Third on the Golden Ranking!

Ning Xian stood beside her.

"You can have the guards in the residence do it."

"This is the tree I want to plant."

Soil clung to her fair fingers.

The golden sash trailed to the ground and had picked up a little dust as well.

She carefully cradled the seedling's roots.

"Senior, open the third floor."

The Xuanhuang Light Gate appeared beside the begonia tree.

Deep blue starlight passed through the gate and fell on them both.

Dugu Yan stood up, holding the seedling.

"Senior, help me lift my skirt."

Ning Xian glanced down.

Both her hands were covered in soil, and her hem trailed on the ground.

Ning Xian raised a hand and lifted one corner of her hem.

Holding the begonia seedling, Dugu Yan walked into the Xuanhuang Light Gate.

The third floor.

The starry lake stretched out quietly.

Countless points of starlight were reflected on its surface.

She walked some distance along the shore before finally stopping before a patch of level ground.

"I'll plant it right here."

Ning Xian let go of her hem.

Dugu Yan crouched down and dug a shallow hole with her hands.

She placed the seedling inside, then filled the soil back in.

"Senior, give it some water."

A stream of clear water rose from the lake.

The stream fell around the seedling's roots, soaking the soil.

The begonia seedling gently unfurled its branches and leaves.

Starlight fell on its leaves, condensing into tiny points of light.

Dugu Yan washed her hands clean.

She stood beside the seedling and watched it for a while.

"When will it grow as tall as the one outside?"

"Three years."

"That's too long."

"The Star Power here can speed up its growth."

"Then how long?"

"One year."

She still thought that was a long time.

Dugu Yan raised her hand, holding her palm beside the seedling.

Emerald-green Soul Power slowly flowed into the soil.

After absorbing the Soul Power, the begonia seedling sprouted another tender leaf at the tip of a branch.

The smile on her face deepened.

"I'll come water it every day from now on."

"The lake water is right beside it."

"It still needs watering."

Dugu Yan turned around.

Seeing Ning Xian still standing where he was, she stepped over the damp soil and walked up to him.

"Senior, this will be my cultivation spot from now on."

"Mm."

"No one else can use it."

"There's no one else on the third floor for now."

"Not in the future, either."

Ning Xian looked at her.

"You want to claim the whole lake?"

"I only want the space beside this tree."

She held out her hands to mark out a small area.

"And the lakeshore."

"All right."

"And in the lake."

"All right."

"Then isn't that the whole lake?"

After saying it herself, Dugu Yan could not help laughing.

She walked to the lakeshore and sat down.

Her emerald-green skirt spread over the grass.

She took off her ankle boots and placed them neatly beside her.

She lowered both feet into the lake.

The cool water covered her slender ankles.

"Senior, sit here."

Ning Xian sat down beside her.

Dugu Yan leaned closer.

She gently rested her head on Ning Xian's shoulder.

Her dark green hair spread over his white robes.

Their reflections fell on the lake, overlapping with the starlight.

"Senior."

"Mm."

"I'm very happy today."

"Because your bloodline was reshaped?"

"Also because you're here, Senior."

She raised her hand and took Ning Xian's hand resting at his side.

Their fingers slowly interlaced.

Dugu Yan gazed at their reflections in the lake.

"You have to come shopping for clothes with me tomorrow."

"I remember."

"We also have to come back and see the begonia tree."

"Mm."

"And keep me company while I cultivate in the evening."

"All right."

She closed her eyes.

Her cheek rested against Ning Xian's shoulder.

"Then I'll sleep for a bit."

"Go back to your room to sleep."

"I don't want to move."

Ning Xian reached out and scooped her up.

Dugu Yan slipped her arms around his neck.

She nestled in Ning Xian's arms, her emerald-green skirt hanging between his arms.

A few drops of lake water still clung to her bare feet.

"My shoes."

Ning Xian raised a hand.

The black ankle boots beside the lake flew up on their own and vanished into the Mystic Yellow Radiance.

Only then did Dugu Yan close her eyes again.

"Senior."

"What is it now?"

"Don't forget tomorrow."

"I won't."

