Chapter 21: Understanding Cause and Effect?

In the Ye family’s backyard, there was a tranquil Bamboo Grove.

A small path wound through the forest, leading to a Half-moon Pond.

The clamor and oppression of the main hall seemed to be cut off by the sea of green.

A gentle breeze brushed the bamboo tips, making a soft rustling, like lovers whispering.

Ye Chen and Xiao Liuli walked side by side on the stone path.

Neither spoke first.

Servants and Young Masters passing by bowed at once upon seeing them, then quickly retreated, not daring to disturb them in the slightest.

The looks they cast were filled with reverence, envy, and deep confusion.

In the end, it was Xiao Liuli who broke the silence.

Her voice held a hint of lightness even she hadn’t noticed, as if she’d finally set down a heavy burden and could relax in the company of someone who brought her peace.

“Are you surprised?”

She tilted her head, clear eyes turning to Ye Chen.

Sunlight filtered through the bamboo leaves, scattering flecks of light across her face, making her exquisite beauty seem even more ethereal.

“This should be… the first time you’ve seen my face, right?”

She seemed to find the topic amusing, the corner of her lips curving into a playful arc, carrying a trace of girlish mischief.

“How is it? Do I look good?”

Ye Chen’s steps paused slightly.

He looked at her, eyes as calm as ever, yet sincere.

“Saintess Descends to the Mortal Realm.”

He nodded, giving a four-character evaluation.

Then he added, “There is indeed a Root of the Mortal World and the Clouds between us.”

The smile on Xiao Liuli’s face grew even brighter at the words ‘Saintess Descends to the Mortal Realm’, but froze slightly at the latter half.

Her delicate brows furrowed unconsciously.

Root of the Mortal World and the Clouds.

That phrase brought her a strange discomfort.

It was like an invisible wall, built between them by his own hand.

They reached the pavilion by the pond.

Xiao Liuli brushed off a stone bench and gestured for Ye Chen to sit.

The water reflected the sky and clouds, a few Jinli lazily flicking their tails.

“A month from now is our wedding day.”

She sat as well, gaze fixed on him, her tone intimate and matter-of-fact.

“By then, what… should you call me?”

Her anticipation was barely hidden.

But Ye Chen didn’t look at her.

His gaze fell on a lotus leaf floating in the pond, a crystal-clear droplet of water trembling atop it.

He spoke softly, his voice so calm it was as if he were stating a matter unrelated to himself.

“Miss Liuli.”

The expectant smile slowly faded from Xiao Liuli’s face, replaced by confusion and bewilderment.

The air in the pavilion seemed to grow colder in that instant.

She didn’t understand.

She gazed quietly at Ye Chen’s profile—sharp yet distant.

She waited, for an explanation, or even just a word of comfort, no matter how cold.

After a long time, she bit her lip, as if gathering all her strength just to keep her voice steady.

“I admit…”

Her voice was low, tinged with self-mockery.

“In the beginning, I did… regard you as an outsider.”

As the words left her lips, it felt like all her pride drained away.

“But, after all this time together… you expelled the cold poison from my body, nurtured my health, did so much for me…”

Her gaze fell from his indifferent profile to her own hands, fingers entwined on her knees, trembling slightly.

“Did your feelings toward me never change, even a little?”

“If it’s my attitude at the start that you resent—”

She raised her eyes, tears glimmering, holding onto the last thread of hope.

“I can apologize.”

Sensing the weight in her gaze, Ye Chen met her searching eyes.

He shook his head, a faint arc appearing at his lips—not a smile, but the helplessness of a teacher toward a stubborn student.

“Miss Liuli, you’re overthinking it.”

He met her eyes frankly.

“My attitude hasn’t changed.”

“The Nine Nether Cold Curse in your body has been completely dispelled, your cultivation restored, and now you have the favor of Qingyun Holy Land. Your future is limitless.”

His tone was steady, as if calmly weighing pros and cons for her.

“You shouldn’t be bound by this worldly marriage contract any longer.”

Before Xiao Liuli could speak, he continued.

