Chapter 7: You love her and i love her too. Aren’t we in the same group?

After all, she’s Huang Ao tian—the future Empress, not someone a dandy like Yun Zhonghe can just befriend because he wants to.

Only after reaching a certain level of favorability will Huang Ao tian accept his invitation to form a team.

“Young Master? Young Master!”

“Huh? Ah, sorry, I was lost in thought.”

Tao Jiu’er stood with her hands on her hips, eyebrows furrowed.

She clearly wasn’t happy.

She had been calling Yun Zhonghe for a while, but he hadn’t noticed her at all.

Is the young master really planning to turn over a new leaf?

Or is this just another passing whim?

At that moment, Yun Zhonghe noticed the exquisite wooden box Tao Jiu’er was holding.

The carvings on it were intricate and unmistakably the work of a master craftsman.

Yun Zhonghe asked, “Jiu’er-jie, what’s that you’re holding?”

Tao Jiu’er pouted.

“Madam gave this to me and ordered you to deliver it personally to Branch Leader Li of the Immortal Alliance.”

Yun Zhonghe suddenly understood.

This cultivation world didn’t consist of various immortal sects each controlling their own region, as traditionally portrayed.

Instead, there was a centralized official power—like the Heavenly Court of myth—known as the Immortal Alliance.

The Immortal Alliance had branches all across the continent, maintaining order everywhere.

Thanks to them, cases of cultivation clans oppressing commoners had decreased dramatically.
 
Even unaffiliated rogue cultivators had to be registered with the Alliance for supervision and to prevent major incidents.

Branch Leader Li was the head of the Immortal Alliance branch in Cangzhou City, an official powerhouse and a close friend of Yun Zhonghe’s mother.

Yun Zhonghe remembered that in the game, it was through this connection that he got a chance to join Xuanyuan Sect, one of the ten great sects.

Basically, it was nepotism.

Xuanyuan Sect was a top-tier sect, and only geniuses like Huang Ao tian or Lin Zhongyu—who had awakened the Golden Emperor’s Sacred Eyes—were usually qualified to join.

For someone like Yun Zhonghe, with average talent, it would’ve been nearly impossible without that connection.

According to the game’s storyline, if Yun Zhonghe hadn’t been perma-dead in Cangzhou, he would’ve joined Xuanyuan Sect and continued clinging to Huang Ao tian, trying to “ride her coattails” while repeatedly courting death.

Now, his mother asking him to deliver the gift to Branch Leader Li was clearly to pave the way for him to enter Xuanyuan Sect.

Originally, Yun Zhonghe had planned to “run away from the plot,” avoiding Xuanyuan Sect entirely.

But after gaining the Book of Prophecy, he realized that avoiding Huang Ao tian wouldn’t help.

Instead, joining Xuanyuan Sect would give him more opportunities to interact with the main cast and build up favorability.

So Yun Zhonghe immediately went to wash up.

“Give me a moment. Since I’m going to meet Branch Leader Li, I can’t go looking like a mess.”

Tao Jiu’er was stunned.

She hadn’t expected him to agree so quickly.

She had already prepared herself to drag him there kicking and screaming.

Could the young master really be changing for the better?

Yun Zhonghe changed into a luxurious robe with a black base and red and white accents.

He usually wore all black, which looked way too much like a villain.

If he wanted to break away from his “blond-haired villain” persona, the first step was to appear more righteous.

His golden hair was neatly styled and shiny—extremely eye-catching, constantly reminding others (and himself)of his blond-haired identity.

Yun Zhonghe truly wished he could dye it black, but his golden hair was a symbol of the Yun family’s top-tier gold spiritual root bloodline—the family’s pride.

Dyeing it black would be tantamount to betraying his ancestors.

His parents would beat him senseless.

Ah well, forget it.

After tidying up, he looked at himself in a polished mirror and felt that he looked much more like a decent person now.

After all, she’s Huang Ao tian—the future Empress, not someone a dandy like Yun Zhonghe can just befriend because he wants to.

Only after reaching a certain level of favorability will Huang Aotian accept his invitation to form a team.

“Young Master? Young Master!”

“Huh? Ah, sorry, I was lost in thought.”

Tao Jiu’er stood with her hands on her hips, eyebrows furrowed.

She clearly wasn’t happy.

She had been calling Yun Zhonghe for a while, but he hadn’t noticed her at all.

Is the young master really planning to turn over a new leaf?

Or is this just another passing whim?

At that moment, Yun Zhonghe noticed the exquisite wooden box Tao Jiu’er was holding.

The carvings on it were intricate and unmistakably the work of a master craftsman.

Yun Zhonghe asked, “Jiu’er-jie, what’s that you’re holding?”

Tao Jiu’er pouted.

“Madam gave this to me and ordered you to deliver it personally to Branch Leader Li of the Immortal Alliance.”

