Side Story 2: Flowers Bloom, Old Friends Return

29 Dec, 2025

Side Story 2: When Flowers Bloom, Old Friends Return

The third year after Xu Qing’s departure.

Purple Soil. Medicinal Garden.

A seed lay buried beneath the earth. It had not yet broken through the soil, but it was already faintly shrouded in immortal resonance, forming dazzling light that permeated the surroundings.

Together with the wind, it brushed over the young girl sitting in the medicinal garden.

But the girl's gaze was not on the garden. She stared blankly at the sky.

The wind rose, clouds stretched. A blot of inky darkness seeped across the heavens. Cloud layers piled upon each other, interweaving, outlining streaks of scarlet lightning, accompanied by the rumble of thunder.

Yet, at the very center of the sky devoured by dark clouds, a sliver of brilliant, intense light shone through... It was the direction in which Xu Qing had departed.

"The master is gone… and Little Junior Brother is gone too…"

The girl murmured, letting the rain strike her pale fingers.

She didn't even notice the steady footsteps approaching from behind.

Until the edge of an umbrella sheltered her.

Tingyu turned her head to look behind.

An opulent robe, a jade pendant emitting a gentle light, a rather handsome face, and a complex gaze... It was none other than... Chen Feiyuan.

Looking at the young girl before him, elegant in her medicinal robe and standing gracefully, Chen Feiyuan sighed softly.

Ever since Little Junior Brother left, Tingyu had become melancholy and sentimental. This was far from the first time she had worried for him.

"Senior Sister, do you remember the phrase Master often said back then?"

Chen Feiyuan spoke softly.

"‘Heaven and earth are the lodging of all living things, time is the passerby of ages past and present…’"

Listening to Chen Feiyuan's words, Tingyu's gaze grew gentle.

"‘As long as we do not die, we will meet again.’"

She softly echoed, withdrawing her gaze.

Beyond her tousled hair ends, the rain fell wildly.

...

And that seed planted in the soil, at this moment, slowly broke through the earth.

A peerless flower was blooming!

Accompanied by dazzling light, an intensely rich floral fragrance filled the world.

Making this medicinal garden seem like a paradise.

The violent storm and gale could not stain it in the slightest.

"This is..."

Chen Feiyuan immediately looked.

It was the seed Xu Qing had given them before leaving, saying that as long as it was planted in soil, on the day it bloomed, no matter where they were, they could return to the master's side guided by its fragrance.

Many years ago, the two of them had buried the seed together. Now, it had finally sprouted, sent forth branches, and the flower bloomed unrestrainedly.

Beside it, Tingyu was also startled for a moment before her little face revealed unprecedented joy. She tugged at Chen Feiyuan's sleeve, pointing at the exquisitely beautiful flower breaking through the earth, jumping and laughing.

Her happy demeanor seemed to have returned to many years ago.

That was how she used to laugh.

Thus, within this laughter, within these gazes, within that soul-cleansing floral fragrance, amidst the ethereal mist, white cranes appeared holding medicinal herbs in their beaks, and jade trees bore peaches of immortality.

The Gate of Heaven opened, immortal clouds swirled.

A silver river cascaded down, piercing through the curtain of rain, guided by the floral fragrance, transforming into a starlit cloud bridge that landed at the feet of the two.

"Feiyuan, we..."

Tingyu suddenly felt nervous. She looked at Chen Feiyuan. Even though she was about to see the master she had yearned for day and night, her heart was thumping wildly.

Chen Feiyuan took a deep breath, remained silent for a moment, then took Tingyu's hand.

"Together."

They stepped onto the cloud bridge.

Instantly, a gentle force lifted them, following the trajectory of the starry river, straight up into the clouds.

The downpour flowed backwards, the long night gained light.

The world grew small beneath their feet.

Purple Soil...

Southern Phoenix...

Wanggu...

The Star Rings...

Ascending to heaven in broad daylight was nothing more than this.

"Hoo..."

"Hoo—"

Guided by the floral fragrance, it felt as if a thousand years had passed, or perhaps merely an instant.

