Battle Through the Heavens: Beauties Abound Starting with Yunlan and Her Disciples

308: Section 308Yun Xiancheng spoke gently, his clear and soothing voice acting like a tender barrier, shielding them from those overly focused gazes. The Young ladies then withdrew their eyes with giggles and laughter.

He then picked up the serving chopsticks and, from a plate of glossy, soy-braised ribs, lifted the best-looking piece and placed it steadily into the empty bowl in front of Liu Fei, with a

smile, he comforted her, ”It’s alright, don’t be nervous. Everyone... usually fools around like this.”

Those gentle words and the heavy rib in her bowl turned into a warm current, causing the tightly wound string in her heart to gradually loosen a little.

Her body, which had been pressed against the back of the chair, unconsciously leaned forward a fraction, moving a hair’s breadth closer to the source of warmth beside her. At Yun Xiancheng’s greeting, the Young ladies at the table immediately became lively.

For a moment, ivory chopsticks shuttled between porcelain plates and jade bowls, producing bursts of crisp and pleasant clinking sounds, making the room feel even more full of life. The two little ones, Zi Yan and Yun Yan, were engaged in a fierce eye-to-eye confrontation over the last piece of sweet and sour rib on the plate.

Two pairs of identical purple, sparkling eyes refused to back down, silent sparks flying in the air. Yun Xiancheng simply watched gently from the side, and only when they reached a stalemate did he unhurriedly pick up the serving chopsticks.

With a light flick and a split of the chopstick tips, that whole small rib was precisely divided into two. Then, he steadily placed those two halves into

the bowls of the two little ones, his movements smooth and natural.

The two little ones immediately called a truce, let out a satisfied hum, and lowered their heads together to deal with the half-rib in their bowls. Soon, both of their small cheeks were puffed out from eating.

Liu Fei watched this scene quietly, the sense of constraint in her heart further diluted by this picture full of the breath of life. She looked down at her bowl; except for that initial rib, it was still empty. She didn’t know which dish to start with.

These dishes were all handmade by them, each carrying a warm, mundane atmosphere of human life that she hadn’t touched for a long time. Meanwhile, she was just an outsider who had provided the kitchen and the venue.

This realization caused a slight, subtle sense of isolation and loneliness to sprout in the depths of her heart.

Yun Xiancheng took in her lost and dejected appearance, shook his head helplessly, and spoke softly, pulling her out of her thoughts. ”Don’t treat yourself as an outsider. At least at this moment, you are the center of our group.”

As he spoke, he actually picked up his chopsticks again and, from a plate of steamed sea bass, extremely carefully picked out a piece of the most tender belly meat without any small bones, directly

bringing it to her lips, and said in a low voice with a smile in his eyes:

”Come, have a taste. My... little mistress.”

Liu Fei’s cheeks turned hot with a ”boom.” Her mind went blank, and her body was completely out of control; she just subconsciously opened her mouth slightly and took the fish meat in.

The fish was fresh, tender, and smooth, melting in her mouth. She mechanically chewed it, and after a long while, squeezed out a response as faint as a mosquito’s buzz: ”Mm—it’s delicious.”

”Hehe, of course! This Steamed Snow-Thread Sea Bass is something I specially went to the Magical Beast Forest outside the academy to catch today. It was even a lively Rank 1 Magical Beast!”

A proud smile appeared on Nalan Yanran’s face as she looked at Yun Xiancheng, her tone full of a desire for praise.

Yun Xiancheng turned his head and instructed her, ”You went alone? Don’t be so reckless next time; pay attention to safety.”

”Mhm, I know! Husband cares about me the most.” Having received this bit of concern, Nalan Yanran was satisfied, and two beautiful clouds of red flew onto her cheeks.

She turned her body slightly; that shy demeanor didn’t look like a dignified wife at all, but rather like a young girl in spring experiencing love for the first time. ”Husband.”

This title was like a heavy hammer, smashing ruthlessly onto Liu Fei’s heart. The mouthful of fish she had just swallowed almost got stuck in her throat.

She jerked her head up, her gaze jumping back and forth between Nalan Yanran, Yun Xiancheng, Ruo Lin, and even the others, her eyes filled with pure, unbelievable shock.

So... they weren’t friends? Nor were they teacher and student? But—husband and wife? Then they—everyone seated here, could they all be—

Liu Fei’s brain completely stopped functioning. Everything before her eyes turned into meaningless patches of color, and all the sounds in her ears receded like a tide, leaving only a buzzing blankness.

Yun Xiancheng remained noncommittal about Nalan Yanran’s intimate address, his face still maintaining that gentle and calm expression.

