The place where Chu Yin found himself was a room styled in classical fashion—simple and clean, with few furnishings.
He sat in a chair, observing his surroundings while pondering his next move.
How could he get close to Madam Chunhan and confirm whether she had any connection to Aunt Wen?
Of course, the most important thing was cultivation—to bring strength back into reality.
Otherwise, facing Evolved Humans and the Ability Guild, he was far too powerless…
Suddenly, his mind wavered, as if he had “merged” into this dream, no longer a bystander standing on the shore watching the world.
Interpersonal relationships, cultivation methods, the people and affairs of Luoshui City… many memories surfaced in his consciousness, as if he had always lived here.
“Chu Yin, why are you still daydreaming in your room? It’s time to see off Senior Brother and the others.”
Several fellow disciples from Luoshui City ran to the window, waving and urgently calling Chu Yin to set off with them toward the city gate to bid farewell to their Senior Brothers.
“Good thing you reminded me. I lost track of time. Let’s hurry.”
Chu Yin feigned a sudden realization, slapped his forehead in self-reproach, and quickly followed their pace out the door.
At the city gate, two Senior Brothers from Luoshui City were preparing to leave, accompanied by seven or eight Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters who had come to see them off.
They were not heading out on a mission but leaving Luoshui City to seek better prospects elsewhere.
This had become the norm recently.
Ever since the eldest Senior Brother and his group failed to seize the position of City Lord and left, the hearts within Luoshui City wavered, and many disciples followed suit.
Madam Chunhan simply allowed these disciples who harbored disloyalty to depart without pursuing the matter, treating it as a sort of “blood purging.”
The two Senior Brothers stood by their carriage, speaking quietly to the Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters:
“We’re going ahead to Baixing City to scout. If it’s stable there, we’ll come back to help you transfer. Remember to say we recommended you!”
“Baixing City is expanding and recruiting talents. Referrals will earn contributions. Recruit twenty people, and you can exchange for Inner Sect Techniques!”
Inner Sect Techniques obtained by recruiting people?
The faction you’re joining doesn’t sound very legitimate.
Could it be some kind of pyramid scheme?
Chu Yin muttered skeptically, but caught the gaze of one Senior Brother and quickly masked his expression.
“Junior Brother Chu, you’re wasting your talents staying in Luoshui City. The world is vast and full of opportunities. Why not come roam with us?”
This doesn’t sound like roaming; it sounds more like going to be cannon fodder.
At least in Luoshui City, I have a stable environment for cultivation, and I can bring strength back from the dream.
I won’t recklessly follow you.
Besides, if I let you Senior Brothers leave, then wouldn’t that make me the ‘Senior Brother’ of Luoshui City?
Maybe then I’ll get to try out the core techniques and cultivation herbs!
“I’m staying. You two Senior Brothers should hurry on,” Chu Yin shook his head.
“You’re so stubborn! You’re just wasting your own…”
The two Senior Brothers looked frustrated, eager to persuade him and get his referral.
Suddenly, they noticed Madam Chunhan’s figure appearing nearby and immediately stopped speaking, boarding the carriage and leaving quickly.
The remaining Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters noticed the strange reaction from their Senior Brothers, looked back, and met Madam Chunhan’s cold gaze.
They immediately shrank their necks, bowed politely, and hurried away.
Chu Yin didn’t understand what had just happened and stood frozen in place until a woman’s teasing voice came from behind:
“All the figures have vanished, and you’re still staring here. Chu Yin, if you’re so reluctant to part with those two Senior Brothers, why don’t you leave with them?”
His instinct recognized the speaker as Madam Chunhan.
He had been fretting about how to get in touch with Madam Chunhan, and now she appeared on her own.
Turning around, Chu Yin was stunned.
Before him stood a graceful beauty dressed in elegant attire, her features refined, her figure voluptuous and alluring, her full bosom rising in a majestic curve, radiating a mature charm.
Her demeanor carried a faint air of authority, forbidding disrespect or overstepping—a presence only someone in power would exude.