Ning Xian carried her toward the Xuanhuang Light Gate.

Ripples spread in rings across Starry Lake.

The newly planted begonia seedling stood beside the lake.

A newly grown tender leaf gently unfurled toward the starlight.

Ning Xian carried Dugu Yan out of the Heaven-Earth Xuanhuang Pagoda.

The Xuanhuang Light Gate closed behind them.

Inside the room in the East Courtyard, the candles had not yet gone out.

The noodles on the table had gone cold, and a little less than half a cup of clear wine remained in the wine cup.

Dugu Yan nestled in Ning Xian's arms.

She had not really fallen asleep.

Her damp feet were hidden beneath her emerald-green skirt, her toes curling slightly.

"Senior."

"Mm."

"Are you going to take me back to my own room?"

"This is my room."

Dugu Yan opened her eyes.

She looked around, only then realizing that Ning Xian had already brought her back to the East Courtyard.

"Then where am I going to sleep?"

"Your courtyard."

Ning Xian set her down on the edge of the bed.

Dugu Yan's arms remained around his neck.

The distance between them did not widen.

Her dark green hair fell from her shoulders, a few strands resting against the front of Ning Xian's robes.

"I can't walk anymore."

"You could still plant a tree just now."

"Planting the tree used up all my strength."

Ning Xian looked at her for a moment.

Dugu Yan tilted her face up without letting go.

The fragrance of begonia blossoms lingered in her hair.

Candlelight softened her fair face, and Ning Xian's figure was still reflected in her emerald-green eyes.

"Sleep here, then."

Ning Xian supported her as she lay down.

Only then did Dugu Yan loosen her arms.

She shifted toward the inside of the bed, leaving the outer side empty.

"Where will you sleep, Senior?"

"The third floor."

Dugu Yan immediately caught his hand.

"The lakeshore on the third floor is my cultivation spot."

"The Heaven-Earth Xuanhuang Pagoda has more than just the third floor."

"You still can't leave, Senior."

She gave Ning Xian a gentle tug.

"You promised to keep me company while I cultivate."

"Today is already over."

"I'll still need to cultivate after I wake up."

Ning Xian reached out and pulled the quilt over her.

"Sleep first."

Dugu Yan looked at him.

Only after a moment did she let go.

"Senior, remember to wake me tomorrow."

"Mm."

"And come clothes shopping with me."

"I remember."

"You can't leave while I'm asleep."

"I won't."

Dugu Yan closed her eyes.

Her hand still rested beside Ning Xian's sleeve.

After a while, her breathing gradually steadied.

Ning Xian sat beside the bed.

Mystic Yellow Radiance flowed from his palm and settled between Dugu Yan's brows.

She had just completed her bloodline reconstruction and had spent a long time cultivating on the third floor.

The medicinal power remaining in her meridians was guided into her Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Martial Soul bit by bit by Xuanhuang Power.

Dugu Yan sank deeper into sleep.

She turned onto her side, her cheek pressed against the soft bedding.

A lock of hair fell beside her lips.

Ning Xian brushed it aside for her.

The darkness outside the window gradually lightened.

The morning breeze blew petals from the begonia tree.

A few petals drifted through the window and landed on the table.

Early morning.

Dugu Yan opened her eyes.

She raised a hand and felt around beside her.

There was no lingering warmth on the outer side of the bed.

Dugu Yan immediately sat up.

"Senior?"

In the middle of the room, the Xuanhuang Light Gate slowly lit up.

Ning Xian stepped out from the third floor.

He held a jade bowl filled with clear water that carried a faint starlight.

"Awake?"

Seeing him, Dugu Yan settled back into her seat.

"You still went to the third floor last night, Senior."

"I went to refine the formation patterns."

"You didn't wake me."

"You were sleeping."

Ning Xian handed her the jade bowl.

Dugu Yan took it but did not drink right away.

She lowered her head to look inside.

Tiny specks of starlight flowed with the ripples.

"What is this?"

"Spiritual liquid from Starry Lake."

"Can I drink it?"

"The Star Power inside has already been separated out."

Dugu Yan took a small sip.

The cool spiritual liquid entered her body.