He picked up the serving chopsticks and picked up a portion of emerald-green stir-fried vegetables for Liu Fei. Instead of putting them in her bowl, he placed them steadily on the empty plate by her hand.

”Eat more vegetables,” he said. That care forcibly pulled Liu Fei’s scattered thoughts back a bit. Liu Fei lowered her head mechanically, looking at the fresh green leaves on the plate, only feeling her cheeks burning intensely.

She could feel that everyone’s gaze at the table once again converged, seemingly or not, between her and Yun Xiancheng. The meaning in those looks was even more complex and difficult to discern than before.

”Liu Fei, what do you usually like to do? Besides managing the tedious affairs of the faction.”

Hu Jia bit the tip of her chopsticks, blinking her large, curious eyes as she directed the topic toward her. This question left Liu Fei stunned.

Things she liked to do? Her life always revolved between ”things she should do” and ”things she must do.”

Cultivation was to become stronger and not be bullied by others; managing the faction was for her sister and to gain a foothold in this Inner Academy. She searched her mind but couldn’t think of a single thing she did purely because she ”liked” it.

”I... I like looking at account books.” In the end, she gave an answer that even she felt was dry and lifeless. ”Pfft...” Hu Jia couldn’t help but laugh. But she quickly realized it was inappropriate, hurriedly covered her mouth with her hand, and compensated:

”Sorry, sorry! I’m not laughing at you. I just think—this hobby is quite... unique.” Liu Fei’s cheeks turned bright red, and she lowered her head in embarrassment, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

”Looking at account books is very good.” Yun Xiancheng, who had been eating quietly, suddenly spoke. In an instant, everyone’s eyes converged on him.

”To be able to see the flow of resources, the changes in personnel, and the rise and fall of a collective from dry numbers. This is something that requires great patience and wisdom to do well.”

He gazed at her, those deep eyes holding not a hint of mockery, but only pure and sincere recognition and admiration. ”You’ve done very well, Liu Fei. Truly.”

At that moment, Liu Fei’s heart skipped a beat, heavily and without rhythm.

Something surged up from the deepest part of her heart. It was sour, tingling, and carried an unignorable, scorching warmth that rushed straight to her nose.

Her eyes uncontrollably and rapidly heated up.

So, the persistence and effort she had always been proud of, yet felt no one understood, were seen by him. They were being affirmed by him in such a serious, gentle, and certain manner.

She abruptly lowered her head and picked up her chopsticks, using the action of taking large mouthfuls of rice to hide her emotions that were about to spiral out of control, but the grains of rice before her eyes soon became blurred.

Nalan Yanran, sitting on her other side, quietly placed a piece of tender, bone-sliding braised rib in her bowl. Xiao Yan, a bit further away, silently pushed a small plate of bright red, appetizing hawthorn snacks to her hand.

They said nothing, but that silent, perfectly timed thoughtfulness was more comforting than any words. Liu Fei blinked her eyes hard, forcibly pushing back the rising moisture.

She looked up, summoned the greatest courage of her life, and with slightly trembling chopsticks, picked up the best-looking rib with soft bone from her bowl and shakily placed it into the bowl in front of Yun Xiancheng.

”You—you eat too.” Her voice was so thin it was almost inaudible. Her cheeks were completely red, and even her small earlobes were burning. Yun Xiancheng looked down at the rib in his bowl, then looked up and gave her a gentle and accepting look.

”Okay,” he replied. Then, under the kind and smiling gazes of everyone at the table, he picked up the rib and elegantly put it into his mouth.

In that moment, Liu Fei felt her heartbeat was deafening, drowning out all surrounding sounds. The dinner ended in a strange, warm, and lively atmosphere.

The girls nimbly tidied up the dishes. Hu Jia and Xiao Mei even happily played rock-paper-scissors over the small matter of who would wash the dishes. Liu Fei wanted to stand up and help but was laughingly pressed back into her seat by Ruo Lin.

”You are the host today; there’s no reason to let you lift a finger.” Ruo Lin winked at her.

Liu Fei looked at the happy ”mess” before her—the plates licked clean, the stacked bowls and chopsticks, and the crisp laughter of the girls constantly coming from the kitchen.

Her residence had never been this lively. It had never been filled with such vivid, burning atmosphere of ”home.”

She turned her head to look at Yun Xiancheng sitting peacefully beside her. He was holding a clean white handkerchief, meticulously and tirelessly wiping the grease from the corners of Yun Yan’s mouth, who had eaten like a little messy cat.

On Yun Xiancheng’s other side, Zi Yan grabbed his hand, her face full of puffiness as she acted like a big boss, seemingly complaining that Yun Xiancheng didn’t wipe her mouth. The last rays of the setting sun shone obliquely through the window lattice, gilding him with a warm and soft golden edge, making him look

unlike someone from the mortal world.

