She gazed at the exquisite Cloud Pattern embroidery on the bed curtains, but her thoughts drifted far away. In this world where the weak are prey to the strong, one could not move an inch without Spiritual Power. But since Heaven had allowed her to transmigrate, surely it should provide a way to live?
As she was lost in thought, the respectful voice of a Guard sounded from outside the door: "Miss Yun, Miss Liu Yun, the Master is waiting outside the manor. We can depart at any time."
Liu Yun had already packed, carrying only a small bundle lightly slung over her shoulder. Just as Yun Pianpian reached out to take it, Liu Yun darted away like a nimble swallow, taking the lead to the door: "Leave these tiresome tasks to this servant."
Walking through the long corridor adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, Yun Pianpian’s steps abruptly halted before the manor gate. The imposing sight before her made her involuntarily gasp—two stone lions, over ten feet tall, glared with wide, angry eyes. Their lifelike manes seemed to dance in the wind, and their sharp claws and fangs gleamed coldly, appearing ready to tear apart anyone with ill intentions.
Even more shocking was the perfectly arrayed formation of Guards. Nearly a hundred Cultivators clad in Dark Colored Tight Clothes stood in two lines on either side, their waist swords flashing with a chilling sharpness in the morning light. Their auras were restrained yet subtly sharp; any single one of them could walk unimpeded in an ordinary city. Five Horse Carriages, gilded and silver-inlaid, stood quietly, the Cloud Pattern carved on their shafts circulating Spiritual Light under the sun.
Shen Yue stood beside the lead Horse Carriage, dressed in a pale white Brocade robe. Seeing Yun Pianpian approach, he gave a slight nod of acknowledgment. After he boarded the carriage first, Yun Pianpian carefully lifted her skirt and stepped onto the Jade Steps. The moment she lifted the curtain, she froze completely—
How was this a Horse Carriage? It was clearly a moving blessed land!
The spacious carriage compartment was easily three zhang square. The floor was covered in snow-white fur, so soft underfoot it made one feel lightheaded. The Luminous Pearls inlaid on the four walls illuminated the interior as if it were daytime. A Gold-gilded incense burner sat on a purple sandalwood table, emitting a calming, subtle fragrance from the wisps of smoke. Most astonishingly, the ceiling was painted with the constellations of the heavens, and as the Horse Carriage moved, the Stars slowly rotated.
"This..." Yun Pianpian sat stunned on the Brocade soft cushion, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the complex Cloud Pattern embroidery on the surface. Her Previous Life's rental room probably couldn't even compare to the toilet in this Horse Carriage; poverty truly limited the imagination.
Liu Yun tactfully went to the front compartment to sit with the driver. Just as Yun Pianpian was racking her brain trying to find something to say, Shen Yue suddenly took out a Brocade Pouch embroidered with Golden Threads.
"Pian'er." His cool voice made Yun Pianpian’s heart tremble. She watched as his long, jade-like fingers gently untied the Brocade Pouch, revealing the treasure within, full of Flowing Light and Overflowing Color: "This Brocade Pouch contains one hundred thousand Spirit Stones, one Tian Xing Chamber of Commerce Token, two Third Tier Marrow Cleansing Pills, and two Spirit Gathering Pills."
With every item he named, Yun Pianpian's eyes widened a fraction more.
"These..." Yun Pianpian's throat felt somewhat dry.
Shen Yue pushed the Brocade Pouch in front of her, the corner of his lips curving slightly: "Since I said I would help you, I naturally needed to be fully prepared."
Holding the heavy Brocade Pouch, Yun Pianpian felt that this small object weighed a thousand pounds. She took a deep breath and solemnly pushed the Brocade Pouch back: "Shen Yue, you have already helped me too much. I feel unworthy of receiving all of this."
Her fingertips trembled slightly, but she still firmly offered back the Brocade Pouch containing the Spirit Stones, "I will shamelessly accept these few Elixirs; they are indeed things I urgently need. I will certainly repay you a thousandfold someday."
