Soul Hall's Shadow Appears

What is the meaning of life?

This is a problem.

Yun Yun was thinking.

The clothes were still on the ground.

Of course, this is just a feeling.

Although Xiao Yan's physical abilities are far beyond those of ordinary people, Yun Yun is, after all, a mature woman and a Dou Huang expert, so her physical abilities are still quite good.

Even so, ever since she woke up an hour ago, she has felt in a state of "great freedom," and her mind wanders to things she would never have thought about before.

Although her body was sore and weak, it felt as if she were lying on a soft cloud, making her completely unwilling to get out of bed.

It feels so good.

"Why are you still spacing out?"

A familiar voice rang out nearby. Yun Yun turned her head and saw Xiao Yan, dressed in Flowing Cloud Flying Sword Pattern White Robe, walking over with a bowl of hot porridge.

Xiao Yan was a little worried.

When Yun Yun first woke up, she looked dazed. If she hadn't been able to speak normally, Xiao Yan would have thought he had messed with his teacher.

"You've arrived?"

Yun Yun's eyebrows curved, like a gentle older sister, or a little girl seeing her lover. Maturity and charm appeared on her face at the same time, making Xiao Yan lose his mind.

"I've cooked you some porridge, and added a little bit of the medicinal power of the pills to it, which will help you recover."

Seeing Yun Yun's expression brighten, Yun Yun Xiao Yan breathed a sigh of relief and then forcefully pulled her out of the quilt.

"Ah! Wait a minute, I'm not dressed yet!"

Yun Yun initially wanted to get out using Xiao Yan's strength, but she immediately realized her predicament and quickly crawled back into bed. After wrapping herself tightly in the blanket, she got up.

This left Xiao Yan speechless.

So, your choice is to go naked and just wrap yourself in the blanket?

Is that correct?

How come our hardworking and beautiful teacher suddenly turned into a lazy bum?

Xiao Yan held the bowl of hot porridge that emitted a faint aroma of medicine and rice. He looked at Yun Yun, who was wrapped up tightly, with only her head showing, and was still trying to sit up. He couldn't help but smile with a helpless yet doting expression.

He shook his head, sat down on the edge of the bed, and placed the bowl of porridge on a small table beside him.

"Teacher," he softened his voice, but with a hint of mischief, "Are you planning to let me feed you like this?"

"Are you going to feed me or not?!" Yun Yun glared at him, her cheeks flushed red, like the morning glow. She instinctively tried to wrap herself up tighter, then finally sat up, looking at Xiao Yan's smiling face, and huffed, "Put the porridge down, get out. I'll get up and eat by myself."

"Oh? You want to do it yourself?" Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow leisurely, extending his fingers, feeling her softness through the fabric. "Teacher, are you sure you have the strength to lift the bowl? Doesn't your arm get tired?"

Yun Yun shrank back as he poked her, as if she could feel the warmth of his fingertips even through the blanket, and the feeling of weakness and soreness surged up even more clearly.

She recalled the nearly 24 hours of hard work, and her face flushed even more. She pursed her lips and remained silent, only looking at him with her watery eyes, a gaze that evoked pity.

Why are her hands sore? Doesn't he know?

Seeing her like this, Xiao Yan's heart melted instantly, and he couldn't bear to tease her anymore.

He picked up the bowl of porridge, stirred it gently with a spoon to distribute the steam evenly, scooped up a small spoonful, blew on it, and brought it to Yun Yun's lips.

"Good boy, open your mouth." His voice was deep and gentle, his eyes soft. "I've tested it myself, and the medicinal properties have completely dissolved in the porridge. Although it's only a Fourth-Grade Pill, it's just enough to nourish your body. If you don't eat it soon, it will get cold."

The aroma of warm rice mixed with a faint medicinal scent lingered around my nose.

Looking at her little apprentice's focused expression and the spoon brought to his lips, Yun Yun's embarrassment was slowly replaced by a warmer, more comforting feeling.

She hesitated for a moment, but ultimately couldn't resist her little apprentice's gentle gaze. She slightly parted her red lips and took the spoon into her mouth.

The warm porridge slid down her throat, carrying just the right amount of warmth and sweetness. The medicinal properties also transformed into a gentle heat, slowly nourishing her aching limbs and bones.