The fatigue left by last night's cultivation swiftly faded.

She drank all the remaining spiritual liquid.

Her Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Martial Soul manifested on its own.

Dark golden markings slowly lit up along the serpent's body.

After absorbing the spiritual liquid, its two short jade-green horns became a little more solid.

Dugu Yan looked at Ning Xian.

"Is there some every day?"

"Yes."

"Then you have to give me a bowl every morning, Senior."

"Go get it from the lake yourself."

"I don't know how to separate out the Star Power."

"I'll teach you."

Dugu Yan threw back the covers.

After a night, several creases had appeared in the hem of her jade-green dress.

She stepped barefoot onto the floor and stood before Ning Xian.

"Teach me now."

"Comb your hair first."

Dugu Yan raised a hand and felt her long hair.

Her dark green hair lay loose behind her shoulders and did indeed look slightly disheveled.

She went to sit at the dressing table.

A jade-green comb lay on the tabletop.

Dugu Yan picked up the jade comb, then turned to look at Ning Xian.

"Help me, Senior."

"You know how."

"My hands need to cultivate."

Ning Xian looked at her right hand, which already held the jade comb.

Dugu Yan held the jade comb out to him.

"I cultivated for too long last night. My hands are sore."

Ning Xian took the jade comb.

He stood behind Dugu Yan and gathered her long hair together.

The jade comb slowly passed down through her hair.

Her dark green hair fell to the back of her waist, gleaming smooth and lustrous after being combed.

Dugu Yan watched Ning Xian behind her through the bronze mirror.

A smile grew in her eyes.

She picked up a jade-green hair ribbon from the table.

"Tie it up today."

Ning Xian tied her long hair into a high ponytail.

The ribbon wrapped around her hair, its ends hanging behind her shoulders.

Dugu Yan looked from side to side.

She took out a jade-green hair ornament and pinned it beside the ribbon.

"How does it look?"

"Pretty."

"You answered so quickly today, Senior?"

"Isn't that what you wanted to hear?"

Dugu Yan turned around.

Her high ponytail swayed gently behind her shoulders.

She had not changed her clothes today.

Her jade-green dress hugged her slender waist, and after a night's rest, her fair face looked a little more radiant.

Dark golden Martial Soul markings lay hidden along the side of her neck.

As her Soul Power circulated, the markings appeared intermittently.

"I want you to answer seriously, Senior."

"Very pretty."

Dugu Yan nodded in satisfaction.

She put on her ankle boots and took Ning Xian's hand of her own accord.

"Let's go to the third floor."

The Xuanhuang Light Gate opened again.

The two entered the Heaven-Earth Xuanhuang Pagoda.

Beside Starry Lake.

The begonia sapling planted last night spread its branches and leaves toward the starlight.

The soil around its roots was still damp.

A few clear dewdrops clung to its newly grown tender leaves.

Dugu Yan walked over and watched it for a while.

She raised a hand to draw over a stream of lake water and carefully watered the ground beside the sapling.

"Senior, has it grown taller?"

"By an inch."

"Give it a little more Star Power."

"It can't withstand it."

Dugu Yan crouched before the sapling.

She gently touched a leaf with her finger.

"Then grow slowly."

Ning Xian raised his hand and waved.

A mass of clear water rose from the lake.

Mystic Yellow Radiance passed through the water, drawing out the Star Power within.

The lake water, originally shimmering with starlight, gradually turned clear.

Dugu Yan watched his movements intently.

She raised her right hand and drew over a mass of lake water, imitating Ning Xian's method.

Jade-green Soul Power enveloped the water.

The specks of starlight in the water gathered together in response.

But her control was unsteady.

The starlight had only just gathered before it scattered back into the water.

"Again."

Dugu Yan did not give up.

She adjusted her Soul Power and separated out the Star Power once more.

After several attempts in succession, a tiny speck of starlight finally flew out of the water.

The starlight landed on her fingertip.

Before Dugu Yan had time to rejoice, that speck of starlight passed through her Soul Power and fell back into the lake.

"Senior, it won't listen to me."

"Your control over your Soul Power is insufficient."

"How do I practice?"

"Keep going."

