Central Continent, Lake Heart Mountain.
This was the location of the Spirit Affinity Hall's public blessed land headquarters.
Within the blessed land lay a place called Quiet Rain Valley.
When Feng Jinhuang walked into the valley on foot, it just happened to start raining.
A fine drizzle.
The rain fell quietly, without a sound.
Bathed in the downpour, even Feng Jinhuang unconsciously slowed her pace.
The air carried the fresh scent of grass, wreathed in a thin veil of green.
This kind of rain was not cold. It was like jade, possessing a restrained warmth.
Feng Jinhuang knew: this was Quiet Rain. When this rain fell, any sound would be absorbed, and heaven and earth fell utterly silent — so quiet that one could hear one's own breathing, one's own heartbeat.
Quiet Rain was a Sixth Transformation immortal material, and this valley was its resource point, which was how it got the name Quiet Rain Valley.
After Feng Jiuge betrayed Heavenly Court and disappeared without a trace, his wife — and Feng Jinhuang's mother — Fairy Bai Qing, had voluntarily requested a transfer to Quiet Rain Valley to gather Quiet Rain, never once stepping outside the valley.
Whenever the Quiet Rain drifted down, the sounds of a zither and a flute would drift from within the valley, as though Fairy Bai Qing were voicing her mournful, sorrowful laments.
Feng Jinhuang had come to the valley precisely because she had heard this rumor, her heart filled with worry, to visit her mother.
Now the Quiet Rain drifted down, and sure enough, a melody of zither and flute floated from the valley.
The zither was ethereal, like white clouds drifting through the ninth heaven, brimming with ancient charm, melodious and pleasing to the ear. The flute, however, rose high and sharp, its pitch surging up and down almost abruptly, like a fierce eagle soaring across the sky, piercing through the wind, tearing through the azure expanse.
At first, the zither sounded now and then, the flute echoed at other moments, alternating back and forth as if the two were conversing, trading words one after another.
Then the zither and the flute began to reach toward each other, playing together bit by bit, gradually merging and intertwining. White clouds drifted while a soaring eagle wove among them. The two starkly different sounds kept joining together, creating an indescribable beauty.
In the end, the zither and the flute became completely unified, indistinguishable from one another, forming a blended sound that carried both the zither's melodious grace and the flute's clear, sharp edge. It was one of a kind, staggeringly beautiful!
Feng Jinhuang was captivated by this exquisite music, and an expression of rapt enjoyment involuntarily appeared on her face. She ventured deeper into the valley and smoothly found her mother.
Fairy Bai Qing sat in a bamboo pavilion, two Gu Insects circling and spiraling around her like white jade beads. They were two mortal-grade Sound Path Gu — a Zither Gu and a Flute Gu.
When Feng Jinhuang stepped into the pavilion, the music slowly came to a halt.
Fairy Bai Qing had long sensed Feng Jinhuang's arrival. She turned around slowly: "This 'Immortal and Demon Sing As One' was composed when your father and I fell in love. It is our love song. I still remember the first time your father played it for me, he said: 'Immortals and demons are one family. The Primordial Origin Immortal Venerable was originally called the Primordial Origin Demon Venerable by many different beings.' This song holds extraordinary significance. Your father always treasured it and never used it, but during the Battle of Fate, he did use it."
At this point, Fairy Bai Qing shifted her tone and fixed her gaze intently on Feng Jinhuang: "The list has been approved this time."
Feng Jinhuang nodded: "I know. Last time, the sect nominated me, but Heavenly Court gave no response. This time, the sect replaced me with Sun Yao, and the approval came quickly."
Fairy Bai Qing said calmly: "Originally, the sect still wanted to recommend you, but Li Junying and Xu Hao obstructed it, and in the end Sun Yao was substituted. What are your thoughts on this outcome, my daughter?"
"Heh." Feng Jinhuang smiled faintly, her radiant smile blooming like a flower, instantly bringing a beam of bright sunshine to the bamboo pavilion.
"Mother, why must you test me like this? Ever since Father turned against us on the battlefield and betrayed Heavenly Court, I've been mentally prepared. Right now, the Dream Dao Immortal Gu hasn't been confiscated — things are already quite good," Feng Jinhuang said.
Hearing this, Fairy Bai Qing also showed a hint of a smile: "Even the Righteous Path is not without its acts of forceful seizure — they simply drape themselves in righteousness and virtue. That you can see through to this level is already quite admirable. But don't worry too much. After your father left Heavenly Court, he created the Song of Destiny, and his extraordinary combat prowess is recognized by all under heaven. Neither Heavenly Court nor the Spirit Affinity Hall will lightly try to pressure you."
