Chapter 32: The Celestial Fairy of the Ninth Heaven

Yan the Crimson Knight blushed at the question and replied, "Master, I was completely bewitched by the seductive melodies of the 'Demonic Lute,' utterly entranced by She Meier's words, incapable of freeing myself... It was Tu Xiaomeng who suddenly struck She Meier's hand with a wooden stick, breaking off the music, and I awoke as if from a dream... When She Meier saw that my mind had cleared, she grew alarmed as I raised my sword at her, and so she hastily used her escape technique and fled."

"I see, so that's what happened." Master Qingxu pressed his palm to his forehead in relief. "Danzi, today we truly owe much to Tu Xiaomeng. Yet, this is only the beginning... She Meier, since she cannot let go of her obsession with you, will surely cause you trouble again. You must remain vigilant at all times... It's already late, so seize the moment and continue your cultivation. Danzi, only by advancing your cultivation and strengthening your Daoist arts will you be able to defeat every kind of foe!"

"Yes, Master, your teachings are etched in my heart!" Yan the Crimson Knight answered loudly and promptly resumed his cultivation...

...

She Meier employed the 'Breezy Escape Technique' and returned to her sanctuary, Mount Li.

Mount Li lies more than a thousand miles west of Zhongnan Mountain. Its peaks are lush and verdant, evergreen through every season. Deep within its folds stands a magnificent cavern palace called the 'Palace of Purple Clouds,' opened two centuries ago by She Meier's master, the Celestial Maiden of Nine Heavens.

Master Qingxu was indeed correct. The Celestial Maiden of Nine Heavens, whose name is Yan of the Clouds, was gifted and brilliant, cultivating for countless years with profound Daoist arts, earning her title.

At this moment, the Celestial Maiden of Nine Heavens sat upright on a meditation cushion in the 'Hall of Tranquility' of the Palace of Purple Clouds, calming her mind and nurturing her spirit.

Her figure was graceful and her beauty breathtaking. Since she mastered the 'Art of Youth Preservation' over two centuries ago, her peerless features had remained fixed in the bloom of youth, inspiring endless envy.

"Master! Master..." As the Celestial Maiden meditated with closed eyes, She Meier's delicate voice suddenly echoed through the hall.

Hearing this, the Celestial Maiden sensed something unusual in She Meier's tone. She softly murmured and opened her eyes, only to see She Meier approaching with blushing cheeks and a timid expression. Surprised, she asked, "Meier, were you not cultivating your Daoist arts in the 'Hall of Seven Stars'? Why do you appear so flustered?"

...

"Master, I... I..." She Meier stammered, "I've let you down!"

"Oh?" The Celestial Maiden fixed her piercing gaze on She Meier's anxious face, her voice full of concern. "Meier, what has happened?"

"Well..." She Meier hesitated, her face crimson with shame. "Master, I secretly went... went to Zhongnan Mountain today..."

"What?" The Celestial Maiden said sternly, "You went to Zhongnan Mountain again? Meier, last time you were wounded by the 'Sun Pearl' prayer beads worn by Yan the Crimson Knight, I rescued you and reminded you time and again not to provoke him. Why did you return? Have you forgotten the pain of your wounds, or are you simply ignoring my warnings?"

She Meier, questioned thus, could not help but shed tears. "Master, I have not forgotten the pain of my wounds, nor have I disregarded your words... When I crawled out of Qingxu Temple after revealing my true form from my injury, your incarnation arrived in time to save me, and I resolved to forget Yan the Crimson Knight... But, to be honest, Master, Yan is truly extraordinary—no matter what, I cannot forget him! Today, my longing grew unbearable, so I couldn't help but go to Zhongnan Mountain again..."

The Celestial Maiden sighed, her voice melancholy. "Ah! She Meier, oh She Meier, how could a dignified Celestial Maiden of Nine Heavens have taken such an hopeless disciple?"

On hearing this, She Meier wiped away her tears and smiled, nestling up to the Celestial Maiden in a playful manner. "Hehe... Master, it's because Meier and you are destined to be together in this life!" She moved behind her master and, with two jade fists, began to gently pound her back, saying sweetly, "Master, I know I'm hopeless, so I'm willing to accept any punishment you see fit..."

"You silly girl, so obedient—how could I bear to punish you?" The Celestial Maiden spoke with deep affection. "Enough! Meier, let bygones be bygones for today... But you must promise me: from now on, focus wholeheartedly on your cultivation, and do not let your heart stray again."

"Mm." She Meier breathed a sigh of relief and nodded eagerly. "Master, your words are remembered. From now on, I will devote myself to cultivation and harbor no further improper thoughts about Yan the Crimson Knight!"

"Good!" The Celestial Maiden smiled slightly. "Meier, go and cultivate now."

...

"Yes, Master." She Meier agreed and walked out with light steps.

The Celestial Maiden gazed at her disciple's graceful departing figure and smiled wryly to herself, thinking, "This girl has such a sweet tongue. The words she just spoke, claiming to have given up on Yan the Crimson Knight, are likely mere lip service!"

Originally, She Meier was a green-patterned snake deep within Mount Li. Centuries ago, by chance, she encountered a 'Spirit Fruit.' After consuming it, her intelligence awakened and she developed the desire to cultivate into human form. Thus, her arduous cultivation began...

After many years of dedicated practice, She Meier finally succeeded sixteen years ago. As she lay atop a mountain boulder during her tribulation, the Celestial Maiden happened to be returning from her travels and passed by. Witnessing She Meier survive the heavenly thunder and transform into a graceful maiden, the Celestial Maiden was overjoyed and immediately brought her to the Palace of Purple Clouds as her disciple.

It was the Celestial Maiden who bestowed upon her the name She Meier.

Thanks to her intelligence and beauty, She Meier was cherished and doted upon by her master.

Once she became a disciple, the Celestial Maiden focused entirely on teaching her the Daoist arts.

She Meier, gifted and clever, possessed remarkable talent, and under her master's meticulous guidance, her cultivation advanced rapidly. Now, She Meier had reached the 'Heart's Stirring' stage—increasing her Daoist power ever more, her 'Breezy Escape Technique' was likewise improving day by day...

In the past, the Celestial Maiden felt immense pride at She Meier's impressive progress. Yet, lately, noticing her disciple's distracted mind and stagnating cultivation, she grew increasingly troubled. "All because of that Yan the Crimson Knight," she thought. "Meier is a proud, ambitious girl—what kind of man could so capture her heart at first sight and linger in her thoughts?"