“Wasn’t that your original intention as well? Why are you now clinging to this marriage?”

There was a hint of puzzlement in Ye Chen’s eyes.

“With your current status and position, a single word from you could easily annul this engagement. The world is vast and free; you would have no more ties.”

He couldn’t understand.

By the most logical reasoning, what Xiao Liuli ought to do now was sever all connections with Qingyang City—especially this engagement, which had been a mere expedient from the start—and devote herself wholeheartedly to the pursuit of immortality.

That was the ‘correct’ path.

Listening to his words, the color drained from Xiao Liuli’s face.

She slowly lowered her gaze, long lashes casting a shadow beneath her eyes, concealing her expression from Ye Chen.

The pavilion was silent once more.

Only the sound of the wind and Jinli splashing on the water broke the stillness.

“Ha…”

A soft laugh slipped from her lips, devoid of warmth—more like a snowflake in winter.

“Ye Chen,”

She spoke again, her voice cold now.

“Are you… being serious?”

She couldn’t understand Ye Chen.

Nor could she quite understand herself.

Yes, she should be pursuing the path she had longed for.

So why…

Why did she care so much about this marriage?

Why, in the main hall, did she rush forward so instinctively when Ye Tianjiao struck at him?

Why did she blurt out to Elder Li to witness their wedding?

Why…

Ye Chen didn’t know about the storm raging in her heart.

He only turned his gaze back to the pond, answering calmly.

“Of course.”

He felt it was his duty to guide this ‘lost’ girl toward the right path.

“Perhaps… you feel a hint of Demonic Affection for me.”

His voice was utterly calm.

“But there’s no need to be troubled. The world is far larger than you imagine. The love of the Foundation Establishment Stage is but an Illusory Flower in the Mirror, Moon in the Water. When you stand higher in the future and look back, you’ll forget.”

“The time we spent together will become a single, insignificant speck of dust in your long life.”

Each word he spoke was clear, calm, and…

Cruel.

After that, silence reigned for a long while.

Xiao Liuli simply stared at him—at that profile that seemed untouched by anything.

She couldn’t comprehend how he could utter such words so lightly.

All those days and nights together, the warm tea he brought in the depths of night, the words that seemed casual but could awaken her, the companionship that stayed when all hope was lost…

Had none of it left the slightest mark on his heart?

She had already removed her mask, revealed her truest self, even taken the initiative to fulfill their engagement—only to have him press a blade into her chest with his own hands.

It hurt.

So much it was hard to breathe.

Her face grew pale, her voice carrying a faint, nearly imperceptible plea.

“Ye Chen, no matter what… is it really impossible?”

Ye Chen turned to look at her again.

This time, there was no confusion in his gaze—only calm acceptance.

He shook his head once more.

It was only a matter of time, he thought.

She was simply accustomed to his presence now.

When she entered a broader world, reached greater heights, and experienced the true cultivation world, she would naturally forget this insignificant piece of Qingyang City’s past.

“Chi…”

A laugh filled with mockery and sorrow.

She rose slowly to her feet.

A single clear tear finally escaped, rolling down her cheek like a severed pearl.

Her figure blurred, turning into a streak of white that vanished from the pavilion.

She left behind only a voice, trembling with both resolve and pain.

“Ye Chen… I hope you won’t regret this.”

The wind blew, leaving only Ye Chen alone in the pavilion.

He stared at the empty stone bench.

For a long time, he let out a helpless laugh.

What I did… was the right thing, wasn’t it?

—

In the shadows deep within the Bamboo Grove, Li Changqing, who had been ‘watching’ everything with his spiritual sense, slowly withdrew his gaze.

He stroked his long beard, a hint of approval on his face.

He’d thought he would have to waste words—or even resort to certain methods—to sever Xiao Liuli’s mortal ties.

Yet unexpectedly, this young man named Ye Chen understood propriety and knew when to let go.

“Mm… Though his talent is mediocre and his cultivation low, such a temperament is rare.”

Li Changqing nodded with satisfaction, feeling that a troublesome matter had been resolved.