Lin Ya didn't think much of it, assuming it was just the kids playing around.
What he didn't realize was that after what Yun Jin had already accomplished with the Butian Pill, Yue Zhao and the others genuinely believed in her. How many people truly believed she could achieve the things she claimed she would, before she actually did?
And yet, one by one, she made them all happen.
Three months ago—
Tianjian Peak was suppressed to the point it could barely lift its head. Lin Ya was gravely injured and forced into long-term seclusion.
Yue Zhao was barely holding things together. Si Wanning and Yu Songnian had to hide their talents. Under such circumstances, the odds of change were nonexistent.
No matter how much Yue Zhao had done over the years, under the weight of absolute power, it was all for nothing.
That Grand Sect Assembly was meant to be their end.
But now—
Their master had recovered and grown even stronger.
They were all alive and thriving.
Meanwhile, Ruan Jun was dead, and Zhao Wuji's position as Sect Master was crumbling.
All of this change came because of Yun Jin.
And she had done it in just three months.
If she could accomplish so much in three months,
What about ten years?
With Xiao Jin's talent, who knew how terrifying her growth could become?
A Holy Land? Why not dream?
Why fear ambition?
They would dare to dream, and they would strive to reach it.
Otherwise, how could they face her decision to stay?
Night deepened, and Tianjian Peak soon quieted.
Yun Jin returned to her quarters. Gu Jinghong, Gun Gun, and Ye Cheng were already there waiting.
Gu Jinghong bowed his head respectfully and said softly, "Congratulations, Master."
His joy was genuine. When Yun Jin had faced Ruan Jun, he'd still harbored concern. But she had won cleanly and decisively.
After the sect assembly, Yun Jin had gone off to train with the elders, and Gu Jinghong hadn't found a chance to speak with her. When he heard they were leaving today, he brought Ye Cheng and Gun Gun early to wait.
"Master." Ye Cheng bowed formally. "I'm truly relieved to see you well."
Yun Jin glanced at her serious little disciple and smiled. "Ye Cheng, your progress in herb cultivation is impressive."
With the system, she could monitor his progress in real time.
She had to admit, Ye Cheng's talent in cultivation arts was exceptional. Combined with her occasional private instruction, his growth had been remarkable. He was close to reaching the third layer.
When that happened, Yun Jin could break through to the fourth.
To go even further, though, Ye Cheng's cultivation base would need to catch up. Reaching the fourth layer would likely require at least the Nascent Soul stage.
She was finally getting a bit of free time, and had already decided to start refining pills again. She would make several that increased spiritual power, which both she and Ye Cheng could use.
Ye Cheng's eyes lit up at her praise.
His master had been silently observing his cultivation all along.
Even when so busy, she still remembered him.
[+2 Bond Value.]
Yun Jin looked at the bond value nearing one hundred percent and chuckled quietly.
Ye Cheng really was too pure-hearted. If it weren't for the fact that neither Ma Hongyu nor she were the scheming type, he'd have been scammed out of everything long ago.
Gu Jinghong noticed Ye Cheng's gleeful expression and his face twitched slightly.
This Ye Cheng—what a pretender.
Was he trying to steal his master's affection?
Without showing any emotion, Gu Jinghong remarked, "I remember you planted a batch of Nightglow Grass, Ye Cheng. Isn't it especially attractive to insects at night?"
Ye Cheng immediately stiffened. "Master, I'll go tend to the spirit plants now."
Yun Jin nodded, and Ye Cheng left in a hurry.
A subtle smile curved Gu Jinghong's lips. He poured a cup of tea for Yun Jin and said, "Ye Cheng's heart is all about spirit plants."
"Not like mine, which is only for you, Master."
Yun Jin didn't catch the subtext. Calmly, she replied, "Such dedication will take him far."
She was genuinely pleased with this disciple.
Gu Jinghong: "..."
What had he done? Boosted Ye Cheng's favorability instead?
"Alright, you may leave too," Yun Jin said with a wave.
Gu Jinghong hadn't expected to be dismissed right after Ye Cheng. Though frustrated, he dared not show it.
"Gun Gun, come here," Yun Jin called, keeping him behind.
Gun Gun cast a smug glance at Gu Jinghong, then leapt into Yun Jin's arms.
Gu Jinghong silently went to stand outside.
Just wait. One day, he would be the most important one to Master.
Yun Jin cuddled Gun Gun for a while before smiling. "Gun Gun, I have good news."
Gun Gun's eyes sparkled. "Is it tasty?"
"Even better." Yun Jin grinned mysteriously.
Gun Gun's anticipation soared.
Better than food? What kind of heavenly joy could that be?
Yun Jin gently set Gun Gun aside and released the Phantom Fox Cat from her beast pouch.
The moment it saw Yun Jin, the Phantom Fox Cat curled up in her arms, completely at ease.
Yun Jin stroked its head with a smile. "Gun Gun, you've got a new companion. Surprised?"
Gun Gun stared in disbelief at the creature nestled in her arms.
In that moment,
He understood Gu Jinghong's pain.
His master...
Had gotten a new pet?
"Huan Huan, this is Gun Gun, also my spirit beast. From now on, you'll be companions. Be good to each other," Yun Jin said.
The Phantom Fox Cat lazily lifted its gaze and looked at Gun Gun with faint disdain.
Ugh… so filthy.
It had no interest in such a companion.
It huffed and turned its head away, full of arrogance.
Gun Gun immediately stomped in frustration.
What did that "hmph" mean?
Was this mutt challenging him?
He bared his teeth and lunged at the Phantom Fox Cat.
The cat didn't respond at first. But as Gun Gun lunged for Yun Jin's lap, it raised a paw and swiped.
Gun Gun was furious now.
The two spirit beasts squared off, then "communicated" in their own way and rolled out the door together.
Yun Jin blinked, then followed.
The two were already locked in combat.
Both were at Foundation Establishment stage, but the Phantom Fox Cat's cultivation was slightly higher.
Liu Li had raised it for a while, and its skill set was finely tuned.
Gun Gun, on the other hand, had been nurtured by Yun Jin herself. Though its number of skills was lower, they were totally overpowered.
The battle was surprisingly intense.
Amid the chaos, sand and stones flying, Gun Gun finally pinned the Phantom Fox Cat under his paw.
Though outclassed in raw cultivation, his skill level tipped the scale.
"From now on, I'm the boss! Call me Big Bro, got it?" Gun Gun barked like a little tyrant.
The Phantom Fox Cat was disgruntled but couldn't deny its loss. It let out a low, reluctant meow.
Gun Gun finally grinned in satisfaction.
No matter how many new pets Master brought home,
He, Gun Gun, would always be number one.
===
"幻" (Huan) evokes mystery, illusion, and grace, fitting for a creature that's part phantom, part fox, and part cat.
Given the creature's jade-colored fur, sapphire eyes, and white coat, there's a dreamy, elegant quality to it. It feels like something conjured from a fantasy.
Naming it "Huan Huan" gives it a warm, affectionate tone—like calling a puppy "Snowy" or "Fluffy," but with a mystical flair.