Nie Shiyun and Zhai Bairong did not linger in the Middle Layer for long. Conducting business there invariably involved the local authorities and professional certifications; fearing they might be recognized, they had spent their immortal crystals without earning any back, making their daily affairs quite inconvenient. When the next immortal ship was set to depart, the two bid farewell to Madame Shang and headed together toward the Upper Layer.
In the Upper Layer, Xuan Yang and Shen Yan had heard that the two would be docking soon and arrived early to wait nearby.
"Say, do you think that so-called father of mine is stalking us right now? The moment Nie Shiyun shows his face, he’ll probably step out and grind him to dust..." Xuan Yang’s brow was furrowed, his expression deeply troubled.
"Can't you say something auspicious for once?" Shen Yan shot him a look. Seeing that he was truly anxious, he added dryly, "I doubt the Phoenix Emperor is so idle that he has time to follow you every single day."
"He’d better not be." Xuan Yang’s expression remained strained, clearly still haunted by the memory of his private life being eavesdropped upon.
"Oh, they’re here. Stop eating, let’s go." Shen Yan and Xuan Yang had been sitting by the second-floor window of a tavern near the port. Catching a glimpse of the immortal ship breaking through the clouds as it slowly approached the town, Shen Yan nudged Xuan Yang.
"Mmph..." Xuan Yang wolfed down the last of his food, and the two quickly settled the bill before departing.
Knowing that Nie Shiyun and Zhai Bairong were coming, Xuan Yang and Shen Yan had stopped wandering and instead stayed near a human-populated town to focus on their cultivation. This way, they would at least have some modicum of confidence when it came time to return to the Phoenix Clan.
There were many cultivators traveling between the Middle and Upper Layers, most of them busy with sect or family business, moving with hurried steps. Among this crowd, Nie Shiyun—visiting the Upper Layer for the first time and making no effort to hide his curiosity as he looked around—was particularly conspicuous.
"Senior Nie, Senior Zhai, it has been a long time," Shen Yan stepped forward and greeted them calmly.
"Long time no see. Has everything been well?"
"You look a bit more spirited than before!"
Zhai Bairong and Nie Shiyun responded one after the other.
"...Didn't I tell you guys not to come?" Xuan Yang looked at them, only speaking after a long pause with a reluctant tone.
Shen Yan glanced at him silently. He had clearly looked excited just moments ago in the tavern.
Nie Shiyun turned to look at him and smiled. "Your own father wants to see me; how could I be so rude as to decline the invitation?"
At the mention of the Phoenix Emperor, Xuan Yang’s face immediately soured. He let out a small "tsk" under his breath. "I really hate to say this, but his cultivation is truly high! Don't go looking for death..."
Nie Shiyun laughed heartily. "Am I that kind of person? By the way, you two are newlyweds; surely you don't find us a nuisance?"
Shen Yan had already found the sudden shift from a "senior-junior" relationship to a "parental-filial" one extremely awkward. He hadn't expected Nie Shiyun to be so blunt, and for a moment, his eyes darted around aimlessly.
"That’s right! I’m a man with a Dao companion now! You two will have to find your own place to sleep tonight! Our cave dwelling is very narrow; there's no room for you." As soon as the topic shifted to this, Xuan Yang radiated a smug, boastful energy.
Zhai Bairong noted that this was not the place for a conversation. Looking around, they saw that the other cultivators had already dispersed after disembarking, leaving only the four of them standing near the port. Considering the matters they needed to discuss, the group headed to Xuan Yang and Shen Yan’s "very narrow cave dwelling" to settle in.
In truth, their dwelling was not as small as Xuan Yang had claimed. Being out in the wilderness with no spirit veins nearby, there were no other cultivators competing for space, so it was quite spacious. It was simply devoid of decorations, making it look somewhat spartan.
Having been stimulated by the pressure of facing the Phoenix Emperor, the two had been cultivating very diligently since then.
"You’ve actually already started working on repairing the Ascension Path!"
