Chapter 10: Now, I Am Also in the Cloud Ascending Realm
Yu Xiang couldn’t sleep well all night.
She tossed and turned, opening and closing her eyes, only to see Chen Yin’s gaze from earlier that day.
That gaze, Yu Xiang would probably never forget for the rest of her life.
It was like a thick fog that lingered in his eyes, looking at her with a hazy and sorrowful expression.
And those words, calm yet filled with suppressed sadness:
…Are you serious about that?
Yu Xiang didn’t know how to answer this question.
If she could, she would also throw herself into her Senior Brother’s arms without hesitation.
Thinking about nothing.
Just wanting to be enveloped by his scent.
However, on countless nights, she was often awakened by the cruel scene from that year.
That image was also deeply engraved in her bones.
She had sworn at that time that she would do anything to get revenge.
Then, as if someone had responded to her wish, she received the System.
The System told her, from this day forward, you are the villain of this world.
Your mission is to defeat the protagonist.
If you follow the plot’s planned route, you can avenge your grievances.
But if you disobey the System, all your loved ones will perish alongside you.
…It doesn’t matter.
As long as she could get revenge, it didn’t matter what happened.
Holding onto that tiny thought, Yu Xiang was able to tell herself not to die during those countless sleepless nights.
To live on, even if it was just for revenge.
But all of this wavered after being brought back to Mount Yu by Master.
She met her loving Senior Brother Chen Yin and her protective Master, Immortal Yu Ling.
Everything on Mount Yu was like a gentle illusion that she was sinking into, almost forgetting the deep hatred engraved in her blood and bones.
But Yu Xiang knew.
From the moment she was chosen by the System, there was no turning back.
Either she followed the System’s instructions and completed the predetermined plot.
Or, her Senior Brother, Master, and everyone else she cared about would die because of her.
That was something that terrified her even more than her own death.
She didn’t want to endure the pain of losing her loved ones again.
So this time, no matter what, she had to follow the System’s instructions.
…I’m sorry, Senior Brother.
The night breeze blew through the window, leaving a slight dampness and sparkle on her pillow.
***
The next morning, Chen Yin woke up early and went to the kitchen to make soup.
Master had already gone on her journey. Now, only he and Xiang’er were left on Mount Yu.
Only when that loli granny was away did Chen Yin dare to take out the good ingredients he had secretly stashed away and treat Xiang’er to a delicious meal.
As he was tasting the soup with a spoon, the door opened.
Yu Xiang stood timidly at the door, looking at him cautiously.
“Oh, Xiang’er.”
Chen Yin’s expression was as calm as ever, and he said with a smile, “Come and have a taste. Senior Brother got up early to make this.”
“Antler and Ganoderma Soup, it’s said to be good for beauty, nourish the blood, and most importantly, enhance your bust~”
“Xiang’er should drink more, so Senior Brother can experience what it feels like to touch clouds in the future.”
Faced with Chen Yin’s teasing and suggestive words, Yu Xiang, unusually, didn’t blush and run away. Instead, she bit her lip gently.
“Senior Brother… are you still mad at me?”
Chen Yin paused, then put down the spoon and chuckled.
“I told you.”
“I’ve never been mad at Xiang’er.”
“Maybe Xiang’er has some hidden difficulties and doesn’t want to tell Senior Brother.”
“It’s okay.” Chen Yin wiped his hands on his apron, took it off, and put it aside.
He turned and looked at Yu Xiang seriously.
“Whenever you want to talk, Senior Brother is always willing to listen.”
Yu Xiang’s eyes welled up with tears.
After a moment, her eyes reddened, and she choked back a sob.
“Senior Brother… I…”
“Ah, but actually, thinking about it, being told that by Xiang’er does hurt a little.”
Chen Yin suddenly changed his tone and said in a troubled voice, “It seems I’m actually a little bit angry, what should I do?”
“How about Xiang’er coaxes me?”
Yu Xiang froze, fiddled with her fingers, and asked softly:
“Th-then… how does Senior Brother want Xiang’er to coax you?”
“That depends on how sincere Xiang’er is.”
Chen Yin stared at her with a grin and said no more.
After hesitating for a moment, Yu Xiang blushed slightly and bit her lip:
“Then… Senior Brother, can you close your eyes?”
“Eh? Can’t I keep them open?”
“Oh, bad Senior Brother, stinky Senior Brother, j-just close your eyes!”
Seeing Xiang’er’s flustered and shy expression, Chen Yin couldn’t help but close his eyes with a smile.
After confirming that Chen Yin had closed his eyes, Yu Xiang slowly walked up to him and gently stood on tiptoe.
Chen Yin only felt a warm breath getting closer and closer to his cheek.
Almost as if it was about to touch his face.
After a moment, a soft voice, like a whisper in a dream, sounded in his ear:
“This is Xiang’er’s first kiss.”
“Xiang’er also likes Senior Brother.”
“Xiang’er also wants to be the Number One Fairy in Senior Brother’s heart forever.”
Then, his lips felt a touch like flower petals.
The soft and warm sensation was fleeting, but it made Chen Yin feel as if he had been electrocuted, leaving his eyes closed for a long time.
As if he was savoring the wonderful sensation.