Dugu Yan drew over more lake water.

She sat cross-legged beside the lake.

Her high ponytail hung down behind her waist.

Her slender fingers constantly adjusted her Soul Power.

Ning Xian stood beside her, occasionally helping her steady the water.

Time slowly passed.

Speck after speck of starlight was separated out.

Dugu Yan's control over her Martial Soul also continued to improve.

By the time she successfully obtained a bowl of clear water, it was nearly noon outside.

She stood up with the jade bowl in her hands.

"Senior, I did it."

"Mm."

"Have a taste."

"This is for you to drink."

"Have a sip first, Senior."

Dugu Yan brought the jade bowl to Ning Xian's lips.

Ning Xian took a sip.

She immediately asked, "Is it the same as what you made, Senior?"

"There's still a little Star Power in it."

Dugu Yan looked down into the bowl.

"Then I can't drink it?"

"This little bit won't hurt you."

Only then did she lift the jade bowl.

She had just drunk half when golden light suddenly lit up above Starry Lake.

The scene in the world outside was clearly reflected on the lake's surface.

The Golden Ranking, which had been quiet, appeared again.

Dugu Yan stopped.

Holding the jade bowl, she looked up at the sky.

"The rewards for fourth place only finished a little while ago."

Ning Xian walked over to her side.

"Third place is about to be announced."

Dugu Yan set the jade bowl beside the lake.

She stood up, her skirt falling against her long, slender legs.

Golden radiance shone on her face.

Her emerald eyes were also tinged with a faint layer of gold.

"Senior."

"Mm."

"Who will be third on the Golden Ranking?"

Ning Xian watched the golden light of the Heavenly Dao gathering steadily.

"A Soul Beast."

Dugu Yan froze for a moment.

She immediately turned her face toward him.

Her high ponytail swung up from behind her shoulder, and her jade hair ornament swayed gently in the golden light.

"Another Soul Beast?"

"Mm."

"Third place actually isn't human?"

"No."

Dugu Yan walked up beside Ning Xian.

She reached out and caught his sleeve.

"The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King has already appeared."

"Who else could rank ahead of Bo Saixi and Qian Daoliu?"

Ning Xian did not answer.

Dugu Yan tilted her face up.

The two were very close.

The lake breeze stirred her emerald dress, and the golden silk sash at her waist swayed slowly against her skirt.

A few strands of dark green hair fell against her snow-white neck.

Dark gold Martial Soul markings emerged from beneath her collar, then faded with her Soul Power.

"You know who it is, don't you, Senior?"

"I do."

"Tell me."

"The Golden Ranking will announce it soon."

Still holding his sleeve, Dugu Yan took another step forward.

"Tell me a little first."

"It's very strong."

"How strong?"

"Below God Level, few living beings are its match."

The surprise in Dugu Yan's eyes deepened.

She turned to look at the lake.

The golden sky screen had already spread across all of Starry Lake.

The enormous phantom of a Soul Beast had yet to appear.

Only streaks of golden Divine Runes continually converged in the depths of the sky.

"To think such a being was still hidden among the Soul Beasts."

Ning Xian picked up the jade bowl she had set beside the lake.

He handed the remaining spirit liquid back to her.

"Finish drinking first."

Dugu Yan took the jade bowl.

She drank the remaining spirit liquid, her gaze never leaving the Golden Ranking.

A moment later, she moved close to Ning Xian again.

Her slender hand slipped naturally around his arm.

"If you won't tell me, Senior, I'll look for myself."

"Mm."

"But after third place is announced, you have to tell me about it."

"The Golden Ranking will tell you."

"What the Golden Ranking says is what the Golden Ranking says."

Dugu Yan raised her eyes to Ning Xian.

"I want to hear it from you, Senior."

Ning Xian glanced at her.

"All right."

Only then did Dugu Yan smile.

She stood on the shore of Starry Lake, holding Ning Xian's arm.

The young crabapple saplings beside the lake swayed gently.

Golden light filtered through the branches and leaves, falling on the hems of their clothes.

Dugu Yan tipped her head back to look at the sky.

She had already begun waiting for that Soul Beast to appear.