Stay on the mountain?
Impossible.
I can’t keep indulging Little Martial Aunt’s bad habits.
It’s best to let her be for a while.
Yun Liu gazed into the distant sky.
“I’m going on a long journey.”
Northward to Zhu Sheng, as a guest of the Royal Capital.
Of course, it would be in the capacity of a Royal Princess’s family tutor making a home visit.
The Zhusheng Dynasty was at the peak of its power, not yet plunged into the sorrowful song of a fallen nation, its provinces and prefectures peaceful under heaven.
“What for?”
“Business trip!”
Yun Liu shot a look at the curious child, swept his sleeve, and left.
Everything in the Sea of Clouds was good, except there was never any peace wherever you went.
The red-clothed girl pouted and looked dejected.
In truth, she wanted to ask if she could go along.
She had walked the same path as Xiao Yun, becoming the fastest Outer Sect Disciple to advance in history, successfully reaching Foundation Establishment in half a year.
She never slacked in her studies and dared not stop moving forward for fear of falling behind.
Yet Yun Liu withdrew, remaining aloof.
The harder she tried to approach, the wider the gap between them became.
Was she working hard in the wrong direction?
Xiao Xinran muttered quietly.
Fortunately, she wasn’t the only victim; Aunt Yan also shared her plight.
The Chief of Tianxiang was truly pitiful—no exaggeration to say her family was shattered, her home destroyed, thanks to a yellow-haired troublemaker who even disturbed Jiquan.
Even Little Martial Aunt was no match, proving that those skilled in wrecking others’ homes were not to be underestimated.
And look at that vixen Ji Shiyu—when seduction failed, she recognized him as a father instead, clinging sweetly and shamelessly.
Even arch-nemesis Xiao Xinran had to admit, the Celestial Aristocratic Family played dirty.
Stepping onto her flying sword, Xiao Xinran carefully returned to her sect.
She had just learned Yu Jian Flight and dared not speed up for fear of falling from the sky.
She had no intention of becoming the first Shenhua Sect sword cultivator to die from a fall.
After Foundation Establishment, the Yun Manor’s spiritual foundation fed back to the sea of consciousness, strengthening the Divine Soul.
Cultivators could now begin to use divine sense to communicate with Artifacts, control spiritual items outside the body, and wield more intricate sword techniques.
This marked the greatest difference between Inner Disciples and Outer Disciples—the attack range and power of the Five Peaks Sword Canon in their hands increased dramatically, no longer confined to crude close combat.
Circling around Yun Peak Summit, Xiao Xinran looked down and, seeing no Ji barking in the spirit garden, felt relieved.
The yellow-haired one was rolling in the mud, shamelessly mixing into Happy Farm.
The evil woman crazily spent money in the street market and became the chief investor of the Money Guild.
They both had bright futures.
Meanwhile, the high disciple of Sunset Peak was working as a security guard at the entrance of Shanhai Pavilion, toiling away just for a rare chance to see the boss.
Even that was a special reward granted by the manager, who arranged for a beautiful Sword Guard to watch the door for her ex-husband.
Though, the boss didn’t seem to care.
As the Mountain Gate came into view, under the blazing sun, the light of the sky shone like scorching sword energy upon the world, illuminating the golden rooftops of the many halls, blazing like heavenly fire—a truly magnificent sight.
Compared to the red clouds of Evening Glow and the sea of Qingxia trees, it was another vast scene.
At the summit, several Auspicious Cloud Towers encircled the Red Cloud Hall.
On both sides, Dao Arenas and Sword Platforms stood tall among luxuriant trees, crowded with disciples.
Xiao Xinran wore a sullen expression as she walked toward the great hall, not hearing the greetings from passing senior brothers and sisters.
Earlier, elders from the family had visited Shenhua, bringing a Heaven-grade Foundation Establishment Pill and a Second-Grade Spirit Sword for Xiao Xinran, along with a family letter seeking audience with the East Extreme Pavilion Master.
A family letter shouldn’t be delivered to outsiders.
Now they wanted to reclaim the ideal son-in-law, which even the Miss Xiao found embarrassing.
Shenhua welcomed forces from all sides to settle in the Sea of Clouds, but flatly rejected all industries under the Xiao Family name.