Liu Fei suddenly felt that the title ”Husband”... wasn’t so hard to accept after all.

Well... if it was purely something she did because she liked it. She looked up and quietly glanced at Yun Xiancheng beside her.

That handsome and gentle profile was clearly reflected in the depths of her clear eyes.

Looking at account books was just something she had said offhandedly, but at this moment, what she liked... she thought she might have already found the answer.

Chapter 334: Sister, the Man I Like is Already Married

As night gradually deepened, the light in the courtyard was stretched into long, gentle shadows. Everyone finished tidying up, and when it was time to say goodbye, Yun Xiancheng stood under the porch, looked at Liu Fei, and solemnly cupped his hands in a formal bow.

His clear, smooth voice was exceptionally distinct in the quiet night: ”I’ve disturbed you tonight; thank you for the hospitality. Regarding Yanran’s participation in the competition, I will still need to rely on your assistance in the future.”

Liu Fei’s heart fluttered at his formal etiquette. Her small face flushed red, and her hands waved frantically in front of her as she hurriedly denied it: ”No, it’s not like that! You clearly made such a table of delicious food; I’m the one who should be saying thank you.”

That heartfelt gratitude overcame her shyness, and she actually took a small step forward, her fingertips tentatively reaching out to lightly catch the hem of Yun Xiancheng’s wide, drooping sleeve.

She tilted her face up, her voice carrying a faint tremble she hadn’t even anticipated: ”Then... in the future, can I... come over to sit for a while often?”

The material of the sleeve was delicate and slightly cool, but the steady aura emanating from him made her fingertips feel slightly hot. Her heartbeat lost its rhythm, and all her senses converged on his next answer.

Yun Xiancheng looked down into her eyes, which were filled with expectation, and a warm, shallow smile spread across his lips.

He spoke, every word carrying a heart-soothing power: ”We are both in the Inner Academy, so you’re welcome anytime. Besides, I also wanted to invite you to be a guest at my residence.”

This definite promise was like a warm current pouring into her heart, instantly dispelling all her unease.

Liu Fei felt her body fill with strength again. She nodded vigorously and replied crisply: ”I will definitely be a big help!”

The moment the words left her mouth, she seemed to have exhausted all her courage, her cheeks burning hot. She didn’t dare look him in the eye again, spun around abruptly, and ran back to her bedroom with messy steps, leaving everyone with only a slender and resolute silhouette.

”That child.” Xiao Xun’er watched the door that had been slammed shut, her eyes containing a bit of amusement and a bit of nostalgia. She turned her head and whispered to herself, ”Are students... all like this?”

”Hmm—I think this must be what’s written in books, those green and beautiful years?” Xiao Mei supported her fragrant cheek with a serious air, speaking in the tone of a little adult.

”More than just green,” Xiao Yu snorted from beside her. She leaned against the doorframe, her eyes darting around as she gave Yun Xiancheng a pointed glance, ”This—”

”The fruit hasn’t even entered the mouth yet, and it already has a sour tang to it; it’s not sweet or moist enough yet.”

”Hmph, that’s just because the heat hasn’t been applied long enough!” Xiao Mei puffed out her chest indignantly, waving her small fist and promising solemnly, ”There’s plenty of time ahead; we’ll surely brew her into the sweetest honey wine!”

”Alright, alright, then we’ll have to see our Mei’er’s skill.” Xiao Yu’s eyes and brows were tinged with a smile. ”Just don’t let this good fruit, little sister Liu, stay green like this forever, wasting this fine season in vain.”

”Hmph, isn’t Sister Xue Ni also still waiting?” Xiao Mei lightly stomped her foot, and with a shift in the conversation, she pointed the spearhead at Xue Ni, who had remained quietly standing to the side. Xue Ni was startled by this sudden mention, her delicate hands twisting the hem of her clothes helplessly. This subconscious action instead further highlighted her—”

—the soul-stirringly full curves of her chest.

This blunt teasing didn’t cause her any anger. On the contrary, a blush quietly crept onto her cheeks, and in the depths of her gentle eyes, a flicker of slight disappointment passed through.

Xiao Yu took in her expression entirely, the smile on her lips deepening. She took a step forward, familiarly hooking onto Yun Xiancheng’s arm, and said coquettishly: ”Husband, look, Xue Ni has been thinking of you for a long time, but she’s thin-skinned and can never find an excuse.”

”Oh? Then tonight, is there an opportunity?” Yun Xiancheng lowered his head and asked back gently.

Hearing this, Xiao Yu’s eyes lit up. She took the opportunity to pull Xue Ni to the other side. With one on each side, they pressed Yun Xiancheng’s arms into those two soft—”

—and plump snowy fairness.

