Yun Liu was muddled, yet the Little Steward arranged everything clearly for him.
No wonder Mister Canghai had just called him the Shanhai Pavilion Master and Master of Jueyun Peak.
So, Youyou had already settled everything before she arrived—except she didn’t tell the main character?
Canghai clasped his hands and smiled.
“Congratulations, Pavilion Master Yun. From now on, we are both members of the Radiant Heaven Tower. The Boundless Sea and East Pole Province aren’t too far apart, so it’s inevitable we’ll cross paths often. Regarding the matter of the Heavenly Dao Reversal Pill, I must shamelessly ask for your guidance.”
“Oh, and the greatest benefit of being the Shanhai Pavilion Master is enjoying the tribute of the Nine Provinces. No matter where you are, you won’t be restricted to a corner of the Misty Realm. You’ll understand in time.”
“You flatter me, Mister Canghai. It’s I who should seek your advice.”
Yun Liu replied calmly, maintaining that air of light clouds and gentle breeze.
The peak was dead silent.
Just as Youyou had predicted, the varied expressions on every face became unified in this moment.
The silence was deafening.
Everyone’s face bore the same shock—just like when Dan Tong Liusu first arrived—unbelievable.
In just a short while, the fallen genius, who had been gradually overlooked and forgotten by the sect, returned with a different visage.
At the moment when the world believed his immortal fate was severed and all roads closed, he shattered their understanding with absolute presence.
That quiet, free-spirited, even slightly lazy white-robed youth stood before them, yet seemed separated by mountains and seas—an existence too lofty to reach.
The Shanhai Pavilion’s stewards served him as their master.
The immortal masters of Penghu Island were his colleagues.
His transcendent status was incomparable to the past.
The answer was obvious: both Heaven-grade Foundation Establishment Pills that appeared one after another were the masterpieces of the Senior Disciple of Celestial Phenomena Peak, and the secret to his restored Qi Sea was a Heaven-grade Reversion Pill.
Was it unyielding will that allowed one, deep in despair and crippled, to rewrite a nearly hopeless fate within months—to turn the tables from the brink?
The expressions of the Five Peaks disciples flickered brilliantly.
Most vividly, the mentors and elders all gazed at Yun Liu with burning, complicated eyes.
This time, Qin Cha’s delicate face seemed dazed.
She was happy, yet not entirely so.
No one understood better than her how outstanding Yun-shidi was.
This was the happiest news, but why did her heart feel empty?
Was it because ahead lay a brighter future waiting for the youth?
He should not stop—nor should he stay for anyone—buried here…
The Sea of Clouds was unworthy of Yun Liu; nor did he belong to Shenhua.
Qin Xing had realized this on her way back, but didn’t expect the day to come so quickly and suddenly.
Perhaps those brief, beautiful moments were like the Three-Leaf Datura, blooming for an instant and impossible to keep.
“Wait a moment. I’ll be right back.”
Yun Liu had many things he wanted to ask Youyou and Canghai, but just then he remembered something important he hadn’t done.
He couldn’t delay.
The youth walked toward the Golden Auspicious Cloud and the elder surrounded by the Zhuiyun Peak lineage—the immortal-boned Great Elder of the First Peak.
It was only then that people noticed Yun Liu wasn’t wearing the Moon-White Cloud Robe today—just simple white garments, clean and neat, like an outsider.
Yun Liu’s fingertips brushed across the “Yun” Ring gifted by Jing Tan’er.
He returned the Sword Emblem and Cloud Robe with both hands, with no hint of reluctance.
What was he…doing?
At this, even Jing Tan’er, who had been the happiest, couldn’t keep her composure.
She was shocked inside.
Ji Shiyu pursed her lips, looking as if she’d expected it—like the Yellow Chicken on her head.
“Today was originally Yun Liu’s last time fulfilling the duty of Senior Disciple of Celestial Phenomena Peak. Some unexpected things happened, but they don’t matter. Thus, I hereby resign from Shenhua and withdraw from the sect, Great Elder.”