The name “Chunhan” alone was one thing, but to have a woman matching Aunt Wen’s appearance and figure?!
In reality, Chu Yin hadn’t seen his guardian Wen Chunhan for an entire summer vacation.
Unexpectedly, he was meeting her first in this dream.
Could it be that Aunt Wen was “connecting” through the dream from home?
No.
Madam Chunhan’s gaze was different from Aunt Wen’s gentle warmth.
This was not Aunt Wen.
If it were Aunt Wen, she would have already come forward to embrace him, not just stare coldly.
It must be a strange coincidence in the dream.
Knowing nothing about this dream, Chu Yin decided not to waste his thoughts on it and focused entirely on his goal: cultivation and bringing strength back to reality.
He bowed deeply with the respect of a disciple and responded firmly:
“Madam Chunhan, you misunderstand. I was born in Luoshui City, and when I die, I will be its ghost. I have absolutely no intention of leaving!”
The beauty’s brows furrowed in doubt.
She had expected Chu Yin to be one of the disciples soon to leave.
Why such an unexpected reaction?
At this moment, there was no need for pretenses.
“Then why were you distracted looking at their figures just now?” Madam Chunhan asked, her tone slightly softer.
Chu Yin met her gaze without avoidance and said frankly:
“I was momentarily distracted because I was shocked and disappointed. I never expected those two Senior Brothers to betray the sect. Luoshui City has given everyone the chance to cultivate and grow, yet they fled at the first sign of trouble…”
“I can’t imagine that they were once my comrades who lived and trained alongside me. I looked up to them, but I was blind!”
He left it at that, not wanting to seem overly dramatic.
Though a bit theatrical, it was also the emotional resonance drawn from the memories.
The “Chu Yin” within the dream had regarded Luoshui City as home since Madam Chunhan took him in, with no thought of leaving.
Madam Chunhan stared at him in surprise, searching for any sign of insincerity but found this young man seemed genuine…
Her expression became complicated.
She took out a Recommendation Letter and said:
“Actually, even if Luoshui City hadn’t suffered these recent upheavals, I planned to have you leave. Your talent lies in Destiny Divination, which doesn’t align with Luoshui City’s cultivation methods. You shouldn’t be confined here. Take this letter and try your luck.”
“Madam Chunhan, don’t test me. I’m not leaving.” Chu Yin pushed the letter back without a glance.
Loyalty!
“…This is really not a test.”
“Even if Madam Chunhan tries to send me away, I’ll cling to Luoshui City!”
“…”
Madam Chunhan fell silent, surprised but strangely eased.
She had been in a bad mood after seeing those two disciples leave, but Chu Yin’s unexpected attitude amused her.
In this decline-ridden Luoshui City, with shaken hearts and wings growing, disciples gradually departing, how was there still such a loyal and honest boy?
“Why are you so unwilling to leave? What’s your reason…” Madam Chunhan asked seriously, genuinely curious.
“Madam Chunhan, if you hadn’t taken me in all those years ago, I would have starved on the streets. Staying to repay your kindness is the right thing; leaving would need a reason.”
After speaking, to show the sincerity of his gratitude, Chu Yin knelt down by the graceful beauty’s skirt in a deep bow.
If it were anyone else, he would never have done such a thing, but facing Aunt Wen’s face, his heart harbored no resistance.
After the tragedy of his parents and his stepsister absconding with the family fortune, Chu Yin felt his life sinking into a cold, gray sea of despair.
It was Aunt Wen’s timely appearance that gave him a hug and support, pulling him back into a warm world.
“You—you, get up first… I never meant to send you away.”
The dignified beauty was flustered by Chu Yin’s sudden attitude.
She bent down and helped him up, her jade-like hands gently brushing dust from his clothes.
Chu Yin lowered his head in shame and continued:
“I know I’m not qualified to join the Inner Sect, nor do I greedily seek to become a personal disciple, but I hope Madam Chunhan can tell me…”
“How should I cultivate? Which method should I practice to be of help to you? I’m willing to relieve your worries and difficulties—I don’t want to see you troubled by Luoshui City’s predicament anymore!”