”Mmhmm—Husband is the best!” Xiao Yu leaned her cheek against his shoulder contentedly, her voice so sweet it could turn into honey. The group laughed and played as their figures gradually moved further away, disappearing at the end of the path leading deep into the Inner Academy.

The bustling voices of people receded like a tide, and Liu Fei’s small courtyard was once again enveloped by the familiar, almost suffocating silence.

The night wind blew through the courtyard, picking up a few withered leaves and making a rustling, lonely sound on the stone slabs. She tightly hugged a soft cotton pillow, embedding herself deeply into the corner of the bed.

The young lady’s gaze was hollowly cast out the window, where that cold full moon hung quietly against the ink-blue sky.

The emptiness after the feast ended pressed heavily on her heart. That brief warmth, filled with the aroma of food and laughter, felt somewhat unreal now as she remembered it.

”It’s so quiet. When I’m alone.” She murmured unconsciously, her voice so light it melted into the night. Clearly, she had spent every day and night like this in the past.

But ever since his figure burst into her world, this habitual loneliness suddenly became hideous and unbearable. She only wanted to stay with him every single second.

Whenever she thought of his gentle features, of his focused and inclusive gaze falling upon her, her heartbeat would accelerate uncontrollably—

—one beat, then another, heavily striking her chest.

She understood.

This was the feeling of liking someone. This sudden emotion had no logic to speak of; it didn’t ask about background, didn’t calculate gains or losses, and didn’t even need a precise reason. Just a few resonances of heartbeats were enough for it to take root and sprout.

But, he already had a wife.

Nalan Yanran’s sweet call of ”Husband” was like a thin needle pricking her heart.

Liking a married man, this fact itself, caused a sense of immoral panic to rise within her.

However, all those girls at the table... that Xiao Yu who also held his arm, and everyone else... the way they looked at him was clearly exactly the same as Nalan Yanran!

Then, for herself... was there also a slight possibility that she could squeeze into that warm halo of light?

She didn’t care how many partners he had. She only knew she wanted to stay by his side. Even if she could only watch him from afar, it would be fine. Countless thoughts tangled and churned in her mind, making her slow to react to everything around her.

So much so that when that all-too-familiar, steady sound of footsteps stopped outside the door, she hadn’t even noticed.

The door was pushed open soundlessly, and a tall figure stood at the doorway, bringing a bit of the cold air caught from the outside. The newcomer wore a warm jade mask on her face, covering her features completely and revealing only a pair of clear, piercing eyes. She gazed at the curled figure on the bed, instantly seeing through that unusual dejection.

”Feier?” she spoke, her voice clear and carrying a slight chill from years of being steeped in Dou Qi, ”Who has wronged you?”

”Sister Qing—why are you back?” Liu Fei was startled by the voice. She looked up abruptly, and seeing that familiar figure, the emotions she had just forcibly suppressed instantly broke through the dam.

Her sister’s return used to be the most anticipated festival in her dull life. But today, this immense joy was suppressed until nothing remained by the heavy, sour secret in her heart.

”I stayed in the Qi Refining Tower too long, and the Fire Poison disturbed me, so I need to come out and rest for a few days.” Liu Qing explained briefly. She walked to the edge of the bed and sat down, reaching out to pat her shoulder as if to comfort her younger sister.

”Tell me, what exactly is the matter?” she pressed, staring at her sister’s reddened eyes, ”Who made you so sad?” ”Wuwu—Sister—”

All pretenses collapsed before her closest relative. Liu Fei threw herself into her sister’s arms, her suppressed crying spilling out intermittently.

”I—I’ve fallen in love with someone... but, but he—he already has a wife—” Liu Qing’s outstretched hand froze in mid-air.

In those eyes looking out through the mask, which were usually as calm as an ancient well, for the first time, a look of pure bewilderment and lack of understanding emerged.

Chapter 335: Zi Yan is Hungry, Wants You to Feed Her Full

Having just returned to the residence, before he could even shed the white robes tinged with the cool night wind, a small but powerful force suddenly slammed into him from behind.

Yun Xiancheng’s body swayed, and following that force, he stumbled forward a few steps. His feet suddenly lost their footing, and the surrounding scenery was instantly swallowed by warm, misty vapor.

Before he could even steady himself, that petite figure had already moved like a flexible fish, swiftly circling to his front. ”Caught you!” Zi Yan shouted softly. Without any hesitation in her movements, she sat directly astride his lap.

Her small body was bolt upright, arms crossed over her chest, and chin held high with an air of a monarch overlooking the world, as if she were the master of this domain at this moment.