Volume 1: Peaceful Childhood Chapter 42: The Arrival of Sunshine

  In the rooftop garden of this small villa, Yu Lin had come here for the first time, although he was allowed by Yun Qingran to stay in a guest room on the first floor. The flowers in the garden seemed to be in full bloom all year round, and he followed Yun Qingran through the flower clusters to each table.

  Jian Su Ying still stood straight behind her, and a hint of smile also flashed in Yun Qing Ran's calm and peaceful eyes. He pointed to the stone table beside him and said, "Sit down."

  "Yes, miss." Su Ying nodded slightly and bowed, then sat down with a gentle swaying motion.

  Yun Qingran didn't say a word, but instead walked to the pavilion on one side. Before long, she brought over a teapot with steaming hot tea and two ancient tea cups. She put them on the table, sat down herself, and only then did Yun Qingran lift the pot to pour a cup of tea for Su Ying first, followed by another cup for herself.

  "Thank you, Miss." Su Ying smiled lightly and picked up the tea cup to take a sip. The mask had been removed when he just came out of the martial arts arena, revealing his clean and pure face.

  Yun Qingran also took a sip of the fragrant clear tea, and then slowly opened his mouth: "I called you here today just to chat with you. You've been here for so long, what do you feel?"

  After hearing Yun Qingran's words, Su Ying was stunned for a moment, and then quietly thought about it. After a long time, she slowly opened her mouth: "This place is very strange, it doesn't seem to be in this world at all. The change of seasons here is also very strange, seemingly like spring all year round, but actually there are no four seasons, not even the cycle of time is correct. Moreover, the starry sky here is similar to yet different from the outside, as if it's not under the same starry sky."

  Yun Qingran smiled lightly: "Your observation is very careful. Indeed, this is not in the same space as outside. As for where it is, it depends on whether you have the qualifications to know in the future. During this period of time, I am cultivating you and also testing your temperament. If you are unqualified, you can only be my subordinate; if qualified, you can be friends with me in addition to official duties. Congratulations, you passed the test, so you have the right to know more secrets."

  Su Ying heard Yun Qingran's words and a momentary joy appeared on her face, then quickly returned to calmness, only listening more intently to Yun Qingran's next words.

  "The Star Chart Technique you've been cultivating is actually the same as your family's traditional method, but I have the complete version, whereas your family on Earth only has a part of it. The Star Chart Technique belongs to the cultivation of immortals and is one level higher than that of warriors. Looking at how you've already cultivated the three stars of Angle Wood Crocodile, Kui Golden Dragon, and Shi Earth Suan, and also made some progress with House Day Rabbit, which is equivalent to a pre-heavenly high-level expert on the outside, so I can tell you this much."

  "Miss, who is more powerful between a Cultivator and a Martial Artist?" Shu Ying asked curiously.

  "Call me by my name in private." Yun Qingran first made a request to Su Ying, then answered his question: "It depends on the specific situation. Just like in martial arts, there are also high and low distinctions within the same level, and cultivators are no exception. However, generally speaking, cultivators will have an advantage because they have more means of attack, basically all long-range attacks."

  "Little... Little Ran." Shu Ying was unaccustomed to it, and almost called out the wrong name before forcibly correcting herself. "What is above the innate?"

  "Wait, I'll give you the jade slip that explains the basics of the Cultivation Realm. There's too much to say, it would take three days and nights to finish." As she spoke, Yun Qingyan used her divine sense to find the jade slip in the library pavilion and made a copy of it. Now, Su Ying could explore the jade slip on her own, which saved her a lot of trouble. In fact, she was a lazy person, diligent only when it came to things that interested her.

  Yun Qingran handed the newly refined dan medicine to Su Ying, who then put it into his storage ring. The ring was given by Yun Qingran for convenient storage of dan medicines, including those that enhanced his subordinates' powers and others that were antidotes. Su Ying himself had exceptional innate talent and cultivated quickly, so he didn't need the assistance of dan medicine; going too fast would cause instability in his mental state.

  The crimson invitation card with gold trim, such a formal invitation card, Yún Qīng Rán had never received one in her life. What's even more bizarre is that the card has her name on it, not Old Master Yún or anyone from the Yún family. The invitation was sent by the Wáng family, and Old Master Wáng invited Yún Qīng Rán to visit the Wáng family estate three days later.

  Yun Lirang glanced at the post and put it aside, eating her own food. He Lianyang had called last night to say she would come find her in the afternoon, and their parents would treat them to dinner tonight. Calculating the time, she should be arriving soon.

  As expected, Yun Qing had just put down her bowl when she heard the sound of a car stopping outside. Then, Fu Guanjia led in a little girl who was six or seven years old.

  "Hello, Grandma Cloud." The little girl walked in and bowed politely to Old Lady Cloud before greeting Yun Qingran: "Qingran, I'm here." From Monday to Friday at noon, usually only Yun Qingran and Old Lady Cloud were around, while Old Man Cloud was always at the pharmacy in town.

  "The little girl is really sensible. Come to our house and play with Ranran more often in the future." Yun Lao Tai Tai smiled with narrowed eyes. As for Yun Qingran not playing with children of the same age, Yun Lao Tai Tai had been worried about it for a long time. He Lian Yangguang was still the first child to play with Yun Qingran, how could Yun Lao Tai Tai not be happy?

  Yun Qingran gave a greeting to Yun Lao TaiTai and then took He Lian Yangguang to her own courtyard.

  "Wow! Light Ruo, your yard is so beautiful!" He Lian Yang exclaimed loudly, darting through the blooming flowers and finally running to sit on a rocking chair. Perhaps it was because she had always been in poor health that her mood couldn't fluctuate too much, which made her become especially lively when facing Cloud Light Ruo's recovery, unlike her usual calm and quiet self. Maybe this was also a kind of trust and dependence on Cloud Light Ruo.

  Yun's mouth curved up in a faint, almost imperceptible smile: "Like it? Next time you're free, come over and play in the afternoon." She had a good impression of the sun, and having a friend like this wasn't bad either.

  "Okay. But I have to start making up for lost time now. I'm already eight years old, but because I was sick, I didn't have enough physical strength to support my studies, and after reading for a while, I would feel dizzy, so I haven't attended school at all, I just learned to recognize characters." He Lianyang said, pouting: "Mom said that next semester I will directly start in third grade, and before that, I need to make up for the knowledge I lack."

  "I'm also busy, but I can spare an afternoon every week to play with you." Yun Qingran nodded and beckoned He Lianyang to come down, then took her to the study.

  "Wow, your study is also very beautiful!" He Lianyang was equally conquered by Yun Qingran's study. Even if Yun Qingran was as indifferent as a fairy, her study setup always had the fluffy decorations that little girls liked, and the fresh and elegant style was also what He Lianyang loved.

  The door to the piano room from Yun Qingran's study was open, and as soon as she walked in, He Lianyang spotted the grand piano at a glance. After Yun Qingran nodded in agreement, she quickly ran into the piano room, but she wasn't heading for the piano, rather the guqin beside it.