After tidying up Junior Sister’s room, it was finally Master’s turn.
The young man was helping a flock of Nest-building Spirit Birds move house, when he accidentally knocked over a small box hidden in the corner of the wardrobe, spilling out a pile of miscellaneous items.
“Hmm?”
Upon closer inspection, Yun Liu’s expression became strange.
Inside wasn’t any rare treasure, nor was it the Master’s alluring underwear, but rather some personal belongings—his personal belongings!
For example, evidence of his first bedwetting crime, a used soup spoon, even underwear—things he thought had long since gone missing from home.
“…….?”
So this is the ‘treasure’ hidden so carefully? What a waste of sentiment.
Master really… Days may be tight, but there’s no need to be this stingy, picking up every little thing and bringing it back.
The young man tossed the lot straight into the trash bin.
Yan Bingling and Yun Mu were sisters in all but blood, and Yun Liu had also been handed over to her care.
Thus, the two shared a relationship that was both teacher and mother—since he was very young, they’d depended on each other.
You could say he was raised entirely by his little aunt.
If it weren’t for that, he wouldn’t have voluntarily (been forced to) apply for promotion (be sent away) to Celestial Phenomena Peak.
With Little Aunt Master’s temper, if he dared train under someone else, he’d be courting death!
It was only after coming to the Sect that Yun Liu learned Yan Bingling held an extremely high status in the Shenhua Sect.
No one knew how long she’d been Head Seat; even other Head Seats and Elders would respectfully greet her as Aunt Master.
An ageless, stunning, ancient demoness, indeed.
After all these years, Celestial Phenomena Peak had only recently gained two disciples.
The title of Chief Senior Disciple of Celestial Phenomena Peak was practically a joke—that’s how it came about.
Afterwards, Yun Liu simply followed everyone’s lead and changed how he addressed her—from Little Aunt to Little Aunt Master.
Back in his own room, there was a Letter on the desk. He opened it to find a line of elegant, delicate characters on the paper.
[Liu’er, your Junior Sister and I will be out for a few days. You stay and look after the house. We’ll be back soon. Don’t worry.]
The students are all back, but the teacher is late and skipping class.
What kind of example is that?
Yun Liu shook his head. The plot had just left the newbie village, and the Academy arc was beginning.
It’s fine, soon I’ll have my chance. Once Little Aunt Master returns, I’ll hand in my Resignation Letter and make a break for it!
As dusk fell, the Elders closed the Cloud Sea Boardwalk and reactivated the Mountain-Guarding Array.
This year, Sighing Peak had a bumper crop.
The Outer Sect Instructors were all grinning from ear to ear, as if seeing their performance metrics skyrocket.
The dozens of newly admitted disciples were of extremely high quality; Refining Qi Second Stage was only the average.
Among them, the one who shone brightest in Martial Training Breakthrough was none other than the Miss Xiao of the Xiao Family.
Her Justice Iron Fist sent the Sword Puppets tumbling left and right—she was also the youngest of the lot.
As for swordsmanship, well, just so-so. She’d been far too lazy before!
But none of that compared to the shock of Ji Shiyu facing off against Jing Tan’er. It completely upended the worldview of teachers and students alike.
The golden-haired girl’s fame spread like wildfire across the Five Peaks, even though the school term had just begun.
“The road ahead is long and arduous, and I will search high and low for the Dao. Your cultivation has only just begun. From this day forward, you are all Outer Sect Disciples of Shenhua. Remember to stay humble and true to your Heart!”
“Yes!”
After a round of lengthy and earnest speeches from the old scholars, the Sect rules and precepts were recited.
Finally, it was announced that the new students present had passed the Entry Exam and officially become Outer Sect Disciples of the Shenhua Sect.
The disciples cheered, as the Attendant Brothers handed out Cloud Robes and Sword Emblems, and assigned courtyards for cultivation.
Cloud Sea Inquiry, Illusory Pavilion Heart Cleansing, Martial Training Breakthrough—Xiao Xinran scored top marks in all three, placing her among the best in the disciples’ Assessment Record of the past century.
