Moonlight streamed down, and stellar energy poured into his body. The rich spiritual energy of heaven and earth had almost condensed into substance, its visible, luminous mist coating every blade of grass and every tree in the courtyard with a lustrous sheen.
Behind Yun Tianluo, seven apertures of light lit up one after another, dazzling enough to illuminate the entire official residence. Yet the instant their radiance reached its peak, all seven shuddered together, then shattered into countless streams of light that drifted down and merged with the luminous spiritual mist around him.
Obsession dissolved, the Great Dao attained!
After a long while, Yun Tianluo slowly opened his eyes. He chuckled, the sound carefree and exuberant-a laugh of genuine release.
Yun Tianluo raised a hand to stroke his folding fan, his fingertips brushing the smooth, warm grain of its jade ribs.
He lifted the clear tea Xie Junheng had personally served him earlier and took a small sip. The warm tea slipped down his throat with a faint orchid fragrance, dissolving every trace of the stifled bitterness that had weighed on his heart for ages.
Yun Tianluo sighed and looked at Xie Junheng, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"What a Seven-Aperture Exquisite Heart."
"It certainly looks more pleasing than this inferior version of mine." He repeated his earlier remark, but its flavor had changed entirely.
Xie Junheng could hear that not a trace of resentment remained. It was merely an offhand joke now.
Lord Yun had truly come to terms with it.
"You flatter me, examining master." Xie Junheng bowed.
Yun Tianluo glanced at him but did not correct that form of address again. He leaned back in his chair and tapped the tabletop with his folding fan, producing a crisp click.
"I owe you a favor."
*"I,"