Chapter 420: Lives Seldom Meet, Moving Like Stars apart, Finally Seeing You

Chapter 420: Life's meetings are rare, like the stars Shen and Shang, yet at last I see you

The Moon Birthday Feast was one of the most joyous and festive days in the Moon Goddess Palace.

A ten-thousand-year birthday was considered a great joy for cultivators.

In the mortal world, such occasions were marked by fiery trees and silver flowers, bridal red for three miles, but the cultivation realm was even more resplendent.

A thousand lantern trees shone with light, and seven branches of floral flames bloomed.

At that time, the Moon Goddess Palace was in darkness, yet bright as day.

From time to time, streaks of light flashed by as cultivators from other war zones arrived, wearing wide-sleeved robes and carrying congratulatory gifts—a lively scene indeed.

The host of the Moon Birthday Feast wore a red, cicada-wing-thin open-front outer robe, with a sapphire-blue halter beneath, looking joyous and dignified.

She sat in the seat of honor, a constant smile on her face.

"Convey my thanks to Guardian Hong Jun for me!"

The one who had just come to offer her gifts was the younger brother of Guardian Hong Jun.

A Guardian was the highest ruler of a region in the Demon Abyss, second only to the Sun God.

Unless something special occurred, a Guardian would not leave the territory under their charge.

Now, Guardian Hong Jun had sent his younger brother to present gifts—for Yu Tiao, the host of the Moon Birthday Feast, this was naturally the utmost display of prestige.

"Among the nineteen domain Guardians, half have already sent people to offer birthday congratulations. Sister Yu Tiao is truly enviable!"

"If I were to hold a Moon Birthday Feast at ten thousand years old, I fear few would come, and these Guardians wouldn't even send anyone."

Inside and outside the great hall of the Moon Goddess Palace, noise and conversation rose and fell.

The others did not hide their envy in their eyes as they looked at Yu Tiao.

In a corner, the moonlight was serene, appearing somewhat cool and quiet.

Yue Shuang glanced at the woman beside her: "When your Moon Birthday Feast comes, it will surely be ten times, a hundred times livelier than this."

The woman remained silent, tranquil and indifferent.

Yue Shuang looked at her again and couldn't help praising, "With just a little adornment, you outshine all the beauties. Don't go offer birthday wishes to Yu Tiao, or else she'll probably curse you in her heart."

Whether because of the birthday or Yue Shuang's urging, today Jin Li had for the first time set aside her plain robe.

Behold: on Jin Li's snow-white face, a touch of light makeup was faintly visible; her hair was coiled up with a golden hairpin slanting in, revealing her delicate and charming beauty.

She wore a golden-threaded long skirt of light yellow, a pale yellow gauze draped over her shoulders, a lotus-root-colored thin garment beneath, a cinnabar-bird jade belt around her waist, from which hung a delicate jade pendant. The skirt's stripes fell in smooth lines, occasionally revealing gold-thread embroidery.

Her chest rose high and trembled slightly, forming a stark contrast with her slender waist.

A jade nose and a sandalwood mouth, lightly adorned with powder and rouge—a beauty of national renown.

"This... is not suitable for battle formation!" The woman, lovely as a flower reflected in water, spoke, her voice carrying a faint killing intent.

Seeing this, Yue Shuang couldn't help saying, "Among all the Moon Maidens, you have the fewest suitors. Such killing intent makes people shrink back in fear."

Although Moon Maidens could not marry, they had many admirers.

If there were a night of intimate pleasure, the Moon Goddess Palace would only turn a blind eye.

Jin Li said nothing in response. The elegant moonlight fell upon her, making her exceptionally moving.

"By the way, I heard that the Demon Blaze Heavenly Lord of the Broken Moon Abyss once declared he had taken a fancy to you and wanted to seize you as his Dao companion," Yue Shuang teased.

The Moon Maiden Jin Li's expression remained unchanged. She sat alone and aloof, gently stroking the delicate jade pendant.

The birthday congratulations continued, and more and more people arrived.

Cultivators at the Great Venerable level could no longer spark discussion; only Mythical-level cultivators drew sidelong glances.

