Back then, Little Yellow Hair’s novel interview technique was just a joke.
Who would have thought that in less than half a year, the Yaolu Maidens couldn’t even laugh about it anymore?
Now, don’t even mention jokingly calling someone ‘Dad’—the Senior Sisters would willingly work themselves to the bone.
Just a single piece of advice, and both Senior Sister Qin and Junior Sister Huo’s skills with the alchemy cauldron had far surpassed before.
How could they not be moved?
As soon as she entered, Huo Tian Tian broke away from the busy counter, grabbed Yun Liu’s hand, and walked into the inner room, leaving the noise behind the closed door.
“Looking for Shiyu? She went into the Trial Ground!”
“Oh.”
Yun Liu shook his head—it was just a greeting.
This time, who knows what task Ji Shiyu had been assigned by the First Peak—she took Ao Tian to explore the Spirit Gourd Paradise again.
The Grand Elder seemed to have poured all the grief of losing Xiao Xinran into her, seeing her as the hope of the sect.
He even convinced the Sect Master, by some means, to personally teach her a lesson every month.
Yet Ji Shiyu didn’t let the Zhuyun Lineage down.
Borrowing her adoptive father’s Extreme Destiny main quest, she finally showed some spirit, rising from an Outer Sect rising star to an Inner Sect rising star, and advancing rapidly in the Sword way.
However, Silly Girl always remembered that business of a daughter inheriting her father’s legacy.
She kept thinking about that plot of land in the Herb garden and would come to Yongdong whenever she had a free moment.
Speaking of which, last month there was a Spiritual Qi fluctuation at Sunset Peak.
Xiao Xinran also broke through with the Earth Foundation Pill provided by the Xiao Family, which made the First Seat extremely satisfied.
However, neither of the two proud daughters of heaven was as dazzling as Jing Tan’er.
Her Highness cultivated with diligence, and with her Protector Daoist guiding her in unforeseen directions, her Spiritual Foundation was strong and built up over time.
The Little Princess had already mastered Spirit Sword Control and stepped into the Foundation Establishment Third Stage.
Her Heavenly Spiritual Root talent surpassed even the Sword Cultivators of Mist-Hidden Peak—like another Yun Liu.
This year’s freshmen were all monsters.
The Third Tier was in hot pursuit.
Big Girl and Silly Girl clashed head to head—it was hard to imagine how fierce the Yun Ding Sword Contest would be in the Inner Sect in the second half of the semester.
Cloud Pavilion Lord had a secretary by day, Bing Ma by night, and paid little attention to these trivial matters.
Huo Tian Tian grinned.
“Senior Sister is so enchanted by you now, she hasn’t returned to Clear Mist Peak for a whole month!”
“You don’t know how (crazy) (happy) the Lan Seat is—she asked me to tell you two heartless things to bring Qin Xing back when you have time.”
“Clear Mist Peak is always your home.”
“Don’t keep thinking about that scheming teacher of yours!”
The little girl mimicked a mob boss’s tone perfectly, making Yun Liu laugh and lightly tap her on the forehead.
“Next time, for sure.”
“Don’t forget, everyone misses you. And Mr. Kuai too!”
The little shopkeeper stood on tiptoe, waving to send off the Senior Sister’s husband.
It was rare to see the Pavilion Lord personally guiding work on Fang Street; merchants along the way greeted one after another.
The white-clothed youth waved for them to skip the formalities.
Although he had adapted to the unique status of East Pole Pavilion Master, he still wasn’t used to all the flattery.
Yun Liu climbed the Summon Wind Terrace, found a quiet corner to breathe, and just happened to run into the returning Fenglin Sword Guard patrol.
Several streaks of light pierced the clouds and mist, returning to the mountain gate.
The Sword Cultivator squad was neatly arranged, drawing closer from afar.
This Yunhai Forest Guard team had less than a hundred members, but all were powerful sect Sword Cultivators, recruiting elites from each Peak and a few Outer Sect reserve disciples.
Among them, a red figure at the rear lagged behind—a disciple clearly out gaining experience with her Senior Brothers and Sisters.
“Xiao Yun!?”
The red-clothed girl exclaimed, flustered.
Her flying sword wobbled even more, and she landed shakily, only regaining her balance after several steps.