She squinted comfortably, letting out a soft, satisfied hum, like a lazy cat whose fur had been stroked.

Seeing her eating with relish, Xiao Yan's gaze softened even more.

He fed her patiently, spoonful by spoonful, his movements as gentle as if she were a rare treasure.

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting warm shadows on the two of them.

The only sounds in the room were the soft clinking of bowls and spoons and their shallow breathing. The simple, everyday atmosphere made Xiao Yan feel very relaxed.

The bowl of porridge was quickly emptied.

Yun Yun felt warm all over, and her strength seemed to have returned, but she still didn't want to move. It felt really good to be taken care of.

She felt as if she had returned to the days in the Monster Mountain Range, but with some differences.

At that time, she actually had a lot of hesitation and concerns.

She no longer feels that way.

Are you full?

Xiao Yan put down the empty bowl and gently wiped away a small amount of porridge that had accidentally gotten on the corner of her lips with the tip of his thumb.

Yun Yun seemed to recall some indescribable scenes, and suddenly felt that the plain porridge she had just eaten was somewhat like... well, never mind, it's all the same.

But she was a girl, and she cared about her image, so she couldn't expose her less-than-healthy thoughts. She could only subconsciously shrink her neck, but she didn't dodge away.

She felt the skin where his fingertips touched was slightly warm. She lowered her eyes, softly hummed in agreement, and whispered, "Mmm, much better... thank you."

"What are you thanking me for?" Xiao Yan leaned down, getting closer enough to see her fluttering eyelashes and the fine downy hairs on her face. He smiled and said, "Teacher, you're quite adorable like this now, like a lazy little cat that's had a good meal and just wants to bask in the sun."

Upon hearing this, Yun Yun blushed and tried to turn her back to him in protest, wrapped herself in the quilt like a silkworm cocoon. However, because she was wrapped too tightly and had bound her hands and feet, she lost her balance and fell directly onto the bed. Her clumsy movements made her look somewhat cute.

"You rascal Xiao Yan, how dare you flirt with your teacher? Believe me or not..."

Yun Yun wanted to salvage the situation, but remembering the absurd things she and her apprentice had done the night before, she couldn't say anything more.

Xiao Yan smiled upon hearing this, and immediately reached out to pull Yun Yun, blanket and all, into his arms. He rested his chin on the top of her head, his warm breath brushing against her forehead.

"The teacher really gave me a lot of guidance and training last night."

Hearing the implied meaning in Xiao Yan's words, Yun Yun's delicate body trembled slightly. She pulled the blanket tighter around herself and muttered softly:

"Hmph, the teacher is so good to you, and you still want to bully the teacher?"

Xiao Yan shook his head:

"It's not bullying, it's out of care."

"..."

Knowing she couldn't outwit her shameless disciple with her words, Yun Yun simply stopped arguing with Xiao Yan and nestled comfortably in his arms, enjoying this rare moment of tenderness.

She knew very well that Xiao Yan wouldn't stay in the Jia Ma Empire for long. Although she really wanted to travel the continent with Xiao Yan regardless of the consequences, she couldn't bear to leave the Misty Cloud Sect behind.

Yun Yun leaned against Xiao Yan, feeling the steady heartbeat and reassuring warmth from his chest. The blankets were warm and cozy, and her whole body felt cozy.

The sunlight outside the window was perfect, streaming through the windowpanes and falling on the two figures nestled together, casting long, warm shadows on the floor.

The room was quiet, with only the soft sounds of their breathing mingling.

After a while, Yun Yun snuggled gently against him like a lazy cat, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible affection:

When... are you planning to leave?

Xiao Yan tightened his arms around her slightly, pressed his cheek against the top of her head, gazed at the distant sky outside the window, and after a moment of silence, whispered:

"Don't worry, I'll have to wait until the Sect Assembly. I'll leave after the Sect Assembly ends. I might go directly to Central Plains; there are some things I need to take care of as soon as possible."

His voice was calm, but Yun Yun could hear a hint of urgency in Xiao Yan's words. This urgency wasn't because what he needed to do was particularly urgent, but because Xiao Yan had planned his time very tightly.

