The first day of the third month.

Winter passed and spring arrived.

Little Green had already awakened from hibernation.

At this time, less than three days remained until Bai Ruxue's tribulation.

Bai Ruxue would soon depart for Ganyue Lake, using it as a starting point to begin her river journey to transform into a dragon.

This morning, Bai Ruxue rose early and made one last breakfast for Xiao Mo.

After eating breakfast, Bai Ruxue washed the dishes and chopsticks, cleaned the courtyard, and washed Xiao Mo's clothes.

After finishing all the household chores, Bai Ruxue looked at the sky.

She knew she had to leave.

"Xiao Mo, I'm going," Bai Ruxue stood before Xiao Mo and said reluctantly, "Don't worry, I'll definitely return quickly!"

"Mm," Xiao Mo nodded. "Don't be hasty during the river journey. No matter what you encounter, just keep swimming forward. Trust in yourself. This river journey and dragon transformation is nothing for you."

"I understand," Bai Ruxue nodded vigorously. "You must take good care of yourself."

Xiao Mo smiled, "Don't worry. Little Green is here. Don't you trust Little Green?"

Bai Ruxue raised her eyes and gazed deeply at Xiao Mo, "Then... then I'm going."

"Go on, be careful on the road."

"Sister, we'll wait for you to return," Little Green handed the bundle to her sister.

Little Green was still very worried about her sister.

Although her sister had made many preparations during this time, and Big Brother Xiao had explained many key points to her.

No matter what, journeying through rivers to transform into a dragon was ultimately not a simple matter.

Countless snake clan members who had cultivated for most of their lives had fallen at this step.

Especially with the Nine Dragon Profound Thunder Tribulation.

Although not every snake clan member was qualified to face the Nine Dragon Profound Thunder Tribulation but her sister's talent was too extraordinary, and she also had true dragon essence blood in her body, with bloodline that had already reverted to its ancestral form.

Her sister was aware of this too.

Although her sister usually seemed dazed, she wasn't truly foolish.

Her sister also knew she was exceptionally gifted and that her talent might very well trigger the Nine Dragon Profound Thunder Tribulation.

Otherwise, her sister wouldn't have decided to journey through rivers but the Nine Dragon Profound Thunder Tribulation truly meant only one chance in ten to survive.

"Don't worry, Little Green. Your sister is very capable," Bai Ruxue smiled. "However, Little Green, I'm entrusting Xiao Mo to your good care. You must be careful in daily matters."

Little Green nodded heavily, "Mm, I will definitely take good care of Big Brother Xiao."

"Then I'm going," Bai Ruxue looked at Xiao Mo and her younger sister.

"Be careful along the way."

Carrying her bundle, Bai Ruxue walked step by step toward the distance.

However, Bai Ruxue looked back every three steps, her eyes full of reluctance.

Finally, Bai Ruxue turned around and waved vigorously, then took a step and flew away, disappearing at the edge of the sky.

"Don't worry. Ruxue will successfully journey through rivers and transform into a dragon," Xiao Mo withdrew his gaze and gently patted Little Green's head.

"Mm," Little Green nodded. "Sister will definitely bring back Dragon Thunder Liquid to extend Big Brother Xiao's life!"

"Don't force it," Xiao Mo only smiled. "Let's go. We should return to the courtyard."

"Big Brother Xiao, go slowly."

Little Green supported Xiao Mo as they walked back to the courtyard.

After her sister left, Little Green took even more careful care of Xiao Mo.

Besides reading some books, Xiao Mo would sit in the courtyard, tapping the stone table with his fingers repeatedly, as if calculating something.

In the evening, Little Green heated water and helped Xiao Mo wash his face and feet before returning to her room to rest.

Late at night, past the middle of the chou hour.

Xiao Mo opened his eyes. He put on a green robe, pushed open the door, and walked toward Little Green's room.

Xiao Mo's footsteps were very light, and he concealed his presence using the fortune of mountains and rivers. Combined with Little Green having no defenses at all, she had no idea that Big Brother Xiao had come to her bedside.

He sat by Little Green's bed and reached out a finger to gently touch her forehead.

Little Green fell into an even deeper sleep. Even if someone called her, she wouldn't wake up, as if she had entered hibernation.

"These years have been hard on you too."

Xiao Mo pulled the blanket over Little Green and walked out of the room. He continued sitting in the courtyard, looking at the quiet starry sky, listening to the spring insects chirping, waiting for day to come.

The mao hour.

Indigo blue still pressed heavily overhead, a few remaining stars flickering weakly like dying embers. The distant mountains were only a thick ink line, vaguely lying across the boundary between heaven and earth. Yet beneath the eastern sky, crab shell green had quietly emerged and gradually spread, turning from deep to light.

Dawn was breaking, the morning glow dyed the horizon red, shining on the old man.

"The time is about right."

Xiao Mo stood up, brushed the leaves off his clothes, took a broom and swept the courtyard once, then took down the clothes from the bamboo pole and folded them neatly.

Finally, Xiao Mo put on the pair of shoes that Bai Ruxue had made and wore that worn blue robe he had worn for who knows how long.

After doing everything, Xiao Mo continued waiting in the courtyard.

Around the chen hour, a woman in Daoist robes came to the courtyard.

Fuchen glanced at Xiao Mo, then at the side room, "Little Green is sleeping inside?"

"Mm. Although in Little Green's heart, her sister is more important than her own life, she would certainly stop me from what I'm about to do next. So it's best to let her sleep. When she wakes up, everything will be over."

Xiao Mo stood up and bowed to Fuchen, "Please take good care of Little Green, Fairy."

Fuchen said calmly, "Little Green is already my disciple. It's proper for this humble Daoist to care for her."

Xiao Mo smiled slightly, "Actually, I'm somewhat curious. Why does Fairy Fuchen value Ruxue so highly? Is it merely because of that one meeting from the past?"

Fuchen shook her head, "Ruxue reminds me of a friend of mine. Her personality is very similar to Ruxue's. After she fell, she left behind a drop of essence blood. Ruxue actually obtained her essence blood and thus gained her inheritance, making her half a disciple. Helping her is also me supporting the junior of a friend. However, what comes next involves too great a karmic consequence. This humble Daoist cannot intervene. Please forgive me, Mr. Xiao."

"Fairy is too polite. Over these years, you have taken care of us extensively and helped enough already. I dare not trouble you further. What comes next, this old man alone should be sufficient," Xiao Mo smiled.

Fuchen remained silent.

Xiao Mo raised his head and glanced at the sky, "Time is running short. This old man should go."

Looking at Xiao Mo's calm and open-minded eyes, Fuchen couldn't help but sigh with regret, "Mr. Xiao, do you have any last words?"

"Last words?"

Xiao Mo arranged his sleeves and looked at this worn old courtyard, at the old scholar tree in the courtyard, then at the distant She Mountain.

"On the southern face of that mountain, there's a small path."

"Follow the path upward, and about halfway up the mountain, there's a rock."

"If my body can remain intact."

"Bury me there."