The next day
Bai Tian went about his usual chores in the kitchen, trying to mask the unease that had haunted him since the night before. But as the sun sank into the western horizon, he had no choice but to make his way toward Moonlight Hill.
Upon arriving, he pretended to be enthralled by the scenery. The moonlight illuminated the hill's surface, reflecting a silvery gleam from the rocks that seemed to glow on their own. Though the place was far from unfamiliar to him, he acted as if he were seeing it for the very first time.
After walking for quite some time, his gaze finally fell upon the figure of Xuan Ying'er. She sat gracefully on a flat stone, accompanied by two attendants who stood not far behind her. In her hand, a small knife glimmered faintly as she busied herself carving something from stone.
Bai Tian narrowed his eyes. The longer he looked, the clearer the carving became—a wooden doll. And what made his blood run cold: the doll bore his likeness.
His body stiffened instantly. He stood frozen, horrified yet bewildered, able only to watch.
Xuan Ying'er finished her carving, blew the fine dust from the doll's surface, then turned toward Bai Tian.
"Do you know… who I just carved?" she asked softly, as though it were casual conversation.
Bai Tian tried to remain calm, though his voice grew slightly heavy as he replied,
"Could it be… your lover, miss?"
Xuan Ying'er gave no answer. She only smiled faintly, then picked up the wooden doll. With a light yet chilling motion, crack—she snapped the doll's neck right before Bai Tian's eyes.
Her gaze then pierced sharply into the young man.
"Understand?"
Bai Tian felt his blood freeze. His heart pounded wildly, while his thoughts screamed: Damn! This girl… she still harbors hatred toward me.
But he dared not show his panic. Bai Tian remained silent, holding his breath deeply.
Seeing his reaction, Xuan Ying'er smiled faintly. She patted the side of the flat stone next to her, signaling.
"Sit here, beside me."
Bai Tian stepped forward slowly, sitting upon the stone as instructed. The distance between them was now so close he could catch the faint fragrance from Xuan Ying'er's body, yet that only made the pressure heavier.
Xuan Ying'er twirled another wooden doll in her fingers, her smile faint, her eyes calm as a lake without ripples. Yet it was that very calmness that felt most frightening.
"Xiao Tian," she said gently, "you know, from the moment I first saw you, I felt something different. You are not like the other disciples. They are busy seeking recognition… while you, it's as if you're trying to hide yourself."
She turned, her gaze piercing straight into Bai Tian's eyes.
"Why?"
Bai Tian swallowed hard. He knew one wrong word could cost him everything.
"I… simply live my days in simplicity."
Xuan Ying'er chuckled softly, her tone sweet yet sharp as a blade. She lifted another wooden doll.
"A simple man could never look into my eyes without trembling. I have seen many."
She pressed down on the doll until a crack sounded, then placed it between them. With each crack, a little of her hatred seemed to ease.
The atmosphere fell suddenly silent. The night breeze stirred Xuan Ying'er's long hair, deepening the aura of mystery around her.
Bai Tian lowered his head slightly, trying to hide the anxiety gnawing at his heart. Yet in silence he realized—this young lady did not only wish to frighten him. There was something more.
Xuan Ying'er turned toward Bai Tian, her gentle voice almost a whisper.
"I want to know… if you can be the person I need, and yet still hide secrets tightly."
She paused briefly, then her gaze sharpened.
"Back in the Third Secret Realm, you managed to make me happy… but you also hid the fact that you possessed that token." Her smile was thin, almost unreadable. "Well, I don't blame you. Everyone has their secrets."
But immediately after, her eyes glinted coldly.
"Just remember… your neck might end up like these dolls."
She pushed the broken doll toward Bai Tian, the crack on the surface echoing harshly in his ears. Her faint smile seemed a mixture of invitation and threat.
Bai Tian swallowed, his chest tight. Damn… This woman is like a venomous serpent, every sweet word dripping with poison.
Seeing Bai Tian remain silent, Xuan Ying'er let out a small laugh. This time it was light, yet it still made his skin crawl. Calmly, she reached for a wooden box at her side, opening its lid. From within, she drew out a jade chessboard, complete with black and white pieces gleaming under the moonlight.
"Let's play," she said flatly. She pushed the board toward Bai Tian. "You go first."
Bai Tian stared at the chessboard. His heart pounded—he knew this was no mere game. Among nobles and cultivators, chess was often used as a means to test one's mind, strategy, and even courage.
His hand hesitated, but at last he picked up a white piece and set it gently at the opening point.
Xuan Ying'er smiled faintly, watching his first move as though reading his mind. With graceful ease, she placed a black piece.
"Let us see…" she whispered. "Are you merely good at hiding yourself… or also skilled at arranging steps in a far greater game?"
Time passed slowly.
Pieces fell one after another onto the board, yet the result remained the same—Bai Tian lost five times in a row. His breathing was heavy, his fingers trembled before he finally let out a long sigh."Enough, I surrender," he murmured, raising his hand in defeat.
For a moment, he dared to ask,
"Miss… that doll, who does it truly belong to? Why do you seem to hate it so much?"
Xuan Ying'er's fingers froze briefly, then she glanced at him. Her smile was faint, yet her eyes brimmed with enigma.
"What do you think?"
Bai Tian fell silent. That was not an answer, but a reflection of her nature—unpredictable, secretive. His heart grew more restless, as though he walked a tightrope ready to snap at any moment.
Xuan Ying'er did not wait for an answer. She bowed her head again, her slender fingers moving gracefully, carving a small piece of wood with a thin blade. The sound crack… crack… of knife against wood rang clearly in the stillness of the night.
After a while, without looking up, she said flatly,
"Make me something… something to ward off sleep."
Her tone was calm, but her order was absolute.
Bai Tian bowed respectfully, then stood. He began preparing the simple ingredients he had brought—spiritual tea leaves, a few slices of fragrant root, and a bit of spirit honey he had saved for himself. His hands were deft, though his mind swirled with countless questions he dared not voice.
The air remained silent. The only sound was the small knife in Xuan Ying'er's hand continuing to carve, mingling with the soft movements of Bai Tian as he brewed the warm drink.
Two worlds seemed to coexist—hers, full of enigmas, and his, forced to endure, striving to understand.
Bai Tian brewed the simple concoction over a small stove. Steam rose slowly, carrying the fresh scent of spiritual tea leaves and the sweetness of spirit honey. When it was ready, he set it beside Xuan Ying'er without a word, then sat down once more.
Silence reclaimed the Silver Light Peak.
Xuan Ying'er did not immediately touch the drink. She remained busy with her carving, the crack… crack… of the blade sounding like a monotonous rhythm pressing against the spirit.
Bai Tian lowered his gaze to the ground, struggling to steady his thoughts.