Chaoyun Sect's great crisis.
Above the High Heaven, a storm is gradually forming, with thunder and terrifying dark fissures slowly tearing through the space.
The sky is as black as spilled ink, with rolling clouds and fleeting arcs of lightning, resembling terrifying, hideous smiles.
But not everyone can see this scene.
"..."
Dreamed that many people don't like me?
Xu Chang'an was momentarily stunned.
"?"
Listening to Yun Qian's words, he idly twirled her long hair around his fingers, his fingertips unconsciously weaving through her strands, and said helplessly, "Miss, what kind of dreams have you been having these days?"
"I'm your wife." Yun Qian sat up straighter, back to Xu Chang'an, allowing him to tie her hair better, and said, "In theory, I should be unhappy."
"I'm not the currency, can't make everyone like me," Xu Chang'an said.
"What's currency?" Yun Qian tilted her head.
"Silver," Xu Chang'an laughed, "even if it's silver, not everyone likes it. Didn't we just meet a scholar earlier who viewed money as dirt?"
"I don't remember." Yun Qian shook her head; how could she remember such trivial matters?
Xu Chang'an thought Yun Qian's mindset was untenable, so he turned her around by her shoulder and said, "Miss, in the Chaoyun Sect, I'm just an ordinary disciple. I haven't made any significant contributions to the Sect, nor am I recognized, so why should I expect others to like me?"
But...
Xu Chang'an curled his lips.
Yun Qian saying this means she cares about him, and that made him happy.
Speaking of which, Yun Qian's long hair felt cool to the touch, the strands slipping through his fingers felt ticklish and comfortable, and Xu Chang'an couldn't help playing with it a few more times, whispering in Yun Qian's ear, "If you're unhappy about just a dream, then... there will be plenty of chances to be unhappy in the future. You mustn't think this way."
Xu Chang'an softly reminded Yun Qian not to be angry just because he was a steward in the Sect and to maintain a balanced mindset.
Yun Qian knew she shouldn't interfere too much in her husband's life or disturb his joys.
But as a wife, her husband is her face, and hitting Xu Chang'an's face is naturally hitting hers.
"Forget it, I'll listen to you." Yun Qian looked towards the Cloud Sea and the faintly visible magnificent mountain gate in the distance.
Thus, the terrifying lightning zone in the sky slowly dispersed, turning into a light smoke rain falling over the Chaoyun Sect.
"Miss, if you listen to me, remember to work hard on your cultivation," Xu Chang'an reminded her.
"I might not have a talent for cultivation," Yun Qian said, looking at her fair hands, "and I'm not good at fighting with others."
"It's a bit early to say whether you're talented or not. Cultivation in the Immortal Sect isn't like martial arts in the mortal world. Here, unique talents and varying forms are what matter," Xu Chang'an laughed, "It's like playing a game—melee, ranged, healing—there's always one that suits you."
"You always say things I don't understand," Yun Qian looked at him and shook her head.
"Ahem," Xu Chang'an cleared his throat and explained, "Besides, cultivation in the Chaoyun Sect isn't just about fighting. Those with gardening talents can tend to Spirit Grass and Spirit Fruits, living a peaceful life without the need for conflict."
"Farming?" Yun Qian blinked.
"Miss, farming can be quite interesting, like how I planted some things in the backyard myself," Xu Chang'an thought that as a Huaxia person, it might be something ingrained in his bones.
"Do you want me to go farming?"
"Just an analogy; it's too early to think about these things. Let's focus on raising your realm first."
"Hmm."
"Come closer," Xu Chang'an suddenly said.
Yun Qian complied without thinking.
Thus, Xu Chang'an gently lifted the strands of Yun Qian's hair that were caught in her collar.
Took a deep breath.
He wouldn't let Yun Qian study in the Sword Hall like he did back then.
Once Yun Qian's residence was settled, he planned to go to Muyu Peak and ask a senior sister to be Yun Qian's guide.
It must be understood that Chaoyun Sect is essentially an aggregation of various Sects.
So, newcomers from the mundane world are not well taken care of. Back then, with no one to guide him, he had to attend public Sword Hall lectures, using the Basic Technique's Breathing Technique to explore entry by himself.
Now, his Breathing Technique had reached the Sixth Layer, and his basic cultivation technique had taken shape. To find a mentor would have to be after reaching the Open Source Realm.
Actually, he shouldn't have had it this tough. It was because he ended up at Muyu Peak, and being a man, he wasn't welcomed by the ladies.
But now the attitude of Muyu Peak towards him is not the same as before.
For instance, he surprisingly had a talent for cultivation, easily managing Spirit Grass and Spirit Fruits with Spiritual Power, learning it all without a master.
Previously, someone even invited him to leave Muyu Peak for the Hundred Herbs Garden, but he refused. After all, even with average talent, learning swordsmanship is better than farming.
Yet, people from the Hundred Herbs Garden wouldn't give up, repeatedly bothering his cultivation.
Then several senior sisters from Muyu Peak took a visit, and soon the Garden gave up on such a 'good seed' for farming. When this reached Zhu Pingniang's ears, she gave him a Beauty Fruit seed to plant.
Xu Chang'an thought that now, asking an Inner Sect senior sister to be Yun Qian's guide... wasn't hard.
"An Inner Sect disciple as a guide... before, I wouldn't have dared to think," Xu Chang'an suddenly hugged his wife's waist and said, "I must collect some interest."
"What do you want to do?" Yun Qian felt Xu Chang'an's warm hand and wiggled her waist.
"Nothing," Xu Chang'an firmly embraced Yun Qian with a smile and said, "just that now I kinda have an affiliation."
Not like those major Sects such as Hehuan Sect, Profound Sword Bureau, or Fire Spirit Sect, but Muyu Peak counts as his affiliation.
If life wasn't manageable now, he couldn't bear to let Yun Qian suffer alongside him.
"We're here." Xu Chang'an saw the distant White Jade Platform, let go of Yun Qian's hand and stood up, then was stunned.
Distantly, Smoke Rain fell from the sky onto Chaoyun Sect's White Jade Platform, with a gentle breeze and drizzle, very poetic.
The dampness landed on his face with the wind, and Xu Chang'an felt it strange.
"Raining?"
Chaoyun Sect is spring all year round. Where would the rain come from?
You know, the clouds are below them.
"What's wrong?" Yun Qian asked.
"Nothing, maybe some Senior in the Sect had a breakthrough causing a celestial phenomenon, unrelated to us," Xu Chang'an used Spiritual Power to shield Yun Qian from the rain and stepped onto the empty, vast White Jade Cloud Platform first.
Before him, a huge stone stele stood, inscribed with two words by the supreme sword edge.
[Chaoyun]
"Miss, welcome to the Immortal Sect."
Xu Chang'an reached out his hand towards Yun Qian on the boat.
"Hmm."
Yun Qian took Xu Chang'an's hand to get off the boat, thinking those characters were not as pretty as his.