After listening to Nie Shiyun’s explanation, Xuan Yang cried out in surprise. He finally understood why Nie Shiyun had come despite knowing he might suffer at the Phoenix Emperor's hands. The Black Tortoise and White Tiger clans were indeed connections one couldn't make by simply burying one's head in cultivation in the Lower Layer; this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Since everyone present was one of their own, Nie Shiyun readily took out the scale to show the curious Xuan Yang and Shen Yan. He had preserved it carefully; though separated from its original body, the scale still shimmered brilliantly, its contained spiritual energy not having dissipated in the slightest.
"This is the scale those dragons brag about? It’s not even half as beautiful as my feathers," Xuan Yang huffed. "And I didn't think you’d actually dare to make a move on a member of the Dragon Clan."
Nie Shiyun sipped his tea. "I just happened to run into one who was alone; it was heaven's help. Besides, that kid seemed even easier to fool than you."
"Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?" Xuan Yang gripped his cup, fuming.
"Nothing..." Nie Shiyun quickly changed the subject before Xuan Yang could explode. "Let’s not talk about that. Although I don't know what the Phoenix Emperor is plotting, it should ultimately help with repairing the Ascension Path. This meeting must happen, but before that, let’s dissolve our contract so as not to displease him."
"Mhm." Xuan Yang nodded; this was the proper way to handle it.
With both parties in agreement, dissolving the contract was quite easy. For over a hundred years, ever since Xuan Yang reached adulthood, he had lived a fairly independent life, running all over the cultivation world without Nie Shiyun interfering. The contract hadn't actually served any practical purpose for a long time. Yet, with the sudden disappearance of the bond he had possessed since hatching, Xuan Yang felt a rare sense of emptiness.
"I feel like... my days in the cultivation world have truly come to an end now."
The four looked at each other, understanding exactly what Xuan Yang meant. Seeing familiar faces once again on this strange land, but without Yunqing Pavilion and without that back mountain—this time, all four of them were rogue cultivators.
"Let me ask first: do you two have any intention of joining one of the sects in the Upper Layer?" Nie Shiyun asked suddenly.
"No," Shen Yan answered quickly.
Xuan Yang wore a "do you even need to ask" expression. "Most sects are built by humans; who would dare take in a member of the Phoenix Clan? Besides, Shen Yan doesn't like being crowded with a bunch of people, as if you didn't know."
Nie Shiyun smiled and said to them, "In that case, why don't you come and help out? Although you don't like crowded places, Shen Yan, fortunately our sect currently only consists of three people and one bird. It should be quite peaceful."
"..."
It took a moment for Xuan Yang and Shen Yan to process his meaning.
Both were surprised that Nie Shiyun had such an intention. They looked at Zhai Bairong, who sat nearby without much reaction, indicating he already knew of this.
"Repairing the path is no easy feat. I’ve seen it; the financial and human resources required just to activate the Great Spatial Array are not something one person can easily achieve. Although I met a kind senior in the Middle Layer who is willing to help, ultimately this matter doesn't benefit her, and I don't want to owe too many favors," Nie Shiyun explained. "Though it might be early to think about this, if the repair is successful in the future, it would be good to have a temporary place for our old acquaintances to settle down."
"You really think far ahead..." Xuan Yang murmured. He had never considered such a step. Hearing Nie Shiyun put it that way, it didn't seem like a bad idea. Even if no other companions joined for the time being, the four of them being together would allow them to look out for one another.
And most importantly, Nie Shiyun knew how to make money!
Xuan Yang was quickly won over by this most vital reason. However, considering Shen Yan’s personality, he still hesitated. "But..."
"Senior Nie and Senior Zhai have helped me a great deal. Although I am not good at social interactions, if I can be of help... I would be glad to," Shen Yan said calmly.
Xuan Yang said indignantly, "How can you agree more readily than I did!"
Nie Shiyun marveled, "You’ve become so much smoother than when we first met. Back then, you were like a hedgehog, every word you spoke had thorns. Is this the power of love...?"
"Uh..." To this day, Shen Yan found it difficult to face the fact that he had ended up with Xuan Yang—whom these two had essentially raised like a son—and he was often left speechless with embarrassment when it was mentioned.
Zhai Bairong glanced at Shen Yan and timely changed the subject for him. "But strictly speaking, we don't have any grand ambitions. Compared to other sects, we have no True Immortal cultivators to hold down the fort, nor do we have secret manuals or scriptures for study. Likely, no other cultivators will join us for decades. You needn't feel any pressure."
