The Moon Elder Temple in the Southern District of Yunjing was an ancient sanctuary, predating the very establishment of the Shu-Yun Kingdom. Its history stretched back hundreds of years; legend held that the Great Emperor Xuanyuan and his Empress first met within its sacred grounds...

However, since Xuanyuan Jue devoted himself solely to the martial path and personally executed his own Empress, no one dared utter that tale aloud anymore...

Yet, even in silence, the Moon Elder Temple had become the most coveted destination for the daughters of Yunjing’s noble families. Seeking a marriage match, whether in the Shu-Yun Kingdom or the Tianyuan Empire, was a deeply ingrained custom...

Where there are beautiful women, wolves will naturally gather. A significant portion of Yunjing's profligate scions, or those scholars who considered themselves suave romantic figures, frequented the vicinity of the Moon Elder Temple—some hunting for flirtations, others simply appreciating the beauty, enjoying the scenery, or indulging in private fantasies. Regardless of their true intent, their presence had made the area surrounding the temple the liveliest district in all of Yunjing...

At this moment, Luo Ling'er, still clad in her white gauze dress, walked down the bustling main street with a joyful smile dancing on her face. Her bright, lively eyes constantly darted toward the myriad small trinkets displayed on either side...

Ye Jingyu, conversely, was dressed in a black martial uniform, shadowing Luo Ling'er closely like a bodyguard. Strapped to his back was that pitch-black, worn saber, its blade entirely wrapped in strips of cloth. Ever since discovering that the venerable senior in the stone cave was the renowned Dugu Bachén from three centuries ago, Ye Jingyu's reverence for this blade had escalated to an absolute peak. He was utterly convinced it was a true treasure, one whose full might he simply lacked the current capacity to unleash...

Gazing at Luo Ling'er walking ahead, and observing the throng of men and women passing by, Ye Jingyu felt an unusually profound calm settle over his heart...

He had successfully refined the Heavenly Soul, and though the Central Soul remained unconquered, he could distinctly feel an energy field coalescing in his abdomen; refining it was only a matter of time. With six of the Seven Souls now successfully refined, his strength had surged dramatically. He wondered what realm he would attain once the final Soul was fully absorbed...

He was unaccompanied; not even little Tao Tao followed them. Beyond his absolute confidence in his own power, Ye Jingyu was certain that hidden masters were still shadowing Luo Ling'er, ready to intervene the instant she encountered genuine danger...

“Xiao Yezi, look, that's the Moon Elder Temple! Mother said the fortunes drawn there are incredibly accurate. Why don’t you try drawing one too later?” Luo Ling’er suddenly stopped, pointing toward the temple in the distance... (Mobile Reading 16.om)

“Heh, we'll see,” Ye Jingyu replied with a faint smile, looking at the beaming Luo Ling’er...

“Okay, hurry up! There are so many people over there; who knows how long the queue will be?” Luo Ling’er didn't press the issue. Instead, she reached out and pulled Ye Jingyu’s hand, running toward the Moon Elder Temple...

Touching Luo Ling’er's delicate, small hand sent a sweetness through Ye Jingyu more intoxicating than honey. He instantly tightened his grip, holding that small hand securely as if afraid it might vanish. His tall frame stayed close to her side, consciously or unconsciously shielding her within his embrace, preventing the surging crowd from brushing against her even slightly...

In just a few strides, the pair reached the temple gates. Looking up, they saw a plaque above the entrance—a mere ten feet wide—its painted surface faded white, carved with two conspicuous characters: Fate (Yin Yuan)...

Fate. Destiny. Is human connection truly predetermined by the heavens?

Ye Jingyu did not believe it. He firmly held that one’s destiny was grasped by one's own hand, and one's relationships were forged by one's own efforts...

Luo Ling’er, unaware of Ye Jingyu's internal debate, tugged his hand and led him into the Moon Elder Temple. Inside, the surrounding walls showed signs of decay. Though many sections had been repaired, they could not entirely mask the weathering wrought by centuries of time...

After walking perhaps a hundred steps, Ye Jingyu spotted a colossal pagoda tree. Its trunk was immense, requiring at least five or six grown men to encircle it. The branches twisted and coiled like slumbering dragons, and the trunk was heavily adorned with countless red ribbons...

A crowd, mostly unmarried young women, knelt beneath the tree, murmuring continuous prayers...

“Uh, why are they all worshipping the tree?” Ye Jingyu looked quite bewildered at the cluster of maidens. Many beautiful women were present, but Ye Jingyu currently found it difficult to be moved even by the seductive allure of a peerless enchantress like Yao Yao, let alone these common beauties...

“No way, Xiao Yezi, you don’t even know this?” Luo Ling’er showed a look of genuine astonishment at his question...

“Know what?” Ye Jingyu remained utterly perplexed...

“Legend says this tree is the transformed body of the Moon Elder himself, which is why this place is called the Moon Elder Temple. They are here to draw fortunes, so they must first pay respects to the Elder,” Luo Ling’er explained quickly upon seeing Ye Jingyu’s utter ignorance...

Transformed body of the Moon Elder? Ye Jingyu chuckled softly, then scrutinized the great tree again. He had to admit, it did bear a resemblance to a hunched, stooped old man...

“Alright, you wait here for me. I’m going to draw a fortune first,” Seeing the slight smile on Ye Jingyu’s face, Luo Ling’er didn't say more, skipping lightly as she ran toward the pagoda tree...

Ye Jingyu watched her with a faint, gentle smile, saying nothing further, content just to stand there, observing the vibrant, youthful silhouette of Luo Ling’er...

A breeze stirred, rustling the leaves overhead. Beneath the tree, a quiet murmur rose—the soft confessions of those young women yet to be matched, perhaps articulating the image of their ideal beloved...

Subsequently, more women entered, running toward the tree for their fortunes just as Luo Ling’er had. A number of scholars, dressed in their robes, stood a short distance away, critiquing the women from afar...

At that moment, Ye Jingyu’s gaze unexpectedly settled on an old man near the pagoda tree. He had snow-white hair, and before him sat a small fortune-telling stall, surrounded by a few young women chattering animatedly, seemingly inquiring about matters of marriage...

For some inexplicable reason, Ye Jingyu was drawn toward the old man by instinct. When he arrived before the stall, the young women had just departed...

“Young man, are you seeking a destined match?” The old man looked up, his cloudy eyes nevertheless radiating a piercing wisdom...

“Heh, do you believe that matters of fate are truly set in stone?” Ye Jingyu countered, not answering the question directly...

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