Four days later, eight carriages stood parked outside Qinglan Residence. Each carriage could hold about six people. A flurry of activity surrounded them—people moved in and out of the residence, loading supplies, luggage, and clothes.
Inside, the residence buzzed with motion. Everyone was busy, preparing for the long journey to Ziyu Sect.
Ziyu Sect was located in the north-eastern region of the Wusheng Empire, atop Wuyin Mountain. The sect was hidden deep within the infamous Fog Valley, named for the mysterious mist that enveloped the area whenever someone entered.
People often went missing after stepping into Fog Valley. Some reappeared days later, disoriented and confused. Most, however, were never seen again.
Xuan Tian was sitting at a round dining table that could host ten people. All ten seats were occupied. They were having breakfast together one last time before heading off their own separate ways.
He was sipping his tea, quietly watching the people around him eat and chat. The four disciples were excited about returning to their sect. After roaming the Wusheng Empire with Gu Tianzhu to investigate the pills, they were eager to settle back into life at Ziyu and help integrate their newly recruited disciples.
The doctors were equally eager to return to the Celestial Realm. Their time in the Human Realm had brought unimaginable hardship. They longed to go home, to grieve Lei Wen's death properly and to find peace once more in the safety of their world.
Then he turned his attention to Ling Yu.
Ling Yu had been clumsy during breakfast. She knocked over her teacup, dropped her chopsticks, spilled congee on her dress, failed to pick up food properly—all small mishaps that added up.
Now, she sat quietly, looking lost and alone. For the first time, she truly looked her age—or even younger. Like a child adrift in a crowd, unsure of where to go next.
When asked, she blamed her late return from her hometown. She had arrived back late the night before, and she used that as an excuse for her clumsiness. Said she was tired.
But Xuan Tian didn't believe it.
He also didn't believe Ling Yu was simply feeling sad about the coming separation. Maybe something had happened at home? But if it had, Gu Tianzhu would have said something—or at least done something.
He couldn't quite put his finger on it.
What surprised him most wasn't his suspicion—it was the fact that he cared this much about her well-being.
Ling Yu got up and quietly left. When she couldn't be seen anymore, the noise at the table died down. Everyone glanced at one another. It wasn't just Xuan Tian who had noticed her strange behavior. But everyone had acted like they hadn't.
"Gu Zhenren, did something happen during the journey back home?" Xuan Tian cut to the chase.
Gu Tianzhu shook his head. "Nothing unusual, Shengzun. The round trip was uneventful. Li Ran and I met her parents, we shared a few meals. It was all normal."
"Was she already like this on the way back?" Xuan Tian pressed.
Again, Gu Tianzhu shook his head. "Honestly, I didn't notice anything. Li Ran, did you?"
Li Ran shook his head as well. "No, Shizun. Xiao Shimei was fine during the trip. Though she was quieter than usual, I assumed it was because she was tired or still getting used to traveling on a flying sword."
Lin Qian, the mother figure in the group, spoke gently. "Maybe it didn't hit her then—that she wouldn't be seeing her parents for a while."
Li Ran shook his head again. "I don't think that's it, Doctor Lin. I already explained to her that Ziyu Sect doesn't forbid disciples from visiting home. We're allowed to return whenever we want, as long as we've fulfilled our duties."
Xuan Tian got up, "I'll go and ask her."
"General," Lin Qian called out.
Xuan Tian stopped.
"Remember, she's a fourteen year old." Lin Qian continued.
Xuan Tian nodded and left.
When Xuan Tian was out of sight, everyone at the table glanced at each other.
Gu Tianzhu spoke, "Let's finish our preparations."
His four disciples responded in unison, "Yes, Shizun."
The five of them got up and left the dining area, heading off to complete their packing.
That left only the three doctors at the table.
Xu Yun turned to Lin Qian, her voice low. "What do you think is really going on with Ling Yu?"
Zhao Zhi sipped his tea, listening closely.
Lin Qian sighed. "Honestly? I think it finally hit her—that she's leaving everything she's ever known behind."
Xu Yun leaned in slightly, her voice even softer. "I don't think that's it. I think she doesn't want to leave the General."
Zhao Zhi let out a short chuckle. "What do you mean by that?"
"Exactly what I said."
Zhao Zhi chuckled again, more amused this time. "Come on. She met him what—twelve, maybe fourteen days ago? And she's just a kid. You're not seriously saying she's in love with him?"
"No, you idiot. That's not what I meant."
Xu Yun folded her arms and glanced toward the direction Ling Yu had gone. "She told me she's an only child. Where she's from, most families have at least three or four kids. She grew up alone. Always had to rely on herself. But after meeting us—and especially him—she suddenly had someone who protected her, explained things to her, stood beside her. She got used to that. And now... now she's realizing she has to let it go."
Zhao Zhi nodded slowly, his expression more serious. "Makes sense. But... I still think there's more to it."
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Xuan Tian found Ling Yu in the garden of Xuanliu Courtyard.
She was sitting on a round stone garden stool, pouting, brows furrowed, her fingers plucking petals from a nearby white and pink flowering plant.
Xuan Tian observed her for a while, trying to gauge her mood. He crossed his arms, leaning against one of the wooden pillars lining the veranda.
"You're killing the flowers."
Ling Yu startled, whipping her head around. When she saw Xuan Tian standing not far away, her eyes widened—then narrowed. Her pout deepened.
"It's not very polite to startle people."
Xuan Tian uncrossed his arms and stepped into the garden. "It wasn't my intention. You should be paying attention to your surroundings at all times. You're a cultivator now. Get used to it."
"I haven't even left the city yet! I haven't taken a single class! And it's safe here!" Ling Yu protested, still pouting.
"You need to be responsible for your own safety. You can't rely on others."
"You're not my Shizun! Don't lecture me!"
Ling Yu's sudden outburst caught Xuan Tian off guard. He looked at her—her face flushed with anger, cheeks puffed, eyes glistening with tears.