The Imperial Capital.
A Flying Boat drifted slowly across Heaven.
Jiang Xueyao stood by the railing, gazing listlessly at the boundless Blue Sky, the Flying Boats coming and going, and the cultivators streaking through Heaven on their own power.
She was bored to death.
Every day, she had to endure the tedious task of dealing with noblewomen.
She also had to keep the young ladies raised deep within their sheltered homes company, listening as they talked of nothing but "So-and-so is getting promoted, and once he does, he'll come propose," "So-and-so's cultivation isn't high enough, so his career has stalled. I've given up on him," and "That man thinks he can court me? He's not quite good enough."
It was exhausting.
A trace of confusion flickered through Jiang Xueyao's eyes.
Everything in the mortal world was supposed to be a means to an end: cultivating the Dao more effectively.
But now it seemed—
These people were so absorbed in whether those means were good or bad that they had forgotten the point of it all: cultivating the Dao and strengthening themselves.
How utterly dull.
She missed the lush splendor of the South of the Yangtze, the gardens and little bridges over flowing streams on the North River island, and the Quiet Room she often used.
She could light a stick of Divine Incense, brew a pot of Spirit Tea, then sit cross-legged on a Meditation Cushion, forgetting both herself and the world as she pursued the Great Dao.
What freedom that was!
Jiang Xueyao was still lost in thought when the steward hurried over and said quietly:
"Something has happened. May I ask you to decide what we should do, miss?"
"What?" Jiang Xueyao asked.
"A Flying Boat belonging to the Imperial Family is blocking our way. Their messenger says