The Demon-fallen Master grabbed Yun Liu’s collar, panic in his voice.
“You’re leaving? Then what about me!”
“Stay here and don’t move. I’ll be right back.”
Yun Liu couldn’t help but laugh at his own words, then spat.
Ever since being beaten senseless by the yellow-haired master and servant, he’d become more fatherly by the day, the influence seeping in unnoticed.
“I want to go too!”
“No. You need to rest and recover. Until you’re healed, you can’t risk hurting innocents. The people at the foot of the mountain can’t withstand the chill.”
“Hah, since when did a rebellious child like you get to order me around?”
A cold light flashed in Yan Bingling’s eyes, freezing Yun Liu’s feet in place.
A blizzard erupted.
Question: Is there anything more rebellious than attacking your own Master?
Yun Liu hugged his head, completely unafraid, sprawling out on the cloudbed in surrender.
“Then I won’t come back at all. If you have the guts, kill me now and make me your bloodflesh puppet.”
Yan Bingling’s peach blossom eyes trembled, instantly softening. She was powerless against this disobedient child.
“Don’t say things like that. I just want to be with you forever, whether as your mother or your Teacher-Lover. But you cut everything off without a word—what am I supposed to do alone?”
The other side of the Ice Fairy, tainted by Sword Heart and magic corruption, shed all pretense of decorum.
Her long-restrained nature was exposed, and she spoke easily of things she’d never dare say otherwise.
Yun Liu held the fairy’s small hand, comforting her.
“As long as you behave, I’m yours every night.”
The Demon-fallen Master was the easiest to appease—a big promise stuffed straight into her mouth.
“Mm, then hurry back. With every bite, you’re in my debt.”
“Same old rules, I’m keeping track.”
Yun Liu glanced at the medicine pouch, recalling the suffocating thought of the new semester, his legs going weak.
With hundreds of doses—would Yan Bingling drain him dry the moment he returned…?
A few days later, the four academies ended classes, and Misty Peak Academy entered vacation.
A portion of the Cloudsea Formation’s restrictions was lifted.
Some outer sect veterans prepared early, either working in the market for spirit stones or returning home for a visit.
Inner disciples had it easier—some traveled the nine provinces to cleanse their hearts, while others stayed at the sect to study swordsmanship, preparing for the next Great Competition.
Meanwhile, the Shenhua Sect Representative Team for the Shengyu Festival had assembled, gathering at the Illusion Pavilion gate to set out.
The lineup had been carefully considered by the Grand Elder—members couldn’t be too weak, lest they embarrass the Zhu Sacred Kingdom.
Thus, it was most appropriate for the mature and steady Chief Senior Disciple of Clear Mist Peak to lead.
Her Jindan Upper Stage cultivation could resolve most troubles in the East Pole Province.
Identity and etiquette mattered in official occasions—even cultivators from outside the dynasty had to observe the rules.
Recently ascended to Mist Veil Peak, the Jing Clan Princess carried the advantage of her home ground. Her outstanding cultivation suited her noble status, making her the core of the team.
Ji Shiyu, the newly famous inner disciple of Falling Cloud Peak, was also an excellent choice.
With the air of a future sword immortal, she’d become known in the martial world after exposing the Blood Flag demon plot, directly overtaking Chi Jiu in the Shanhai Pavilion’s rankings.
By contrast, Xiao Xinran was the most ordinary of the group.
Aside from her beauty and rumored extraordinary talent, the Xiao Family Miss had yet to demonstrate anything remarkable.
She hadn’t even made a name for herself in the East Province’s cultivation world, yet gossip about her and the infamous Three-Year Promise had spread far and wide.
Simply put, this royal ceremony was more like a runway show—about participation and showcasing the depth of the Zhu Sacred Kingdom’s religion, as well as the righteous image of the Heavenly Concord Alliance.
Fortunately, the representatives of the Four Peaks of Yanhai weren’t just pretty faces—they were all talented and beautiful, albeit with a slightly heavy air of melancholy.
With Yun Liu stepping down, there were no longer any troublesome male disciples to lead the younger generation of Shenhua Sect.
Even Fang Ting, the token representative from Main Peak, had been tossed back to the outer sect for further studies.
In any case, all the Grand Elder’s reliable disciples were present—Sword Sect talent was truly in decline.
Outside the Illusion Pavilion, the Shanhai Pavilion’s little security guard was always the most punctual, arriving early whether for classes or cultivation.
At dawn, Xiao Xinran sat yawning on the threshold.
Juggling both inner and outer sect studies was tough, so rare moments of rest were cherished.
She realized she’d never been to the Royal Capital before.
The second to arrive was the Tour Guide Miss.
The Clear Mist Peak Senior Sister had exchanged her seductive secretary uniform for a Qingyun sword robe, landing gracefully atop a green Spirit Sword, gentle and serene.
“Qin Sister.”
“Xiao Junior Sister.”
The two nodded in greeting, not strangers but not close.
Before leaving, Ge Lan had repeatedly warned Qin Yao not to get distracted and to remember her responsibilities—don’t neglect Liuer.
If the boy got seduced by some vixen from another peak, you useless thing needn’t come back; Clear Mist Peak can’t afford that shame!
So this was the real business, huh?
The Senior Sister smiled in confusion, always amused by Master’s odd train of thought.
Not long after, a blonde girl arrived wobbling on a Flying Sword, stopping at the sect gate.
“Sorry, sorry, I’m late! Blame that new breakfast shop in town. Damn those soup dumplings for being so tasty—I couldn’t help eating two more. Ehehe!”
Ji Shiyu’s cheeks were puffed, her mouth oily, still munching as she prepared to leave.
She’d meant to say goodbye to Jueyun Peak before departing, only to learn Yun Liu had already vanished the day before vacation.
Since leaving Spirit Gourd Paradise, she hadn’t seen her teacher.
Xiao Xinran frowned in disgust.
“Anyone who didn’t know would think you were the captain. Still no sense of time at all.”
Ji Shiyu stuck out her tongue.
Xinran was still so fierce after so long apart—so cute!
“It’s fine. The Princess isn’t here yet either.”
Qin Yao stretched lazily, smiling softly.
The last superstar would, of course, be the Princess herself.
At the mention of Jing Tan’er, Ji Shiyu and Xiao Xinran’s expressions grew awkward—old comrades in suffering.
About half an incense stick later, Xiao Xinran and Ji Shiyu’s faces were dark with frustration, even the proud one muttering under her breath.
At last, the Mist Veil Peak superstar made her entrance.
Jing Tan’er’s makeup was flawless as she leisurely joined the Illusion Pavilion gathering.
The little princess reclined cross-legged on a pure white Cloud Chariot, spiritual energy floating in the air.
Her makeup and casual clothes were dazzling, like she was on vacation, with two wicked attendants at her side.
“Too slow!”
Ji Shiyu pointed at Jing Tan’er, scolding loudly—though it was the pot calling the kettle black.
“What’s going on here?”
Jing Tan’er frowned at Qin Cha, her expression haughty.
She’d never heard of any commoners in the royal Cloudsea Guard.
Ji Shiyu, the rebellious adopted daughter, was bad enough. But what about Xiao Xinran? Did a washed-up ex-wife deserve to compete with a current lover?
“We’re all here now. These are the inner sect representatives. Let’s get moving—if we delay, we’ll miss our chance.”
Qin Cha clapped her hands and waved her Spirit Boat ticket.
There was a Spirit Boat line from the nearest Royal Capital Main City, directly to the Royal Capital. They had to arrive before nightfall, and they were already late.
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