The Stars Beyond

Chapter 376: Couple Seat

As the evening sun cast its fading glow, the reeds by the small lake outside the window blushed red, while several water birds flapped their wings near the water, tracing beautiful arcs in the twilight sky.

Fang Yuzhu had changed into casual home attire, her long hair tied up with a silk ribbon. Though she still carried the aura of a Daoist immortal, she seemed closer to the mundane world. In the kitchen, she perused the menu, studying various recipes. Occasionally, she consulted her phone for information, seeking the best methods to prepare each dish.

Wang Xuan observed her gentle profile, finding the scene surreal. A supreme being, a fairy hardly matched in the celestial realms, was now cooking. She was fully absorbed, her fair and lovely face glowing faintly with a divine halo, as if she was studying sacred scriptures rather than cooking steps.

Then, Fang Yuzhu began to demonstrate her culinary skills. Her arms moved gracefully, her fair fingers skillfully managing the stir-fry, embodying a form of beauty. Wang Xuan was convinced that Fang Yuzhu had never cooked since becoming an immortal. Her fluid motions were a testament to her profound cultivation, with physical and mental responses far beyond ordinary comprehension. As she followed the recipe, her textbook-level culinary execution seemed to elevate cooking to an art form, offering a visual feast.

"I now believe that culinary skills can indeed be elevated to an art," Wang Xuan sincerely complimented.

Despite cooking amidst the smoke and flames, Fang Yuzhu managed to convey an air of being untouched by the mundane. With her back to Wang Xuan, her hair tied with a black ribbon swayed as she cooked, wearing flip-flops that revealed her crystal-like glossy toes. Fang Yuzhu smiled, becoming a spectacle in the kitchen herself, as the faint light rain dissipated, making her presence even more tangible, almost a real-world figure.

"For many, the basics of life like firewood, rice, oil, and salt are just that—life. But viewed from a different angle, you see it as art; perhaps it's about how different moods reflect different scenes," she mused.

As she spoke, she finished stir-frying the green pepper and pork strips, elegantly placing the dish on the plate with a flick of her wrist, the movement smooth and pleasing to the eye.

"This shows I have a good mindset, adept at finding the beauty in life. Of course, there has to be beauty in the culinary arts to be found; otherwise, my praise would be meaningless," Wang Xuan said, leaning against the door, admiring not as if she were a peerless immortal but observing her busy movements, which were filled with a graceful, serene rhythm.

Soon, she finished cooking. The dishes were all homely fare: stir-fried pork with green peppers, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, sweet and sour ribs, smashed cucumbers, tofu mixed with scallions, and a seaweed soup. These simple dishes seemed ordinary, but coming from Fang Yuzhu and served on the dining table, they felt different. Perhaps it was because they were made by the foremost among immortals, who probably hadn't cooked in over two thousand years?

"I find myself reluctant to eat, feeling as though these dishes contain immense fortune and luck. If other immortals knew, they would surely be envious," Wang Xuan said with a smile, aware that few had such an opportunity. If anyone did, it must be those Fang Yuzhu knew in her life among mortals, but nearly three thousand years have passed, and those times are now long gone.

"Let's see how they taste. I just followed the recipes, a first-time experience returning to the mortal world," Fang Yuzhu said with a smile, her hair shimmering under the ribbon, radiant and otherworldly.

Wang Xuan felt she truly had the mindset to blend into the real world, very approachable and without any air of superiority, transitioning towards normalcy. Not everyone could let go like that, especially since she was likely among the top two or three most powerful immortals, if not the most powerful.

"Delicious. I haven't tasted such authentic homestyle dishes in a long time," Wang Xuan praised, finding them even better than his mother's cooking.

Fang Yuzhu laughed and took a bite herself, closing her eyes and connecting with scenes from past mortal life, seeing family and old friends, alas, all gone with the years, turned to dust, never to return.

Wang Xuan fetched a bottle of fruit wine and poured her a cup.

"I shouldn't drink. I get drunk easily."

"No worries, just treat it like a soft drink," Wang Xuan said. Though she mentioned getting drunk easily, how could she, at her level of cultivation? To her, even the strongest human alcohol was like water.

