Shen Zhenyu replied, "Let's go to the spring first. It might hold an important clue about the past."
He Yuying leaned back, stretching like a cat. "Fine. I'm in. But only if we pack snacks."
Song Meiyu raised her hand. "Let's go! I definitely want to know more about that tragic love story. Beautiful people and eternal heartbreak. What's not to love?"
Linyue glanced down. The white dog flicked its tail and sneezed.
"I guess that's a yes from the furball," Linyue said, amused.
Song Meiyu suddenly gasped. "Wait, wait, wait… we still haven't named it!"
The white dog tilted its head to the right in agreement, eyes wide and shining. Clearly invested.
Linyue blinked. "So you want a name?"
The white dog wagged its tail once. A very solemn wag.
Shen Zhenyu turned toward Linyue. "Why don't you give it a name? It always follows you around."
Song Meiyu bounced excitedly. "Yes! Yes! Choose a cute one, Sister Linyue. Something that suits his majestic fluffiness!"
Linyue thought for a moment, staring at the white ball of fur who now sat quietly pretending not to eavesdrop. "I think it's following me because of my lightning spiritual energy."
The white dog tilted its head to the right.
Song Meiyu gasped. "See? It likes you!"
He Yuying leaned back and popped another dried plum into his mouth. "Or maybe it's judging you for taking forever to name it."
Linyue crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at the white dog. "Alright then… how about Fluffy?"
At that, the white dog let out an offended gasp. It snorted, stood up, and wagged its tail so violently to the left and right. Absolutely not happy.
Song Meiyu beamed. "See? It's wagging its tail excitedly! It loves that name!"
Shen Zhenyu quietly chuckled behind his sleeves.
He Yuying nodded. "That's clearly approval. It's practically dancing."
Linyue burst out laughing. The dog was obviously protesting, but pretending not to know made it all the more fun.
"So Fluffy it is," she announced.
The white dog let out a dramatic, offended howl that echoed through the room.
Song Meiyu gasped again. "It's answering to the name! Fluffy! Fluffy!"
The white dog turned to howl directly at her.
Song Meiyu clapped her hands. "It really loves its name! You're such a smart Fluffy!"
The white dog flopped to the ground like it had accepted its fate, tail still thumping the floor in resignation.
Linyue couldn't stop giggling. Even Shen Zhenyu cracked a tiny smile.
And thus, the mighty spirit beast, created by a powerful flirty emperor of the past and charged with mysterious sacred memories, was now and forever… Fluffy.
Shen Zhenyu cleared his throat. "Linyue, I think you should tell him where we're going."
Song Meiyu nodded rapidly. "That's right. He's an obsessive and possessive husband. If you disappear, he'll burn down half the realm before asking questions."
Linyue let out a soft sigh. "I know. I'm going to tell him."
He Yuying, not even glancing up from his plum stash, added lazily, "I bet he won't let her leave."
Song Meiyu perked up. "I bet he will let her go but only if he tags along."
Fluffy sneezed loudly, as if to cast the final vote of approval.
Shen Zhenyu just rubbed his temple and shook his head.
And so, with a mix of determination, suspicion, and mild fear, Linyue approached Shu Mingye's study—now conveniently connected to their chamber thanks to his so-called "renovations." Translation: never letting his wife escape again.
She peeked through the slightly opened door. Just a little. Just enough to slip her head. But of course, Shu Mingye noticed instantly. Before she could even retreat, he was already on his feet, crossing the room in long strides. He pulled the door fully open and swept her into his arms.
"Miss me already?" he asked, his voice low and full of satisfaction.
Linyue gave him her sweetest smile with a slight tilt of her head. "Of course I miss you."
He kissed her forehead, his lips lingering a little too long. "Really?"
"Mhm," she hummed, trying to sound perfectly innocent.
Shu Mingye narrowed his eyes, suspicion clear in his gaze. "Is that why you're here?"
Linyue blinked. "...Yes?"
His eyes sparkled like he knew something was up. "Then why do you smell like trouble?"
Linyue looked up at him with her most innocent face. Unfortunately, the sheepish grin sneaking onto her lips ruined the whole act. "I may have… a little plan."
Shu Mingye let out a long, exaggerated sigh. "So it begins again."
She wrapped her arms around his back and pressed her cheek against his chest. "I just want to go to that spring," she said in her softest, most coaxing voice. "Just a curious little poke. Nothing dangerous."
Shu Mingye raised a brow. "What is with your obsession with poking?"
