The people that got together in the mortal realm had no idea how dire things looked in the immortal realms. They didn’t even give a single thought to what might be going on elsewhere. Instead, they were completely focused on what was right in front of their eyes. It wasn’t much of a wonder, after all, they were in for one or two surprises.

“Senior martial brother Yue?” Nian Hong Fang blinked his eyes in confusion and then turned to look at Ma Zhi Wu who was directly next to him as usual.

His lover looked just as surprised as him and could only shrug his shoulders. He knew Yue Lin. In fact, he was rather familiar with him, although he was even more familiar with the still missing Niu Hai. Back when he had still been a spy in the Hei Dian Sect, he had been a part of the division of blades just like Niu Hai and since the latter had been friends with Yue Lin, he had also become familiar with him. That was how he originally met Nian Hong Fang.

Yue Lin blinked his eyes in confusion, wondering if he was so over-exhausted that he had started to see things. He rubbed his eyes and blinked them a few more times but the two people in front of him continued to be there. Finally, he glanced at Jing Yi and then remembered that he had said that he had invited people from the Yun Zou Sect as well and knew these two. No wonder then.

He shook his head to get rid of the sleepiness and then gave a faint smile. “It’s been some time. How are the two of you doing?”

Nian Hong Fang smiled brightly and looked up at Ma Zhi Wu. “Well, everything is just as it should be, I guess.”

Ma Zhi Wu also smiled and put his arm around Nian Hong Fang’s waist, nodding faintly. “It is. I can still hardly believe how lucky I was in the end.” Back then, he left the Hei Dian Sect dejectedly, feeling that he had screwed up by falling in love with a demonic practitioner and yet still being unable to extricate himself. Who could have known that a beautiful surprise would be waiting for him back home?

Just thinking of that day when he had finally seen him again, his heart thumped loudly in his chest. His smile brightened and he leaned down, giving him a kiss on the lips.

Qiu Ling looked from one side to the other and then turned to Jing Yi. “How come we invited so many couples? Do we somehow attract them?”

Jing Yi chuckled and took a seat, not wanting to disturb the others. “I don’t think them being a couple is what you should focus on.” No, much more surprising was the fact that the people they were familiar with at the Yun Zou Sect and the Hei Dian Sect respectively all knew each other. “I guess there is fate at play with how everyone is already familiar with each other.”

Shen An De had just taken a seat not too far away and looked at Jing Yi when he heard him say so. “Oh? I’m afraid I am not completely familiar with these people. Although I feel like I have seen them around at our sect quite a long time ago. You wouldn’t have happened to invite some of the elusive ‘spies’ the righteous side sent to our door?”

Jing Yi froze and habitually turned to look at Qiu Ling.

His lover only raised his brows though. “What’s the matter?”

Meanwhile, Nian Hong Fang and Ma Zhi Wu had also realized that one of the people present was the Grandmaster of the Hei Dian Sect. Suddenly, they couldn’t help but wonder if they were in trouble.

Jing Yi gave Qiu Ling a deeper look, trying to communicate his worry.

Qiu Ling sighed and then reached over, rubbing his back. “Don’t worry. He’s clearly just joking around.”

Shen An De raised his brows and gave Qiu Ling a faint smile. “You always astound me.”

Qiu Ling just gave a hum and then leaned closer to Jing Yi. “Basically, he’s so bored that he likes to make other people sit on pins and needles. The fastest way to do that is to flaunt his identity as the Grandmaster of his sect or to grab onto the other person’s secret. In this case, it’s a prime opportunity because he can do both at the same time.”

Jing Yi’s lips twitched. It wasn’t like he hadn’t seen before that Shen An De could be like that but with Qiu Ling saying it in such a lackadaisical manner, it sure felt odd. But then, Qiu Ling probably had a unique view on this because he had often done similar things in the past. Yes, this could probably be called two like-minded spirits meeting.

The others had naturally heard the exchange. Nian Hong Fang gave a faint laugh, trying to sound like he could see the humor in this, while Ma Zhi Wu shifted closer to him. He knew that he wouldn’t stand a chance against the Hei Dian Sect’s Grandmaster but he’d still try everything to keep his lover safe.

Yue Lin awkwardly glanced at Shen An De, not sure if he should do anything. This person had just helped him tremendously a few hours ago but now, he was making this kind of ‘joke’ with people he considered friends. It really put him in a conundrum.

Hong Ai simply chuckled, picked up her cup of tea, and held it in front of her husband. “Make yourself useful instead of making others uncomfortable. It’s Jing Yi’s last time in the mortal realm for quite some time so you really shouldn’t try to scare everyone.”

Shen An De sighed but then obediently picked up the teapot and poured his wife a cup. “Whatever you say is what I’ll do.”

On Hong Ai’s other side, Hong Bao sighed deeply. “Ah, so romantic!”

Wu Ya glanced at her, then glanced at Shen An De pouring tea and decisively picked up a teapot himself, pouring Hong Bao a cup as well. He wasn’t sure where the romantic part was but he still hoped it’d show his good feelings!

Qiu Ling looked at him and then shook his head with a sigh. This person … he really was an idiot. Thankfully, the one he was trying to woo wasn’t any better so he might still be lucky in the end.

Everyone silently watched the exchange between the six people and the awkward atmosphere from just now was dispelled. There was just no way to watch that kind of display and remain tense. Thus, the evening was once again back on track to becoming the farewell gathering Jing Yi was hoping for.

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