At the foot of Wangwu Mountain
"I’m sorry, Senior Brother, I already have someone in my heart. Let’s not meet again, to avoid angering him and bringing disaster upon you."
"Junior Sister! Junior Sister! I! I! I understand now! You must take care! Take good care of yourself! Junior Sister! Junior Sister! Jun—ior—Sister—!"
The Junior Sister’s colorful attire fluttered, her celestial robe swirling around her, like a fairy from the distant mountains, a celestial maiden of the nine heavens, soaring through the clouds, flying into the mountain with decisive swiftness, disappearing without a trace.
The Senior Brother ran after her, but was bounced off by Wangwu Mountain’s Mountain Protection Array, falling to the ground, dirty and disoriented, looking much like a dog abandoned by the roadside.
Tang Tong was wrapped in bandages, lying on the rooftop watching, and spoke with feeling,
The Senior Brother heard him and turned his head to glare at Tang Tong.
Tang Tong looked back sincerely, with the understanding gaze of someone who knows, "I understand you."
"Ask the world—what is love! That makes people! Live and die together—!"
The Senior Brother was momentarily stunned, touched, and overcome with sadness, holding his head and crying bitterly.
Tang Tong waved at him, pointing to the wine jar beside him,
"Senior Brother, come up for a drink, overcoming emotional tribulations is , worse than death, but once you get through it, you’ll be fine."
So, the Senior Brother sniffled, climbed onto the roof to sit beside Tang Tong, looking at the paired clouds and bird couples in the sky, murmured,
"The Junior Sister and I have been childhood sweethearts, worked hard in cultivation to protect her, I won an Immortal Fate intending to share it with her, treating her with utmost sincerity and true heart.
But why, why does she always seem indifferent to me, distant yet close, why does she want to pair with someone else? What did I do wrong...?"
Tang Tong glanced at him,
"Maybe it’s because you’re not very good-looking, Senior Brother?"
The Senior Brother was angry.
"And anyway, whenever you get something, you give it to her, protect her without her asking, so why should she be good to you?
When others gain an Immortal Fate because they form a Daoist companion, you are content just to see her smile, so of course she smiles at you and pairs with someone else. Isn’t this a way to gain a double share of Immortal Fate."
The Senior Brother was dumbfounded, as if suddenly seeing through worldly attachments, seemingly enlightened.
Then, as clouds rolled and light shone, a graceful figure flew out from the Inner Mountain and landed in the Jungle Temple, right onto the eaves where Tang Tong and his Senior Brother were sitting.
"Junior Sister! Have you had a change of heart!"
The Senior Brother was overjoyed! The moment of enlightenment vanished!
"Junior Brother Tang."
This woman, dressed in white and a green robe, with a Heavenly Crown on her head, was attired as an Inner Sect Disciple of Wangwu Mountain. But her face was obscured by some mysterious treasure, making it unclear.
Seeing it’s not the Junior Sister, the Senior Brother was greatly disappointed and sat back down to drink.
"I am injured, unable to greet Sister with Ritual, please forgive me."
The female cultivator nodded, unconcerned with the nearby Senior Brother, flipped her hand to take out a Jade Pendant engraved with Xuan Nu,
"Junior Brother, I already know of your situation. Your talent is outstanding, it’s a pity you can’t achieve the Immortal Path in this life.
Thanks to your initiative to write, cutting ties and ending relationships, here is some gold and silver pills and jade for you to use.
This Xuan Nu Jade, keep it as a memento. In future calamities in the mortal world, if you ever need help, my disciples of Qingtang will provide full support.
I hope by experiencing the world’s trials, you can ascend the Immortal Path again soon."
Tang Tong accepted the Xuan Nu Jade with a cheerful smile,
"Alright, may we become Daoist companions in the next life, Sister."
The female cultivator covered her mouth with a light laugh,
"It’s hard to say. Perhaps in the next life, I could take you as a disciple."
Tang Tong was startled,
"Qingtang’s fortune-telling is divine! Sister, don’t scare me!"
The female cultivator smiled with a nod at Tang Tong,
Then she also ascended with Sword Control, flying away.
The Senior Brother beside him sighed, admiringly said,
"To overcome emotional tribulations too, I didn’t expect Junior Brother to break so decisively and freely."
Tang Tong smiled without answering.
Then, as clouds rolled and light shone, a graceful figure flew out from the Inner Mountain and landed in the Jungle Temple, right onto the eaves where Tang Tong and his Senior Brother were sitting. An Inner Sect Disciple of Wangwu Mountain, using light to obscure the face.
"Junior Brother Tang."
Senior Brother, "???"
Sister number two took out a treasure sword,
"Junior Brother’s talents are exceptional, suffering such misfortune is indeed tragic.
All these years, thanks to our sincere relationship, a treasure sword for a hero, I hope you remember me whenever you see it, don’t forget Sister."
Tang Tong accepted the treasure sword, filled with sorrow,
"It’s my lack of ability, unable to pair as an immortal couple with Sister, to fly wing-to-wing. How could I forget."
Senior Brother, "???"
"Remember to write to me."
The two shared affectionate words for a while, and Sister number two also ascended with Light Control, flying away.
Senior Brother rubbed his eyes,
"Am I drunk? Or seeing things?"
Tang Tong smiled without speaking.
Then, as clouds rolled and light shone, a graceful figure flew out from the Inner Mountain and landed in the Jungle Temple, right onto the eaves where Tang Tong and his Senior Brother were sitting. Another Inner Sect Disciple of Wangwu Mountain, using light to obscure the face...
This repeated fifteen times, and the Senior Brother was numb.
Tang Tong calculated his collection and thought, well, almost enough to enjoy a lifetime of mortal wealth. Then he looked at his expressionless Senior Brother.