There was no room for negotiation on Youyou’s side—whoever brought it up would be shut down.
Because of one sentence from Lady You, Newbie Village moved to the future Dynasty Southern Border CBD along with the Cultivator Association.
Mist City became deserted, buildings empty and silent.
It was obvious to Xiao Wang, with his commercial acumen, that Shanhai Pavilion was making big moves—such a large cake that could only be looked at but not eaten was no different from cutting off someone’s livelihood.
This so-called congratulatory gift felt more like an apology.
Compared to the spiritual vein given to beggars in the past, it was a hundred times more valuable, but how could Xiao Yun accept it?
Before it even reached the Bao Ta Top Pavilion, the Xiao family was turned away by a junior steward and driven off on the spot.
Xiao Wang was left regretful, and Xiao Mother felt remorse, often writing to urge her beloved daughter to draw closer to Yun Liu, hoping to rekindle old feelings.
Xiao Xinran didn’t have the face to speak about it, nor did she bother to care about the anxious elders of the clan.
The Three-Year Promise had left her angry not only at the yellow-haired one, but also at her own cold-hearted clansmen.
Once arrogant, now humble.
Worldly affairs are entangling and upsetting.
As Xiao Xinran reached the entrance of the Red Cloud Hall, a burly, rotund man came toward her, followed by several proud disciples.
The chief of Sunset Peak was named Tu Gou—a man whose name never changed whether standing or sitting, and from afar resembled a meatball wrapped in a flaming sword robe, tall and round.
Chief Tu stood with hands behind his back, wearing an unfriendly expression—or rather, perhaps never a friendly one.
He always looked like he was about to explode, as if everyone owed him money.
“Oh? Xinran, you’re back. Perfect timing—come with your master to the Dragon Subduing Hall and listen to what that old rascal has to say.”
Only when he saw his favorite disciple did Tu Gou show a satisfied smile, his little mustache trembling.
As the daughter of the Flame God, her talent was flawless.
Since joining, she had worked harder than any other disciple—even the headstrong chief of Sunset Peak couldn’t find a single fault.
Perhaps this was thanks to that ex-boyfriend who had silently protected her along the way.
The other disciples stifled their laughter, not daring to speak.
The “old rascal” referred to was, of course, the Grand Elder who nearly became the Little Martial Sister’s master, infamous for organizing public criticism meetings and turning Falling Cloud Peak into a marketplace.
Every visit meant listening to elders argue and pass the blame.
“Uh, Xinran’s qualifications are shallow. I’m afraid it wouldn’t be appropriate?”
Xiao Xinran was stunned, bowing in respect.
At her master’s side, even the weakest senior brother was at the upper Foundation Establishment stage.
At the Yunhai Peaks Conference, as a newly promoted young disciple, what right did she have to even attend?
“I said it’s appropriate, so it is!”
Tu Gou beckoned, denying Xiao Xinran any chance to refuse.
A surge of heat burst from his sleeve, and a ridiculously broad dragon-patterned sword carried the group straight toward the main peak.
A female sword cultivator spoke cheerfully.
“Don’t worry, Sister Xiao. It’s nothing bad—just a short meeting. If you’re lucky, you might even witness some drama and get to know disciples from other peaks.”
“Al-alright.”
Xiao Xinran nodded, sweating nervously.
She had barely set foot before following her friendly seniors once again.
Each of the Sea of Clouds Five Peaks had distinct characteristics: Tianxiang was the coldest, Sunset Peak the most passionate, and the Red Cloud Lineage the most united, sharing a common enemy.
Chief Tu Gou had a fiery temper and taught strictly, but aside from cultivation, he treated disciples generously and could not stand to see them suffer any grievance.
Xiao Xinran genuinely liked it here and didn’t regret joining Sunset Peak.
Falling Cloud Sect Gate was resplendent, and Dragon Subduing Hall even more so—majestic and glorious.
Within the hall, clouds swirled, sword plaques hung high in shining silver, every stroke bold and powerful—worthy of being the chief among the Shenhua Five Peaks.
It was her first time here, and Xiao Xinran was awestruck as she entered the great hall under the watchful gaze of Gold-Clad Disciples.