She had this feeling when she first started teaching Xiao Yan, and now that she was his woman, he didn't seem to have any intention of explaining...

"I see."

Yun Yun responded softly, but did not ask what it was about.

She understood her little apprentice and knew he must have had his reasons for doing this. But while she understood, emotionally, she still couldn't bear to be separated from Xiao Yan.

Especially after yesterday's pleasure, knowing that Xiao Yan would be leaving in two or three months, the deep reluctance in her heart entwined around her like vines. She subconsciously buried herself even tighter in his arms, absorbing his scent.

"However, what about the Misty Cloud Sect..."

She spoke softly, but then didn't know how to continue.

"I know," Xiao Yan lowered his head and kissed Yun Yun's cheek, saying tenderly, "A teacher has responsibilities, just as I have things I must accomplish. When you are free, you can come to me anytime if you wish, or... I will come to pick you up."

Yun Yun's heart trembled, and she raised her watery eyes to look into his. Those once clear and sharp black eyes now only reflected her image, filled with promises and affection.

No need for fancy vows or solemn promises; every word the young man uttered seemed like a predetermined fact of the future, certain to come true.

"I'm really looking forward to that day."

Upon hearing this, Yun Yun's lips unconsciously curved upwards, and the sorrow of parting in her heart was replaced by a warm and firm expectation.

She knew the road ahead was long, and she knew the boy would surely bear a heavy burden, but she never doubted that he could reach the end. She always believed that he would succeed.

A gentle breeze rustled the leaves outside the window, creating a soft, whispering sound that seemed to accompany the tranquil moment.

At least for this moment, their world consisted only of each other. Yun Yun seemed to know the meaning of life; the happiness in her heart at this moment was the meaning of her existence.

Sunlight streamed down, gently enveloping the two people embracing. The hall was quiet and still, a scene of serene beauty.

Deep in the Back Mountain of the Misty Cloud Sect.

Yun Shan looked at Yun Leng kneeling to the side with a detached expression, his brows slightly furrowed.

"Have they all been seen off?"

He asked casually.

"Elder Sect Master, I have personally crippled their Dou Qi and allowed them to rest for one night before they descended the mountain on their own."

Yun Leng practically buried himself in dust; this mighty Dou Wang expert was behaving like a humble dog.

Seeing this, Yun Shan became even more disappointed.

If you do something wrong, you should accept the punishment.

However, for a Dou Wang expert to reveal such a servile and obsequious side is truly disgusting.

Although a Da Dou Shi -level expert has truly embarked on the right path of Dou Qi, the injury caused by the abolition of Dou Qi is not something that can be fully recovered from in a day or two, even with healing pills.

If one travels around and walks on mountain roads before fully recovering, resulting in excessive fatigue, it may not be life-threatening, but it can leave behind incurable illnesses, and one will most likely not live long.

To survive, would someone be so ruthless towards their own people?

Yun Leng...

Yun Shan suddenly felt that his once clever and capable junior brother had become a stranger.

When exactly did it begin that the once spirited young man transformed into this despicable figure?

Suddenly, he thought of himself again.

Back then, in order to break through to the Dou Zong and to survive, how much better was my ugly face than Yun Leng's?

Fortunately, Yun'er now has a good man by her side. The young man's talent seems to be even stronger than that of Yun Potian, the founding patriarch recorded in the sect's records.

With his help, Yun'er 'Misty Cloud Sect future will surely be better, even without her, right?

Soul Hall...

Deep down, Yun Shan felt a sense of fear.

That force is too mysterious and powerful. Even a Wu Protector, there seems to be a Dou Zun level expert in its branch hall!

He had no choice but to seek help from the Soul Hall.

But now their son-in-law has amazing talent. If they can delay for three to five years, he might be able to advance to the Dou Zong realm. When that happens, if they join forces, they will definitely be able to keep that Wu Protector.

As long as things are done cleanly enough...

"Um?"

Suddenly, a familiar aura appeared in his senses. Yun Shan's expression changed abruptly, and he quickly turned around. He saw a cloud of black mist on the chair beside him, from which two strange red lights flickered.

"Hehehe, Sect Master Yun Shan, how have you been!"