Yun Zhonghe suddenly understood.

This cultivation world didn’t consist of various immortal sects each controlling their own region, as traditionally portrayed.

Instead, there was a centralized official power—like the Heavenly Court of myth—known as the Immortal Alliance.

The Immortal Alliance had branches all across the continent, maintaining order everywhere.

Thanks to them, cases of cultivation clans oppressing commoners had decreased dramatically.
 
Even unaffiliated rogue cultivators had to be registered with the Alliance for supervision and to prevent major incidents.

Branch Leader Li was the head of the Immortal Alliance branch in Cangzhou City, an official powerhouse and a close friend of Yun Zhonghe’s mother.

Yun Zhonghe remembered that in the game, it was through this connection that he got a chance to join Xuanyuan Sect, one of the ten great sects.

Basically, it was nepotism. Xuanyuan Sect was a top-tier sect, and only geniuses like Huang Ao tian or Lin Zhongyu—who had awakened the Golden Emperor’s Sacred Eyes—were usually qualified to join.

For someone like Yun Zhonghe, with average talent, it would’ve been nearly impossible without that connection.

According to the game’s storyline, if Yun Zhonghe hadn’t been perma-dead in Cangzhou, he would’ve joined Xuanyuan Sect and continued clinging to Huang Ao tian, trying to “ride her coattails” while repeatedly courting death.

Now, his mother asking him to deliver the gift to Branch Leader Li was clearly to pave the way for him to enter Xuanyuan Sect.

Originally, Yun Zhonghe had planned to “run away from the plot,” avoiding Xuanyuan Sect entirely.

But after gaining the Book of Prophecy, he realized that avoiding Huang Ao tian wouldn’t help.

Instead, joining Xuanyuan Sect would give him more opportunities to interact with the main cast and build up favorability.

So Yun Zhonghe immediately went to wash up.

“Give me a moment. Since I’m going to meet Branch Leader Li, I can’t go looking like a mess.”

Tao Jiu’er was stunned.

She hadn’t expected him to agree so quickly.

She had already prepared herself to drag him there kicking and screaming.

Could the young master really be changing for the better?

Yun Zhonghe changed into a luxurious robe with a black base and red and white accents.

He usually wore all black, which looked way too much like a villain.

If he wanted to break away from his “blond-haired villain” persona, the first step was to appear more righteous.

His golden hair was neatly styled and shiny—extremely eye-catching, constantly reminding others (and himself) of his blond-haired identity.

Yun Zhonghe truly wished he could dye it black, but his golden hair was a symbol of the Yun family’s top-tier gold spiritual root bloodline—the family’s pride.

Dyeing it black would be tantamount to betraying his ancestors.

His parents would beat him senseless.

Ah well, forget it.

After tidying up, he looked at himself in a polished mirror and felt that he looked much more like a decent person now.

Once ready, Yun Zhonghe hurried to Tao Jiu’er’s side.

“Let’s go, Jiu’er-jie.”

Tao Jiu’er stared at him with her icy eyes, blinking a few times, clearly hesitating.

After a moment of silence, she couldn’t help but say: “Young Master, Branch Leader Li may be young and beautiful, but she’s still your mother’s close friend—and she already has a daughter around your age.”

Yun Zhonghe: “???”

What kind of person does she think I am?

Does she think I’m into older women?

Come on, I’m a pure-hearted virgin!

Yun Zhonghe didn’t respond to Tao Jiu’er’s jab.

After leaving the study, he had the servants prepare a carriage, and the two of them set off for the Immortal Alliance branch.

Though Cangzhou was a remote city, it wasn’t small.

Many noble families lived there, alongside countless ordinary people.

Apart from the lack of skyscrapers, it was no different from a modern metropolis.

Yun Zhonghe sat in the carriage, watching the bustling scenery pass by and sighed inwardly.

If it weren’t for this cursed blond-haired identity, I could’ve lived a peaceful, carefree life.

Now, he had to figure out how to increase Huang Ao tian’s favorability and become her good buddy.

But how on earth was he supposed to do that?

Tao Jiu’er sat across from him and seemed to sense his troubles.

“Young Master, is something bothering you? If you don’t mind, I can listen.”

Yun Zhonghe turned to look at her.

They’d grown up together and were used to each other’s presence.

Though he usually found her nagging annoying, she’d always be there without hesitation when he was truly in trouble.

He remembered that in the original plot, Tao Jiu’er didn’t get much screen time—mostly because Yun Zhonghe always got into trouble behind her back.

But from the small details mentioned, after Yun Zhonghe died from his “cuck play” gone wrong, Tao Jiu’er soon passed away from grief.

Thinking of this, Yun Zhonghe felt ashamed.

“I’m fine,” Yun Zhonghe shook his head.