A flash of displeasure crossed Feng Jinhuang's face: "Mother, there's no need for you to speak up for Father. Although I can understand him, I will not forgive him. He suddenly turned away from Heavenly Court without ever giving us prior notice — that is abandoning his wife and daughter! One day, I will settle the score with him."
"Heh heh heh." Fairy Bai Qing shook her head with a laugh, walked up to Feng Jinhuang, and took her hand. "You've misunderstood your father. That 'Immortal and Demon Sing As One' — he treasured it as our love song. Aside from performing it before me, he never used it for any other purpose. The only time he used it was during the Battle of Fate. He wanted to tell me that immortal and demon are one, that his feelings for me had never changed. Even if he left the Righteous Path and returned to the Demonic Path, it would not affect the bond between our family of three."
"Do you believe me? If I were to show even a hint of intention to leave the Spirit Affinity Hall, he would certainly come to take me away. He also knows me well — he knows I don't want to become a member of the Demonic Path. So he gave us both the freedom to choose. He doesn't want his ideals to become a burden on us."
Feng Jinhuang let out a cold snort: "Father would rather help that great demon Fang Yuan than help Master. Master is indeed stubborn, always mumbling about fate and whatnot, but he is ultimately well-meaning toward us, truly thinking of what's best for me. Father's behavior is nothing short of cold and heartless."
"Mother, if there's nothing else, I'll be going now."
"Oh, you." Fairy Bai Qing sighed, but did not try to keep her daughter.
Feng Jinhuang emerged from the mouth of Quiet Rain Valley and saw two female Gu Masters.
One was delicate and refined, the other adorable — both were Feng Jinhuang's close acquaintances, standing uneasily outside the valley, waiting.
Upon seeing Feng Jinhuang, their faces immediately lit up with joy, and they hurried over.
"Senior Sister, we heard you were coming here, so we rushed over!" The one with the delicate, refined features was Qin Juan.
"Senior Sister, I'm sorry — I, I didn't mean to take your spot..." Sun Yao's cute, round face was filled with unease.
Qin Juan and Sun Yao had always been on good terms with Feng Jinhuang. The two had long served as her followers.
It was just that in recent years, Feng Jinhuang had been studying the Dream Dao under Lord Dragon, so she had spent far less time with the two of them.
Feng Jinhuang laughed brightly and reached out a finger to tap Sun Yao's forehead: "You — you did quite well this time. Why should you apologize? A nomination spot is a trivial matter. Without sponsorship, would I be unable to become an immortal? Becoming an immortal is no obstacle for me whatsoever. What I need to consider is what kind of Immortal Gu Master I will become. But for you, this is a rare opportunity. Seize it well."
After speaking to Sun Yao, Feng Jinhuang turned to Qin Juan: "You have always been someone with firm convictions, someone who can persevere. How is it that this time, with Dao Marks inscribed upon your body, you fainted? If not for that, the nomination spot would have gone to you."
Qin Juan did not dare to argue: "Senior Sister's rebuke is warranted. I have been negligent in my cultivation."
"That's not it, Senior Sister. It was because Senior Sister Qin Juan had injuries on her body at the time and couldn't withstand the pain, which is why she fainted," Sun Yao hurriedly clarified.
"So that's how it was." Feng Jinhuang nodded and said with regret, "This is indeed a great loss. Fang Yuan destroyed the Fate Gu and refined it into countless Heavenly Dao Marks, scattering them among all the people in the world. The more Heavenly Dao Marks one bears, the greater the benefits in the future. Whether it's cultivation or managing an immortal aperture, it's nothing but advantageous. But not having them isn't the end of the world — at most, it's just a missed opportunity. What truly determines your lifelong achievements is your own talent and effort."
"Yes. Qin Juan respectfully heeds Senior Sister's teachings." Qin Juan bowed in a gesture of respect.
Feng Jinhuang laughed once more: "Come along. I'll give you both some proper guidance."
Qin Juan and Sun Yao's faces immediately brightened with joy. The latter even bounced up and cheered: "That's wonderful! It's been so long since we've had a gathering."
The three set off together, gradually moving away from Quiet Rain Valley.
Deep within the valley, Fairy Bai Qing slowly withdrew her probing methods.