Chapter 267: Nalan Yanran's Regret
Yunlan Mountain, Misty Cloud Sect, Yun Yun's residence.
The stars were sparse around a bright moon. Draped only in a light cyan gauze, a woman sat by the poolside. Droplets rolled down her jade-like feet, forming ripples across the water's surface.
Her long hair scattered across her shoulders, Yun Yun had none of the usual dignity or grace of a sect leader. Her gaze, fixed on the crescent moon, held a quiet, melancholic longing.
Although Xiao Yuan had only been gone for a short time, she missed him terribly.
Most of the time, Yun Yun was too busy managing the Misty Cloud Sect to think about personal matters. But now that everything had stabilized, her idle mind began to drift.
Earlier that day, she had visited a secluded valley in the Magic Beast Mountain Range. The place was still the same—but the stern youth who had once tended her wounds there had long since soared into the skies.
He had flown far—so far that she could no longer see him.
Sigh.
Yun Yun sighed, then pulled out the white robe Xiao Yuan had once given her and hugged it tightly, as if she could hold onto him through it.
Her thoughts drifted again—to her disciple.
She wondered when Yanran would finally emerge from seclusion.
With the sect now stable and its elders all gone—courtesy of Protector Wu—Nalan Yanran's return would allow a smooth transition of leadership.
Suddenly, Yun Yun sensed something. She flipped her hand, revealing a glowing jade slip.
"Long time no see. I miss you dearly. How have you been, Sister Yun? I'm preparing to leave for Central Plains. We promised to go together. Has Yanran come out of seclusion?"
As Xiao Yuan's message ended, the jade dimmed slightly.
It was a communication slip crafted by Yao Lao—still in soul form—so its usage and duration were limited.
"So soon?"
Yun Yun smiled warmly but frowned. Yanran wasn't out yet, and Yun Yun couldn't leave her behind.
She was still considering how to reply when—buzz!—a sharp, majestic sword aura shot skyward from the Misty Cloud Sect's rear mountain. Its cry echoed through the entire sect.
At the same time, a powerful aura erupted from the rear mountain.
"This aura…"
Yun Yun blinked, focused, then gasped in surprise.
"Yanran?!"
A brilliant sword light streaked from the rear mountain and landed at Yun Yun's residence within moments.
Flustered, Yun Yun hastily stored the robe in her ring. With a flash of cyan light, she clothed herself in a formal dress.
The light faded, revealing a slender figure in dark robes. Her long green hair flowed like silk over her shoulders and waist. With a face of porcelain delicacy and a refined, slightly aloof expression—she was breathtaking.
Seeing Yun Yun staring blankly, the young woman smiled radiantly.
Her voice rang like a songbird.
"Teacher."
"Yanran… You… you really broke through the Gate of Life and Death?"
Seeing the more mature features of her disciple, Yun Yun lit up and appeared beside her in a flash, gripping her arms and inspecting her.
"Yes, Teacher. I did it!"
Nalan Yanran nodded, eyes shining with joy.
"That's wonderful!"
Yun Yun beamed.
"Your aura… you're at peak Dou Wang now?"
"Yes. I inherited the sect's legacy techniques. I'm only a step away from Dou Huang."
"I see. Then I can finally entrust the sect to you."
Yun Yun nodded approvingly.
"Mm… Wait, what??"
Nalan Yanran's smile froze.
She had just stepped out of seclusion, and now she was… being made Sect Leader?
This didn't seem right!
"Teacher, I only just returned—"
"Yanran, you heard what happened to our sect. We need someone to lead us back to greatness."
Yun Yun sighed and gravely recounted everything that had happened.
Half an hour later, Nalan Yanran sat in a daze, stunned.
She had only secluded herself for a few years—how had things gone completely off the rails outside?
Her teacher was stepping down, her traitorous grandmaster had become a Supreme Elder, and her ex-fiancé…
It was a mess.
"Yanran, the sect's decline is partly my fault. I couldn't pass leadership to you earlier, but now that you're strong enough—and more talented than me—it's time for you to lead us to revival."
Yun Yun's tone was serious.
Nalan Yanran, still dazed, nodded blankly.
"The elders will be here soon. Let's make it official tonight."
This time, Yun Yun showed rare decisiveness, striking while the iron was hot.
"…Okay."
Nalan Yanran's head pounded. She might be growing a brain.
—
The next morning, Yun Yun stood atop the mountain, gazing at the Misty Cloud Sect she had watched over since youth.
She was about to leave—to explore the world.
Whoosh!
Still overwhelmed from last night's whirlwind succession, Nalan Yanran flew up.