“I’m not a kid anymore. I can handle some things on my own.”

Just as he finished speaking, he noticed a commotion outside.

“Hey, someone’s causing trouble at the Immortal Alliance office in East Street!”

“No way, who’s that bold?”

“Apparently, it’s that useless Miss Lin—she got into a fight with the officer there and challenged him to a public duel!”

“Ooh? Sounds juicy. Let’s go watch the drama!”

Because of his forced contract with the Book of Prophecy, Yun Zhonghe’s cultivation had been synced to Huang Ao tian’s level.

Now at the third stage of Foundation Establishment, all his senses had been enhanced—he could hear even the faintest whispers.

The conversation Yun Zhonghe just overheard immediately caught his attention—especially the part mentioning “that useless Miss Lin from the Lin family.”

That was practically a direct name-drop.

Lin Zhongyu?

Getting into a conflict with someone at the Immortal Alliance?

Is this… my chance?

Yun Zhonghe was thrilled.

Even though this wasn’t Huang Ao tian herself, helping someone close to her could definitely earn some favorability points, right?

At the very least, if he could get on good terms with Lin Zhongyu, maybe she’d be willing to put in a good word for him with Huang Ao tian.

You’re close with her.

I’m close with her.

Doesn’t that make us all friends?

That logic totally checked out!

With that thought, Yun Zhonghe didn’t hesitate for a second—he immediately urged the coachman to hurry toward the Immortal Alliance branch.

Once ready, Yun Zhonghe hurried to Tao Jiu’er’s side.

“Let’s go, Jiu’er-jie.”

Tao Jiu’er stared at him with her icy eyes, blinking a few times, clearly hesitating.

After a moment of silence, she couldn’t help but say: “Young Master, Branch Leader Li may be young and beautiful, but she’s still your mother’s close friend—and she already has a daughter around your age.”

Yun Zhonghe: “???”

What kind of person does she think I am?

Does she think I’m into older women?

Come on, I’m a pure-hearted virgin!

Yun Zhonghe didn’t respond to Tao Jiu’er’s jab.

After leaving the study, he had the servants prepare a carriage, and the two of them set off for the Immortal Alliance branch.

Though Cangzhou was a remote city, it wasn’t small.

Many noble families lived there, alongside countless ordinary people.

Apart from the lack of skyscrapers, it was no different from a modern metropolis.

Yun Zhonghe sat in the carriage, watching the bustling scenery pass by and sighed inwardly.

If it weren’t for this cursed blond-haired identity, I could’ve lived a peaceful, carefree life.

Now, he had to figure out how to increase Huang Ao tian’s favorability and become her good buddy.

But how on earth was he supposed to do that?

Tao Jiu’er sat across from him and seemed to sense his troubles.

“Young Master, is something bothering you? If you don’t mind, I can listen.”

Yun Zhonghe turned to look at her.

They’d grown up together and were used to each other’s presence.

Though he usually found her nagging annoying, she’d always be there without hesitation when he was truly in trouble.

He remembered that in the original plot, Tao Jiu’er didn’t get much screen time—mostly because Yun Zhonghe always got into trouble behind her back.

But from the small details mentioned, after Yun Zhonghe died from his “cuck play” gone wrong, Tao Jiu’er soon passed away from grief.

Thinking of this, Yun Zhonghe felt ashamed.

“I’m fine,” Yun Zhonghe shook his head.

“I’m not a kid anymore. I can handle some things on my own.”

Just as he finished speaking, he noticed a commotion outside.

“Hey, someone’s causing trouble at the Immortal Alliance office in East Street!”

“No way, who’s that bold?”

“Apparently, it’s that useless Miss Lin—she got into a fight with the officer there and challenged him to a public duel!”

“Ooh? Sounds juicy. Let’s go watch the drama!”

Because of his forced contract with the Book of Prophecy, Yun Zhonghe’s cultivation had been synced to Huang Ao tian’s level.

Now at the third stage of Foundation Establishment, all his senses had been enhanced—he could hear even the faintest whispers.

The conversation Yun Zhonghe just overheard immediately caught his attention—especially the part mentioning “that useless Miss Lin from the Lin family.”

That was practically a direct name-drop.

Lin Zhongyu?

Getting into a conflict with someone at the Immortal Alliance?

Is this… my chance?

Yun Zhonghe was thrilled.

Even though this wasn’t Huang Ao tian herself, helping someone close to her could definitely earn some favorability points, right?

At the very least, if he could get on good terms with Lin Zhongyu, maybe she’d be willing to put in a good word for him with Huang Ao tian.

You’re close with her.

I’m close with her.

Doesn’t that make us all friends?

That logic totally checked out!

With that thought, Yun Zhonghe didn’t hesitate for a second—he immediately urged the coachman to hurry toward the Immortal Alliance branch.