Xuan Yang and Shen Yan nodded. In truth, it was just the four of them finding a place to live and using the name of Yunqing Pavilion for their future endeavors.
"We’ll take it one step at a time. There’s no rush regarding Yunqing Pavilion; it’s just a concept for now. The priority is to meet your father and see exactly what he wants me to do," Nie Shiyun said, standing up. "Bairong and I will go find a place to rest in town. We’ll meet again tomorrow."
The sun had not yet set, so the two decided to visit the alchemy shop where Zhai Bairong had once worked. Not only had they received care back then, but Zhai Bairong was also very grateful to learn that they had indeed looked after Shen Yan over the years for his sake.
When they arrived at the shop, it hadn't closed yet, though there were few customers left. The cultivators behind the counter all looked somewhat idle.
The moment Zhai Bairong stepped into the shop, the cultivators behind the counter looked up and recognized him immediately.
"You actually came back!"
"Zhai... Zhai Bairong, right?"
Several cultivators crowded over curiously, drawing the attention of the remaining customers.
Zhai Bairong was slightly surprised. He had only worked there briefly for about half a year decades ago; he hadn't expected these colleagues, with whom he had barely exchanged a few words, to still remember his name.
Seeing that Zhai Bairong’s cultivation was already at the Body Integration Stage after not seeing him for a while, even the slight jealousy they once felt vanished. The gap was too large; aside from lamenting that they were "indeed not from the same world," no other thoughts could take root.
Glimpsing the male cultivator standing beside Zhai Bairong, who was also at the Body Integration Stage, the cultivators behind the counter quietly exchanged speculative glances but didn't dare speak openly.
"Could I trouble you to inform the manager?" Zhai Bairong asked politely.
Someone responded and nimbly ran to the back. Among the remaining cultivators, one grew bold enough to joke, "Are you back to steal our jobs again?"
Zhai Bairong smiled. "I’ve come to the Upper Layer for other business this time, so likely not."
A moment later, the manager of the alchemy shop personally came out to invite Zhai Bairong to the back to catch up.
Zhai Bairong had come for this very reason, so he naturally accepted. Nie Shiyun didn't say much, simply following him into the back room as a matter of course.
As soon as they left, the cultivators behind the counter erupted into chatter.
"That must be the legendary Dao companion, right?"
"Really?" Someone, unsure of how to phrase it, said tentatively, "I feel like he looks... a bit more ordinary than I imagined."
"But he’s also a Body Integration Stage cultivator."
"I have eyes! But since he’s the Dao companion that even Zhai Bairong praised incessantly, I thought he’d be more impressive."
"They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Even for someone like Zhai Bairong, it’s the same. Sigh, if those female cultivators saw this, they’d definitely be indignant—to think they lost to such an ordinary guy!"
The group whispered among themselves, their eyes constantly drifting toward the curtain separating the shop from the back room. It wasn't until a customer in the shop snapped irritably, "Is this shop still doing business or not?" that they snapped out of it and returned to their posts, trembling.
In the meeting room where the manager conducted business, Zhai Bairong and Nie Shiyun politely accepted the tea offered by the manager and thanked him.
"I truly didn't expect you to return so soon, and that you’d have found your lost Dao companion. The Upper Realm is so vast; to find each other within the same year you left is truly a heaven-sent destiny," the manager marveled repeatedly.
"That was because some accidents occurred back then. Fortunately, it was a blessing in disguise and made it easier for me to find him," Zhai Bairong said vaguely.
The manager was a clever man; seeing that Zhai Bairong didn't wish to elaborate, he didn't press further.
His perspective was naturally different from the workers outside. After observing Nie Shiyun’s movements and bearing for just a few seconds, he knew this man was by no means simpler than Zhai Bairong.
"I owe you much for your care previously." Zhai Bairong took out some pills he had refined in advance. After reaching the Body Integration Stage, his alchemy skills had naturally taken a qualitative leap compared to when he worked at the shop. If he were to go to the Alchemist Association in the Middle Layer for an assessment now, a Grade Three Alchemist token would be easily within his reach.