After a while, Chen Yin slowly opened his eyes, but Yu Xiang was gone.
The shy girl must have run away.
Chen Yin, however, couldn’t help but gently touch his lips and chuckle silently.
…Actually, Xiang’er had always given Chen Yin this feeling.
A pure and innocent beauty, like the most pristine Mist Yu flower.
Unfortunately, Chen Yin had no siblings, neither in his previous life nor in this one.
Xiang’er was like a close and precious little sister, yet also like a girl next door with budding feelings hidden in her heart.
From the time they first came to the mountain, when she was just a little girl with dimples who called him “Senior Brother” in a sweet, childish voice…
Chen Yin had decided that he would protect this girl for the rest of his life.
…However, there was one thing he regretted.
Xiang’er had given him her first kiss.
But his first kiss… wasn’t hers.
Recalling a certain experience, Chen Yin could almost feel a completely different sensation on his lips.
Coughing lightly, Chen Yin sighed helplessly.
Ah, Xiang’er, don’t blame Senior Brother for being fickle.
There are some things that Senior Brother can’t help.
***
A few more days passed.
During these days, Yu Xiang and Chen Yin returned to their usual warm routine of playful banter.
Neither of them brought up that day’s events again, as if they had tacitly agreed to forget about it.
Chen Yin still teased Yu Xiang with his suggestive words every day, making her blush and scold him.
And Xiang’er still cooked delicious meals for Chen Yin every day, making him eat with great relish.
However, without a certain bossy loli granny around, Chen Yin felt a little unaccustomed.
…He wondered what Master was up to.
Forget it. Just like she said.
Probably no one in the entire cultivation world could kill her.
Why should he worry?
Peaceful days always flew by quickly, and in the blink of an eye, the day of the Number One Fairy Conference was approaching.
Chen Yin and Xiang’er also began to prepare for their journey.
“By the way, Senior Brother, why did Master ask you to escort me? Can’t I just go by myself?”
“Don’t be silly.” Chen Yin put on a serious face. “How can I let a girl like you travel so far alone? Not to mention Master, even I wouldn’t feel at ease.”
“What if you encounter some bad guys on the road who want to harm you? I’d cry my eyes out.”
Yu Xiang couldn’t help but giggle and cover her mouth. “Come on! You’re always busy fooling around, your cultivation isn’t even as high as mine.”
“Even if we really encounter a bad guy that even I can’t defeat, what help could you, a Senior Brother who hasn’t even reached the Cloud Ascending Realm, offer?”
Chen Yin instantly put on a hurt expression. “So… in Xiang’er’s eyes, Senior Brother is such a useless person…”
“Wuwuwu, I don’t want to live anymore.”
Yu Xiang was afraid that she had spoken too harshly and was about to comfort him, but in the next second, Chen Yin suddenly put on a tragic expression:
“It’s okay! Xiang’er, if we really encounter a bad guy that neither of us can defeat, leave me behind! Run away quickly!”
“Even if it costs me my life, I won’t let anyone bully Xiang’er!”
Yu Xiang narrowed her eyes and giggled.
“Stinky Senior Brother. At a time like this, you’re still trying to be cool.”
“If we really can’t win, Senior Brother should just run away. Xiang’er can handle it herself.”
“How can I do that?” Chen Yin said righteously. “I’d rather die before Xiang’er! If anyone wants to hurt Xiang’er, they’ll have to step over my dead body!”
“…Senior Brother, your legs are shaking.”
“…”
Their usual playful banter. Both of them were used to it.
After tidying up the house, Chen Yin, while Xiang’er wasn’t paying attention, tucked his mask into his bosom and shrunk the Eternal Light sword, storing it in his sleeve.
He also made eye contact with Luo Luo, whose little fox head peeked out from the void outside, and nodded.
After everything was ready, Chen Yin said cheerfully:
“Let’s go! Our destination is the Number One Fairy Conference, a world full of beautiful women!”
“…Senior Brother.”
Yu Xiang suddenly looked at him suspiciously. “Could it be that you asked Master to let you escort me because you actually want to go to the Fairy Conference to flirt with other girls?”
“Ahem, h-how is that possible? I’m a righteous man, do I look like a philanderer?”
Chen Yin coughed lightly, straightening his neck defensively. “I’m genuinely worried about Xiang’er’s safety.”
“No need to worry about me, stinky Senior Brother. If I get held back by you, that would be bad.”
Yu Xiang pouted. “Promise me, if I tell you to run, you’ll run, okay?”
“…I say,” Chen Yin shrugged helplessly. “You’re only at the early stage of the Cloud Ascending Realm, just a little higher than me.”
“Do you really need to look down on me that much?”
“Heehee, who told you not to cultivate properly and have such low cultivation?”
Looking at Xiang’er’s sly smile and long eyelashes, Chen Yin sighed softly.
Then, he suddenly extended his hand.
The next moment, the spiritual energy between heaven and earth surged, swirling towards Chen Yin like a vortex.
Before Xiang’er could react, the vortex suddenly disappeared.
And Chen Yin, standing in front of her, seemed to have become even more ethereal. He smiled and spread his hands:
“Is this better?”
“Now.”
“I am also in the Cloud Ascending Realm.”
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