Forever Half His, the Fruit of the Matrimony Tree

Late autumn had brought a chill to the southern borders, casting a desolate aura over the Floating Temple in the twilight.

After the closure of the Five Elements Realm, the demon tribes had not dispersed.

Inside the main hall of the Floating Temple, an unprecedented vegetarian feast had been laid out. The demons sat at the tables, their expressions varied.

Divine Monk Huaikong sat beneath the stone statue of the Buddha, his eyelids lowered, neither sorrowful nor joyful.

With palms pressed together, he spoke:

"The Floating Temple’s duty in the southern borders has always been to safeguard the Celestial Jade. For thousands of years, flowers have bloomed and withered."

"Now, the destined time has come to an end. After this feast, the Floating Temple will no longer exist in the southern borders."

Though many demons had harbored faint hopes before, Huaikong’s words now left no room for doubt.

The Celestial Jade had always been capable of choosing its master.

It was just that, for millennia, no demon had been worthy of it.

Countless eyes turned to the seat of honor.

Every demon king and great demon present was a figure of immense power in the southern borders. Yet now, sitting at the head of the table was a young girl.

She had taken her seat naturally the moment she entered...

Though the Floating Temple had never interfered with the affairs of the southern demon tribes, it had always stood as a warning bell above their heads. Now, the temple was departing.

But in its place stood the Qingluan Goddess, who now wielded the Celestial Jade.

Would she become the Qingluan Empress in the future?

What, then, would become of the southern borders?

Yet the hall remained silent. For a moment, no demon dared to speak up.

She embodied the very essence of a "goddess."

Radiant and detached from the world, her presence now overshadowed even Shang Qinqing, the Qingluan clan leader seated beside her.

Her distant gaze seemed guarded by an invisible barrier, making it impossible to approach.

Truth be told,

every demon who entered the main hall of the Floating Temple felt the urge to kneel before her.

So who would dare to question her?

Instead, they could only murmur among themselves.

"By the way, where is Wu Mo?"

"Did he leave in despair after failing to claim the Celestial Jade?"

"Even the Mingjiao clan is missing. Could they be afraid of retaliation from the avian tribes?"

"Ah, what a pity. I wonder how the battle between those two unfolded."

"Wu Mo was once in a million years, a demon who could have wielded the Celestial Jade. But fate was against him—he had to face her..."

Just as the demon kings and great demons were whispering among themselves,

a voice cut through the murmurs:

"That’s not true."

"?"

The demons froze, realizing the speaker was none other than the Qingluan Goddess herself.

"He wasn’t unlucky, nor did he lose to me."

Ying Bing’s voice was soft and serene, her gaze seemingly piercing through the temple, distant yet as clear as her words.

"Then why did you end up with the Celestial Jade...?" a great demon couldn’t help but ask.

"He gave it to me."

"???"

"The Celestial Jade... half of it will always belong to him."

Ying Bing’s eyes remained fixed outside, but she gave a slight nod, confirming that she had spoken no falsehood.

The expressions of the demons in the hall shifted dramatically, though most were simply bewildered.

The Celestial Jade!

The future demon sovereign of the southern borders!

And he just... gave it away?

The Floating Temple’s vegetarian feast didn’t even serve wine, yet they all felt as if they were drunk. Could any demon truly surrender such a treasure?

Yet the Qingluan Goddess spoke with the serenity of a bodhisattva who had glimpsed the colors of the mortal world.

If it was him...

"Wu Mo once said he wished for unity among the demon tribes..."

"Could he have set an example by relinquishing the Celestial Jade, proving that no divide is insurmountable?"

"Tsk... he left without seeking praise, a demon of such nobility, transcending petty desires."

"Sniff... this king might shed a tear."

The demons felt they had uncovered the truth.

"From now on, the Celestial Jade does not belong solely to the Qingluan clan."

Ying Bing tightened her grip on the doll at her waist and whispered:

"I will ensure the jade visits each tribe in turn. The order will be for you to decide."

With that, she rose, ignoring the stunned expressions of the demon kings, and prepared to leave.

Divine Monk Huaikong glanced at Shang Qinqing from the corner of his eye and sighed.

"Today’s feast includes one final offering—the Fruit of a Hundred Tastes. It symbolizes the blossoms and fruits the Floating Temple bore in the southern borders."

He produced a crimson, heart-shaped fruit.

Ying Bing did not turn back.

"This fruit is the result of millennia of accumulation from the Matrimony Tree..."

Whoosh—

Huaikong was caught off guard as the Qingluan Goddess suddenly reappeared before him.

Ying Bing stared at the old monk, her delicate hand outstretched.

Her eyes clearly said: "Give it to me. Thank you."

"One per person, benefactor."

He had only just picked up a single fruit.

Ying Bing released the doll with her other hand and held up two fingers.

Divine Monk Huaikong: "..."

The Qingluan Goddess departed without taking a single cloud.

Only two fruits.

"So, about the order of the Celestial Jade... perhaps the Mingjiao clan should go first, since Wu Mo is one of them?"

"Let’s eat first. I’ll try this fruit."

"Tsk—so sour! What a bitter taste!"

"And yours?"

"Hiss... not spicy at all."

"Hmm? Why do I feel warmth in my stomach? This fruit seems to have some divine effect..."

......

Meanwhile,

Within the aquatic realm of the Floating Temple,

The water tribe was enjoying Chef Li’s wok-cooked feast. Tianjiao Xiao Li stood atop a massive seashell, wielding a spatula with Herculean strength as he stir-fried ingredients over roaring flames.

He single-handedly managed five or six giant shells’ worth of food without breaking a sweat.

Once everything was ready, Murong Xiao played waiter as the water tribe feasted heartily.

"Boss Mo, you’ve worked too hard."

"No... you’ve all worked hard too."

Li Mo leaped down from the shell, watching as the carefree water tribe dug in. He sighed inwardly.

Many of them had toiled in the Five Elements Realm only to come away empty-handed.

Meanwhile, he had achieved perfection... ahem.

If only the investment rewards would arrive now.

"Maybe it’s because Ice Block hasn’t fully refined the Jade Phoenix Spirit yet, so the feedback is delayed?"

"Among the rewards, the Gilded Creation Seal must be included, right..."

Li Mo’s thoughts wandered, drifting higher and higher.

Then he shook his head, reminding himself not to be greedy.

He still had many divine treasures he hadn’t fully utilized.

Like the "Monkey Seeks the Dao" painting, the "Stellar Alchemy Scripture," and even the "Extreme Weapon Tempering Body" technique he’d obtained long ago—none had reached their peak potential.

No rush on the rewards. Let Ice Block take her time...

She’d just obtained the Celestial Jade. The demon tribes would surely have matters for her to handle...

"Would you like some fruit after the meal?"

"Huh?"

While lost in thought, Xiao Li instinctively accepted whatever was handed to him.

And so, a crimson, heart-shaped fruit now rested in his palm.

...

This little author is about to collapse from exhaustion. Goodnight, dear readers.

Tonight’s sleep-talking script is ready:

"Need a recharge~~~"