The manager demurred before accepting them. Upon closer inspection, he marveled even more at his own foresight. To have made such rapid progress in just thirty years, this talent was perhaps more outstanding than any alchemist they had. No wonder he couldn't keep the man.
Before he could recover, Nie Shiyun also presented a meeting gift.
"It is easy to add flowers to a brocade, but difficult to provide charcoal in the snow. Back then, my companion’s cultivation and alchemy skills were far from what they are now. You had the keen eye to recognize his talent and were willing to look after him; I must express my gratitude as well."
"I... I wouldn't dare..." The manager felt a bit guilty being praised so. Initially, he had really only hired Zhai Bairong because he was handsome and suitable as a "shop sign" to attract female customers; discovering Zhai Bairong’s excellent alchemy talent had come later. But in front of the man’s Dao companion, how could he be honest about that!
"I happen to know a thing or two about artifact forging. This isn't anything precious; please accept it, Manager."
The manager took the object Nie Shiyun offered. Looking closely, it was an Earth-grade Fortune-Inviting Golden Toad. He marveled inwardly that Zhai Bairong’s Dao companion was indeed not lagging behind him in cultivation or any other aspect. He carefully examined the exquisitely crafted ornament, seeing dense inscriptions carved around the toad’s body, though they were slightly different from the wealth-attracting arrays he had seen before.
Seeing the manager’s puzzled expression, Nie Shiyun smiled and took the initiative to explain, "I made some modifications to the standard wealth-attracting array. If this object is placed in the shop, not only can it attract wealth, but it is also particularly effective at attracting female cultivators to visit!"
"Oh! That is truly a novel effect, haha..." The manager gave a dry laugh, thinking: *I didn't even need to explain myself; it seems this Dao companion knows exactly why I looked after Zhai Bairong back then!*
Fortunately, Nie Shiyun had no other intentions. Seeing that he was simply using it as a lighthearted jest, the manager quickly felt at ease.
"Your Dao companion is truly an interesting person," the manager said to Zhai Bairong.
Zhai Bairong smiled. "Indeed, many people have said so."
"I see the symbol engraved on the bottom... Yunqing Pavilion. Is this your sect?" the manager turned to ask Nie Shiyun. He didn't want to seem rude, but having done business for so many years and dealt with sects and families of all sizes, he had truly never heard of this place.
"You could say that. But for now, there are only the two of us and two juniors. I heard that you, Manager, are in charge under a branch of a larger family? If there is an opportunity in the future, I hope we can look out for one another." Nie Shiyun answered generously.
The manager was stunned for a moment, but quickly understood. He had been wondering why, after a mere six months of mutual employment, these two were giving him gift after gift, making him feel uneasy. Once Nie Shiyun spoke those words, the veteran businessman felt the weight in his heart lift.
He immediately smiled and promised, "Artifact forgers and alchemists of your caliber will be welcomed wherever you go. To consider me first is to think highly of me!"
With everything made clear, the subsequent conversation became much more relaxed and pleasant. Zhai Bairong had no interest in participating in business talk, so he sat aside silently sipping tea. It wasn't until the moon rose high and the shop out front had closed that the last worker prepared to leave. He came over to say goodbye to the manager, and the conversation finally ended.
"It’s actually this late already. I’ve delayed you two, haven't I? You mentioned you had business in the Upper Layer."
"It’s nothing urgent; a little time won't hurt," Nie Shiyun said, standing up. "But we have indeed intruded for too long. We will visit again when there is an opportunity."
They came suddenly and left lightly. The two bid farewell to the alchemy shop manager and headed straight to find an inn.
"Manager, you two talked for a really long time!" The worker responsible for cleaning the shop and locking the counters had finished his final tasks. He asked curiously and mysteriously, "Is that man really Zhai Bairong’s Dao companion?"
The manager sighed. "He is! Those two cultivators together... they are truly something else. Next time they come to the shop, make sure you treat them with the utmost respect."
"Huh? Oh, yes..." The worker responded hesitantly, looking in the direction the two had departed—*was that cultivator really that impressive?*
By the time he snapped out of it, the manager had already gone to the back. Knowing that a subordinate shouldn't ask too many questions, the worker suppressed his curiosity, planning to tell his colleagues tomorrow so they could analyze it together.
***
