“Auntie!”
“Aww!”
Qi Miaohan’s heart melted as she scooped up Xuan’er’s little girl, her face beaming with joy. The toddler was already a year and a half old; she recognized Qi Miaohan now and had learned to call her ‘Auntie.’
“Mama?”
Qi Miaohan patted her head. Regardless of whether the child could actually understand, she offered a forceful explanation: “Your mother is in seclusion to advance her cultivation. Once she succeeds, she’ll be able to stay with you for much longer! For now, Auntie will take care of you.”
The little girl seemed to only half-understand, but she grasped the concept that her mother would eventually return, so she nodded her head contentedly.
“Clearly, it’s Du Zhi who is doing the actual caretaking. You’re just seizing every opportunity to rub your face against hers,” Nie Shiyun pointed out ruthlessly from where he sat nearby.
“Mind your own business!” Qi Miaohan snapped back irritably.
Zhai Bairong, who had said nothing and was merely sitting beside Nie Shiyun sipping tea, was caught in the crossfire but did not bother to argue. He had long since grown accustomed to the harmonious, if bickering, atmosphere between them.
After a period of physical recovery, Qi Xuan’er had looked at her adorable daughter and finally seemed to have an epiphany, deciding to advance to the Golden Core stage. Nie Shiyun and the others surmised that becoming a mother had given her a sense of responsibility—a desire to accompany her husband and child further along the path of cultivation. With this as a catalyst, her cultivation, which had been stagnant for some time, finally began to stir.
All in all, it was a wonderful development.
Though Qi Xuan’er usually appeared indecisive, she was resolute when it came to serious matters. Since Qi Miaohan happened to be present, she felt at ease leaving her year-old child in the care of her trusted friends and entered seclusion alone. On her side of the sect, Nie Xing’an and Nie Li were acting as her protectors, so Nie Shiyun and the others weren't worried. In their spare time between cultivation sessions, they would occasionally gather like this to drink tea and play with Xuan’er’s child. It was a truly idyllic, leisurely existence.
Hearing the laughter and chatter of the people inside the house, Xuan Yang, who was perched on the roof in his beast form, felt nothing but irritation.
That fellow Nie Shiyun had claimed that Xuan Yang’s current rate of advancement was too conspicuous for his age. Consequently, aside from occasional cultivation sessions to consolidate his power, Xuan Yang’s life in the back mountains was utterly mind-numbing. When Nie Shiyun and the others weren't around, he was the only bird on the entire mountain, lonely as could be. But when they were around, they were constantly being affectionate with one another, a sight that made Xuan Yang’s blood boil with frustration.
If he were an ordinary crow demonic beast, his human form would likely look like a full-grown adult by now. Unfortunately, the more powerful and long-lived a demonic race was, the slower they grew. Xuan Yang thought about how he still looked like a boy in his early teens in the mirror and felt instantly dejected.
Even if he hadn't been abandoned by his biological parents, Xuan Yang thought about the murder of crows and then about those arrogant phoenixes; as a half-blood, he wouldn't fit in with either side.
“Hmph. Her hair is so thin and sparse, she’s not cute at all,” Xuan Yang muttered to himself, catching a glimpse of the little girl being doted on by the group inside.
If men could bear children, Nie Shiyun and Zhai Bairong would surely have had one by now—just like that little human girl being held inside. Thinking of this, Xuan Yang felt a strange, sour taste in his heart for reasons he couldn't quite name.
Recently, as his cultivation progressed, Xuan Yang’s beast form had grown increasingly massive. His tail feathers had become much longer and broader; though he was pitch-black all over, a closer look revealed a magnificent, eye-catching luster. He didn't dare go to crowded places in his beast form, so he could only occasionally fly to the front mountains to mingle with the other birds.
The more Xuan Yang thought, the more frustrated he became.
Spreading his wings, Xuan Yang left the flock of mindless, unintelligent birds and returned to the back mountains alone.