It’s all thanks to Xiao Yun!
The girl was quite proud, though a little disappointed she couldn’t share the news with her beloved.
Then she thought, As long as I get promoted to the Inner Sect, I’ll see him every day. I have to focus on my cultivation!
Ji Shiyu also achieved top marks in all three areas and was assigned to the Heaven Courtyard of Sighing Peak.
“Don’t walk so fast, wait for me!”
The red-clothed girl dashed forward, while the golden-haired girl followed behind like a little maidservant.
These two peculiar new students, with such different personalities, seemed to bring a fresh vitality to Sighing Peak, becoming an interesting sight among the Outer Sect Disciples.
“Which courtyard did Xun Ran get? Let me see!”
“……..”
Xiao Xinran’s face darkened, saying nothing, as she watched Ji Shiyu circle around, sneaking a peek at the Sword Emblem at her waist—upon spotting the character “Heaven,” she cheered loudly.
“That’s great! You’re in the Heaven Courtyard too, which means we’ll be roommates!”
The Outer Sect dorms housed two per room; whether you looked up or down, you’d always see each other—bathing, sleeping, everything together.
Hehe, could there be a more perfect start than this!
“Perfect my foot! I’m warning you—the courtyard is split in half. From now on, you’re not allowed to set foot in my half. If I catch you once, I’ll beat you once!”
The red-clothed girl rolled up her sleeves, fierce as a demon, her slender arms threatening the blonde, her bristling look surprisingly cute.
“Why?”
“No reason. Just looking at you makes me sick! Siiiiick—ugh, ptooey!”
Xiao Xinran dashed off, thinking of nothing but cultivation now—no one was going to stop her from getting stronger!
I clearly did something so satisfying, so why is no one grateful?
Xun Ran even seems angrier…
Ji Shiyu hung her head, baffled.
Sniff sniff, smells so good!
The golden-haired girl, carefree as ever, perked up as the aroma of Market food drifted over. She rushed down to gorge herself.
It’s amazing! I’ve got to bring some dinner back for Xun Ran.
Sincerity can move even stone—one day, the misunderstanding will be cleared!
“Qi Gathering Fourth Level.”
Ao Tian muttered to herself, eyes grave, seeing a trace of Shiyu in Xiao Xinran.
Too fast. In just a few days, the little girl’s cultivation has soared.
Once she gets serious, Qi Gathering and Spirit Guidance is as easy as drinking water.
In another two days, Xiao Xinran will ‘catch up’ to Yun Liu. I suppose it counts as a kind of mutual pursuit.
That big fool Shiyu can never bring herself to be harsh with girls.
If she really fought Xiao Xinran, she’d be soft-hearted. The outcome’s still uncertain.
How can I guarantee victory?
I’ve got it!
I need to find a way to match up Yun Liu and Shiyu…
On her first night away from home, Xiao Xinran had a dream of climbing a mountain.
The path was rugged, the journey perilous, and a cold wind howled in the darkness, making her shiver uncontrollably.
At last, when she reached the summit, she found someone waiting for her there.
Xiao Xinran thought it was Yun Liu, and she wept with joy, she had finally passed the trial and regained Xiao Yun’s approval!
Then, the sun rose, illuminating everything—and she saw that the one waiting was a silly, grinning girl, her golden hair even brighter than the blazing sun.
Startled, Xiao Xinran woke with a jolt.
Opening her eyes, she saw the first light of dawn outside the window.
Xiao Xinran groggily got up, only to find herself lying on the floor.
She should have been sleeping on the other bed, behind the screen.
At some point, her roommate had taken over her bed and even stolen her quilt, kicking her to the floor!
“I’ll go to your mua!”
Xiao Xinran, hair bristling, raised her leg and with one BANG kicked the blonde off the bed.
“Gou Dengxi! Who said you could climb over here?!”
Ji Shiyu rubbed her eyes and got up from the floor, looking dazed.
Who am I?
Where am I?
What am I supposed to do?
“…Good… morning?”