When the sensation of the world spinning ceased, Chen Feiyuan tightened his grip on Tingyu's warm, soft hand, only then realizing they had already landed on solid ground.

The starry sea was vast and boundless, the earth stretched for ten thousand miles.

This place seemed to be a massive teleportation formation, majestic and magnificent, seizing the creation of heaven and earth, standing firm amidst the sea of stars.

"Feiyuan, have we arrived?"

Tingyu asked nervously and expectantly, looking around.

She saw this world was immensely vast, yet there was not a single familiar space.

She and Chen Feiyuan seemed to be the only two people on the land beneath their feet.

Chen Feiyuan looked into the distance and said softly.

"We should have arrived. This place must be the Fifth Star Ring Little Junior Brother mentioned."

"And the master…" Tingyu's nervousness grew even stronger.

She remembered Little Junior Brother saying the master was in the distant Fifth Star Ring, holding the position of one of the Twelve Immortal Lords.

She didn't know what an Immortal Lord was, but she could guess it must be a great and noble existence, surely beyond the reach of ordinary people like herself.

She suddenly felt afraid, afraid the master was no longer the familiar figure from her memories.

"Don't worry, Master will definitely come."

As if reading Tingyu's thoughts, Chen Feiyuan squeezed her hand tightly, his gaze fixed on the distant starry river.

A long time passed... Vaguely, a perception became a stirring, rising in their hearts.

"He's coming..."

Tingyu and Chen Feiyuan hurriedly stood straight and walked out of the teleportation formation they were in.

The moment they stood outside, the starry sky flowed, and a stream of clear radiance descended from beyond the heavens. Wherever it passed, nebulae rippled out in layers like waves.

Jade lights shifted, as if a long scroll of ink wash painting was unfurling between heaven and earth.

Faint, elusive fragrances of plants and trees drifted forth, accompanied by the rustling sound of sprouting vegetation. Within the ink wash painting, a figure began to materialize.

He seemed to step out from the painting.

Growing clearer.

It was an old man.

With refined bone structure and compassionate eyes and brows.

He wore a moon-white robe with plant and tree patterns subtly embroidered on the sleeves, a medicine jar tied at his waist.

At this moment, he was smiling, looking at his two beloved disciples whom he hadn't seen for many years.

"You've grown up."

His voice was clear and resonant, like spring water striking jade. As he spoke, starlight flowed, falling into the hearts of the two, becoming ripples that stirred boundless memories.

Causing scenes from the past to emerge one after another.

"Master..."

Tingyu's almond-shaped eyes widened, their rims instantly reddening. Teardrops shimmered and flowed; she was already choking with sobs.

Chen Feiyuan, however, stood rooted to the spot, his body trembling. The old man he had personally buried with his own hands was now alive before his eyes. Years of experience as a clan head told him that when faced with something beyond his control, he should first question, then investigate carefully... Yet, upon opening his mouth, only these words remained:

"Master..."

These two simple words, containing memories and emotions, made Master Bai, who had descended upon this star, gaze even more softly.

He looked at Tingyu and spoke warmly.

"I smell the scent of Heteroplasm and White Pills. Working with medicine and healing, is it tiring?"

Tingyu's eyes glistened with tears. She clenched the hem of her clothes tightly with both hands and shook her head vigorously.

"It's not tiring... Treating illnesses and saving people, it's not tiring at all."

Master Bai gently patted Tingyu's head, then looked at Chen Feiyuan, his eyes slightly narrowing.

"Feiyuan, having the clan treasure fused into your body brings excruciating pain. Is the burden of Purple Soil heavy?"

Under the gaze of those kind yet profound eyes, the current head of the Chen Clan of Purple Soil, famed for his stern and iron-blooded demeanor, suddenly reverted to that clumsy yet strong-willed youth from many years ago.

"It's not heavy... After all, you once said, this disciple was born with the bearing of a clan head..."

Chen Feiyuan said, choked with emotion. Who would have thought, before his emotions could fully brew, a lively, complaining voice sounded by his ear.

"Nonsense, you're so dull, where do you look like a clan head?" "Tingyu, why are you picking on me at a time like this, hey hey—don't pull my ear..." "Hahaha..."