"Teacher…"
She was sharp. Although last night's events had stunned her, she now understood what Yun Yun's intentions really were.
And it stung a little.
Xiao Yuan hadn't said anything, but his act of taking her teacher away hurt more than any words.
Maybe… her judgment had been terrible.
"Yanran, I was never suited to lead. You know that. The sect needs a leader who moves forward, not one who clings to the past. That's you. I trust you."
Yun Yun smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind Yanran's ear.
"I want to see the world. Don't worry—I'll return. By then, I hope you'll have restored Misty Cloud Sect to its former glory… or better."
Yanran nodded solemnly.
"Don't worry, Teacher. I won't let you down."
Yun Yun smiled gently, spread her wings, and soared skyward, disappearing toward her future.
"Teacher…"
Yanran's eyes filled with sorrow.
She knew Yun Yun wasn't abandoning her. But they both silently avoided mentioning the real reason—
Xiao Yuan.
—
In a quiet courtyard, Xiao Yuan—for once—wasn't cultivating. Seated on a stone chair, he stared at the yellowing leaves, then turned to a familiar figure at the gate.
"Sister Xiao Yu."
She nodded, entered, and after a moment of silence, asked, "You're leaving tomorrow?"
Xiao Yuan smiled.
"Yes. Staying here won't get me the strength I need to face the Soul Hall. I must prepare."
"Mm. I won't go with you. I'm strong within the clan, but beside you—I'd only slow you down."
She sat down beside him, leaning into his arms, dejected.
Xiao Yuan felt a pang in his chest. This departure was different. The distance to Central Plains made return nearly impossible.
"After you leave, I'll become an Inner Academy elder. Out there… don't go flirting again. You've already got enough."
She grumbled.
"I'll behave," he chuckled. "Here—this ring contains cultivation resources for you and for the clan. And some things for Sister Ya Fei. I trust you more than anyone with this."
He handed over the ring.
"Okay. Don't worry." She nodded, then asked, "When will you return?"
Xiao Yuan fell silent.
"…I don't know."
Before he could say more, she silenced him with a kiss.
"Then tonight… stay with me."
—
The next day, sunlight shone down on the academy gates. A crowd gathered, watching the figures atop the nearby hill.
"Elder Su, Sister Xiao Yu, everyone—this is where we part."
Xiao Yuan looked back and smiled.
Su Qian was emotional.
"There are many of you, and Xinlan hasn't reached Dou Wang yet. Take this griffin as transport."
With a screech, a giant griffin landed with a gust of wind.
"Thank you, Elder."
Xiao Yuan smiled and cupped his fists.
Not wanting to linger in the mood of farewell, he stepped onto the griffin. Xiao Yan, Little Doctor Immortal, Zi Yan, Ye Zhong, and Ye Xinlan followed.
The griffin was large enough to seat all six comfortably.
"Xiao Yuan—come back safe!"
Xiao Yu's voice rang out, eyes glimmering.
Standing on the beast's head, Xiao Yuan smiled gently at her, swept his gaze across the crowd, then waved his sleeve. A strong gust lifted the griffin into the sky.
"President! Come back safe!!"
From the gate, the Lionheart Society members shouted at the top of their lungs.
Xiao Yuan smiled, cupped his fist, and called out as the griffin rose:
"Mountains shift, rivers turn—until we meet again in Central Plains!"
His laughter echoed behind, and the griffin became a distant black dot in the sky.
Su Qian wiped his eyes and comforted Xiao Yu.
"No need to worry. With their strength, even in Central Plains, they'll do just fine."
"I've always believed in them."
She smiled proudly.
"They're family."
"They'll make the academy proud," Su Qian added, then chuckled darkly.
"Wonder what'll happen if they run into the dean? Knowing his personality, heh…"
The others gave him strange looks but followed.
High above, the griffin spread its wings. A faint energy shield blocked the wind.
Xiao Yuan stood at the back, staring at the shrinking academy.
A soft voice broke his trance.
"Do we really have to bring her?"
Little Doctor Immortal looked at Zi Yan—her expression excited.
Xiao Yuan smiled.
"Elder Su said she might uncover her origins in Central Plains."
"Hmph! I'm a Dou Huang now! Don't think I'll slow you down!"
Zi Yan had heard everything—and wasn't happy.
Xiao Yuan chuckled, patted her head, and turned to Ye Zhong.
"There's still one more person joining us."
Right then, a ripple of Dou Qi appeared. A graceful figure flashed closer, moving so fast even Ye Zhong was impressed.
Xiao Yuan smiled softly.
She made it. Just in time.
(END CHAPTER)
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