Chapter 106: Official Announcement?

Xiao Xinran rolled her eyes repeatedly.

So the so-called Five Peaks actually only has four people, huh? With Tianxiang Peak almost completely stolen by Huangmao, it might as well be abolished.

She sighed.

“Forget it, fine, whatever. You can be my follower, but don’t embarrass the royal family!”

Jing Tan’er rubbed her forehead, not lacking in magnanimity.

She simply treated the Shenhua Sect representatives as part of the Royal Guard—just with a few extra clueless little maids.

Nini and Lu’er also nodded.

There was nothing to say to these uncouth rural peasants.

With another wave of her hand, the Princess gave the order.

The three-member villainess group left the Mountain Gate and headed down the boardwalk.

On either side of the Cloud Chariot, a long-legged girl stood with a follower each—one scattering flowers, one fanning.

“Who wants to be your follower!”

Xiao Princess’s extravagant act made Ji Shiyu laugh.

She didn’t really get it, but she was thoroughly shocked.

Ji Shiyu was giggling foolishly, but as she took two steps closer to Xiao Xinran, the red-clad girl bristled and stepped back, hand already on her sword hilt, eyes fierce.

“Don’t come near me!”

Little Huangmao pouted, only able to seek comfort from the Lady Boss.

“Hehe, you two are still getting along so well, full of energy early in the morning. Since it’s getting late, let’s go too.”

“Who’s getting along with her!?”

Xiao Xinran ground her teeth lightly, wishing Huangmao would choke on food or water.

Qin Yao patted Ji Shiyu’s head, stepped out of the Mountain Gate, and flew through the air on her sword.

The Royal Guard set out in turn.

Xiao Xinran waved farewell to the stooped old man at the entrance of the Illusion Pavilion, muttering sword formulas as she followed Qin Sister.

“W-wait for me!”

The Seven-Star Sword left its sheath.

Ji Shiyu was just about to take off, but halfway there, she turned back and bowed deeply toward the Illusion Pavilion, flustered.

This old grandpa was her Sword Dao professional course instructor.

Though he only had her as a disciple and didn’t seem to have any particular skills, he was still a First Peak elder.

The dignified Sword Dao leader of the Heavenly Concord Alliance had been reduced by a yellow-haired girl to a gym coach, muddling through each lesson.

If the Grand Elder knew, he’d probably sweat in shame.

This Destined Fortune was begged from the Celestial Aristocratic Family by Vice Sect Leader Xun, okay?

Most people weren’t even qualified to meet Shen Zhong.

The rare Formless Spiritual Root was best entrusted to Sect Leader Senior Brother, and taking him as a master was actually a waste.

The Sweep Old Man nodded slightly, smiling wordlessly.

The growth of these two extraordinary girls since entering the sect hadn’t escaped his eyes.

But as for calling them saviors of the Shenhua Sect, they were still far from qualified.

In the entire Misty Realm and Nine Provinces, what was least lacking were geniuses.

Looking instead at that little Yun Clan brat who left the sect to strike out on his own—he seemed to be playing a much bigger game.

He’d underestimated him.

Perhaps that was the real cure for saving the Sea of Clouds from disaster.

“A thousand-mile steed is common, but a true judge is hard to find.”

The most obvious example was Jing Tan’er.

Previously, Shen Zhong hadn’t thought highly of the Royal Family’s Little Princess—her talent was good, but her hostility was too strong.

But ever since Yun Liu got involved, her flamboyant personality had calmed down, and she settled into focused cultivation.

Her fortune even surpassed the two proud daughters of heaven.

If it’s this child, maybe she really could heal Yan Bingling?

Now that would truly benefit Shenhua!

***

Once off the Cloud Sea Boardwalk, the group headed for Tingyun County Prefecture, the Royal Guard crossing mountains.

After Foundation Establishment, the mortal body was left behind.

The girls formally stepped into the cultivation world, no longer needing to run everywhere on foot.

The Cloud Chariot wasn’t some powerful spiritual artifact, but it was still a noble’s luxury vehicle, spirit stone powered—far more comfortable than the kites used to shuttle between the Five Peaks.

