At the third quarter of the Mao hour, Cloud City awoke from the morning mist. The ancient city walls of bluish-gray stood towering and majestic, the walls like iron and the watchtowers like mountains, still retaining some military defensive functions-but these were merely displays of the craftsmen's skill, for the Qingyuan Sect did not permit mortal kingdoms to wage war against one another.

The bronze-nailed iron gates rumbled open, and the crowd outside surged in. The morning drumbeats echoed through the city, rousing the inhabitants from their dreams.

Looking south along Vermilion Bird Avenue, two streams of people gradually converged and intermingled until they could no longer be distinguished. The shops lining both sides of the street awakened one after another, as if suddenly infused with life.

At this moment, in the Fortune Cloud Pavilion, guests were arriving in twos and threes.

By a window on the second floor, a young man in a green robe sat on a bench, gazing out at the bustling street teeming with people, lost in thought.

Several small dishes on the table remained untouched; only half a bowl of the Fortune Cloud Pavilion's signature yellow millet porridge had been consumed, as if it did not suit his taste.

This green-robed young man was none other than Gu An. He had entered the city yesterday afternoon and, seeing that evening was approaching, had not gone to visit Senior Sister Yun but instead found an inn to stay the night.

Now, as he ate his morning porridge, he suddenly realized that Senior Sister Yun had not told him her location, and he couldn't help but feel a bit dazed.

Gu An found the situation somewhat amusing and shook his head, deciding to inquire at the mortal government office later. He picked up the porcelain bowl again and took a slurp of porridge.

"Honored guest, is there something wrong with the dishes- If the cooking is unsatisfactory, our Fortune Cloud Pavilion will gladly replace them," said a middle-aged man in a gray robe as he approached, apparently the innkeeper of the Fortune Cloud Pavilion.

"You're too kind, innkeeper. There's nothing wrong with the dishes; I simply have no appetite," Gu An replied with a gentle smile, noticing the innkeeper's obsequious expression and excellent attitude, which reminded him of his own family's restaurant.

"Very well. If you need anything, honored guest, feel free to call the attendants downstairs. They are familiar with the city's layout and know which medical clinics are both affordable and effective."

Gu An acknowledged this, then suddenly caught on. Familiar with the city's layout- He quickly called the innkeeper back and asked, "Do you happen to know Senior Sister Yun Xiuyan-"

The innkeeper thought for a moment and asked, "The surname Yun-that would be the imperial family. Could it be that you, honored guest, are an immortal master from the Qingyuan Sect-"

"Indeed. My senior sister is also in Cloud City now, but her letter did not mention her residence," Gu An confirmed.

Upon hearing that Gu An was an immortal master from the Qingyuan Sect, the innkeeper immediately knelt and prostrated himself, begging forgiveness.

Gu An frowned slightly. He had no particular objection to mortals revering cultivators, but having them kneel every time they spoke was far too inefficient.

"Innkeeper, please rise and speak."

The innkeeper stood up shakily and said to Gu An, "The senior sister with the surname Yun that the immortal master mentioned-she must be a member of the imperial family who joined the upper sect. In the past dozen or so years, only three have done so, and only two of them were female immortal masters."

"The eldest princess joined the upper sect twelve years ago, and the emperor even exempted taxes for a year. The youngest princess joined last year, but somehow no tax exemption was granted."

Gu An understood. It seemed the eldest princess was indeed Senior Sister Yun Xiuyan. He then asked, "Do you know where the eldest princess resides-"

"To answer the immortal master, I know a little. They say there is a Tianyun Garden in Cloud City where all the immortal masters live!"

"Where is Tianyun Garden-"

"Follow Vermilion Bird Avenue all the way to the imperial palace. South of the palace is said to be Tianyun Garden. The storytellers say it has flowers that never wither in all four seasons and evergreens that last through all eight festivals-a truly beautiful sight!"

Gu An nodded in satisfaction. This saved him a trip to the mortal government office and some time. He casually tossed out a silver ingot and left.

..

Gu An strolled to Tianyun Garden. The garden's walls were high, obscuring the view within, but he could faintly sense spiritual qi seeping out.

