The key to the problem isn’t Miss You’s favor.
There’s no real conflict between the Chief of Tianxiang Peak and the Master of Shanhai Pavilion themselves; if a double blessing turns into misfortune, that too is fate.
The old man sweeping the grounds had always been open-minded.
This retreat by the young man was instead a step into the wide open sea and sky; setting aside the identity of Sect Master, as a Senior, he regarded him with fresh eyes.
Raised by parents who set him loose, without kin or ties, Yun Liu was not an orphan, but hardly different from one—he grew up with a Demon Sword Obsessed, becoming independent and solitary by nature.
That was the cause.
A layer of veil remained.
Even if there was a connection to the previous generation, he never truly felt the Divine Radiance Inheritance; years of cultivation on a desolate mountain after joining the Sect, always separated.
That was the effect.
After dissolving the engagement, the youth truly set himself free, as if he had comprehended his own path, achieving great enlightenment.
He blazed a new trail, turning misfortune to fortune, with luck visible to the naked eye.
After bidding farewell to the Haicang Master and Disciple, Yun Liu finally found a moment’s peace, walking alone through the marketplace at dusk.
With matters here settled, the Penghu Visitor did not linger.
Dan Tong Liusu, who had never seen much of the world, still felt reluctant to leave, waving to the elegant Pavilion Chief at parting, her burning curiosity for Heavenly Dao Dan Cultivation yet unsatisfied.
“You said you’d come, remember? Don’t lie to us.
Penghu Island is so much fun!
Next time you come, I’ll be your guide.
Oh, and bring that stuck-up blonde along—she should see my real skills!”
“Absolutely.”
Yun Liu cupped his hands and smiled.
Childish words carry no weight; Liusu was a child no older than Xun Ran, mind unformed but with spirit roots already budding.
Such a rare talent on the Boundless Sea’s Dan Path would surely meet again on another stage.
By then, Shan Master Yun might have taken on yet another face.
The youth wore a Pavilion Chief’s mist-white robe, veiled by mist rain and adorned with Shanhai Brocade, his appearance forcibly tidied by You.
Just the single garment was a fourth-grade defensive artifact—he was no longer the obscure nobody he’d once been.
“You’re my boss now, representing the image of Shanhai Pavilion—how can you be so sloppy as before?”
The little steward said so.
Pedestrians in the marketplace greeted him respectfully, and he returned their courtesy as always, neither distant nor close.
The wind chimes of Xiangfang Pavilion rang softly.
A distinguished guest had arrived.
“Welcome… ah, sisters, Mr. Xiao Yun is here! No, wait, he’s now… Master of Jueyun Mountain?”
Huo Tian Tian’s eyes sparkled as she called out sweetly.
Yun Liu shook his head—it didn’t matter what he was called.
He had already lain down, but the sturdy backrest forced him upright into a stately posture.
He had just been thinking about this, and upon hearing that a big celebrity had arrived, the qipao-clad girls upstairs and down bustled about, circling the young man in the hall.
Once, Yun Liu had been a destitute scholar—frail and thin, his cultivation diminished but his bearing intact.
Now, he had shed all trace of decline, like a noble son of an Immortal Sect, elegant and handsome.
At first, the Senior Sisters of Clear Mist Peak were nervous, feeling complicated and unable to approach.
After all, the East Extreme Pavilion Master held high status; it’s like one day your childhood playmate becomes someone of such importance you can’t even meet them.
But seeing that Mr. Xiao Yun was still the same as ever, with no airs and as easygoing as always, the girls soon reverted to their rowdy selves, grabbing the handsome youth to pester him with questions, their hands wandering, touching the Nine Provinces Shanhai Seal, stroking the luxurious robe.
The Yaolu Maidens knew both Heaven-grade Foundation Establishment Pills were the Pavilion Chief’s handiwork, but hadn’t imagined that Junior Brother Yun’s true abilities were even more impressive.
To have recreated a Third-grade Heaven-tier Reversal Pill and defied fate, it was no wonder Mr. Kuai regarded him differently.
“What’s the secret of the Heaven-grade Foundation Establishment Pill? Junior Brother, can you teach us?”
“Yeah, yeah!”
“Sure.”
Yun Liu answered easily.
Affection by association—because of Qin Sister and his mother, he held a soft spot for the disciples of Clear Mist Peak.
Just as the Old Sect Leader said, leaving the Sect was only bidding farewell to the past—it didn’t change the goodness of the youth’s heart.
“Where’s Qin Sister?”
“Oh, so you finally spoke your true purpose. I knew you two had something going on! No wonder you never spare a glance at the rest of us.”
The girls made a commotion.
Mr. Xiao Yun was a different person now, and they felt only happiness for the Senior Sister who had worked so hard.
They wished he’d marry Qin Yao in style as soon as possible.
This time, Yun Liu did not put on airs.
His face flushed slightly as he coughed softly to hide his embarrassment.
He hadn’t had anything going on with her before, but now he could—no, he must.
Returning home in glory, how could he not feel a little thrill?
Rather than gloating or seeking petty revenge, he wanted only to share this calm joy with his beloved Senior Sister.
Without Qin, none of this would have gone so smoothly.
At that moment, a jade-green-robed girl fresh from picking spirit herbs in the back garden lifted the curtain with slender hands.
Originally distracted, Qin Xing’s delicate face brightened instantly upon seeing Yun Liu, her beauty dazzling.
“Yun… why are you here?”
“Then should I leave?”
Yun Liu fixed his gaze on his enticing Senior Sister, making as if to go.
“No!”
Qin Xing hurried forward to grab him, and seeing the gentle smile in his eyes, realized he was teasing her.
She buried her face in his chest, overcome with shyness.
Though not young in years, the Senior Sister, with a blank record in love, was no different from her younger sisters—her awakening heart made her all the more captivating.
“The Pavilion Chief’s wife has arrived!”
“What nonsense—do you want a beating?”
The Yaolu Maidens scattered, fleeing upstairs to watch from the staircase.
Now only the two of them were left in the hall.
The atmosphere grew delicate, words failing.
Qin Xing could only bask in her happiness, sneaking glances at the youth now and then, her limpid eyes filled with longing.
After Yun Liu left the Sect, the first person he sought out was not Ji Shiyu, who had bravely followed him, nor Xiao Xinran, who had been left sorrowful, but herself.
At last, her heart, restless all day, was at peace.
Sect meetings and crises now seemed unimportant.
Afterward, her Master and Mr. Kuai had fussed over her, asking all sorts of trivial questions—was the meal done, did she get lost in the forest?
She hadn’t heard a word, only managed a few distracted responses.
“Ah, right. Shiyu went back to pack.
She was all set to say goodbye, and then you went and did this.
Thankfully, the Grand Elder didn’t agree to let her resign as well.
Hehe, it seems that child really is quite attached to you.”
Qin Xing forced herself to calm down, struggling for words as her heart raced.
“Oh.”
Yun Liu pulled at the corner of his mouth.
He had intended to leave, but was overwhelmed by You’s insistence.
To outsiders, the ‘third wheel’ was just a clingy glutton, but to Master and his fiancée, he was painted as a great sinner—blame Ao Tian for being too clever for her own good.
Qin Xing shot him a look.
Despite being pleased by his casual attitude, she couldn’t help teasing.
“I heard Xun Ran was really upset too.
If I were caught between two such outstanding girls, I’d be troubled over whom to choose.
Why do you seem not to care at all whether they stay or go?”
“Only children answer multiple-choice questions.”
Yun Liu stopped speaking and suddenly grasped Qin Yao’s warm hand.