"Eldest Brother?" Yun Ruyi keenly sensed the faint fluctuation in Yun Qing's aura. She gently tugged his sleeve and tilted her little face up, concern in her eyes.
Her clear eyes reflected Yun Qing's slightly distracted face.
Yun Qing came back to himself, the emotions churning in his heart gradually settling. "Nothing," he said gently. "I merely thought the sights here were wonderful."
He paused, his gaze returning to the bustling panorama of mortal life beneath the city walls. His voice softened, carrying a sentiment others could scarcely understand. "Truly wonderful. Better than many immortal palaces and divine halls."
After he had crossed into this world, the immortal palaces floating high above the Nine Heavens, with their jade towers and jeweled halls wreathed in spiritual mist, had exuded a transcendent chill and aloofness everywhere.
Living among them, even his breath carried the cool purity of spiritual energy. Over time, he had come to feel that heaven and earth ought to be this way, that all living beings ought to look up in reverence.
Only now had the smoke and warmth of mortal life awakened him. The heart that belonged to a "human" stirred.
At his words, Yun Tianluo gave Yun Qing a thoughtful glance.
He followed Yun Qing's gaze toward the rolling tide of mortal life below. Gently waving his folding fan, he too sighed. "A fine sight indeed."
"The Human Emperor Way Orthodoxy gathers the fortune of the myriad people to nurture the dynasty's mighty destiny. The countless common folk of Central Province, living and working in peace, brimming with vitality, are themselves the Great Xia Ancient Dynasty's firmest foundation and strength. It is indeed an entirely different path from the individual freedom and transcendence we cultivators of the Immortal Dao pursue."
Yun Ruyi blinked. "So Great Xia's national