The first thing I noticed when I opened my awareness was snow. Lots of it. The snowballs I’d shaped before returning to the System Realm surrounded me in a perfect circle, like some kind of frozen honor guard.

I floated upward, greeting the snowballs with the dignity they deserved, only to discover I’d been placed under some kind of barrier. The space had been transformed into a miniature courtyard, complete with the little house Seraphine had bought in the city before her seclusion. Through the carved wooden windows, I could see the smiling porcelain doll Coco sitting peacefully inside.

The garden was…… ambitious. Gemstone flowers, jade trees, and a pond filled with golden fish that poked their heads above the surface, each wearing a tiny crown of snowflakes.

“Do you like it?” The lazy voice drifted from the inner chamber. A pale hand pushed aside silk curtains, and the woman I hadn’t seen in far too long stepped into view. She caught sight of me staring and curved her lips into that familiar smile. Wind-blown elegance incarnate, as always.

“Seraphine, you’re out of seclusion.” I opened my character panel and compared it to hers. Apart from different clothes and accessories, she looked exactly the same as before her retreat.

Exactly. The. Same.

My thought bubble sprouted a contemplative expression while I accessed my Rainbow Compliment Manual and started praising Seraphine.

“Humans say that one day apart feels like three autumns. Five hundred and forty-nine days apart, yet you remain as beautiful as a flower, with the grace of a kingdom-toppling beauty who could conquer entire realms……”

Having sailed through the Chongshan Immortal Palace, my repertoire had expanded considerably. Poetry and classical references flowed like water.

Seraphine crossed her arms, watching the silver ball in the snow, two little matchstick-like limbs drooping. Its voice, crisp and clear like ice on a frozen pond, calmly recited: “Bright as the sun rising over morning clouds, radiant as a lotus emerging from green waves.”

The little system ball spoke knowledgeably about all things past and present, chatting non-stop, and even managed to lift a tiny cup—procured from who knows where—for a sip.

Seraphine pressed her lips together, trying to suppress a smile, but ultimately couldn’t resist. She waved her hand, and the barrier around the tiny courtyard dissolved. The snowflakes drifted down, the last one settling quietly.

“Alright, here’s your reward.” Seraphine dropped two jade stones into Echo’s storage ring.

I let out a small sigh of relief.

Under my dedicated efforts, my relationship with Seraphine hadn’t diminished over time. Excellent!

Little flowers bloomed above my core consciousness.

Time to continue with the mission objectives.

I pulled up the task panel, about to ask Seraphine to review it, when she suddenly made a “wait” gesture.

She walked toward the exit.

I quickly flew up and—whoosh—dove straight into her collar and nestled against her chest.

Seraphine’s steps faltered, and in her mind, she silently recited that: It’s just a ball. Just a ball!

Her expression darkened as she exited the bedroom.

A palace attendant stood waiting outside, bowing respectfully. “Reporting to the Palace Lord, Elder Siyi has sent word to Phoenix Roost Hall requesting your presence in the main hall regarding the Five Continents Competition.”

“Very well.”

The attendant withdrew. Once Phoenix Roost Palace was empty of servants, Seraphine fished Echo out of her collar.

We stared at each other—one person, one ball. A question mark appeared above my head.

What’s wrong?

“You……” Seraphine suppressed the urge to throttle ball, her brow furrowing. “The Five Continents Competition is a major event. All the peak masters and elders will be present. Aside from Siyi, these people are all higher in cultivation than me, and they’re cunning as foxes. You absolutely cannot be exposed. Stay quiet and act like a proper bead. Understood?”

One advantage of my physical form: my power operated differently from this world’s systems. As long as I didn’t actively reveal myself, even cultivators with higher abilities couldn’t detect my spiritual energy.

Understood.

I retracted my matchstick arms and eye-rings, transforming into a beautiful, gleaming silver bead.

Seraphine produced a decoy version of Echo for comparison, but after examining both, she clearly preferred the original.

