As dinner was served and the conversation flowed, Devor’s Grandpa finally learned Yulin’s true identity—not as Devor’s future wife, but as his Senior Sister from the Azure Sky Sect.

  Embarrassed by his earlier assumptions, Grandpa Devor chuckled awkwardly and offered a sincere apology. However, Yulin waved it off with a casual smile, clearly unbothered.

  The night passed peacefully. Outside Devor’s modest home, Yulin sat cross-legged under the starlit sky, meditating. Although her presence wasn’t necessary, she remained vigilant out of habit.

  As a cultivator with considerable strength, Yulin rarely needed sleep. Even after a week of sleepless nights, her energy would remain undiminished.

  ??????

  The next morning, Devor and his Grandpa rose early. Excitement buzzed in the air as Devor began packing his Grandpa’s belongings.

  During dinner the previous evening, Devor had persuaded his Grandpa to leave the village and move to the city. While Grandpa Devor had initially been reluctant, Devor’s persistence and reassurances eventually won him over. He explained how his time in the Azure Sky Sect had allowed him to save enough money to ensure a more comfortable life for them both.

  Reluctance gave way to acceptance, and today marked the start of their journey.

  Devor smiled inwardly, relieved that his Grandpa’s move also meant he could avoid another harrowing ride on Yulin’s flying sword.

  With Yulin’s assistance, renting a carriage for the journey to the city was easy. Though the sect’s wealth wasn’t meant for indulgence, Devor’s contributions had earned him enough to secure a comfortable ride.

  Carrying only two modest cloth bags, the three of them boarded the carriage and set off toward the nearest city.

  Inside the carriage, the mood was warm and lively.

  Devor eagerly shared stories about his time in the Azure Sky Sect—how he had learned to care for Spiritual Plants with precision, how Elder Sorin had recognized his efforts, and how his knowledge had earned him respect among his peers.

  Grandpa Devor leaned forward, his eyes sparkling as if hearing the tales of a legendary hero. For a man who had spent his life in the quiet village, the world of cultivation felt like a distant dream brought to life by his grandson’s words.

  Yulin sat quietly for the most part, a faint smile gracing her lips. Occasionally, she chimed in, either clarifying a point or gently teasing Devor, much to the delight of his Grandpa.

  The hours slipped by unnoticed, and before they realized it, the carriage reached the gates of the eastern region’s largest mortal city.

  The eastern region was unique, governed under the Azure Sky Sect’s protection yet left as a domain for mortals. This arrangement stemmed from an ancient agreement recorded in history. While the details were murky, it was said that a sect master had once granted the request of mortals to keep the eastern lands free from the chaos of cultivation politics.

  Cultivators were forbidden from interfering in mortal affairs within the eastern region, though they were free to live among mortals, enjoy their comforts, or even trade. This delicate balance had allowed the eastern region to flourish in relative peace.

  Upon arriving in the bustling city, Devor wasted no time. He sought out a real estate agent and, within an hour, secured a cozy, well-built house for his Grandpa.

  The house, modest but sturdy, measured twenty square meters and cost 200 gold coins. To Devor, it was a small price to pay for his Grandpa’s comfort. After converting his sect earnings, he still had over 1,500 gold coins left—more than enough to meet their needs.

  Once the house was purchased and his Grandpa settled, Devor treated him to a day of luxuries. They dined at one of the finest restaurants in the city, enjoying dishes his Grandpa had never even imagined tasting. Later, they visited a hot spring—an indulgence his Grandpa often reminisced about but rarely experienced.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  For those few days, Devor’s time revolved entirely around his Grandpa, ensuring he enjoyed every moment of their stay in the city.

  Despite his joy, Devor couldn’t linger forever. His duties at the sect awaited him.

  On their final morning together, Devor stood outside the new house, his gaze lingering on his Grandpa.

  “Live well,” his Grandpa said, pulling him into a tight hug. His voice was steady, but his smile, though warm, deepened the wrinkles on his face. "You have a longer, tougher path ahead of you than I do."

  Devor’s throat tightened, his eyes welling with unshed tears. "I promise, Grandpa," he said quietly, his voice trembling. "I’ll make you proud."

  Yulin watched the scene silently, standing a few steps away. She noticed the warmth in Devor’s expression—a softer, gentler side to him that rarely surfaced within the rigid discipline of the sect.

  A faint smile tugged at her lips, and for a moment, she allowed herself to wonder if such moments of quiet humanity would become more frequent—or remain fleeting memories etched into the backdrop of their arduous journey.

