An immortal's dream of Mount Luofu: With a pure heart fixed on distant heights, he raised his brows before a grand undertaking

I could only keep my eyes open all night long, to repay the brows you never once unknitted in your life.

- Anonymous

After so many days of "quiet cultivation" on the seldom-visited Thousand Birds Cliff of Embracing Rosy Clouds Peak on Mount Luofu, the youth, once accustomed to bustling through streets and marketplaces, seemed to have been steeped in the spiritual breath of heaven and earth, washing away the worldly dust that had soaked into his very marrow.

Yet on this night, when the moonlight flowed softly as water, the sight of little Qiong Rong, bearing the marks of wind and hardship, stirred the chivalrous spirit buried deep in Xing Yan's blood, and it burst forth beyond his control.

"As master of Four Seas Hall, I shall take my first disciple!"

His ringing declaration struck the stone walls of the mountain dwelling and set them humming!

"From this moment on, you are no longer a monster!"

The youth bent toward the little girl before him and spoke earnestly, stressing every word.

"Yes! If big brother says Qiong Rong isn't a monster, then Qiong Rong definitely isn't a monster!"

"Good! Tomorrow, I'll take you to report to the sect master and make you a disciple of Four Seas Hall."

"Yes! But... why do I have to be a disciple? All I want is to come and see big brother every night!"

"Because I want both of us, brother and sister, to remain in the Shangqing Order openly and honorably!"

Little Qiong Rong did not quite understand what he meant. To her, knowing that the big brother she liked sincerely wanted her to stay by his side was enough to satisfy every wish.

Now Qiong Rong had fallen asleep on Xing Yan's bed, while the youth lay down on a bamboo