"A stretch of wind and rain, a stretch of flowers" - free to stay or go, leisurely exploring the land's beauty

After bidding Ju Ying farewell a second time, Xing Yan felt a curious calm settle over his heart.

For him, once he had stood floating above the treetops beneath the moon and finished playing "Western Islet" and "Purple Zhi," he no longer needed to know the details of the maiden's journey. He did not need to know how she wore a phoenix crown and embroidered bridal robes in the prefect's residence, nor how the esteemed Prefect of the Southern Sea tasted every dish before she did.

Their farewell had ended with those flute melodies.

As they waited for the year's end, life at Thousand Birds Cliff continued as usual.

The cool, graceful woman still devoted herself to all the Four Seas Hall's daily chores. The lively little girl still played, still tried hard to be good and sensible for the sake of a word of praise from her brother. And the Four Seas Hall Master, who had experienced both glory and hardship over the past year, still studied his scriptures tirelessly and practiced his Dao Power and spells without cease. With a little more gratitude in his heart, he also often remembered to expound the teachings and scriptures before Thousand Birds Cliff for the mountain's devout spiritual creatures.

In the mountains, the years passed without heed to cold or heat. Amid that refreshing coolness, the Four Seas Hall welcomed the days that bade farewell to the old year and ushered in the new.

On the last day of the year, the Four Seas Hall hung peachwood charms of Shentu and Yulei beside its door, just like an ordinary household. On New Year's Eve, a stove was lit inside its stone dwelling. Xing Yan, Qiong Rong, and Kou Xueyi sat around it, eating little delicacies and drinking Tusu Wine, staying awake