Xiao Xinran’s face was ashen as she clutched her chest, no longer caring about the selection.
Not only the Shenhua disciples, but even the Peak Master of Five Peaks thought they’d misheard.
Gelan glanced at Qin Yao’s dim gaze, then at the dazed Yan Bingling, feeling completely lost.
What’s going on?
The Great Elder’s smile froze instantly, utterly dumbfounded.
His mood soared and plummeted like bungee jumping over the Sea of Clouds.
“Ah, this…”
It was like a pie falling from the sky—the succession of good news made the Vice Sect Leader so happy he could drool, more excited than breaking through at the peak a hundred years ago.
This was the Shanhai Pavilion Master, a Dao of Heaven Alchemist recognized by Radiant Heaven Tower.
The moment Miss You confirmed it, it became official.
The nearby Penghu Immortal Island even went out of their way to befriend him, traveling far and wide.
Such a genius alchemist was worth more than thousands of sword cultivators, and attracted two top-tier disciples. It was truly Shenhua’s blessing.
The old man almost wanted to rush over and kiss the youth!
Then a bucket of cold water was dumped on his head, soaking him from top to bottom.
The Great Elder wasn’t even ready to speak yet, still thinking about how to reward the proud disciple of the Little Martial Aunt, when he was slapped hard before he could enjoy the moment—so hard he didn’t even know who to complain to.
“Yun… Pavilion Master, what are you saying? This matter is not to be taken lightly! Please reconsider carefully!”
Even the title changed mid-sentence, sounding awkward—and even more so to others.
There was no helping it. In the world of cultivation, there may be divisions of righteous and demonic, or different schools and factions, but no one would ever go against business.
Even wandering cultivators couldn’t avoid dealings with the Shanhai Pavilion forever.
“I’ve thought it through. I don’t think Shenhua Sect suits me. I, Yun, admit my lack of talent and learning, unworthy of my Master’s nurturing, and a disgrace to the Sword Sect and Academy. I stayed until now only to give an explanation to my late Master.”
Yun Liu set down his belongings and walked away, caring not whether others accepted it.
“This…this…”
The innocent Great Elder could only look to the Little Martial Aunt for help, crying inwardly: my little ancestor, what are you and your disciple doing now?!
If your treasured disciple loved the Path of Alchemy and didn’t want to practice the sword, it was fine.
From now on, he could go wherever he wished in the sect, do as he pleased, and the old man would handle everything.
If Yun Liu wanted to turn the Clear Mist Peak’s women’s sword cultivation sanctuary into his own backyard, with the Cloud Sea Peaks’ flowers serving him in turns, the Vice Sect Leader would grit his teeth and find a way.
But why did you just up and leave?
Aren’t you just roasting me over the fire? If he let Yun Liu go today, he’d be a sinner for the ages, unfit to be enshrined in the Ancestor Hall!
Passing by the silent white-robed woman, Yun Liu paused as if waiting for the Little Martial Aunt’s answer.
“Sorry. You must be very disappointed in me.”
Just a few words, yet they seemed to drain all strength from Yan Bingling, whose hands trembled violently.
Not just Xiao Xinran—Liuer was as disappointed in the entire sect, and in her, an unworthy Master, as he could be.
She couldn’t think of any other explanation.
Yun Liu didn’t answer—just smiled.
“I don’t want to play house anymore. And you? How long do you intend to keep playing someone else’s role—Master, or a false mother?”
Yan Bingling bit her lower lip, a spark of hope igniting.
She nodded in a daze, still hoping Yun Liu would change his mind, bowing her head to plead.
“Wrong answer. You have two more chances. If you answer right, there’s a surprise.”
Yun Liu shook his head, hands behind his back, and walked away.
This wasn’t the answer he wanted to hear.
He would peel off that frozen mask bit by bit until this lovely yet infuriating woman raised her hands in surrender, stopped pretending to be Master and foster mother, and confessed her true feelings before falling into darkness.