"Old Zhang missed out. I invited him over, and he ran off, doomed to his ascetic life. But he might have caught the scent and is probably lurking nearby, swallowing his saliva, unable to resist coming over for a free meal," Wang Xuan joked.

Outside the estate, Zhang Daoling was indeed looking this way, his nose twitching, longing to join them. After all, it was the renowned Fairy Fang cooking, an opportunity very few had.

However, as Zhang Daoling's ears picked up Wang Xuan's words, he felt a mix of annoyance and resignation. Wasn't it just as the young man had predicted if he actually showed up?

"Wait and see, I'll deal with you next time for making up stories about Zhang Daoling," he grumbled, tempted to drag Wang Xuan out for a thorough scolding. With a reluctant glance, he turned and walked away.

"Since I've chosen to embrace the ordinary, I must fully immerse myself in it, experience it firsthand. I plan to integrate myself into society, starting with attending a university in Ancheng for half a month," Fang Yuzhu declared.

She sought to calmly and systematically observe the changes in the human world over the past few millennia. Her plan included not just devouring the vast collections of the largest library but also experiencing everything as a student.

"An immortal becoming a college student?" Wang Xuan was momentarily stunned, finding it hard to reconcile these two identities.

"I've already made one journey through the real world and learned much, but it still feels like there's a veil separating me from it. Perhaps adopting a role will allow me to truly engage," Fang Yuzhu explained her rationale for choosing to enter society as a student.

Wang Xuan, intrigued by the idea, mused, "I can already imagine the kinds of stories that will emerge from this."

For instance: "An Immortal Among Us," "My Roommate is a Heavenly Fairy," "What It's Like to Study with a Fairy," and "My Missed Connection with an Immortal..."

"If I'm to blend in, I'll ensure I appear utterly ordinary, without a hint of anomaly," Fang Yuzhu said with a smile.

After drinking two cups of fruit wine, her cheeks bore a soft blush, highlighting her extraordinary beauty in a way few have seen. Wang Xuan was captivated not only by the visual feast before him but also by the poignant realization that even beings from myths, after millennia, must face the curtain fall of their era.

Even immortals are destined to perish.

Some transcendents, like Fang Yuzhu, after struggling in vain, might end up leading ordinary lives, either in solitude or by marrying. These images and scenarios filled Wang Xuan with complex emotions; after three thousand years, both legendary masters and stunning immortals are fated to fade into obscurity.

"Many will resist, fighting more fiercely as the end approaches, but when the fire of transcendence is meant to extinguish, nothing can stop it," Fang Yuzhu remarked calmly.

Beneath her gentle and elegant demeanor, there was an undertone of reluctance, yet she also felt helpless. Every possible path had been explored, every conceivable method considered, but aside from a few rugged trails offering scant hope, everyone was powerless.

In this mood, she found herself drinking a few more cups of fruit wine, her beauty aglow.

After dinner, Wang Xuan suggested they go out to see the night view and wander around Ancheng to experience the true hustle and bustle of mortal life.

Soon, they left Qingmu's estate, which also served as a branch of the Secret Path organization, and drove into the neon-lit city of Ancheng, with its towering skyscrapers.

Wang Xuan and Fang Yuzhu started their stroll on the streets, with Wang Xuan pointing out various night scenes and suggesting a visit to a campus arranged by Qingmu, where he once studied. Preferring a more engaging activity, Wang Xuan proposed watching a movie over simply enjoying the night views or visiting a bar, thinking that Fang Yuzhu might not have experienced many of humanity's dramas.

As they walked, Fang Yuzhu, holding a large stuffed toy in one hand and a skewer of candied hawthorns in the other, shared with a smile that Zhang Daoling had reflected them with a copper mirror during dinner. This novel experience seemed to delight her, maintaining a constant smile on her face.

Wang Xuan expressed his annoyance with Zhang Daoling's habit of spying on them using his mirror, humorously complaining about his constant, unwelcome presence.

Meanwhile, Zhang Daoling, who was following them at a distance, encountered the Hades Blood Sect's founder, who greeted him warmly, pretending it was a chance meeting. Zhang Daoling internally scoffed at the pretense, fully aware of the other's deliberate following.