With that, she carefully took out the four Elixirs, which were full of Flowing Light and Overflowing Color. The Marrow Cleansing Pills were entirely Pale White, their Pill Patterns like Shrouded in clouds and mist; the Spirit Gathering Pills emitted a faint blue halo, and a fresh fragrance lingered as soon as they were taken out.
Yun Pianpian carefully tucked them close to her body, thinking to herself: It's foolish not to take a benefit when offered, but one cannot be too greedy.
Seeing her actions, a strange look flashed in Shen Yue's eyes. He pondered for a moment and then took out a warm, white Jade Token from his sleeve: "Since that is the case... Pian'er should accept this storage Jade Token."
The Jade Token was only the size of her palm, yet faint Spiritual Light circulated within it. "It contains a Spiritual Power Imprint I set. If you encounter danger, simply tap it three times."
Yun Pianpian's eyes lit up, and she immediately understood—this was clearly a 'panic button' from the Cultivation World!
Before she could thank him, Shen Yue took her right hand. His long fingers gently gripped her wrist, and in an instant, pale blue Spiritual Power flowed out from his palm like Moonlight, slowly transferring into her through their touching skin. Yun Pianpian felt a warm current spread from her fingertips, permeating every one of her Meridians like spring rain nourishing the earth, causing even her Dantian to tremble lightly.
"What is this?" She was surprised to find faint traces of Spiritual Power flowing within her body.
"A small seed of Spiritual Power." Shen Yue released her hand; the blue light still flickered faintly on her fingertip. "Although it cannot aid your cultivation, it can be used for self-defense in a crisis."
Looking at the residual Spiritual Light on her fingertip, Yun Pianpian suddenly felt a sting in her nose. For the first time since transmigrating, she felt genuine security in this unfamiliar world.
Shen Yue’s long fingers lightly tapped the window lattice, his voice deep like the lingering sound of an ancient zither: "It will only take half a day to reach Shangjing City. You should rest for a while."
His gaze swept over Yun Pianpian's slightly pale complexion, and his brow furrowed slightly. "Although Liu Yun is quick-witted, she is ultimately alone and lacks strength."
Before he finished speaking, the carriage curtain was suddenly lifted by a strong gust of wind. A face as beautiful as a hibiscus flower suddenly poked into the window, startling Yun Pianpian so much that the teacup in her hand almost slipped. The tea splashed onto her skirt embroidered with Twin Lotus, blooming into a dark stain.
"Your subordinate Liu Ying, greetings, Miss!"
The young woman's voice was as clear as shattered jade. Before her words ended, she had already flashed into the carriage. Yun Pianpian only saw a blur before her, and a woman in crimson knelt before her knees.
"Spirit Master Realm Seventh Stage." As Liu Ying clasped her hands, the Silver Bell on her wrist chimed softly, and a wild light danced in her Apricot Eyes. "If the Miss points east, Liu Ying will absolutely not go west. If you say someone must die at the third watch, your subordinate will absolutely not let them live until the fifth watch."
"Ahem, you may leave now." Shen Yue was truly afraid of what Liu Ying might say next.
"Liu Ying is straightforward, but reliable in her duties. With the two of them assisting you, your affairs will be much more convenient."
Yun Pianpian was so moved that her nose stung. When was a 996 worker in her Previous Life ever treated with such care? Now, someone was offering such dedicated assistance.
Truly... Heavens, I will never again say you are biased!
The Horse Carriage sped along the official road, kicking up clouds of flying catkins. Yun Pianpian leaned against the Gold-gilded window frame, watching the mountains rise and fall like the backs of giant beasts. Her nails dug deeply into her palm; the agonizing pain of being pushed off the cliff in her Previous Life seemed to still scream in her bones.
"Yun Qingsong..." she silently uttered that name, her 'good Third Uncle.' The Stars painted on the carriage roof reflected the cold glint churning in her eyes. The outline of Shangjing City was faintly visible in the distance; in that magnificent golden cage, someone was surely raising a toast to celebrate her "accidental death."
Yun Qingsong, Mu Feng... You never expected this, did you? I, Yun Pianpian, am back, and this time I will definitely make you pay in blood!