Bai Yun and Yin Mei each held one of Yin Yue's hands, their eyes wide with awe as they gazed up at the towering city walls of Zhongzhou's imperial capital, reaching dozens of yards into the sky.
"Let's go!"
After a long pause, Bai Yun finally spoke to Yin Mei, whose face was veiled in white gauze.
They joined the steady flow of people, entering the city.
As soon as they stepped into the imperial capital, Bai Yun felt a stir in his heart, followed by a brief moment of confusion. After the notification for the completion of the main quest sounded, another prompt appeared for a new task.
"Main Quest: Enter the 'Zhongzhou Academy'.
Quest Reward: 2000 Evolution Points
Quest Penalty: Halved vitality
Quest Duration: Seven days."
"What's wrong?" Yin Mei noticed Bai Yun suddenly freeze, looking concerned.
Yin Yue, feeling slightly self-conscious amidst the dense crowd, looked curiously at Bai Yun.
"Nothing!" Bai Yun smiled and shook his head reassuringly.
"Let's find a place to settle first," he suggested.
"Mm!" Yin Mei nodded in agreement.
They wandered through Zhongzhou city, leisurely searching for a suitable place to stay.
A few hours later, Yin Yue, already exhausted, climbed onto Bai Yun's shoulder, her large, watery eyes sparkling with curiosity as she observed the people and surroundings.
"How about this place? What do you think, Yin Jie?" Bai Yun asked as he stood before a courtyard.
"Hm!" Yin Mei agreed after a brief pause.
Bai Yun had deliberately chosen a residence on the outskirts of Zhongzhou, where it was neither too remote nor too bustling. He imagined that Yin Mei would be content with the peaceful atmosphere.
Several hours passed, and as the golden sun began to dip behind the western mountains, Bai Yun had finally settled all matters concerning the house.
For someone who never worried about money, Bai Yun had simply purchased the land deed, and now the place was their new home—a refuge for him, Yin Mei, and little Yin Yue.
"Time to eat!" The little girl, her face alight with joy, ran toward the stone table in the courtyard, already enchanted by the flavor of the food.
Yin Mei, following behind her, walked with graceful elegance, her figure swaying with every step—a testament to decades of poise.
Once they were seated, Bai Yun smiled gently and said, "Let's eat."
As the night deepened, for the residents of Zhongzhou's bustling districts, it was peak time, the streets alive with activity.
In their courtyard, Bai Yun and Yin Mei engaged in light conversation, while Yin Yue, already tired, had long since gone to bed.
Bai Yun glanced around at the somewhat simple courtyard and suddenly asked, "Yin Jie, do you have a favorite flower?"
Yin Mei paused, her thoughts drifting for a moment before she replied, "I like roses, but I also adore orchids."
Bai Yun smiled and gently said, "Would you mind closing your eyes for a moment?"
"Why?" Yin Mei looked at him, puzzled.
"Hehe, I want to surprise you. Please, close your eyes," Bai Yun said, his voice tinged with mystery.
A soft stirring in her heart, Yin Mei slowly closed her eyes.
Seeing that she had done so, Bai Yun swiftly rose and moved toward the corner of the courtyard. After a brief moment, he returned to the stone table.
"Yin Jie, you can open your eyes now."
As Yin Mei opened her eyes, her gaze widened in surprise, her cherry-red lips parting slightly. Her eyes sparkled with a mixture of delight and an unexpected flutter in her chest.
The courtyard, once modest, was now a sea of roses and orchids, transforming the place into a breathtaking garden that felt like an otherworldly paradise.
The entire display had only cost Bai Yun a few Evolution Points.
"These are for you, Yin Jie," Bai Yun said, offering her the bouquet with both hands.
Yin Mei's heart fluttered, a blush creeping up her face as she hesitated, but seeing the sincerity in Bai Yun's eyes, she took the flowers, her fingers trembling slightly.
"I finally understand what 'beauty surpasses flowers' means," Bai Yun murmured, gazing at her with admiration.
Yin Mei, her thoughts a swirl of emotions, felt even more shy and silent. After a long pause, she said, "It's getting late. I think I'll retire for the night."
With that, she rose and walked toward her room, her steps quickening just slightly.
Bai Yun watched her retreat, a satisfied smile tugging at his lips.
"Chasing girls isn't really that hard," he mused to himself.
After sitting for a moment, Bai Yun also stood and entered his room, where he began cultivating, sitting cross-legged on his bed with the mysterious black stone.
The next morning, as dawn's first light touched the sky...
"Wow!" The little girl, an early riser, opened her door and gasped at the sight of the courtyard full of flowers. She immediately dashed outside, eagerly sniffing the blossoms, her voice filled with awe.
"Xiao Bai, how did so many flowers suddenly appear?" Yin Yue asked, her long lashes fluttering with curiosity, as she observed Bai Yun practicing his martial arts in the courtyard.
Yin Mei followed her outside, her heart stirring with a strange feeling as she overheard her daughter's question.
Bai Yun stopped his practice, gently pinching Yin Yue's small face. "I made them appear."
Yin Yue, undeterred, reached out to pinch his cheek in retaliation.
After breakfast, Bai Yun bought some toys and clothes from his space and handed them to Yin Mei. "I have something to do. You two stay here."
Before he could finish, Yin Mei, with a gentle smile, responded, "Go ahead. Yin Yue and I will wait for you here."
Bai Yun smiled, then turned to Yin Mei, offering her the clothes. "These should suit you. Why not try them on?"
He had bought a variety of clothes—ancient Chinese garments, qipaos, t-shirts, and even some undergarments.
Yin Mei hesitated for a moment, then asked, "These clothes are similar to what you're wearing. Where are they from?"
Bai Yun, dressed in a simple black t-shirt, tight jeans, and casual boots, looked effortlessly clean and fresh, which caught Yin Mei's eye.
He didn't answer her question directly but simply smiled. "I'll be off now." After bidding a cheerful farewell to Yin Yue, who was already playing with her toys, he stepped out.
Yin Mei stood there for a long while, her gaze lingering on his retreating figure, until Yin Yue interrupted her thoughts.
"Mother, I want to wear this one."
With Bai Yun gone, he went on to complete the main quest, starting by visiting a tavern to inquire about the "Academy."
After gathering information, he now understood a bit more about the "Academy."
The "Academy" was much like a school on Earth, but its presence was quite unusual in the land of Xuantian, where sects dominated the landscape.
If it were just a normal school, it wouldn't be noteworthy. But in the eyes of cultivators, the "Academy" was considered a sacred ground, revered by countless practitioners. Its status was far beyond even the most prestigious sects of the Xuantian continent.
Even direct disciples of top-tier sects would be sent to the "Academy" for further study.
The conditions to enter the Academy were extremely strict, and its students were among the most outstanding young talents of the continent.
After learning more about the Academy, Bai Yun couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
"This main quest is quite thoughtful. Once I enter the Academy, I'll have the perfect opportunity to show up those so-called geniuses when I'm bored."