The immortal takes you to the Red Bamboo Sect.

The immortal lifts you and Meiyu high into the sky, soaring above forests, rivers, and mist-shrouded peaks. From this height, the world below blurs into a silk painting—distant, serene, almost too perfect to be real.

But the wind slashes at your skin, and the speed at which you tear through the clouds twists your stomach into knots.

Even with your eyes shut tight, the sensation of falling never fades.

Beside you, Meiyu clings to your arm, her laughter rising like birdsong.

“Rensu, this is amazing!” she shouts over the rushing wind.

You groan, jaw clenched, swallowing back your rice. “Glad... one of us is enjoying it.”

Just when you’re certain your insides will betray you, the motion slows. The clouds part, revealing something that steals your breath away.

A hidden valley sprawls below, cradled by cliffs streaked with moss and stone. Crimson bamboo sways in the mist, their tall trunks rising like sentinels. Nestled within is a sprawling monastery of dark brick and red lacquered wood, its pagodas peeking through the canopy.

“This is the Red Bamboo Sect,” the immortal says.

She descends, robes unfurling like sails. You and Meiyu drift behind her.

When your feet finally touch the mossy landing platform, your knees buckle. You crouch, pressing your hands to the solid ground.

Meiyu tugs at your sleeve, eyes wide. “Wow, Rensu! This place is stunning! Can you believe we’re actually here?”

You rise, still pale, still swaying. And then—you see them.

Figures emerging from the mist beyond the archways—tall, commanding women, carved like statues of forgotten gods. Muscles ripple beneath their colorful robes, and curiously, each bears the same strange bulge beneath her dress.

Your breath catches. So these are the jade-skinned fairies the old stories spoke of?

You imagined “jade-skinned” meant delicate, ethereal—not carved from raw gemstone.

Suddenly, those old tales of mortals chasing immortal fairies seem less romantic and more absurd. No wonder they were always “out of reach”—you have to crane your neck just to meet their eyes.

One of them steps forward, broad-shouldered and dressed in red silk. She bows.

“Master Song, welcome back.”

The immortal—Song Baiyun—nods, then gestures toward Meiyu.

“This girl is your new junior sister. Treat her well.”

A ripple moves through the gathered women—curious, intrigued. Several glance at Meiyu, sizing her up.

But more eyes fall on you.

Some curious, some amused, others unreadable. A few seem... vaguely hungry.

Song Baiyun’s gaze flicks to you.

“This one is her husband,” she says flatly. “Find a place for him to stay.”

Husband.

The word hits like a slap. Your ears go hot.

You and Meiyu haven’t even seen each other naked.

You glance at her. She grins and squeezes your hand, completely unbothered.

Great.

As if you didn’t feel small enough already.

Another woman steps forward—graceful, brown-haired, wrapped in green silk embroidered with jasmine.

“He can stay in the outer compound,” she says. “I’ll assign him a room.”

Song Baiyun nods. “Good. His fate is his to shape.”

Then she turns, vanishing through a bamboo archway.

You’re left standing on the platform—Meiyu practically vibrating beside you, and you... overwhelmed.

The sect. The towering immortals. The weight of this new sky.

It feels like the beginning of something immense.

You don’t know if you belong.

But you’re here.

And that has to amount to something... right?