Central Continent, Ten Thousand Blossom Ridge.
San Dong gazed earnestly at one grand structure after another being erected—buildings that seemed impossibly magnificent in its eyes as a flower spirit.
Humans were truly remarkable.
These were structures beyond its imagination, let alone its aspirations.
Its sect leader had left three months prior to attend to other matters, entrusting the entire construction project to Li Yingling before departing.
It had to be said—aside from being warm and approachable, Li Yingling was also highly capable.
Managing such a massive construction site, coordinating so many workers—she handled it all flawlessly.
Everything progressed smoothly.
For humans to build one colossal city after another, there must be leaders like Li Yingling guiding them, right?
Still, San Dong had also been assigned an important role—Li Yingling appointed it as the labor supervisor.
San Dong still didn’t quite understand what that meant, but it was told that if anyone caused trouble, it could report directly to Li Yingling.
It was supposedly an important position—or so Cui Hao had said.
He mentioned how hard he had worked, how much he had struggled, yet couldn’t secure such a role—only for San Dong to obtain it effortlessly.
Hearing this, San Dong immediately offered to hand over the "extremely important" position to Cui Hao.
But Cui Hao declined—this was Senior Sister’s order. Someone as wise as her surely had her reasons. Perhaps his own abilities weren’t yet sufficient, and he hoped San Dong would work hard—carrying his share as well.
Touched yet puzzled, San Dong wondered—was it really that capable?
Despite its doubts, San Dong carried out its duties diligently every day, offering help wherever possible.
Since it held such an important position, it had to set an example—for Cui Hao’s sake too!
But everyone was already working hard, leaving little for San Dong to do.
Cui Hao, however, reassured it—"If you have little to do, it means the site is running well. If you’re swamped, the place would be in chaos."
San Dong found this logic confusing at first, but upon reflection, it made sense.
If something was normally strange, then perhaps it wasn’t strange at all?
And so, San Dong continued fulfilling its duties with earnest effort.
Its small figure darted across the construction site, eyes sharp as it observed the surroundings.
Qinghe strutted about confidently, handling the timber everyone needed, while flashes of cold light—likely from debarking—occasionally lit up the sect grounds.
Green Snake followed at Qinghe’s side, assisting and chatting about things San Dong couldn’t comprehend.
"Senior Qinghe, you’re amazing! You must be highly regarded in your sect, right?"
"Ah, the greater the ability, the greater the attention. If I could, I’d prefer your carefree life—no one breathing down my neck."
"But… Senior Qinghe, I want to improve so badly!"
"Tch, you’ll have to work far harder than humans! My Grandma Bai’s ruthlessness makes your shady sect leader look like a saint! As someone who’s been through it, my advice is—push yourself to the brink of death if you want to grow. That’s the only way for beings like us."
Qinghe brandished a claw for emphasis. "In Tianyan Sect, who doesn’t know I, Qinghe, am the most diligent flood dragon? You’ve got much to learn!"
Green Snake’s eyes shone with inspiration. "Senior Qinghe! I understand now!"
San Dong quietly slipped past, not daring to utter a word.
It remembered Li Yingling’s warning—"If you catch Qinghe slacking off, report to me immediately. This sect doesn’t feed freeloading flood dragons."
Further ahead, Li Xingtian and Lin Luoyu were overseeing the construction of the sect’s main hall—the most crucial building.
Neither spoke much, but their work was impeccable, their dedication unwavering.
The main hall progressed the smoothest, both in speed and quality.
During inspections, Li Yingling mostly praised their reliability while grumbling about other areas.
"If everyone were as dependable as you two, I’d have half the worries," she’d say.
Spotting Lin Luoyu reviewing blueprints, San Dong waved cheerfully.
In its eyes, Lin Luoyu was kind—gentle in speech, always willing to help when San Dong encountered problems.
No conversation followed, just that warm exchange before San Dong happily trotted off.
Next was Chen Baiqing’s residential zone.
To San Dong, Chen Baiqing was another impressive figure—beloved by all for her warmth and meticulous work. Though progress occasionally slowed, the results were always excellent.
San Dong watched as houses rose steadily under her direction.
As for pathways and landscaping, those were entrusted to Cui Hao, whose artistic skills were unmatched.
The construction site was vast, yet step by step, San Dong traversed it all.
Having completed its rounds, San Dong settled on a hillside overlooking half the sect.
Its eyes sparkled with joy at the bustling activity below.
Cui Hao had once said—though Ten Thousand Blossom Ridge used to be San Dong’s home, now this rising sect would become its true home.
And the people here? They were family.
San Dong had weathered countless winters alone, its heart hollow with nameless longing.
But now, imagining winters spent surrounded by so many companions, that emptiness faded.
Unconsciously, a hopeful smile spread across its face—because this was wonderful.
"O Mascot!"
A voice called from behind. San Dong didn’t need to turn to know who it was.
Only one person addressed it that way—Cui Hao.
He approached with a scroll in hand. "O Mascot! Remember that roofless house you wanted?"
San Dong tilted its head. "Please, just call me San Dong."
"Of course, O Mascot," Cui Hao nodded, unfurling the scroll and anchoring it with spiritual energy.
"You said you wanted a house without a roof—to bask in sunlight and gaze at the moon."
San Dong nodded, then blinked. "Yes, but Li Yingling suggested leaving a backyard instead. She said I could stargaze outside without needing a hole in my roof. I thought that was fine."
"That’s just Senior Sister’s lazy compromise! Look here." Cui Hao pointed excitedly at his design.
"I’ve created a foldable, movable roof! Spirit-energy operated. On clear nights, you can retract it completely—no need to go outside. When you want cover, just fold it back."
San Dong studied the blueprint with delight, though most details eluded its understanding.
Still, if Cui Hao said it would work, San Dong believed him.
Now, only one question remained.
San Dong asked hesitantly, "Wouldn't this be too much trouble?"
Cui Hao waved his hand dismissively, his tone earnest. "Ah! What’s all this talk about trouble? This is a place we’ll be living in for a long time—of course we should build the best house we can imagine. Cutting corners is something only the incompetent would do."
San Dong considered this and found it reasonable, nodding slightly. "Then... you leave the blueprint here, and I’ll go ask Li Yingling if it’s possible."
Cui Hao nodded in agreement but suddenly added, "But lately, the senior sister seems quite busy. Even Elder Zhang Miaoyu of the outer sect has been running herself ragged. Wouldn’t it be inappropriate to bother her with such a small matter?"
"Our living quarters are under the third senior sister’s responsibility. You only need to discuss this with her, right?"
San Dong hesitated slightly at this—was that correct?
His gaze shifted to Cui Hao, whose expression was utterly sincere.