"Zhe Gui offers congratulations to Senior Sister, specially presenting three strands of Primordial Chaos Qi, wishing Senior Sister an early attainment of the Star Realm Venerable position!"

At this moment, a Mythical female cultivator presented her gift, drawing the attention of many ordinary Yin Gods.

But among the throng of guests, it seemed quite ordinary.

A smile appeared in Yu Tiao's eyes, and she said courteously, "May Junior Sister also soon reach the Star Realm and attain the Venerable position."

Hearing this, Zhe Gui showed a faint smile and exchanged a few polite words.

This scene caught Yue Shuang's eye, and a complex expression flickered in her gaze.

"This person... is problematic."

"Hmm?" Jin Li was surprised.

"I received information that she seems to harbor thoughts of betrayal. Today, she might flee the Moon Goddess Palace and join the Mara clan," Yue Shuang said calmly.

Unlike Jin Li, she belonged to a covert team, specifically in charge of the intelligence department.

"Are you interested in intercepting her and her contact?" Yue Shuang said lightly. "This is also a merit."

This was the territory of the Moon Goddess Palace; as long as Zhe Gui didn't leave, she couldn't turn the world upside down.

With the Dim Bamboo Remnant Moon here, and the Gathering Moon Heavenly Lord stationed in the area, this place was safe.

Betrayers like Zhe Gui existed not only in the Moon Goddess Palace but also among the Mara clan.

"Agreed," Jin Li nodded.

"On your birthday, I still make you work—I'm a bit heartless," Yue Shuang laughed.

On the platform, figures bustled, guests were like clouds, and laughter filled the air.

It was as if Jin Li in the corner belonged to a different world.

"Alas, you should have enjoyed such splendor like Yu Tiao," Yue Shuang couldn't help sighing again.

After all, Jin Li was a Moon Maiden, noble in status within the Moon Goddess Palace, equal to a Sun God.

Other Moon Maidens, even if it wasn't their Moon Birthday Feast, would have many guests come for an ordinary birthday; those who couldn't come would send letters with gifts.

But today was almost over, and no one had yet given Jin Li birthday gifts—not even a single letter.

Yue Shuang, in charge of the intelligence department, had not received any letters for Jin Li either.

She understood: it was because since Jin Li's return, she had been in the Demon Abyss, fighting desperately for achievements, rarely interacting with other disciples.

Otherwise, she would not be so neglected.

"These things are not important," Jin Li shook her head.

What she cared about had never been these.

"You, you..." Yue Shuang sighed, then said, "Come on, let's follow."

The problematic Zhe Gui had already left.

"Alright."

The two concealed their forms and departed from the bustling, noisy Moon Birthday Feast.

The Moon Goddess Palace area was still extraordinarily lively, filled with all kinds of dazzling lights.

Yet it did not appear as color pollution.

"Indeed, there's a problem—sneaking around, with suspicious movements!" Yue Shuang followed from afar, excitement shining in her eyes.

To root out a traitor like this, and at the Mythic level, this is absolutely a big catch.

Moon Maiden Jinli and Moon Frost stood side by side, both hidden in the dust, following Zhe Gui from afar.

“As a Mythic, yet choosing to betray, alas,” Moon Frost sighed. “I wonder who is liaising with her—a Great Venerable, or another Mythic?”

Under the shifting moonlight, the two Moon Maidens followed close behind Zhe Gui, Moon Frost’s expression calm.

“I hope they are stronger,” Moon Maiden Jinli said.

The stronger, the greater the achievement.

“Great minds think alike,” Moon Frost smiled.

This was the territory of the Moon God Palace; even if they encountered an invincible enemy, they could flee without trouble.

The two followed closely, and before long they had traveled ten thousand li.

The original clamor of the Moon God Palace vanished, the wilderness fell silent, all colors faded, leaving only the cold moonlight.

Zhe Gui also stopped before a lake.

Suddenly, Moon Frost’s expression showed surprise: “Eh, she’s not alone?”