Six months ago, Xuan Yang had contemplated running away from home. But once he returned to Yunqing Pavilion, he fell into a cycle of eating and sleeping, quickly pushing the idea to the back of his mind.
Now, some sensitive nerve had been touched again, and Xuan Yang, filled with a cocktail of emotions, remembered his plan!
*Anyway, nobody needs me! I might as well run away!*
No sooner said than done. Xuan Yang rummaged through his things, stuffing the pills and clothes stored in his room into his storage ring. Still feeling indignant, he even sneaked into Nie Shiyun’s room to scavenge a bit more. Finally, he left a note that read: “I am going out to gain experience on my own. Don’t miss me! And don’t you dare come looking for me!” Then, transforming into his beast form, he spread his wings and soared away from Yunqing Pavilion.
When Nie Shiyun and Zhai Bairong returned to the room later that evening, they initially thought they had been robbed when they didn't see Xuan Yang. However, it was unlikely a thief could infiltrate the dwelling of a Nascent Soul cultivator. It was only when they spotted the ugly, crooked handwriting unique to Xuan Yang on the desk, along with his discarded communication crystal, that the truth dawned on them.
“Can you sense him?” Zhai Bairong asked.
Nie Shiyun tried and then shook his head. Xuan Yang had been flying for who knows how long, and it was unclear if he had stopped to rest. He had already moved beyond the range of the contract’s perception.
“He’s over twenty years old now. Come to think of it, he really hasn't ever gone out on his own. Perhaps letting him go out and gain some experience isn't a bad thing.”
Zhai Bairong frowned. “It’s precisely because he hasn't gone out on his own for over twenty years that I’m worried.”
Seeing that Zhai Bairong was even more nervous than he was, Nie Shiyun said, “I told you, he’s in his puberty phase! You can’t provoke kids at this stage, or they’ll just rebel harder. Don’t worry; if he encounters real danger, I’ll feel it through the bond.”
“His cultivation isn't low, but he does have phoenix blood. If he’s accidentally discovered by a major sect, things will get out of hand,” Zhai Bairong fretted. He wasn't just worried about Xuan Yang, but also about the position it would put Nie Shiyun and Yunqing Pavilion in.
With the fragments of the immortal tool and the ancient records still in their possession, Nie Shiyun had always maintained a low profile. He didn't want everything to go to waste because of an accident.
Nie Shiyun pondered for a moment. Recalling Xuan Yang’s unreliable personality, he became less certain. “But he has to become independent eventually... Sigh, let me think on it some more.”
The sky is high and the birds fly free. Having run away on impulse, Xuan Yang had no destination in mind. He only thought about flying as far as possible. It wasn't until dusk began to fall that he realized Nie Shiyun and the others really hadn't chased after him. Xuan Yang’s heart throbbed with excitement. This was the first time since he hatched from his egg that he was truly traveling far on his own!
He had heard many stories of people "running away" only to be forced back by reality in a pathetic state. Xuan Yang had brought plenty of spirit stones with him; he was quite wealthy. He figured that even if he didn't find some grand opportunity or heavenly treasure, he had to stay out for at least a few years. Otherwise, returning empty-handed would be too embarrassing.
Settling down in a town he couldn't even name, Xuan Yang looked around, feeling a slight tremor of newcomer’s nerves.
However, the moment he spotted a restaurant, all his worries were tossed to the wind. Regardless of anything else, he had to have a feast first!
Xuan Yang hadn't appeared before the public in a long time, and since this place was far from the vicinity of Yunqing Pavilion, no one recognized his face.
Even so, a handsome youth with Golden Core cultivation was bound to attract attention.
With his glossy black hair, exquisite features, and an aura of nobility, onlookers could tell at a glance that he was no ordinary person. Yet, no one had heard of such a figure in recent years. Could he be a genius quietly nurtured by some sect?
“Which sect does this young senior belong to?”
“I’ve never heard of him. Could he be a rogue cultivator?”
As soon as Xuan Yang entered the restaurant, he heard many whispers.