“I’m serious—absolutely no slip-ups.” After another warning, she gripped both beads and flew toward the main hall of Phoenix Roost Peak.

The spacious, luxurious hall had its doors and windows thrown wide open. Every view was breathtaking.

During Seraphine’s seclusion, the area around Phoenix Roost Peak had transformed into a landscape of verdant mountains and waters, blooming with colorful flowers. The jade pavilions nestled among green hills and clear streams—a vision beyond mortal dreams. Yet the cultivators within these pavilions gazed toward higher heavens, measuring their immortal aspirations against reality.

Seraphine descended to the high seat in the hall, looking down at the assembled crowd.

Luanyang Palace had six peaks: Virtue, Righteousness, Propriety, Benevolence, Trust, and Phoenix Roost. That meant five peak masters and fifteen elders. Excluding the highest-cultivation elder who remained in permanent seclusion, the remaining nineteen were all present, offering their respects to Seraphine.

“No need for ceremony.” Seraphine casually raised her hand and took her seat. “I’ve been in seclusion since returning from Chongshan Immortal Palace and haven’t met with you all yet. Thank you for managing palace affairs during this past year.”

“Palace Lord is too kind—it’s simply our duty.” A blue-robed, gentle-faced woman among the group smiled. “Rather, your performance at Chongshan Secret Realm—single-handedly killing a late-stage Golden Core Thunder Bird and repelling the Fire Rock Dragon—truly opened our eyes!”

This was the Propriety Central Peak master. After she finished speaking, the Righteousness Central Peak master added with a laugh, “Indeed. It’s unfortunate that despite your courage and wisdom, you weren’t chosen by Chongshan Immortal palace’s inheritance. Clearly, that opportunity was blind to quality. The world is vast—countless other inheritance await your taking.”

Seraphine smiled at the Righteousness Central Peak master’s consoling words. “No matter. I haven’t dwelt on it. This journey brought me substantial gains. I’ve kept the thunder bird’s spirit pill, and the remaining hide, flesh, blood, and bones, plus spiritual materials and herbs I can’t use, have been placed in the Administrative Hall. Disciples from each peak can claim them based on their contributions.”

“Beyond these items, I also obtained a Spirit Heart at Chongshan Immortal Palace.”

Seraphine’s casual words sent shockwaves through the assembled peak masters and elders. Everyone looked surprised and delighted.

“Spirit Hearts are incredibly rare—Palace Lord has secured another spiritual vein for Luanyang Palace!”

“With the Palace Lord’s fortune, Luanyang Palace will prosper for millennia!”

Praise flowed like song. Seraphine’s lips curved upward, her foot gently swaying beneath her skirts.

The Propriety Central Peak master spoke again: “Palace Lord, the Five Continents Competition is about to begin. During your seclusion, Luanyang Palace received word from the Insight Academy Palace. For this competition, applicants must be: Foundation Establishment cultivators under fifty years old, Golden Core under one hundred, Nascent Soul under three hundred, and Soul Transformation and above have no age restrictions.”

“Looking across the divine continent, Soul Transformation cultivators are already regional powers and sect leaders. Few will likely participate. But there will be many Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators. Though the Five Continents Competition prohibits cross-tier fighting, the competition has always been fierce. Perhaps the Palace Lord should carry this Spirit Heart for emergencies.”

“Exactly, Palace Lord. The Five Continents Competition is strict, selecting only the best. If only one person from Luanyang Palace can advance, it must be you. Please take care of yourself.”

Siyi nodded approvingly. “Palace Lord, the first round shouldn’t concern you—if you can’t pass, no one in the Eastern Continent could. But after we left Chongshan Secret Realm, the incident with Jade Cauldron Sect’s Nie Xiu blocking our ship and threatening us remains vivid. He’s under three hundred years old, a Nascent Soul cultivator, and harbors deep resentment toward you and our palace. He’ll definitely try to harm you.”

