A sliver of red light slowly rose from the horizon.

Rays of dawn followed, breaking through the dim clouds to illuminate the bamboo forest below.

The bamboo forest was dense and lush.

A sudden gust of wind swept through, making the bamboo forest ripple and sway like ocean waves.

"Sister Hui, you look so beautiful today, just like a fairy from the legends."

A young girl in a snow-white robe embroidered with plum blossoms gazed at Sen Hui, her eyes fixed on her.

Her innocent yet heartfelt words immediately sparked a lively discussion among the other girls.

"What are you talking about, Xiaoxia? Sister Hui is always this beautiful."

"You sweet-talker. When has Sister Hui ever not looked beautiful?"

"Ew, you two are so sappy. Sister Hui isn’t just pretty—she’s a peerless beauty, stunning enough to topple kingdoms..."

Peals of bell-like laughter followed their words.

Soon, the air filled with continuous laughter as they teased one another.

Sen Hui just shook her head and chuckled, a look of fond exasperation on her face. But she kept glancing toward the path outside.

This sight only made the group of Sen clan noblewomen more intrigued, and their teasing grew bolder.

’We just have to see for ourselves what’s so special about this Fang Yang, to have enchanted Sister Hui so completely!’

Before long, two old matrons arrived to inform them that Fang Yang was waiting at Lucent Lake.

In an instant, Sen Hui shot to her feet, her eyes glittering.

Under the watchful eyes of the other Sen clan noblewomen, Sen Hui gathered her skirts. Her steps were light, and she moved faster and faster.

She was almost breaking into a run.

The Sen clan noblewomen all gasped in unison, utterly astonished.

They knew Fang Yang was impressive, but they had never imagined he was *this* important to Sen Hui.

"Let’s go have a look too and see what this Fang Yang is like!"

It was unclear who made the suggestion, but the crowd immediately surged, rushing to follow.

Just then, a dot of Cyan Aura materialized in the air.

The Cyan Aura expanded, transforming into a Cyan Lotus that revealed a faint, illusory figure inside.

Sen Wei!

Using one of her Divine Techniques, Sen Wei projected her consciousness onto the path, blocking the noblewomen’s way.

"What’s everyone in such a hurry to do?"

"I haven’t had a chance to catch up with all of you in so long. Hehe. Why don’t you all come to my Cyan Lotus Palace for a gathering? I’ve missed you..."

Seeing this, the Sen clan noblewomen exchanged glances.

The free-spirited and lively atmosphere was gone.

Dejected, they each forced a smile and changed course, abandoning any thought of going to Lucent Lake.

They knew Sen Wei didn’t want them to intrude on Sen Hui and Fang Yang’s time together.

...

A gentle breeze swept by, sending ripples across the surface of the lake.

Fang Yang stood on the bank, hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the birds and fish in the lake.

"Ah Yang." Sen Hui’s smile was like a blooming flower.

Pale sunlight scattered down, bathing the land in its glow.

Sen Hui’s lovely face was radiant, glowing brightly at this moment, which added to her peerless grace.

Her skin was fair, almost translucent and soft to the touch. Dressed in a pale cyan palace gown, she stood delicately before Fang Yang, a vision of pure and transcendent beauty.

As Fang Yang lowered his gaze to look at her, his heart suddenly skipped a beat.

"Xiaohui, you’re so beautiful today. Just like the girl from my dreams."

Fang Yang suppressed the fluttering in his heart and said calmly.

His tone was calm, but the meaning behind his words was perfectly direct.

A blush visibly bloomed on Sen Hui’s lovely face, making her all the more bewitching. She was so captivating that one couldn’t help but be smitten, yet so dazzling that one dared not stare directly.

"Hmph, hmph."

Sen Hui’s lips curled in a slightly smug smile.

She tried with all her might to suppress her joy, but found it was impossible.

Without another word, she took a deep breath, stepped closer, and grabbed Fang Yang’s large hand.

Her hand was soft and warm, and from it drifted a faint, fresh scent of mint.

She took the lead, guiding Fang Yang on a stroll around the Lucent Lake area.

Birds chirped and flapped their wings, fish playfully splashed in the water, and the young couple strolled closely together.

