Yunlan's Daily Life

"Ha!"

The Misty Cloud Sect disciples stood in neat rows across Misty Cloud Square, their foreheads beaded with sweat under the scorching sun, yet not a single one dared to move an inch.

These young disciples were restless; such grueling training helped them steady their minds to a certain extent, though it never lasted long, as this was not their primary form of training.

Every disciple was dressed in white robes embroidered with cloud patterns, and at each sleeve, a sword emblem was stitched. As the robes fluttered in the wind, the sword emblems seemed to come alive, with sharp sword qi faintly spilling forth.

This was a batch of uniforms that Yun Zimo had spent a fortune to have custom-made in the eastern provinces; they were impervious to heat and cold, resistant to water and fire, and their material was no worse than the robes worn by first-tier alchemists.

"Form wedge formation!"

At the deep, resonant command, the disciples moved without hesitation, grouping into threes to form triangular arrays, their internal energy surging to construct small, cohesive phalanxes.

Training in groups of three allowed them to better develop their ability to work as a unit and leverage collective strength. Since they had not yet reached the level of Dou King powerhouses capable of holding off an army alone, understanding how to leverage strength while they were still weak was paramount!

"Lord Mad Lion, the Hall Master requests your presence."

"Understood! Everyone, take a short break!"

The burly, half-naked man let out a sharp shout before following the disciple off the square.

"Phew~"

The Misty Cloud disciples quietly exhaled, gently stretching their aching bodies and whispering to one another, fearful that the returning Mad Lion might catch them.

"Teacher Mad Lion is truly something else. Ever since the Hall Master invited him back to the sect to serve as an instructor a year ago, every day has been pure torture!"

"Who can say otherwise? But I heard the Young Sect Master is being taught personally by the Old Sect Master—that's a hundred times more rigorous than this!"

"Ah, then..."

Ignoring the grumbling of the disciples, Mad Lion had already arrived at the Sect Master's office.

"Hall Master, you summoned me?"

The Misty Cloud instructor Yan Shi cupped his fists. For this young Dou King who had subdued him in three moves, Yan Shi held a deep, genuine respect.

"Old Yan, how have you been feeling lately?"

Yun Zimo did not ask about the training; having delegated authority to Yan Shi, he would not interfere.

This attitude of treating him as a friend naturally moved Yan Shi, whose straightforward and honest nature found such treatment highly agreeable.

As a mere rogue cultivator who had broken through to the Dou King realm after a life-or-death struggle to become one of the top ten powerhouses of the Jia Ma Empire, he had lacked the background and resources to go any further. He had never expected Yun Zimo to personally invite him. With the sect's immense power and deep foundation, the cornered Yan Shi had joined the Misty Cloud Sect after his defeat.

To repay the favor of being recognized, Yan Shi spared no effort in drilling the disciples according to Yun Zimo's requirements, even occasionally descending the mountain to lobby his friends to help Yun Zimo recruit talent.

"Thank you for your concern, Hall Master. Old Yan has been on his own for so many years; I eat my fill, and the whole family is fed."

Yan Shi gave a simple, honest smile, looking somewhat shy despite his hulking frame.

"Oh, right, I recently got in touch with an old friend. You will definitely be interested, Hall Master!"

Yan Shi suddenly remembered someone and recommended him with palpable impatience.

"Oh? An old friend? Who is it?"

"The former Ice Emperor among the top ten of the Jia Ma Empire, Mite'er Haibodong!"

"Snap!"

The brush in Yun Zimo's hand broke instantly, and as he looked up at Yan Shi, his eyes flashed with sharp light.

"Ice Emperor Haibodong? Didn't he go missing after challenging Medusa in the desert?"

A memory of buying a map flashed through Yun Zimo's mind, but he asked softly.

"Missing? He went into seclusion after causing a scene with the Snake-Person Tribe. If I hadn't happened to be visiting a friend in the desert, I never would have run into him."

Yan Shi scoffed. They had both been part of the same assassin organization back in the day; although the organization had been wiped out, the two still maintained some contact, and he knew exactly what situation Haibodong was in.

"But he is a member of the Mite'er Family. I fear he won't accept my recruitment."

