Chapter 56: A Softened Demeanor and Lingering Thoughts

The morning light of deep autumn spilled over the mountains, the thin mist having long dispersed. On the training grounds, a group of young disciples, swords in hand, executed their forms with synchronized precision.

Their expressions were focused, and the sharp cries of “Heh!” and “Ha!” accompanied their formidable sword techniques, creating a vibrant, energetic display.

“Heads up, chests out. Maintain steady footwork, and keep your waist supple, not stiff.”

A serene immortal, clad in white with hair like spun silver, slowly walked along the front of the formation. A long sword was strapped to her back, and a wooden staff rested in her hand.

Though her appearance suggested she was not much older than these Foundation Establishment disciples, her brow held an air of detachment and composure.

Her voice, though not loud, resonated clearly across the entire plaza, carried by the subtle undulations of spiritual energy.

“That move was incorrect.”

Yun Xueshang suddenly paused before a short-haired youth, whose sword stroke had faltered. With a gentle lift of her wooden staff, she nudged his sword-wielding wrist upwards by a mere three points.

“Relax your shoulders, and keep your wrist nimble.”

“Yes, Elder Yun!”

The short-haired youth swallowed hard, his tension palpable. To his surprise, the white-haired immortal before him did not assign him extra practice. Instead, she merely cast a faint glance his way before continuing forward, offering guidance to others.

The youth quickly composed himself, resuming his stance with renewed vigor.

***

During their break, the short-haired youth, who had erred earlier, held his water flask and nudged his companion with an elbow. He lowered his voice, inquiring,

“Hey, don’t you think Elder Yun has been much gentler lately? Usually, if we make a mistake, we’re always punished with extra practice. Today, she just let me off.”

“Who knows?” his companion replied, wiping a trace of water from the corner of their mouth with a shrug. “Perhaps she had a breakthrough in cultivation, and she’s in a good mood.”

His words were not unfounded. Ever since the great battle at the Dao Discussion Arena on Dao Inquiry Peak, Yun Xueshang had successfully broken through to the Soul Transformation stage.

Not only had she officially been promoted to Elder, but she had also taken over as the long-vacant Peak Master of Mianyun Peak.

The inauguration ceremony for the new Peak Master had been grand indeed.

Rumor had it that even Peak Master Ji Ling of Danxia Peak, known for her eccentric personality and her long-standing disagreement with Yun Xueshang, had sent a small rabbit demon from her peak to Mianyun Peak to offer congratulations on Yun Xueshang’s appointment day.

“Oh, what breakthrough in cultivation?” interjected a gossipy disciple nearby, who had overheard their conversation.

He immediately leaned in, winking. “Elder Yun always maintained that aloof demeanor even when she broke through before! I say, that’s not the reason at all!”

“Who doesn’t know by now that Elder Yun has brought her Dao companion and daughter into the sect? And who doesn’t know that her Dao companion is as beautiful as a flower, with profound cultivation, and that their relationship is as sweet as honey? They even pick up and drop off their daughter at the academy together every day!”

“If you ask me, Elder Yun’s temperament must have softened because she has such a thoughtful person by her side!”

The two youths exchanged glances after hearing this, and couldn’t help but nod in agreement.

“Wuwuwu… My Senior Sister Yun has now become Elder Yun, and she has such a beautiful Dao companion, and her daughter is so grown up… My first love…”

The three turned at the sound, only to see a female disciple in gray robes, who had somehow sidled closer, sighing plaintively.

If Hua Yan were here, she might have recognized her—it was the same square-sweeping female disciple she had met upon first arriving at the Carefree Sword Sect.

“Junior Sister, look on the bright side. There are plenty of fish in the sea. Since Elder Yun is already married, you shouldn’t cling to her anymore.”

The short-haired youth stepped forward, patting the gray-robed junior sister’s shoulder. His own face, however, flushed slightly, and he scratched his cheek with a hint of shyness.

“Actually, after a breakup… you could also look at others around you, for example…”

“That’s right! Senior Brother, what you say makes perfect sense!”

The gray-robed female disciple’s eyes suddenly lit up. She seized the youth’s hand, her eyes sparkling.

“Doesn’t Elder Yun also have a daughter? Junior Sister Rongrong is so adorable; she’ll definitely grow up to be a stunning beauty! I still have a chance!”

She gripped the short-haired youth’s now stiff hand, her face full of gratitude. “Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother! If I form a Dao companion bond with Junior Sister Rongrong in the future, I will never forget you!”

“It seems you are quite idle, with enough leisure to jest here—was the practice just now too little?”

A familiar female voice suddenly rang out from behind them.

The youths froze, slowly turning around.

Yun Xueshang stood silently behind them, her expression unreadable.

“All of you, practice for five more hours. If you don’t finish, you won’t eat.”

“Yes, Elder Yun!”

Their backs straightened instantly, and they responded in unison. The two disciples who hadn’t even participated in the “pursuing Junior Sister Rongrong” conversation were now on the verge of tears.

‘Junior Sister, oh, Junior Sister… you’ve truly doomed your Senior Brothers!’

***

At noon, Yun Xueshang nodded to the Core Formation disciple who had arrived to take over the instruction, then departed the training grounds.

In truth, the sword instruction for outer disciples was typically rotated among the disciples of various peaks.

However, Mianyun Peak had always only had her, and she was exceptionally diligent in her teaching, always viewing teaching and learning as a form of cultivation.

Her demands on the disciples had always been quite strict, which was why these outer disciples had always held a particular apprehension towards the awe-inspiring “Senior Sister Yun”—now “Elder Yun.”

Stepping beyond the confines of the plaza, Yun Xueshang unstrapped the Autumn Water Sword from her back. With a light tap of her foot, she mounted it.

Yet, she did not fly towards Mianyun Peak. Instead, she uncharacteristically altered her sword’s trajectory, soaring towards the outside of the sect.

‘A Dao companion as sweet as honey…’

As she rode her sword, the idle chatter of those young disciples inexplicably resurfaced in Yun Xueshang’s mind.

‘In the eyes of outsiders, are Yan’er and I… truly that intimate?’

‘But we haven’t even formed a bond yet…’

Before Yun Xueshang’s eyes, that radiant smile seemed to reappear, along with the image of the disheveled, red-haired girl with glistening eyes from the illusion during the competition that day.

Having always been unversed in worldly affections, she didn’t quite understand what this lingering emotion in her heart truly was.

Yet, whenever she recalled the scene from that day, her heart would involuntarily quicken, and a secret, persistent tickle, like a feather’s light touch, would stir within her.

‘What am I thinking about…’

Yun Xueshang gently shook her head, dispelling those chaotic images from her mind.

With her usual earnest nature, if she had been mistaken for a Dao companion before forming a bond, she would undoubtedly have sought out each person who believed the rumor and meticulously clarified the situation.

Yet now, she did not do so.

Firstly, there was Rongrong between them. The child was young and innocent, and Yun Xueshang did not wish to shatter her daughter’s belief that ‘Mother and Mama have a very good relationship now.’

Secondly, even she herself couldn’t explain why, but whenever she heard others misunderstand her close relationship with Hua Yan, a strange joy would bloom in her heart.

It was as if… she too was secretly hoping, hoping that her relationship with Hua Yan could become even closer.

‘Perhaps it’s because Yan’er is beautiful and always has so much to say to me.’

The corners of the white-robed immortal’s lips curved slightly, her serene eyes gently bending into a smile. The speed of her sword flight increased, and she gracefully swept towards the outside of the mountains.

‘Alright, next—it’s time to take care of that matter.’

After all, she had already discussed this with Rongrong.