancing to Earth Rank was like a fish leaping to become a dragon, shedding its former nature to become an extraordinary earthly immortal.
Throughout the Heavenly Realms, no one could possibly treat an Earth Rank Expert as though they were still a Human Rank Spirit Tamer.
"Young Master Fang, this Jade-Scaled Fish was caught in Icefire Lake. They say it carries the bloodline of an ancient true dragon. Once blessed with an immortal opportunity, it can shed its mortal body and leap through the Dragon Gate. I also heard that the Human Realm has a tradition of dragon-fish burning their tails, so I specially saved a piece of the tail for you to celebrate your advancement."
Wanji signaled her maid