In the distance, a figure entirely shrouded in a black robe appeared; judging by the silhouette, it seemed to be a woman.

A look of wariness appeared in Moon Frost’s eyes.

“A Mythic,” Jinli said, her brows slightly furrowed.

“Who is she? A Mythic from the Absolute Moon Abyss?” Moon Frost frowned, pondering the other’s identity.

The black-robed woman and Zhe Gui stopped by the lake, seemingly communicating.

At that moment, Moon Frost suddenly paused: “Eh, it seems someone besides me remembers your birthday. A letter has arrived for you through me.”

Moon Frost was in charge of the intelligence department of the Demon Abyss.

Letters from the outside world would enter her master jade slip through special channels.

Just now, she had received quite a few letters.

One of them was addressed to none other than Jinli.

“Oh,” Moon Maiden Jinli said, staring at the black-robed woman, frowning in thought.

After all, there were only so many Mythics in the Absolute Moon Abyss; whoever defected would be unpleasant to her.

As for the letter… she paid it no mind.

As Moon Frost said, she was a Moon Maiden; on her birthday, there would always be people flattering her.

“Shall I open the letter?” Moon Frost asked.

For cultivators of their realm, multitasking was the simplest thing. Jinli’s heart remained calm, and she said nothing.

“Eh, you actually know someone from the Second Heaven? This letter seems to have been sent from the Second Heaven, taking three years to arrive?” Moon Frost was somewhat surprised.

The letter should have stopped at the previous outpost half a month ago, scheduled for the seventeenth day of the seventh month, to be delivered to Moon Maiden Jinli.

Under the moonlight, the woman in the primrose-yellow dress felt her heart suddenly leap.

Moon Frost extracted the information, placed it into a jade slip, and handed it to Jinli.

“Take a look. It seems to be a cultivation technique.”

“From the Second Heaven to the Sixth Heaven, sending a technique—how interesting.”

Jinli’s limpid eyes seemed to ripple; she felt both anticipation and fear.

Her delicate jade-like hand rested on the jade slip.

The second sentence brought by the bridal-armored knight from the past now echoed in her ears.

“In days past, I saw you not; my sorrow piled like snow, deep as ancient and modern longing.

Now, I see you not; my gaze longs like crystal dew, drunk on ancient and modern yearning.

In the future, I will surely see you; I shall not regret the late meeting, nor complain of the fleeting light and shadow.”

“See you…”

The name of this technique was none other than “See You.”

Jinli’s eyes instantly grew misty at that moment.

By the July lake, the figure of the Faceless Sword God fishing alone in winter snow appeared in her mind.

He had been waiting for her all along.

Back then, she had not yet come to know him.

Nor had he recognized that the little Moon Maiden from those days was the one he had been waiting for.

Moon Maiden Jinli clutched the jade slip tightly.

Just from the name of the technique, she was certain, absolutely certain, that it was from him.

He was still alive!

He had come to see her!

He was in the Second Heaven!

Overwhelmed with joy, she spoke anxiously, looking at the person beside her with a pleading expression: “Moon Frost, I want to go to the Second Heaven!”

She did not want to stay in this Sixth Heaven for even a moment.

Moon Frost’s smile froze, and she seemed to realize something: “Is it a letter from him?”

She did not wish for her good friend to leave the Moon God Palace.

“Wait for this… no.”

Suddenly, Moon Frost’s expression changed drastically.

Because the black-robed Mythic had lifted her hood, revealing an all-too-familiar face.

“Deputy Warden!”

That woman was none other than the Deputy Warden of the Absolute Moon Abyss, a Mythic who held partial authority over the Waning Moon of the Netherworld.

The defection of a Deputy Warden was not at all the same as the defection of an ordinary Mythic.

Her heart sank to the bottom, and her face turned pale instantly: “The… Waning Moon of the Netherworld here… has failed!”

She understood all too well what this meant.

It meant that if a Mythic of the Mara clan came here, the Yang God of the Absolute Moon Abyss would not be able to react in time.

How could the Mara clan miss such an opportunity?

She sensed a thick conspiracy and boundless regret.

