The Mortal World and the Heavens Are Not the Same

The festive atmosphere in Cloud City continued unabated.

Phoenix Flower Lanterns drifted through the night sky; the rain that was meant to fall tonight had been dispersed by the cultivators of High Heaven Pavilion.

Jiang An'an gripped Ye Qingyu's hand, skipping and jumping through the marketplace.

She had played with the Phoenix Flower Lanterns tonight, watched them drift over the entirety of Cloud City, and eaten so many delicious treats that she was brimming with joy.

"Sister Qingyu, look at this, look at this!"

Little An'an pointed to a jade pendant on a roadside stall; it was oval-shaped, pure white in color, and carved with intricate auspicious cloud patterns—truly exquisite.

"Is it pretty?"

Ye Qingyu nodded earnestly. "An'an has excellent taste!"

Jiang An'an grinned, turned her head, and spoke sweetly to the stall owner: "May I take a look at this piece of jade?"

The stall owner was a white-haired old woman who smiled and handed the pendant over. "Of course you may, little beauty."

Jiang An'an turned her head away, feeling a bit shy. Holding the white jade, she whispered to Ye Qingyu: "Sister, do you think my brother would look good wearing jade?"

Her voice was so soft, as if she were afraid someone might overhear and snatch it away from her.

Ye Qingyu thought back to when she first saw Jiang Wang at Yuheng Peak; he had seemed to be wearing jade at his waist. She hadn't seen it since.

"He would look good," she said.

"Then I'll buy this!" Jiang An'an beamed.

Watching her rummage through her Squirrel Box for silver, Ye Qingyu couldn't help but smile. "So this is the New Year's gift you're buying for your brother?"

Jiang An'an nodded vigorously while muttering to herself as she counted the coins.

"And where did you