This road was so familiar to Jing Tan’er it was as if she’d returned to the city after a countryside inspection—yet her mind was elsewhere.

After that night, Yun Liu seemed to vanish into thin air, almost as if avoiding her.

Jing Tan’er could only fume inwardly, walking the road home alone, feeling down without her Prince Consort.

Damn it, she had even wanted to make it official this time she returned.……

Without that oily guy around, Ji Shiyu also felt uneasy, like when she first arrived. Something important was missing, making it hard to relax.

Qin Yao, on the other hand, was calm, only wishing to reunite with Younger Brother Yun as soon as possible.

One was the Shanhai Pavilion’s representative, the other the face of the Sword Sect of Cloud Sea—different paths, same goal.

At a quarter past noon, four streams of light streaked across the sky, landing atop Chenglin City unimpeded.

In the East Pole Province, the Shenhua Sect Sword Emblem served as a pass—very effective.

This was the dynasty’s largest main city in the south.

Traveling by sword even took several hours, and from afar the four could see several massive ships floating at the sky port.

Tinglin County bustled with cultivators and travelers, the streets lively and crowded.

The cloud robes of Shenhua Sect disciples were easy to recognize.

Spotting a few beautiful Cloudsea Fairies, the commoners looked on in awe, patrol guards bowing their heads in respect.

Ji Shiyu looked around, her first time traveling the mortal world of the East Province.

Unfamiliar with the local customs, she felt the southern counties were far more prosperous than Mist City’s Newbie Village.

So what kind of splendor would the so-called Zhusheng Capital possess?

“When you’re off the mountain, don’t just wave and grin at people. Hey, do you remember the etiquette lessons from sword cultivator class? The sect’s reputation aside, at least don’t embarrass your parents. There are still a lot of Xing Shu’s old friends here who recognize you!”

“I know, I know!”

Aotian Mama nagged in Ji Shiyu’s ear, but it went in one and out the other.

The four walked down the main street.

The sect’s rookie squad looked more like a Jueyun Peak team-building event, led by Secretary Sister.

At the front was the No.1 freeloader in the herb garden, the Chief of Pavilion’s dearest little darling, beside her a sword-hugging, cold-faced girl—Shanhai Pavilion’s security, Gate Guard Xiao, and the most troublesome romantic Princess for the family tutors.

Novelty filled the county prefecture. Most trinkets were ornamental items useless to cultivators, quite different from the Shenhua Pavilion.

The golden-haired girl was entranced, flitting through the alleys like a butterfly, sometimes drawn by gold and silver jewelry, sometimes lured by the aroma of food. Soon her stomach was rumbling.

“Mmm.”

Ji Shiyu was used to home-cooked living. When mealtime arrived, she’d reflexively show up at Shanhai Pavilion with a bowl in hand.

It was a conditioned response.

The moment she felt hungry, Yun Liu’s image would pop into her head.

Fortunately, she was prepared this time—trainees brought their own rations when leaving the mountain!

Walking along, the golden-haired girl pulled out a Jueyun Peak specialty—a sweet, tempting snack. Just a whiff lifted her spirits.

“Xinran, are you hungry?”

“Don’t bother.”

“How about you, Qin Sister?”

“No, thank you.”

Qin Yao smiled and shook her head.

After reaching the Core Formation stage, she focused on internal cultivation, her spiritual body nearing the point of fasting.

Unless it was food from Younger Brother Yun~

Despite saying this, Ji Shiyu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

If she really had to share her treasured bento, she’d have been reluctant!

Nini and Lu’er swallowed, hesitating.

They’d all tasted the Prince Consort’s cooking.

If culinary arts had rankings, he’d be a Heavenly Chef, outshining even the imperial kitchen.

The immortal meals sold by the Senior Sisters of Rosy Fragrance Pavilion were all recipes Yun Liu had taught them.

Every mealtime they sold out in a flash. Sighing Peak disciples who were slow couldn’t even get a sip of tea.