“Jade Cauldron Sect……”

The Faith Central Peak master sighed. “Among the five continents, the Central Continent is most prosperous, with abundant talents and resources. The first round allows other continents to select five hundred participants each, but the Central Continent alone selects a thousand! For Jade Cauldron Sect to be renowned in such a flourishing place shows their strength. But from my travels with disciples, our interactions with their members left a terrible impression. Their sect leader’s vengeful nature is as famous as their reputation.”

At the mention of Nie Xiu and Jade Cauldron Sect, Seraphine’s eyes turned cold, her fingers absently stroking the bead in her hand.

Task: [Guard against Jade Cauldron Sect’s Nie Xiu, protect Seraphine.]

Accept?

Accept.

“Whether it’s Nie Xiu or Jade Cauldron Sect, let them come! What do I have to fear?” Seraphine’s voice turned frigid. “I’m only worried they won’t dare!”

Faced with such a forceful Palace Lord, the crowd felt both worried and pleased, only able to urge her to protect herself.

Under their persuasion, Seraphine pocketed the Spirit Heart. Her beautiful eyes shifted to Siyi. “Has the competition schedule been announced?”

“Reporting to Palace Lord, the first round of the Five Continents Competition begins in ten days. The Eastern Continent’s trials will be hosted by Luanyang Palace, supervised by the Insight Academy Palace. The Eastern Continent will select five hundred participants to proceed to the Central Continent for the second round.”

Looking across the Eastern Continent, only Luanyang Palace could handle such a grand event.

As discussion turned to the first round, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly shifted.

The Faith Central Peak master smiled. “We won’t encounter Jade Cauldron Sect’s trash until the second round, but the first round…” Her smile became exceptionally gentle. “Since the old Palace Lord’s passing, certain eyesores have been causing trouble. Now’s the perfect opportunity……”

Accounts needed settling to achieve balance.

She looked around. The other peak masters and elders wore identical smiles.

So many Siyis! I observed silently.

The real Siyi said softly, “Don’t worry, everyone. I remember them all.”

Everyone: “Hahahaha.”

Seraphine laughed too, pride gleaming in her eyes.

She stood, smiling. “Since the Five Continents Competition is being held at Luanyang Palace, our disciples absolutely cannot lose to outsiders. Don’t hold back your treasures—let your favored disciples fight freely and display Luanyang Palace’s might!”

Everyone nodded. “Yes!”

After discussing competition matters and routine palace business, Seraphine rose to leave.

Once she was gone, the Propriety Central Peak master laughed, addressing Siyi: “I’m past the age requirement for the competition and can’t go to the Academy palace. But you and your disciple are young and talented—follow the Palace Lord to the Academy palace and seek the Way together.”

Siyi replied warmly, “I’m honored by your kind words.”

The Propriety Central Peak master smiled benevolently, then looked at the unusually quiet Benevolence Central Peak master, Yan Qingluan. Normally, this woman stood at the forefront during major palace events, decisive and commanding. Today, she sat silent as a mute.

Feeling that exchanges between allies weren’t really settling scores but friendly communication, the Propriety Central Peak master smiled sweetly at Yan Qingluan: “Peak Master Yan has so many talented subordinates—they’ll surely shine in the competition!”

Yan Qingluan’s lips curved into a cold, accommodating smile.

The other peak masters, having suffered under her authority for years, couldn’t miss this opportunity. They quickly chimed in:

“Which disciples will Peak Master Yan send to the competition?”

“I remember Peak Master Yan has a disciple—young, highly talented, and greatly favored. She’ll surely make a spectacular showing!”

Everyone: “Hahahaha!”

Siyi’s lips curved upward.

Yan Qingluan gritted her teeth, glaring fiercely at the crowd.

