At the age of 180, Ye Yu successfully reached the peak of the Ascension Realm.

    Over the years, he stayed with Bai Miao Leng at the Bai Family, enjoying a life of bliss together. Since Situ Shuping’s death, Bai Miao Leng never again mentioned her plans to conquer the human world, devoting herself fully to serving Ye Yu and perfectly fulfilling her promise. She willingly assumed the role of his “caged bird,” committed to her word.

    The demonic treasure, the Nirvana Glazed Robe, still adorned Ye Yu. Not that he hadn’t tried to return it, but Bai Miao Leng simply refused to take it back.

    In her own words, “What does a caged bird need with a treasure? Besides, if true danger comes, I’d rather rely on you to save me than face it alone.”

    Her words left Ye Yu speechless. The once-mad Bai Miao Leng had turned into someone so gentle. As long as he didn’t pursue other women, it seemed she would remain this way.

    This, however, brought Ye Yu some headaches. Occasionally, he would wonder what to do when he returned to reality. From what he could tell, Li Ruowang was already starting to accept Ye Yu’s other wives. But what about Bai Miao Leng?

    This thought didn’t bother him for too long, though. Fretting over the future was not his style. If he could tame Li Ruowang’s temperament, he could surely find a way with Bai Miao Leng, too. He decided to leave it for later, whenever they reunited in reality.

    In the meantime, he frequently visited the Yellow Springs Monastery, even considering conquering Chaos Valley and gifting it to his master, Xiao Yinjian. As one of the sacred grounds of the Northern Wilderness Continent, it would be an honorable domain. If Xiao Yinjian wanted, he could even rename it Yellow Springs Valley.

    In the real world, Ye Yu was already a cultivator in the Transcendence Realm, just shy of the Ascension Realm. When he inevitably reached that point, he would also ascend to the Celestial Realm. But what about Bai Miao Leng? Would they be separated, one in the Demon Realm and the other in the Celestial Realm?

    Ye Yu had already accepted Bai Miao Leng in his heart and had no desire to part ways. For the next several decades, he did everything he could to suppress his cultivation, staying with her as they sought a way for her to ascend to the Celestial Realm with him. Sadly, they found no solution.

    At 233 years old, Ye Yu finally reached the moment of ascension. Though they were reluctant to part, there was no choice.

    As his body slowly rose skyward, Bai Miao Leng stifled her sorrow and waved farewell. “My beloved, wait for me in the Celestial Realm. I will find a way to reach you—I promise!”

    Ye Yu took out a finely crafted wooden box and tossed it down to her. “I made this myself. I meant to complete the pair and give it to you, but there’s no time. It’s rough work, but I hope you won’t mind. It’s a keepsake, and when you arrive, I’ll make you another.”

    Catching the box, Bai Miao Leng was about to ask what it was, but Ye Yu’s figure suddenly vanished—he had ascended.

    Feeling as if a piece of her heart was missing, she slowly opened the box. Inside lay a pale yellow hairpin, with an empty space beside it meant for a matching piece. The craftsmanship was indeed rough, even a bit crude, but it brought tears to her eyes.

    After a moment, she collected herself, placed the hairpin in her hair, and looked up at the sky.

    She vowed silently to ascend to the Celestial Realm as soon as possible. If it meant giving up the lives of everyone in the human world, she would do it—anything to be with Ye Yu forever.