In response, she poked him once in the chest. Then again on the cheek. Then gave him the most radiant smile he had ever seen in a lifetime, dimples and all. The smile that should be declared illegal under the "Too Cute to Resist" act.
"Can't I?" she asked sweetly.
Shu Mingye groaned in defeat. "I'll go with you."
"Aren't you busy? I'll go with the others. And Fluffy."
"I always have time for you," he said smoothly. "And who is this Fluffy?"
Linyue's eyes lit up with mischief. "The dog."
There was a long pause.
Shu Mingye stared at her. "You named it Fluffy?"
Linyue nodded proudly, dimples deepening. "Isn't it cute?"
Shu Mingye pinched the bridge of his nose and muttered, "I'm naming our child in the future. No negotiation."
Linyue grinned. "Deal. As long as you don't name them Spiky to match Fluffy."
And just like that, the fearful King of Shulin found himself helpless once more, defeated by pokes and dimples.
So, five cultivators and one dog marched their way through forest and rocky hills. The journey was suspiciously peaceful. No bandits leapt out. No wild animals roared from the shadows. Not even a suspicious leaf dared to move out of place. Just birds chirping cheerfully, and Song Meiyu singing loudly and completely out of tune. By the time they arrived, the sun was low, painting the horizon in soft gold. The group stopped at the edge of the spring. Its surface shimmered faintly, glowing with the same otherworldly blue that Linyue remembered.
Fluffy, the mighty spirit beast, plopped down beside the water. Its ears drooped, its tail went limp. It looked… melancholic.
Song Meiyu crouched down and squinted at the glowing water. "So, do we submerge ourselves? Dip our faces? Maybe chant something?"
Shen Zhenyu replied calmly, "Let's try the easiest method first."
Linyue also crouched at the edge, just about to dip a hand in only to be instantly pulledbackward into Shu Mingye's arms.
He hugged her tightly, his voice low and suspicious. "What are you trying to do?"
"Just… checking the temperature?" Linyue replied innocently, still half dangling in his arms.
Fluffy let out a loud, judging snort. It was a very you-brought-this-on-yourself kind of snort.
Shu Mingye narrowed his eyes. "Checking temperature? Or are you secretly trying to fall dramatically?"
He Yuying, chewing a dried plum behind them, commented, "I vote she was about to fall."
Song Meiyu raised a hand. "Same vote."
Linyue flailed a little. "I wasn't going to fall!"
Fluffy sneezed.
Now even the dog was voting.
Shu Mingye sighed, then tightened his hold protectively. "Next time you want to touch mysterious spirit-filled water, at least let me put a rope around your waist first."
Linyue stared at him. "I'm not a fish."
"You're my fish," he said smugly.
He Yuying sighed loudly. "Can we start already? The spring is glowing and you two are flirting like this is a honeymoon."
And of course, fate decided that was the perfect moment to strike. The water suddenly moved. A tendril of glowing spring water slithered up like a shiny spirit snake, coiling around Linyue's ankle.
She blinked. "Uh—"
Then it yanked her straight off the ground.
"Sister Linyue!" Song Meiyu shrieked.
"Not again," He Yuying muttered.
Shu Mingye reacted instantly, tightening his grip around her waist. "Over my dead—"
Too late. A second water tendril shot up and tangled his leg too. With the combined grace of two extremely surprised but still good-looking people, Linyue and Shu Mingye were pulled together feet first into the glowing spring. Except, instead of splashing, the surface of the water stayed eerily still. No ripple. No wave. Nothing. Plop. Vanished. Gone. The water didn't even quiver.
Song Meiyu let out a high-pitched squeak. "WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!"
He Yuying casually popped another dried plum into his mouth. "I told you the spring was alive. But no one listens to the tired guy with snacks."
Shen Zhenyu immediately stepped forward, crouched by the edge, and reached a hand toward the glowing surface. But as soon as his fingertips touched it, it was like stone.
"What…" he murmured, tapping it again. "It's solid."
Song Meiyu rushed beside him and pressed both palms on it. "What is this?! It turned into crystal jelly?!"
"It sealed them in," Shen Zhenyu said, frowning deeply.
He Yuying just shrugged. "Spiritual spring said no guests allowed, I guess."
Fluffy sat beside them, looking smugly unbothered. It gave the glowing spring a knowing sniff, then plopped down on its belly, tail twitching.
Song Meiyu stared at the dog. "You knew this would happen?!"
Fluffy sneezed. Which everyone took as a yes.
Now it was just three confused cultivators, one all-knowing fluffy dog, and a spring that ate people without even splashing.