Yun Zimo sighed.

"You won't know until you try. Besides, it seems he ran into some trouble; his strength has dropped to the Dou Ling level. If we can help him resolve it, there might be a chance."

"Very well. I will find time to visit this Ice Emperor. In two days, it will be the ceremony for the Young Sect Master. With the Sect Master in closed-door cultivation and the Old Sect Master in quiet meditation, I must represent the Misty Cloud Sect at the Nalan Clan. I have no time for now."

Yun Zimo rubbed his aching head. This past year had kept him incredibly busy: using his veto power to suppress the elders, cleaning out the rot within the sect, rectifying the sect's atmosphere, recruiting instructors to train disciples, and finding time to go down the mountain to scout for talent...

"Right, call Senior Brother Yun Yun over. I have something I need to ask of him."

Yun Zimo picked up the Sect Master Token and sent a message. Moments later, Yun Yun arrived.

"Yo, what does the busy man want with me today?"

Yun Yun had a blade of grass in his mouth, his expression frivolous as he raised an eyebrow at Zimo.

"Hall Master Yun Yun."

Yan Shi cupped his fists in greeting. Yun Yun nodded slightly, immediately turning to tease Yun Zimo.

"What, our hands-on Sect Master Yun has finally run into a problem he can't solve?"

"Senior Brother..."

Yun Zimo smiled helplessly.

"Isn't Yanran coming of age soon? That boy from the Xiao Clan is also having his ceremony this year. I was wondering if you might have the time..."

"Fine, fine. Honestly, the relationships you people have are truly a mess..."

Yun Yun felt a headache coming on just thinking about Yun Zimo's bizarre seniority, muttering to himself as he reached out his hand.

"Give me a Sect Master Token. I'll go to the treasury to pick out some suitable gifts, and I'll make a trip to the Xiao Clan."

After securing the Sect Master Token from Zimo, Yun Yun turned, waved his hand dismissively, and departed.

"Hall Master Yun Yun is certainly... free-spirited."

Yan Shi offered an awkward smile, unwilling to comment further. Because Yun Yun was Yun Yun's younger brother, his status within the sect was somewhat transcendent, which had fostered his carefree and bold personality.

However, Yun Shan did have a knack for teaching; Yun Yun had not turned into the sort of troublemaking playboy often found in the Imperial Capital.

"Let him go. I believe he and Little Yanzi will have plenty to talk about."

Yun Zimo recalled that month spent in the small bamboo grove of the Xiao Clan, a nostalgic smile touching his lips.

"I'll go out for a walk. It's been a long time since I've truly cleared my mind to see the changes in the Misty Cloud Sect over this past year."

Yun Zimo suddenly felt a wave of fatigue. He gently rolled up the scroll before him and let out a long sigh.

"Old Yan, tell me, is this reform of mine the right path?"

Yun Zimo stood upon the clouds, overlooking the disciples in the plaza. His cyan and white wings vibrated slightly behind him. Yan Shi stood by his side, not entirely sure what he meant.

He followed Yun Zimo's gaze. Many new buildings had been erected across Misty Cloud Mountain, the sect's infrastructure looked brand new, and the disciples and elders were full of vigor. Down in Misty Cloud Town, the bustling crowds of disciples and commoners lived in harmony, indistinguishable from one another as they moved about.

"At the very least, the restless hearts of the Misty Cloud Sect disciples have calmed down."

Yan Shi pondered for a moment before pointing toward the disciples who were either sparring or exchanging pointers among the mountains.

"I remember that in the past, whenever Misty Cloud Sect disciples went down the mountain, they always acted as if they were invincible. Now that they can settle their minds, it is your reforms that have taken effect."

Listening to Yan Shi's somewhat clumsy flattery, Yun Zimo smiled faintly. That was true; at least he had done something, and the Misty Cloud Sect had changed in some way. Even if the world remained the same, at least he had changed something.

In the glow of the setting sun, Misty Cloud Mountain was bathed in a sky full of clouds. As he watched the sun dip below the horizon, the confusion in Zimo's heart suddenly vanished. His aura surged, and a faint, rhythmic cracking sound echoed from within his body.

Nine-Star Dou King, achieved...