Soul Captivation

That night, Crimson Sand and the Star Lord strolled beneath the moon in the garden. Standing by the clear stream, Crimson Sand let out a faint sigh and asked, “Star Lord, where does the water from this stream flow to?”

The Star Lord replied, “Beyond the garden walls, the stream gathers into a white waterfall, which plunges into the river below the peak. The waters of the river then flow into the Sea of Partings. All streams and rivers in the celestial realm ultimately converge in the Sea of Partings.”

“And where does the water from the Sea of Partings go?”

“At the far end of the Sea of Partings, it connects with the mortal seas. What mortals see as the seamless blend of sky and water is in fact the junction between the mortal world and the celestial realm. Yet only immortals can truly cross that boundary and enter the celestial realm.” He paused, then suddenly smiled. “Is Crimson Sand asking this because you’re bored of staying in the garden?”

Crimson Sand replied, “Not at all. The garden is so vast, how could I be bored? The world beyond is completely unfamiliar to me—if I really went out, I think I’d be afraid.”

The Star Lord’s gaze softened. He wrapped his arm around her delicate, fragrant shoulders. “You need not fear, Crimson Sand. With me here, no one will dare to harm you.”

She gazed at him with a gentle, trusting look that could not possibly be feigned. Leaning lazily into his embrace, her voice as light as drifting feathers, she asked, “Star Lord, am I to hide away in the temple forever?” There was a hint of loneliness between her brows.

Seeing her melancholy, the Star Lord comforted her gently. “Don’t worry. These monotonous days will soon come to an end. Once I’ve dealt with certain troubles, you’ll be free to wander the celestial realm as you please.”

A faint, bittersweet smile curved Crimson Sand’s lips. She took out an invitation from her sleeve for the Night-Blooming Epiphyllum Banquet at the Lord of Celestial Jade’s residence and handed it to him. “This is an invitation to the Epiphyllum Banquet at Celestial Jade’s manor. Remember to attend.”

The Star Lord could not help but laugh. “So Crimson Sand is so sentimental tonight just because you can’t go admire the flowers?”

At his words, Crimson Sand’s eyes grew moist and she almost burst into tears, pouting, “Just remember to pick a blossom and bring it back for me.”

The Star Lord’s heart softened at the sight. “The epiphyllum only blooms for a short while. Even if I pick one and rush back, I fear it will already have withered.” He paused, then made up his mind. “Would you like to come with me to admire the flowers?”

Crimson Sand’s eyes lit up like starlight. “Really? May I?”

Faced with her earnest gaze, the Star Lord found himself unable to refuse.

After three months of confinement in the Polaris Hall, Azure Mark finally left the temple for the first time, accompanying the Star Lord. Together, they rode a cloud, Azure Mark standing behind the Star Lord, holding a transparent crystal bowl in her hands. Inside swam a tiny silver koi.

That koi was Crimson Sand, transformed by the Star Lord’s magic.

The Star Lord had said that there might be enemies outside who wished her harm, and until matters were settled, she could not reveal her true form.

Before leaving, the Star Lord told Azure Mark, “You must hold the crystal bowl steady and never let it out of your hands, even for a moment.”

Azure Mark nodded firmly.

Suddenly, the Star Lord raised his hand toward her, fingers curling in a mystical gesture. Before she could react, a sharp pain stabbed through her chest. She opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came. After the agony passed, her chest felt hollow, as if something had been removed.

The Star Lord now held in his palm a heart, beating steadily.

Azure Mark was terrified, looking down at her chest. There was no blood, no tear in her clothing. The pain slowly faded, but the emptiness in her chest remained.

She cried out in horror. Could she still live without a heart?

The Star Lord held the heart, saying, “This is your soul-core.” His hand closed again, and the heart vanished into his palm.

Azure Mark clutched her hollow-feeling chest and snapped, “Ripping out hearts is the act of demons. Star Lord, are you sure you’re truly divine?”

Normally, the Star Lord would ignore her barbs, but this time his face darkened. “Enough! I told you, that was not your heart, but a manifestation of your ‘soul-core’—a projection of your heart. This is called the Soul Seizing Art, a genuine celestial technique. If you attempt to flee, I’ll crush your soul-core, and your real heart will suffer unbearable pain. If you don’t return within seven days, you’ll die of a broken heart.” His gaze swept coldly over her face, as if seeing through her thoughts of escape.

Azure Mark sneered, “Lord Star, that’s hardly a celestial technique—it’s more like some witch’s curse.”