Watching his beloved disciples banter back and forth with him, Master Bai suddenly laughed. He raised his hand and patted both Tingyu's and Chen Feiyuan's heads.

The affection between master and disciples, separated for so many years, seemed to return entirely in this exchange of questions and answers.

"Accompany this old master for a walk."

Master Bai said softly. With a wave of his hand, he summoned starlight to fall, paving a starry path before him.

Tingyu and Chen Feiyuan took a deep breath and, with reverence in their hearts, stepped onto the starry path, arriving at Master Bai's side. They walked with him towards the starry sky.

They vanished from this teleportation star, appearing in the boundless universe.

"Tell me the story of what happened after I left."

Master Bai spoke warmly.

Tingyu and Chen Feiyuan nodded gently, bringing forth everything from the past from their memories.

"After you left, I opened a small medicine shop in Purple Soil..."

Tingyu's voice wove into illusory scenes that, as they echoed, reflected in Master Bai's eyes.

They included how everyone sought revenge for Master Bai, how Tingyu inherited his will, treating scavengers for mere pennies...

And how Chen Feiyuan fused with the clan treasure, becoming the Chen Clan head... and the many disciples Tingyu had taken in.

Also, how after Xu Qing returned, the three of them went together to sweep Master Bai's grave...

Only, the young girl had her own little secret thoughts, quietly omitting the nights and days of weeping and longing.

...

In the starry sea, Master Bai walked ahead, Tingyu and Chen Feiyuan followed to his left and right, half a step behind.

This scene seemed to return to those years in the scavenger camp.

Back then, Tingyu and Chen Feiyuan would sit in the tent, swaying their heads as they recited the Herbal Classic, while on the platform, Master Bai studied pill formulas with a serious expression. When Tingyu's mind wandered, she would see the clumsy figure eavesdropping outside the tent, trying to learn about herbs...

His name was Kid. To save someone, he was desperately searching for the Fate Flower...

Now, as stars streaked across the horizon, this scene seemed to replay.

Until time passed, who knows how long, and Tingyu finished telling all of her and Chen Feiyuan's experiences in Wanggu.

"These years have been hard on you. Come home with this old master." Master Bai's gaze was kindly as he looked at his beloved disciples.

With a wave of his hand, a jade pendant carved like a star flew towards Chen Feiyuan.

"The Purple Soil clan treasure is too harmful to the body. The Mysterious Kettle Star is too vast and empty. The position of this old master's Armament Master has been reserved for you all along."

As he spoke, another jade slip that seemed to be surrounded by the aura of three thousand medicinal scriptures and the fragrance of pills landed before Tingyu.

"And Tingyu, you have been diligently studying the Way of Herbs. That is good.

This is the essence of this old master's life, passed on to you. Henceforth, just like in the old days, follow this old master and continue to practice medicine..."

Having said this, Master Bai looked at the two with satisfaction as they received the gifts, awaiting their reply.

Tingyu and Chen Feiyuan exchanged a glance. Seeing Chen Feiyuan nod, Tingyu finally made up her mind. She looked at Master Bai and spoke solemnly.

"Master, I came on this journey only to see you. Seeing you healthy and well satisfies me completely. Back in Wanggu, I still have my medicine shop and my students. I must return."

"You... still want to go back?"

"Has Xu Qing not told you? This old master is now one of the Twelve Immortal Lords of this Fifth Star Ring.

The epoch belonging to me is about to arrive. But unlike the other Immortal Lords, this old master has always been alone. Are you willing to stay in this Fifth Star Ring, accompany this old master, and oversee the next Immortal Lord epoch..."

Master Bai looked at Tingyu and Chen Feiyuan.

Tingyu fell silent. After a long while, she said softly,

"Master, I must return."

Hearing this, Master Bai ceased trying to persuade her, like a reclusive sage who had seen through the world of mortal dust.

Only, the wrinkles on his face seemed to have multiplied.

Those wrinkles were not the ravines of time, but the patterns of mountains, rivers, and streams. Every fold seemed to hide millennia of vicissitudes.