Arriving at an arched gate, two armored guards stood on either side and blocked his path. "Ahead is Tianyun Garden. Please stop here."

A token flew out from Gu An's storage bag, ringing in the air and emitting spiritual light.

Seeing this, the guards quickly made way. "We have eyes but failed to recognize your honor. Please forgive us, immortal master."

Gu An chuckled lightly. "You were only doing your duty. What crime is there in that- I have come to visit Senior Sister Yun Xiuyan. Do you know where her immortal dwelling is-"

The guard on the left rumbled, "Follow this white jade path all the way. Near the end, there are several small courtyards. The one with two trees planted inside is hers."

These guards were specially trained by the Yun family to receive visitors and had a rough understanding of Tianyun Garden.

Walking along the white jade path, Gu An was surrounded by the sounds of birds and the fragrance of flowers. He even spotted several spirit herbs growing, with a large area cordoned off around them, clearly carefully tended.

Near the end, he finally saw the small courtyard. Two Jade Spirit Fruit trees stood gracefully, extending a branch of white blossoms.

"As expected of a disciple of True Person Qingxiao. Two first-grade lower-tier Jade Spirit Fruit trees-I wonder how many spirit stones they bring in each year," Gu An remarked as he gazed at the trees.

"They were a birthday gift from my third uncle, not worth much. If you like them, Junior Brother, you can take a couple of fruits later." A clear, ethereal voice came from behind him.

Gu An quickly turned around. A female cultivator had somehow appeared behind him, her voice like ice striking jade.

Her face was like exquisitely crafted porcelain, her skin like moonlight on freshly fallen snow. Her brow bones were like winter branches slanting in the wind, and the bridge of her nose like a blade cutting through light.

Her eyes were as deep as a winter night's cold pool, their gaze shifting like shards of ice colliding under the moon, her long lashes drooping like crow feathers.

She wore a plain green, wide-sleeved flowing cloud dharma robe with faintly visible spirit patterns. Her crow-black hair was pinned with a jade hairpin, and she was staring at him.

Her countenance outshone autumn chrysanthemums; her beauty rivaled spring pines!

A flicker of doubt passed through Yun Xiuyan's eyes. "Are you going in or not- I need to go in."

Only then did Gu An realize he was blocking the way. He gave an awkward smile and stepped aside. "I'll go in with you, Senior Sister."

Yun Xiuyan pushed open the door and walked into the courtyard, with Gu An following closely behind.

The small courtyard was half a li in circumference. The two Jade Spirit Fruit trees bore over a dozen fruits. Crisscrossing jade paths divided the ground into square plots, each filled with lush grass, visible at a glance.

In front of the house was a small pond, with jagged rockeries by its edge and a pavilion with upturned eaves and arched corners. Spiritual qi was bubbling out from the pond-it was actually a spirit spring eye. Gu An once again felt what true luxury meant.

"Aw-"

A purple figure by the pond let out a cry. In its flat, wide beak, a fish was struggling to swallow. The two of them watched as the fish formed a knot in the creature's throat before sliding down with difficulty.

Yun Xiuyan fell silent, staring coldly at this foolish bird.

Sensing thefrozen atmosphere, Gu An let out a dry laugh. "Senior Sister's spirit beast is truly.. truly following its natural instincts."

Indeed, this foolish bird was the Purple Cloud Goose. Gu An had thought it was a bit dim-witted when it delivered the letter that day, but he never imagined it had such a side to it.

Yun Xiuyan secretly observed Gu An. Seeing that his expression remained normal, with no hint of disapproval, she breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.

At the same time, she made a silent resolve: "Stupid bird, I'll let you off for stealing my Ice Crystal Fish, but making me lose face like this-just wait and see how I deal with you."

On the surface, however, she remained composed and said lightly, "Junior Brother is joking."

The Purple Cloud Goose had no idea that disaster was about to befall it. It only felt a chill running down its back and instinctively tightened its feathers.

Seeing its owner staring at it, it waddled over eagerly and rubbed against Yun Xiuyan's leg, looking utterly innocent.