He had already suppressed his cultivation to the early Golden Core stage, but he hadn't expected to be so conspicuous. Xuan Yang felt a bit uneasy, but since he had already shown himself, it would be awkward to suppress his cultivation further. He could only endure the curious and envious gazes of the crowd as he followed the waiter into a private room.
Xuan Yang regretted his choice; he should have taken a Disguise Pill before entering the city. He decided he would start doing that tomorrow. He was anxious about whether he would be recognized and then dragged back by Nie Shiyun, ending his runaway journey in a single day. His anxiety was so great that his appetite was only half of what it usually was.
“...”
“That young senior who just went into the private room... he was alone, right?”
“T-That is indeed the case.”
Even though he had reduced his intake by half, the cultivators sitting in the main hall were still shocked by the sheer volume of food the waiters were carrying upstairs.
Cultivators generally didn't need to eat after taking Inedia Pills. Most came to restaurants just to drink, chat, or satisfy a craving for flavor. They had never seen someone sit down for a serious, massive feast like this. It was certainly an eye-opening experience.
“Ah, hello! Is it just for one, Senior? The main hall or a private room?”
“The main hall is fine.”
“Right away. This way, please.”
The waiter at the door greeted a new guest and hurried to lead them in. Their small-town restaurant was truly bustling today; business hadn't been this good in a long time. There were no secret realms opening nearby recently, nor were there any major sect movements. What was going on?
“Excuse me, guest. Coming through! Sorry about that!”
A waiter carrying three plates in one hand didn't have the luxury of looking ahead and had to ask people to step aside.
Shen Yan, who happened to be passing through and had decided to stop for some spiritual wine, turned around. Seeing the waiter’s exaggerated balancing act, he quickly moved two steps to the side.
“Big business today!” the waiter chirped happily.
Shen Yan wasn't the type to chat with waiters. He silently followed the lead to a seat. Ordering a jar of spiritual wine and a few side dishes, he began to drink in solitude.
Soon, the waiter from before came back downstairs, only to head back up again with another armload of dishes.
*Business really is good,* Shen Yan thought to himself.
Since taking his revenge, Shen Yan had been hunted by Soul-Summoning Valley for nearly ten years. However, as the internal power dynamics of the Valley shifted and changed, those people eventually gave up. Shen Yan’s ability to flee was beyond their reach; he was as slippery as a loach! For ten years, Soul-Summoning Valley had wasted manpower and time; several times they knew exactly where he was, yet they simply couldn't catch him.
Having grown used to drifting, Shen Yan hadn't looked for a place to settle down, nor did he try to join another sect. He simply wandered the cultivation world. When he found a suitable temporary cave dwelling, he would stay and cultivate for a while. Very occasionally, he would visit Yunqing Pavilion to ask Nie Shiyun to repair his Soul-Summoning Banner and catch up. Their friendship remained as light and clear as water.
Nie Shiyun had actually asked him if he was interested in becoming a nominal disciple of Yunqing Pavilion, but Shen Yan had declined. He could no longer get used to a communal life with many people. Wandering like this was quite nice—like a lonely ghost, which suited his path of soul-summoning perfectly, didn't it?
“That youth is so handsome. I wonder if he has a cultivation partner...”
“Wake up! You’re practically an old crone already!”
Two beautiful women at the next table, likely demonic cultivators, were giggling. Even though Shen Yan didn't want to listen, their words drifted into his ears. From the surrounding discussions, it seemed a Golden Core cultivator who looked only in his teens had gone upstairs to a private room. He was exceptionally good-looking and ate a staggering amount.
The description sounded vaguely familiar at first, but Shen Yan didn't think much of it. He felt the surrounding cultivators were being a bit making a fuss over nothing. The cultivation world was full of talent; a teenage Golden Core cultivator wasn't exactly a myth. It was also possible the person was a senior with much higher cultivation who had transformed into a youth on a whim and suppressed their aura. In such cases, only a fool would go poking around.
Shen Yan didn't take it to heart, turning his attention back to the fragrant spiritual wine before him.