  Devor gazed at his Grandpa, his eyes filled with conflicting emotions. "Today is the day you can finally rest. Don’t push yourself anymore, and use my money to live comfortably."

  “I will,” Devor’s Grandpa replied, giving his shoulders a firm, reassuring squeeze.

  Devor clenched his teeth, a wave of emotions washing over him. His thoughts felt muddled, torn between gratitude and a nagging sense of unease.

  Sometimes, ignorance truly was a blessing in disguise.

  As if sensing his turmoil, the system interface appeared before Devor’s eyes.

  [ Name: Doyu Li ]

  [ Gender: Male ]

  [ Cultivation: Mortal ]

  [ Age: 56/57 ]

  [ Spiritual Energy: 0 ]

  The screen lingered briefly, a quiet reminder of the reality he didn’t want to confront.

  This was the result of Devor activating his Attribute Analyzer, an ability that allowed him to inspect the profiles and statuses of others.

  However, the system had its limitations. For instance, when analyzing Senior Sister Yulin, the screen displayed nothing but (???), aside from her name—which Devor already knew. Similarly, if the target was a cultivator whose name was unfamiliar, the system returned only question marks.

  As if sensing the gravity of the moment, Doyu Li glanced at Yulin, who stood silently behind Devor, her presence exuding quiet strength.

  Bowing deeply, Doyu Li said earnestly, “Fairy Yulin, please look after my grandson while he’s at the sect.”

  Yulin returned the bow with a faint, serene smile. “Devor will be fine there, Grandpa. In fact, I might need his help in the future.”

  The exchange was brief but left Devor feeling both comforted and uneasy.

  After another five minutes of heartfelt goodbyes, Devor finally began to walk away from his Grandpa’s house.

  He glanced over his shoulder one last time, watching the old man wave from the doorway of his new home. Though the house was spacious and comfortable, it felt far too quiet for just one person.

  A pang of doubt struck Devor. Had moving his Grandpa to the city really been the right decision?

  “You’ve had enough fun these past two days with your Grandpa,” Yulin said, breaking the silence with a subtle smile. “You can always return later and spend more time with him.”

  Devor forced a bitter smile and nodded slightly. “I hope there’s a next time.”

  Yulin studied him for a moment, sensing his hesitation. Deciding to offer him some wisdom, she spoke gently yet firmly.

  “In the world of cultivation,” she began, her tone carrying a quiet weight, “anyone who seeks the peak must be ready to face certain inevitable truths.”

  Devor turned to her, curiosity flickering in his eyes. “What truths?”

  Yulin met his gaze, her lips curving into a serene smile. “The first is that, in the pursuit of cultivation’s peak, loneliness will become your truest companion.”

  Devor furrowed his brow, her words sinking in like stones dropped into a still pond. “That… makes sense,” he admitted hesitantly, unsure if he fully believed it.

  After all, his journey had just begun.

  Yulin nodded slightly, as if expecting his response. Then, a glimmer of mischief flickered in her eyes. “And the second truth is...”

  Devor tilted his head, waiting.

  A sly smile spread across Yulin’s face. The air between them suddenly felt charged, and Devor’s instincts screamed that trouble was coming.

  “...you must always be prepared for the unexpected!”

  Before Devor could react, a flying sword materialized beneath his feet, lifting him abruptly into the air.

  “Senior Sister Yulin!” Devor cried, panic flaring as he instinctively tried to jump off.

  “Too late!” Yulin said with a grin, her tone brimming with amusement. With a flick of her fingers, the sword stabilized beneath him, locking his feet in place.

  Devor struggled, his movements futile. “No, wait! Senior Sister, we can negotiate—”

  “Double the Spiritual Plants I ordered,” Yulin interrupted, raising two fingers in a playful ‘V’ gesture.

  Devor’s face twisted in disbelief. “That’s impossible!”

  “Then you leave me no choice,” Yulin said dramatically, shaking her head as though disappointed.

  In an instant, Yulin stepped onto her own flying sword. With a quick motion, both swords shot upward, cutting through the morning sky.

  “Full speed ahead!” she declared cheerfully.

  Whooosh!!!

  The wind howled around them as the flying swords accelerated. Devor’s complexion turned as pale as snow, and his terrified screams echoed through the clouds.

  “Aaaahhh!”

  Behind him, Yulin’s laughter rang out, unrestrained and melodic. To Devor, however, it sounded like the cackling of a playful demon.

  As the Azure Sky Sect came into view in the distance, Devor made a silent vow. "Never again. Never again will I ask for Senior Sister Yulin’s help—unless I absolutely have no other choice!"