In her sleep, it seemed someone was leaning close to her ear, breathing softly and unevenly as they called her name, holding her tightly.
Lian Yin opened her eyes. Sunlight streamed in from the distant window, and her vision slowly came into focus. Not far away, the small white-and-purple bird stood inside its cage, watching her. Since she had failed to give it away, she could only keep it in her room for now.
Right, this was her room.
Her senses gradually cleared. Turning her head, she saw that the bed beside her showed no signs of having been slept in, and her clothes were still neatly in place. Yet, out of a vague suspicion, she lowered her head and sniffed her collar.
A faint woody fragrance lingered on her clothes. She had no habit of using incense, and she had only been held briefly by Xie Lanyin last night. Could the scent really linger this long?
Distracted, Lian Yin sat up and took a fresh set of clothes from her storage pouch, beginning to change.
One layer after another slipped off. Her pale shoulders and back were bathed in a soft, warm glow of light, soon veiled again by her long hair cascading down like a waterfall.
Inside the cage, the little bird silently turned around, presenting its back to her.
Lian Yin left the room and soon found Xie Lanyin in the familiar courtyard. She could always find him here.
“Last night I fell asleep. Were you the one who sent me back?”
“Who else did you want to send you back?”
He did not seem pleased with the question.
“No, I just wanted to confirm. Thank you.”
“How will you thank me?”
Lian Yin noticed a plate of grapes on the table. She casually peeled one and offered it to him. “Here, a token of thanks. Eat.”
Xie Lanyin curved his lips into a smile and leaned forward to eat the grape from her hand.
Lian Yin was a little surprised. Just one grape was enough to appease him? She had thought such a simple gesture might have disappointed him.
“You said the Dengyun Secret Realm is dangerous. How dangerous? Can you tell me?”
Although she would not enter the secret realm herself, she was still curious about a place important enough for a powerful family like the Xie family to prepare so thoroughly.
“Of course.” Perhaps because he liked the grape, Xie Lanyin began explaining while peeling more grapes.
The Dengyun Secret Realm was an ancient realm located beyond the heavens. It might open once every few decades, and one could only reach it by cloudship.
The Xie family had already allied with several families from the Western Continent and arranged to depart together. Those families were currently staying in Zhaoyang City.
He held a peeled grape to her lips. “When the time comes, there will be many people on the cloudship…”
Lian Yin glanced at the fruit, its translucent flesh glistening with juice, his slender fingers shining faintly as well. “What are you doing?”
“Feeding you, or would you prefer to keep feeding me?”
“…Are you getting addicted to this?”
Peeling grapes was troublesome, so after a moment’s thought, Lian Yin leaned forward and ate it. “Then you feed me. That way you can keep talking.”
After all, whether she ate his food or not, strange things still seemed to happen.
Xie Lanyin smiled. “Alright.”
He continued peeling grapes for her. Two strands of red-and-white beads swayed lightly at his wrist, glowing beautifully in the sunlight.
Lian Yin bit into the fruit. It was quite sweet.
“Why are you so easy to talk to today?”
“When I’m in a good mood, I’m always easy to talk to.”
So it was because he was in a good mood? Because of the grapes?
Lian Yin did not interrupt him again and listened quietly as he continued explaining the secret realm.
On the day of departure, several massive cloudships hovered above Zhaoyang City.
Their intricately carved hulls were inlaid with gemstones, their sleek forms gliding through the clouds like enormous whales.
Perhaps to impress their allied families, the Xie family’s cloudships this time were more than three times as grand as the one Xie Sui had used previously. Fully equipped, they resembled floating cities.
Their shadows blanketed most of Zhaoyang City. The streets were empty as countless residents came out to see the cultivators off.
The strength of the family was their pride.
Lian Yin boarded the largest cloudship early with Xie Lanyin and had already reached their room.
The room was spacious, furnished with everything necessary. There was more than one place to sleep, and the safety measures were excellent, ensuring no one would die in their sleep.
The journey to the heavens was fraught with danger, from ferocious beasts to unknown disasters. Defense was of utmost importance.
After exploring the room, Lian Yin looked at Xie Lanyin, who sat at the table brewing tea.
“If you can’t bear to leave me, you can stay here.”
He had noticed her gaze.
“Will you stay in the room the whole time?” she asked.
“Not necessarily,” Xie Lanyin replied lazily. “I might go out and find some entertainment. Want to come with me?”
“…No.”
Her instincts told her that his idea of entertainment would not be anything good.
“If you don’t want to be with me, why care what I’m doing?” he said, pouring two cups of tea. “Want some?”
“You’ve already poured it…” Lian Yin took a cup and sat down, letting it cool before sipping.
“Lian Yin.”
“Mm?”
“Come back before You hour,” he said, meeting her gaze with a smile. “And be careful.”
Lian Yin paused, finding it strange.
Someone who constantly stirred up trouble was reminding her to be careful. It felt oddly reversed.
The tea warmed her from throat to stomach.
After finishing, she left the room.
Outside, the wind was strong. The high altitude air was thin and cold, and few people moved about. Every few steps, a Xie family cultivator stood guard.
As she walked, she suddenly saw a familiar figure—it was the elder whom Xie Lanyin had humiliated before.
The elder stepped out of his room, and upon seeing her, a flicker of discomfort crossed his face. He shut the door behind him and approached.
Lian Yin sensed trouble, but turning away now would seem suspicious.
He came closer, smiling kindly. “You’re the one by his side that day…”
“Guard,” Lian Yin replied.
The elder nodded. “I heard he found a peerless expert and dismissed all his other guards. So it’s you!”
“…What peerless expert?”
He really dared to spread such rumors.
Flattery like that could backfire. Lian Yin sighed, “Actually, I accidentally offended him that day on the lake. He deliberately assigned me to stay by his side, tormenting and humiliating me every day.”
The elder’s expression shifted slightly, as if he empathized.
Encouraged, Lian Yin exaggerated further, saying she had not volunteered to be his guard and harbored deep resentment but dared not speak out.
The elder’s gaze flickered. “Miss, you should not say such things…”
Wasn’t he furious last time? Shouldn’t he be pleased to hear someone insult Xie Lanyin?
Hypocrite.
“Why not?” Lian Yin pressed gently. “It’s just the two of us here. You didn’t feel good last time either, did you—”
“No! I didn’t!” The elder looked embarrassed, glancing repeatedly behind her.
If Lian Yin still did not understand, she would be a fool.
“…”
Seeing she finally caught on, the elder gave her a sympathetic look. “I’ll take my leave. Take care.”
“…”
Lian Yin turned around.
As expected, Xie Lanyin stood behind her.
He had likely been listening for some time, leaning lazily against the wall. His red-and-black robes fluttered in the wind with a sharp rustling sound.