The Hades Blood Sect's founder then speculated about Fang Yuzhu and Wang Xuan's close companionship, hinting at a possible romantic connection linked to past events. He mentioned that younger entities like Zhang Daoling, being only over two thousand years old, might not be fully aware of the significant histories involving legendary figures like Fang Yuzhu.

Zhang Daoling felt somewhat patronized by the older entity's remarks, highlighting the generational gap even among transcendent beings and their differing levels of involvement in historical events.

Under the bright moon, the human world was ablaze with lights, making the pedestrian street bustling with activity and filled with the essence of mortal life. Fang Yuzhu had already traded her ancient long dress for a modern early summer outfit, consisting of women's trousers and a T-shirt, showcasing her splendid figure. A strand of her hair fluttered in the breeze, her skin as white and translucent as ivory, and her bright eyes so captivating that passersby couldn't help but turn their heads in awe.

As she nibbled on a candied hawthorn stick and clutched a large stuffed toy, walking alongside Wang Xuan, it was him who received various disdainful glances, overshadowed by her beauty.

"Brother, buy some flowers to give to the sister. I've never seen such a beautiful sister before; she's just like a fairy, unreal in her beauty," urged a little girl selling flowers beside the movie theater, her large eyes fixed on Fang Yuzhu, unable to look away, holding her fresh and tender flowers.

"Ah, buying flowers seems too mundane for such a sister," Wang Xuan laughed, squatting down, "How about I buy the little girl selling flowers instead? Let her hold the flowers and present them to the beautiful sister together."

"Ah, I'm not selling myself! If you dare to take me away, I... I'll call my mom; she's over there. I'm just here to experience how hard life can be by selling flowers; I'm not for sale!" The little girl took him seriously, backing away with wary, wide eyes, nearly crying at Wang Xuan's teasing laughter.

Fang Yuzhu laughed, blending even more into the night's worldly atmosphere, and chided him lightly for scaring the little girl. She reassured the girl that it was all in jest.

Wang Xuan patted the flower girl's head, saying, "Then let's buy them all. Well, not you, but all your flowers, to give to this sister."

After paying with facial recognition, the little girl thrust the flowers into his arms and swiftly ran off. Wang Xuan, with a sidelong glance, remarked, "Notice that? Kids these days are precocious and shrewd. Trying to abduct one wouldn't be easy." The little girl, visibly annoyed, pointed at him from not too far away, as if accusing, "So, you actually considered kidnapping me?"

Wang Xuan, accompanied by Fang Yuzhu, who was dressed in contemporary fashion and radiated youth and beauty, stepped into the cinema. Browsing through the movie listings, he unhesitatingly selected a film apt for the occasion— "Family with a Fairy." Fang Yuzhu offered no comment, merely shooting him a look.

Wang Xuan, with an air of nonchalance (though his purchase of popcorn and snacks went unnoticed), led the lady into the theater.

"What's this strategy? What's the meaning of taking Fairy Fang to see... what do we call it, oh, a movie?" The Hades Blood Ancestor followed behind, his expression one of bafflement.

He continued, "Zhang, do you also feel drawn to this, which is why you've been tailing us?"

"Call me 'Little Zhang' again and see if I don't exorcise demons on the spot!" Zhang Daoling issued a stern warning. Could his status as the founder of a sect be so casually diminished?

"Understood, Sect Leader Zhang," the Hades Blood Ancestor quickly corrected himself. Then, at Zhang's urging, he hurried to purchase tickets, though they chose not to follow Wang Xuan and Fang Yuzhu into the same theater. Their intent was merely to immerse themselves in the experiences of this era, embracing its myriad aspects with open arms.

However, when Zhang Daoling inspected the ticket handed to him by the Hades Blood Ancestor, he almost threw it back in dismay, "What sort of atrocious seating is this? Are you and I meant for such seats?"

Casting a glance at the ticket, the Hades Blood Ancestor replied, "Ah, that. I bought them based on the seats Wang Xuan and Fairy Fang chose, but those were the only types available to me."

Zhang's face twitched involuntarily, "Couple's seats? You're adopting this too? Didn't you pay attention, expecting me to sit beside you?!"