Chapter 244: A Match Made in Heaven |
In the days that followed, life settled into a peaceful rhythm.
With their Heavenly Dao Fragments, the teenagers focused on their cultivation, preparing for the upcoming Immortal Disciple Competition.
Chen Yin’s worries about them abusing their newfound powers proved unfounded.
They were more pure and innocent than he had given them credit for.
The Systems were simply tools to enhance their cultivation, nothing more. Their daily lives remained the same, filled with playful banter, petty squabbles, and Yu Ling’s occasional scoldings.
The only change was that they finally decided on a name for their little group.
Not Shen Li, but the Yu Alliance.
Simple and direct, a tribute to their beloved Big Sister, Yu Ling.
Chen Yin gradually adjusted to this new life.
In his spare time, he would use the Mystic Immortal Token to visit Ephemeral Mountain and endure the Immortal Venerable’s torturous training methods.
Six months passed quickly.
“I’m going out for a drink with the Quiet Nun from the Thousand Birds Sect,” Yu Ling announced.
“Don’t drink too much, and come back early,” Chen Yin said.
“Okay, okay…”
The teenagers exchanged knowing glances, their eyes twinkling mischievously.
“The leader of the Star Origin Society invited me to a shopping event. I’ll be back soon,” Yu Ling said.
“Don’t spend too much. If you see anything you like, tell me, and I’ll find you a better deal,” Chen Yin replied.
“Fine, fine…”
The teenagers peeked through the crack in the door, their eyes wide with curiosity.
One day, as Yu Ling was about to leave, the teenagers gathered in secret.
“Alright, everyone,”
Xiao Luo said seriously, “it’s time we had a serious discussion.”
“Do you… think Big Sister likes Chen Yin?”
“I’ll go first!” Hu Li said eagerly. “She definitely has a crush on him! I’ve been following her for so long, and I’ve never seen her so docile and obedient towards anyone! Even her voice becomes softer and gentler around him!”
The others nodded in agreement.
But Feng Xiangling shook his head. “I think you’re reading too much into it. She’s a Grand Clarity Realm Immortal, on par with your parents and masters. Cultivators prioritize their cultivation. She wouldn’t waste her time on a little boy.”
Luo Xiaoxiao wagged his finger knowingly. “No, no, you’re wrong. Cultivation level doesn’t change the fact that she’s just a sixteen-year-old girl! And sixteen is the perfect age for falling in love! Maybe she just likes his pretty face. I’ve read plenty of stories like this in the System Shop!”
Si Qing, who had been silent, suddenly spoke.
“But… he’s so young… Big Sister is six years older than him…” Her voice was filled with a quiet sadness.
“Oh, Qingqing~”
Hua Yulian put her arm around Si Qing’s shoulder and whispered, “Age is just a number for cultivators! There are couples with a hundred-year age gap! Six years is nothing! It won’t matter in a few years.”
Si Qing wanted to argue, but she couldn’t find the words and just lowered her head sadly.
As the others were about to continue their discussion, she suddenly shouted, “I don’t care!”
“I-I don’t believe it!”
With that, she ran out of the room, leaving the others staring after her in stunned silence.
Some words are like silent icicles, piercing through your heart, leaving a cold, lingering ache.
Si Qing knew, deep down, that Sister Hua was probably right.
Age wasn’t the issue.
She was also much older than Chen Yin, but she had never felt any difference in maturity between them. On the contrary, she had always found him surprisingly reliable and dependable.
And that sense of reliance, like the scent of rosemary, was addictive.
She wandered aimlessly, her head lowered, her heart filled with a quiet despair.
She shouldn’t have thrown a tantrum like that.
And she knew exactly why she was so upset.
It wasn’t because she didn’t believe it.
She just didn’t want to accept it.
She couldn’t accept that her first love, so innocent and pure, had ended before it even began.
Even after Chen Yin had gently rejected her at the feast, she had still clung to a sliver of hope.
…What if Big Sister doesn’t like him? What if his preferences change when he’s older? What if I have another chance to be alone with him?
There were so many possibilities.
She had fantasized about countless scenarios, her imagination fueled by the romantic stories she had been reading in the System Shop.
Stories of love and loss, of unexpected twists and turns, of happy endings and passionate kisses.
Even now,
She was still dreaming.
She found herself standing outside the kitchen, her usual refuge when she was lost in thought. It was where Chen Yin spent most of his time, preparing meals for everyone.
Remembering Hua Yulian’s words, she blushed slightly and was about to turn away when she hesitated,
Then leaned closer to the door and peeked inside.
“…Why are you leaving again, after just returning from a fight?”
“Well, a good opponent is hard to come by. It would be a waste to miss this opportunity,” Yu Ling’s voice was filled with a playful arrogance.
“Your clothes are dirty,” Chen Yin’s voice held a hint of reproach.
“I don’t have time to change. And why would I dress up for a fight?”
“No.”
Chen Yin’s voice was firm.
“Wh-why not…?” Yu Ling’s voice softened slightly whenever he spoke in that tone.
“You’re our Big Sister. You’re the face of the Yu Alliance.”
“I want you to win. And I want you to look good doing it.”
Yu Ling was silent for a moment, then mumbled,
“Oh…”
Si Qing’s eyes widened slightly, then lowered her gaze.