Was there anyone in Luanyang Palace’s inner circle who didn’t know Gu Yuqing had been punished by Siyi to clean the beast stables? After half a day of work, Yuqing had come crying to Benevolence Central Peak. Just as Yan Qingluan was about to relent, the Beast Tending Hall supervisor arrived with Siyi’s jade token, apparently anticipating this exact scenario. Yan Qingluan had to harden her heart and let the supervisor take Yuqing away, hoping she’d work diligently and return to cultivation after serving her three-year sentence.

After all, she’d raised the girl from childhood. Despite her anger, she still felt affection.

But now, being mocked by peak masters she’d previously dominated, Yan Qingluan’s sympathy evaporated. Their words were like soft blades scraping her face. At least no one directly questioned how she’d face the old Palace Lord in the Nine Springs.

She endured for a long while, finally leaving without a word. Watching her furious departure, the peaks she’d oppressed for years felt vindicated.

Everyone: “Hahahaha!”

I flew out of Seraphine’s palm, landing on her shoulder.

Seraphine climbed the mountain path’s blue stone steps slowly, studying the patterns in the stone while her skirts brushed against vegetation on both sides, shaking loose frost and snow.

I spun half a circle, looking back.

The Phoenix Roost Peak hall stood majestically, watching us crawl upward like snails.

It formed a dividing line, separating early summer from deep winter with crystal clarity.

The snow came from a certain system’s sword energy, hidden within barriers. Under a white crane’s persistent curiosity, it had been falling day after day in vast, boundless drifts.

Since Seraphine’s emergence from seclusion, only the mountain path had been cleared by servants. The mountains, rivers, and vegetation would have long since died crying in the snow if not for being saturated with spiritual energy.

The mountain path echoed with Seraphine’s footsteps, the clear chiming of jade ornaments at her waist, and the delicate tinkling of jewelry in her hair.

Swish, swish, clatter.

The jade pendant swayed above my crouched form.

I tilted my head, gently nuzzling Seraphine’s cheek. Virtual text floated above my sphere.

Host Affection +1

“My mother used to walk this path with me frequently.”

Seraphine, who had been watching her feet, suddenly spoke. Her red lips and white teeth formed small clouds of breath in the cold air. She looked at the small system on her shoulder, gesturing to indicate height. “Back then, I hadn’t begun cultivation and was shorter than the cranes on the mountain. Mother would hold my hand as we climbed from bottom to top, then top to bottom.”

My matchstick arms drooped as I listened intently.

“Mother asked if climbing mountains was tiring.”

“I said it was.”

“Once, I climbed until I fell ill. Mother fed me medicine—black, bitter liquid that was hard to swallow. She asked if it was bitter, and I cried and said yes.” Remembering her childhood self, Seraphine couldn’t help but smile.

Her laughter scattered across the snow.

I didn’t understand why Seraphine was suddenly sharing these memories, but I listened with complete focus, my ridiculous black eye-rings fixed on her.

After laughing, Seraphine gazed at the snow-covered forest.

Distant mountains were green as painted scrolls, while the immediate surroundings were vast and desolate. Such contrasting scenery in one place was oddly elegant and interesting.

Looking at the snow, Seraphine continued: “After I finished crying, Mother told me that the immortal’s path would be more tiring than climbing mountains, more bitter than medicine. She asked if I wanted to continue cultivating to become an immortal, facing such daily exhaustion and tears.”

“I said yes.”

Seraphine chuckled, her lazy voice gaining brightness and charm. “I told Mother that if I became an immortal, I could fly through heaven and earth, capable of anything. I’d never fear climbing mountains or get sick from exhaustion.”

“Mother laughed and taught me cultivation techniques.”

“I was six years old.”

I froze.

Six years old. Seraphine’s mother had died when she was six.

Seraphine resumed walking, her voice calm.

“When we first met, you asked if I had elders who could arrange my marriage. Actually, I only had Mother. My grandmother, Luanyang Palace’s former master, died hundreds of years ago. She arranged my engagement across those centuries—do you know why?”

“I don’t know.”