Everything was perfect, but Fang Yang didn’t dare to overstep his bounds.

He knew that, from the shadows, many people were definitely watching him and Sen Hui.

There were certain things Sen Hui could initiate, but he could not.

"A black-and-white Daoist robe, a pale cyan palace gown. A talented man and a beautiful woman. What a perfect match they make."

High up in the clouds, Elder Hua watched the lakeshore below, his old face wreathed in smiles.

Elder Bird, standing beside him, said nothing, but he too looked down at Fang Yang with great satisfaction.

Unlike Elder Hua, who was pleased with the bond between Fang Yang and Sen Hui, Elder Bird was more focused on what Fang Yang’s potential could bring to the Sen clan.

With his many remarkable achievements, Fang Yang had already proven his extraordinary potential, winning over the discerning Elder Bird.

But Elder Hua and Elder Bird weren’t the only ones watching Fang Yang and Sen Hui; others were as well.

"Fang Yang..."

Saint Fan Liu suddenly let out a soft sigh and revealed a hidden matter to Sen Wei and Sen Yue.

"Once, a disciple of the Fang clan also came, seeking to marry a woman of our Sen clan. His name was Fang Nian."

"But the opposition Fang Nian faced back then was far greater than what Fang Yang is facing now. Fang Nian’s talent was unremarkable, making it impossible for anyone to feel at ease."

"And yet, I never expected this Fang Yang to have earned your unanimous approval. Hehe..."

A wistful look flickered across Saint Fan Liu’s small, fair face.

Every time she saw Fang Yang, she was reminded of that fellow Fang Nian.

But she also had to admit that, compared to Fang Nian, Fang Yang was far, far more outstanding.

"The past is the past. Today is today."

Sen Yue smiled calmly. "They are not the same."

Hearing this, Saint Fan Liu chuckled, a look of relief washing over her face.

’Yes, things are different now.’

’With Sen Yue and Sen Wei looking out for her, Sen Hui will surely not walk the same tragic path as Sister Yuanyuan.’

...

Lucent Lake, the Yellow Water Waterfall, the Sea of Yin Yang Dao Bamboo, and more.

With Sen Hui as his guide, Fang Yang passed through one wondrous landscape after another.

If he hadn’t known for a fact that this place was neither a Blessed Land nor a Grotto Heaven, Fang Yang would have suspected he had arrived in some immortal paradise.

To Fang Yang’s surprise, he had not encountered Mrs. Sen or any other elders along the way.

This did not put him at ease. On the contrary, it made him focus his attention even more sharply.

"Ah Yang, this is where I live."

Sen Hui’s eyes crinkled in a smile as she gestured toward the place.

Fang Yang lifted his gaze and saw a dark cyan courtyard enveloped in dense Primordial Qi.

This cyan courtyard seemed unassuming at first, but in reality, a divine light shimmered faintly within it. The dormant Dao-rhythms of various schools of the Wood Dao lay hidden there, making it an incredibly precious place.

’A wondrous place like this must have been specially constructed by a Saint, or perhaps even a Great Saint!’

Compared to this, Fang Yang’s own humble cottage seemed shabby beyond words.

"Granny Weng, I can handle this myself. You may leave us for now."

Sen Hui led Fang Yang into the courtyard. After dismissing an old matron, she personally poured tea for him, showing how highly she regarded him.

"Oh, right, Ah Yang, let’s go to the Scripture Pavilion this afternoon," Sen Hui said softly.

Fang Yang heard this and was just about to nod in agreement.

Just then, the ball of light in his mind flickered, forming a string of text:

[Seeking the Dao and a spouse, you visit her home under many watchful eyes. The Scripture Pavilion holds treasure; fortune or disaster will be your own to decide.]

[Upper-Mid Fortune: Study with a calm mind in the Sen clan’s Scripture Pavilion. Do not be hasty; let things unfold naturally. You can obtain a Tier Four opportunity on the fifth floor. No danger, no future complications. Auspicious.]

[Neutral Fortune: Only dabble in the Sen clan’s Scripture Pavilion. No extra gains and no losses. No risk, no future complications. Average.]