They should not have followed!

The Yang God Heavenly Venerable of the Absolute Moon Abyss must have already arrived here.

Moon Maiden Jinli frowned, but her hand was still unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes, showing that her heart was not at peace.

"What do we do?" Yue Shuang spoke, her mind a tangled mess.

Even if she sent a message now, it would be too late.

Just then, a sudden gust of cold wind blew, and Yue Shuang felt a chill.

As if this gust of wind had come forth, the world bloomed like pear blossoms.

Snowflakes filled the sky, drifting down; looking up, the snow under moonlight was crystalline and translucent, like a classical beauty dancing gracefully.

Yue Shuang was startled, her mind tightening in that instant.

At the far end of the sky, the snowfall grew heavier, and a figure in blood-red robes appeared.

He held a sword in his arms, a faceless mask on his face, snowflakes landing on his shoulders, hidden in his black hair.

The two deities by the lake immediately bowed in respect, not daring to look directly at him.

Yue Shuang clenched her teeth, feeling a strong threat.

Yang God!

This was definitely a Yang God!

It's over...

But before she could think further, she saw the figure in primrose yellow beside her dash through the dancing snow toward the faceless one.

Charging forward without hesitation, surpassing all.

Yue Shuang's expression froze for a moment.

Yet under the heavy snowfall, the man in the blood-red robe stopped.

"I emerged from the Absolute Heaven, waiting for you for so long."

His voice was complex, deep, and lingering.

Yue Shuang seemed to see, beneath the lake, a faceless man holding a sword, sitting on a green stone, as if waiting for someone.

Time turned, and the ancient Qichun tree gained a few more rings.

The man in the blood-red robe had a tender expression, watching the snow beauty under the moon, fluttering like a butterfly.

He knew that this was the Moon Maiden Jinli, whom he had been waiting for by the July Lake.

The promise of the past spanned time and space, so close, within reach, yet like a dream or a bubble.

"Qi! Yuan!!!"

The Moon Maiden Jinli stopped, her eyes misty, halting three steps away.

She was anxious, afraid, as if in a dream.

Yet the man in the blood-red robe removed his mask, revealing a face that was delicate, bright, yet somewhat unfamiliar and familiar.

Like piled jade, his beauty unmatched.

He held his sword, came as promised, and walked toward the Moon Maiden Jinli.

"Seeing your graceful dance is like drinking fine wine."

These words seemed to echo the second sentence he had said to Jinli long ago.

Now, not seeing you, my gaze is like crystal dew, drunk through all ages.

Now, seeing your shadow, it is like drinking fine wine.

The Moon Maiden Jinli looked at the man before her; in her sight, only he existed in the world.

Her body trembled, her shoulders shook, and the endless accumulated longing burst forth like mountains and seas.

"Jinli, I have seen you."

Qi Yuan looked at the woman before him, rolled up his wide sleeves, revealing a pale arm.

On the once smooth arm, a faint crescent moon mark was slowly forming.

This mark was left by the Moon Maiden.

After slaying the demons from the Absolute Land, when Qi Yuan woke, the mark had vanished.

Now, the mark reappeared.

Jinli stood quietly, gazing at that face.

Even though she wore a more lively primrose yellow dress, at this moment she was exceptionally cold and distant.

"Qi Yuan, I have waited for you too!"

She reached out, cupping Qi Yuan's face, as if, in a ruined temple, she had cupped the face of a faceless deity.

Time unified at this moment, figures overlapping across the years.

In life, we meet not, moving like the stars.

At last, I see you.

ps: Qi Yuan meeting Jinli, his heart somewhat anxious; actually, the author is also anxious, hesitant to write. But no matter what, an ugly bride must meet her in-laws; however it is written, they have met—sprinkling sugar!

ps: Recommending a book, title "My Cultivation Narration Has Weirdness", link below, like it and add to collection.

Recommendation: When an overly normal host meets a not-so-normal Long Aotian narration.

Ye Wuyou's cultivation talent is not ideal... but fortunately, he has a dog narration.

It's just that this narration seems a bit off?

(The End)