“Because Bai Fenghui was right. The technique Mother passed to me is indeed incomplete. Without completing it, continued cultivation leads to only one path.”

Death.

My eye-rings contracted. I couldn’t help but reach out, pressing against Seraphine’s cheek. “Please don’t die, Host.” I opened the system shop. “Seraphine, what’s your cultivation technique called?”

“Phoenix Codex.”

I quickly searched the shop. Countless phoenix-related techniques appeared as small panels floating before Seraphine. She examined them one by one, then smiled helplessly. “None of them.”

“I once thought that since you’re so capable, you might produce the remaining half of the technique for me. But fantasy remains fantasy. Clearly, fate ordains that some things cannot be arbitrarily changed.”

I refused to give up, persistently refreshing and trying different search terms.

Seraphine reached out, lifting the busy system from her shoulder to cradle in her palm.

“Stop for now and listen to me finish. Haven’t you always wanted to hear this?”

My flailing matchstick arms stilled and drooped obediently. The virtual panels covering the entire forest instantly vanished.

“Where was I…… oh yes, the engagement.” Seraphine continued, “The Phoenix Codex was obtained through Grandmother’s fortune. Knowing it was incomplete, she still insisted on cultivating it, believing she’d eventually find the other half. Unfortunately, heaven didn’t grant her wish……”

Seraphine looked toward the mountain peak, stepping upward as she spoke gently: “When her immortal dreams shattered, she used secret techniques to give birth to my mother, built up Luanyang Palace, trained Mother, and arranged my engagement to Xue Bufan before dying. At that time, Mother had no beloved.”

“Looking back, it was all her love for her daughter. The Phoenix Codex is domineering and extremely selective about dual cultivation partners’ spiritual roots and techniques. Finding a compatible lover is already difficult—finding such a specific person is nearly impossible. Grandmother didn’t teach Mother the Phoenix Codex and arranged her marriage, hoping Mother wouldn’t walk the same path. Unfortunately, when the Nine Heavens Sect ran rampant, Mother resolutely chose to cultivate the Phoenix Codex to save the world, trading her immortal fate for universal peace.”

Various emotions swirled within me. I touched my body, my cool voice speaking slowly: “Your mother was someone worthy of respect.”

Seraphine smiled proudly. “Indeed.”

Speaking of her mother, her voice filled with reverence and longing. “After the great war, Mother was severely injured and unhealed. She used a phoenix stillbirth as catalyst, employing the same secret technique to give birth to me.”

Seraphine lifted her arm for Echo to see. Beneath her pale, soft skin, phoenix blood still flowed through blue veins.

A thought bubble above my head went pop as it burst against my sphere. “Phoenix bloodline, Phoenix Codex—they sound perfectly matched.”

Seraphine stared at her arm, speaking slowly: “Exactly. Such is a parent’s love. My mother walked the same path as her mother. Unable to prevent death, she didn’t want me following the same route. She searched everywhere for alternative techniques, but I refused to abandon the Phoenix Codex.”

Seraphine’s voice grew heavier, as if seeing her future and different possible paths.

Three generations of women trapped by this technique. She wanted to find the other half, to comfort her relatives’ spirits, to prove that the Velka family would never be imprisoned by this path!

Phoenix Roost Hall appeared ahead. White cranes soared, their wings stirring snow as they flew past the green line into the sky.

White clouds drifted lazily as Seraphine gazed toward distant mountains.

“Grandmother loved her daughter deeply, unable to bear Mother’s death, confining her with an engagement contract while leaving many escape routes—that’s how I came to be. Mother loved me, not wanting me to walk the same path, yet ultimately chose to let me make my own decision.”

“I was precocious from childhood, born and raised in Luanyang Palace, surrounded by capable people. I have exceptional talent and the most suitable technique—how could I give up?” Seraphine clenched her fist, her eyes under long lashes burning with determination. “My name is Seraphine Velka, cultivating the Phoenix Codex, with the lifelong wish to find the Phoenix Codex and achieve the great Way. This is the wish of three generations. Phoenix Codex cultivation is irreversible—even if I switched to another path, its defects are rooted in my spiritual sea.”