Other disciples landed steadily and at ease.
Seeing the anxious look of Sunset Peak’s genius girl, they couldn’t help but smile.
There was probably only one person who could make Xiao Xinran lose composure like this.
“Wh-What a coincidence?”
Xiao Xinran tapped the ground with her toes, uneasily sheathed her sword, and tidied her appearance.
Her Sunset cloud robe was a vivid fiery red, like being draped in the evening glow—very fitting for the Xiao Family’s eldest daughter.
Yun Liu nodded with a gentle smile in greeting.
The Fenglin Sword Guard also maintained sect order, and it wasn’t unusual to see a certain little girl patrolling Fang Street with her big ponytail, guarding the Shanhai Pavilion gate, or even taking over Shenhua Pavilion duties just to catch a glimpse of Yun Liu.
“What brings you out today?”
Xiao Xinran’s face flushed, her lively mouth tripping over itself at the sight of Yun Liu.
After being promoted to the Inner Sect and many trials, she finally became an official Yunhai Sword Guard as expected.
“Nothing much, just going for a walk.”
A Senior Sister from Sunset Peak joked.
“Greetings, Mr. Yun—Xinran was just talking about you. Didn’t think her wish would come true so soon.”
Once the Chief of Tianxiang Peak, now East Pole Pavilion Master—they were all curious about this legendary Heavenly Dao Pill Master.
“Don’t say that, Senior Sister Yang!”
Xiao Xinran pleaded in a low voice, pushing the woman away and shooing off her laughing companions.
For Xiao Yun to remain in the Yunhai at all was already a stroke of luck—her little heart couldn’t handle more shocks.
If things got any more intense, she might not survive.
“Fine, talk to him yourself.”
“Also, Mr. Yun, you’re always welcome at Sunset Peak—the whole team is thrilled.”
“Uh, okay.”
Yun Liu couldn’t help but laugh and cry.
The Five Peaks of the Inner Sect didn’t just compete for resources in the Trial Ground.
Each year, they clashed in sword skills at the Yanding Sword Contest as well.
Yunzhong Sword Peak had its own unique style, but Sunset Peak continued its tradition—like its chubby First Seat, fiercely protective of its own.
As rivals, the Sunset lineage—from the First Seat to the Elders—never wanted to lose to First Peak disciples forever.
Naturally, they hoped Xiao Xinran would defeat Ji Shiyu in three years, renew the contract with the Shanhai Pavilion Lord, and rekindle old bonds with Yun Liu.
Thus, the disciples all cheered for their Junior Sister, eager for Sunset’s glory to dampen the edge of Falling Cloud and aiming for top spots in the second half of the semester’s Sword Duel Conference.
The girl stood graceful in the wind, slowly shedding her shyness and growing more radiant.
“Don’t listen to their nonsense. They know nothing and just like to stir things up.”
“It’s fine. I’m used to it.”
Yun Liu asked casually.
“How’s the research on that ancient text going?”
At this, Xiao Xinran’s face lit up, happiness brimming.
“Listen—I think I’ve grasped the key!”
“Sunset Sword Classic constructs the Jade Manor Spirit Foundation, while Burning Silence Art nourishes the Divine Platform and Sea of Consciousness.”
“I always felt it was hard to balance both, but actually, they don’t conflict at all.”
“It’s all thanks to Grandpa Administrator’s reminder!”
Yun Liu nodded in slight surprise.
The Old Sect Leader’s favor had never been biased—it seemed to represent a delicate balance of Extreme Destiny.
“That’s good.”
“It’s all your achievement.”
Xiao Xinran’s gaze lingered, eyes burning with warmth—she too had found her own path.
Burning Silence Art helped her control that rampaging power even better.
Getting angry was useless—the angrier you were, the more you needed calm.
She wanted to be the master of Flame God, not be driven by rage into losing herself.
“No, it’s the fortune you gained from the Illusion Pavilion.”
But Xiao Xinran wouldn’t listen, only replying weakly, her voice low.
“By the way, the holiday is coming up soon.”
“Are you… planning to stay on the mountain?”
There was never such worry before.
Whenever Xiao Yun had time, he’d return to her side—but those sweet, peaceful days of just the two of them were gone forever.