“Don’t waste your breath. If you try anything, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

Azure Mark grudgingly fell silent. With her soul-core stolen, she could only endure for now. In the crystal bowl, the silver koi blew a transparent bubble. Azure Mark glanced down; the fish’s eyes shone with hesitation. She gave it a faint smile—she would still carry out their plan.

Moonlight like frost spilled over the flower gardens of Celestial Jade’s palace. Hundreds of epiphyllum trees stood with buds swollen but not yet open, fragrance brimming inside.

Celestial Jade was a female immortal of refined grace and noble beauty. Whenever she moved, petals drifted gently around her, filling the air with a soothing fragrance. Azure Mark stared curiously for a while but could not tell where the petals came from—surely, it was a kind of celestial magic.

Celestial Jade was truly a fastidious beauty.

Upon seeing the Star Lord arrive, Celestial Jade greeted him with a smile, her manner dignified and elegant. She noticed the maid following at his side, gazing wide-eyed at her, clearly inexperienced with such gatherings. Celestial Jade asked with a smile, “Has the Star Lord taken on a new maid? She is quite sweet and lovely.”

The Star Lord replied, “She is a fish attendant. I recently acquired a rare silver koi and am so fond of it that I wish to bring it everywhere.”

Celestial Jade laughed, “The Star Lord truly has the heart of a child.” Her smiling gaze lingered on his face, her admiration barely concealed.

The Star Lord smiled faintly and went to greet the other immortals.

The banquet was held in a small pavilion by the water, beside a stream flowing through the gardens.

At midnight, the large white epiphyllum blossoms burst open, filling the garden with a gentle fragrance. The night deepened, and the elegant immortals, half-drunk, recited poetry, sang, or played the zither, their lives indeed transcendent.

But the Star Lord was accosted by the half-drunk Celestial Jade. The beautiful immortal, emboldened by wine, leaned against his shoulder. He glanced awkwardly at Azure Mark, who was clutching the crystal bowl, the fish inside glaring at him with bright red, indignant eyes.

He tried to pull his hand away, but Celestial Jade held him fast, clinging to his side, voice tinged with sorrow. “Star Lord, that demon is gone now. Why do you still refuse to let go?”

The Star Lord’s heart skipped a beat. He shot a swift glance at the fish. Azure Mark acted as if she hadn’t heard, gazing up at the flowers, but discreetly retreated into the shadows with the bowl.

The Star Lord silently praised Azure Mark’s tact and deeply regretted bringing Crimson Sand to the banquet. Steeling himself, he gently pushed Celestial Jade away. “You are drunk.”

Celestial Jade’s feelings for him ran deep; in truth, tonight’s banquet was held for his sake. She would not give up so easily, clinging and murmuring beside him.

The other immortals saw this and began to tease them, good-naturedly urging a match, until the Star Lord was at his wit’s end.

Suddenly, an immortal asked, “I heard that not long ago the Star Lord found traces of the Extinct Sea Clan. Is it true there are still remnants of those sea demons?”

The Star Lord’s expression turned cold. “Your news is well informed. I did capture a serpent spirit, likely a former minion of the Extinct Sea Clan, who ambushed me on my journey. I struck too hard and killed it. It must have been a pitiful remnant, no threat to us.”

At that moment, a startled cry came from the shadows: “Oh no!”

The Star Lord turned and saw the silver fish leaping into the air and, with a splash, disappearing into the stream.

Startled, he rushed over, grabbed Azure Mark, and growled, “What have you done?”

Azure Mark stamped her foot. “It wasn’t me! You were flirting with that beautiful lady, and Crimson Sand got angry and suddenly jumped away. I wasn’t prepared at all!”

The Star Lord was speechless, at a loss for what to do.

Suddenly, a chilling aura swept through the garden. Every immortal felt it and rose in alarm. “There’s demon energy!”

Celestial Jade instantly shed her delicate demeanor, her face stern. “How could a fiend intrude in the sacred celestial realm? Guards, search the grounds!”

The garden erupted in chaos.

The Star Lord’s face went pale. His sleeve was tugged—he looked down. It was Azure Mark.

“Star Lord... was that Crimson Sand?” she asked cautiously.

His silence was as good as an admission.

“I’ll go after her. If I can find her and stay by her side, I can conceal her aura,” Azure Mark said.

The Star Lord eyed her suspiciously.

“Don’t worry. I’m just a mortal—there’s no way I could leave the celestial realm on my own. Crimson Sand and I are close friends; how could I let her be captured or killed? Besides, since you hold my soul-core, I must return.”

If he lost Crimson Sand, what use would the celestial fungus be? The Star Lord finally nodded grimly. “If your soul-core isn’t returned within seven days, you’ll die of a broken heart.”

A chill swept across her back, but she still replied, “I understand.”