“If I seek the immortal path, the Dao must be complete. Without the Phoenix Codex, I’ll die like my elders—exhausted, like a spent lamp.”

Seraphine swept her sleeve, bringing Echo to a Phoenix Roost Hall side chamber. She opened a window, showing Echo a portrait on the wall.

The painted woman was transcendently beautiful, her bright eyes radiant as the present Seraphine.

Seraphine smiled softly at her mother’s portrait, whispering: “I want to become like her, yet not like her.”

“I’d rather die spectacularly than live in mediocre despair.”

As a phoenix, I should make the world bow its head!

Seraphine laughed arrogantly, sweeping her sleeve to close the window before streaming back to her bedroom as flowing light, settling on the inner chamber’s couch.

Task: [Listen to Seraphine’s past stories]

Status: Completed.

The floating panel’s text grayed out. I hovered before Seraphine. “Seraphine, I’ll help you search. We’ll find it together.”

New text brightened on the panel. I bolded the [Find the Phoenix Codex] task and placed it prominently at the top.

Seraphine leaned against the soft couch, pale fingers supporting her cheek, her smiling eyes watching Echo.

The silver system spoke earnestly: “I won’t just help you find the Phoenix Codex—I’ll protect you. Whether it’s Nie Xiu or Nie Good or Nie Bad, none of them can hurt you.”

Seraphine’s gaze swept across the string of tasks on Echo’s system panel. She knew Echo meant what it said.

She’d hidden the technique issue in her heart all along. As Luanyang Palace’s Lord, she never showed weakness or wanted anyone to think her fragile. She’d never told anyone these stories, but now she’d shared so much with Echo…… Such intimacy made her feel playful. Seraphine curved her lips, deliberately asking: “How will you protect me?”

Before I could draw my sword, Seraphine continued: “You’re a small bead—I don’t even dare let outsiders see you. You witnessed it yourself—so many bad people outside, clamoring about how ‘those not of our kind must have different hearts.’”

“It’s only because we’ve experienced so much together now.” She seemed to recall their first meeting, her fingers pressing into snow-white skin, her expression somewhere between smile and non-smile. “If we’d just met and some invisible, untouchable silver orb told me it was omnipotent and would protect me, I’d only suspect someone was playing supernatural tricks, using extraordinary methods without showing their true face. How could I trust that?”

“But now……” Seraphine looked at the visible, touchable bead, elegantly lifting her chin. Before she could continue, a thought bubble appeared above Echo’s head.

Seraphine paused, waiting for Echo’s expression.

The bubble was blank, floating for a long while before slowly descending.

Then slowly rising again, finally disappearing.

I remained silent, my voice softer than usual: “Seraphine, you said that if I stayed in this form, unable to meet people, it would cause trouble.”

Golden thread and needle embroidered a hundred flowers on red carpet, spread across jade bricks under crimson tiles, reflecting dazzling splendor.

The silver system settled in the vermillion center.

Seraphine’s gaze followed Echo descent, her red lips curving as she spoke slowly: “I was worried about you—”

Her words cut off in white light.

Brilliant white radiance flashed, too bright to look at directly. Seraphine turned away in surprise, then slowly turned back with furrowed brow, her pupils contracting sharply.

In the palace hall, on the vermillion surface, the silver bead suddenly vanished. In its place stood a silver-haired beauty, unclothed, white as flawless jade.

All the jeweled brilliance in the hall drowned in that luminous white.

Seraphine, who had been reclining on the couch, shot upright, staring at the woman who looked back with innocent confusion. Light blazed in her eyes, her voice catching.

The cool voice finally had a matching vessel. The woman containing Echo’s soul opened her mouth calmly, calling: “Seraphine.”

“Can I protect you like this?”