Seeing this, Tingyu seemed to remember something. A faint smile appeared at the corner of her mouth, and she couldn't help but murmur.

"My master, Master Bai, even though he could not cultivate, a mere mortal, was determined to travel all over Purple Soil, using White Pill after White Pill to save the common people suffering under Heteroplasm.

"Now that I have cultivation, I can go to more distant places. I can save more people.

"To fulfill the vow my master once made—that is the dream of Tingyu's life. I beg Master to grant me this."

Having said this, she bowed deeply.

Master Bai fell into a rare silence.

He looked at Tingyu, as if seeing his former self.

Persistence, engraving one's will, practicing medicine...

Scene after scene, moment after moment, pill after pill...

All returned before his eyes.

The deep, crisscrossing wrinkles on Master Bai's face suddenly began to smooth out strand by strand. A piercingly bright light burst forth from his profound eyes.

"Good."

Master Bai nodded. Looking at her determined gaze, the smile on his face grew even more brilliant.

"Good!"

"Just go. Travel all over Wanggu, journey through the Star Rings. For a thousand years, ten thousand years, this old master will protect your path!"

...

Before parting, at Master Bai's invitation, Tingyu and Chen Feiyuan accompanied him, traversing the magnificence of the Fifth Star Ring. They saw the paths Xu Qing had once adventured upon, and they also saw the Mysterious Kettle Star that Master Bai had mentioned so often.

It was a lonely star, a home the old man, awaiting his disciples' return, had built for them with his own hands.

The environment was serene, the dwellings simple.

There was every path he had walked, every flower he had planted.

Each and every one was vivid before their eyes.

Tingyu and Chen Feiyuan finally understood that their master had been thinking of them all along.

Until the day of parting arrived.

Before the teleportation star.

"Master, you can see us off here." Tingyu looked at Master Bai and said earnestly.

Gazing at his two disciples who had now matured, Master Bai was about to speak his farewells when he seemed to suddenly remember something. His expression instantly turned serious.

"Chen Feiyuan, tell me about the medicinal herb 'Night Corpse Morning Glory'." "Ah?" Hearing Master Bai's question, Chen Feiyuan was stunned.

Early years already ascended to high halls and towers, Now turning back, one glimpse of the master returns me to youth.

"Night Corpse Morning Glory, also known as Poison... Poison..."

Chen Feiyuan couldn't quite answer, stumbling through a bit before trailing off, like a leather drum that had lost its air.

"Unlearned and incompetent. Tingyu, you answer."

The corner of Master Bai's mouth lifted slightly, though his voice was very stern. He then called upon the young girl lost in memories beside him.

The girl, also caught off guard, instinctively replied:

"Night Corpse Morning Glory, also known as Poisonous Mountain Root Ironweed, belongs to the Asteraceae family..."

From years of practicing medicine and prescribing herbs, Tingyu had memorized every part of the Herbal Classic by heart.

But looking at Chen Feiyuan's pleading gaze and Master Bai's stern expression—identical to the one in her memories—she suddenly froze.

The camp, the tent, being quizzed... Memories flooded back like a tide.

Seeming to guess the words Master Bai wanted to say next, she interrupted her answer and repeated the words from that time once more.

"Master, I... I've forgotten."

By the time she said this, the corners of the young girl's eyes were already blurred.

The surroundings fell silent at once. And Master Bai raised his head, looking past the two of them. His voice, carrying an unconcealable feigned anger, echoed out.

"Kid, you answer!"

As the words fell, Tingyu and Chen Feiyuan's hearts trembled. They whirled around to look.

(End)

Author's Note:

Esteemed readers, long time no see.

During this time, I have been recuperating my health and only recently started writing side stories.

For the Swordsage Grand Emperor and the Human Emperor Summer Departure, I wanted to express them in a newer way, so I wrote two sets of song lyrics and produced songs.

Subsequent songs here, as well as arrangements for the Sacrificial Moon part and others, will be presented gradually.

Side stories about characters in text form will also be created and released one after another.

Also, I've seen everyone's different views on the ending. I will adjust my state and write Xu Qing's final path.