Sunset Clouds

21.

In Spring, the flowers bloom in a madness of colour.

In Summer, the cicadas sing in a symphony of screeches.

In Autumn, shades of warm-coloured leaves fall, creating a sea of orange.

In Winter, everything goes to sleep in a white wonderland.

Since the event of Fu JiangShan's Qi Deviation and FengYin afflicted with the blooming ice poison, three years had passed. In those three years, various things have happened.

One, Xu ZhongYi was going to be the next clan head once Xu partriarch ascended or retired. He has also gotten extremely protective of his other brother, along with his sister.

Two, Xu LongYue is the next master of JianDong peak, and has gotten fond of crossdressing in order to protect her brother.

Three, Xu FengYin is safe and content in WanYuan peak. Once the mess was cleared up, LongYue and ZhongYi had went over to WanYuan peak countless of times - inciting Old Man Ruo to chase them away if he saw them more than ten times a week.

Four, Lu YanShui and FengYin, had reconciled somewhat. Even if FengYin wouldn't be able to bring himself to genuinely like the other man, and Lu YanShui can't help but feel endless guilt whenever he sees FengYin, they are able to speak comfortably, without any jilted silence or sharp remarks.

Five, the matter of FengYin's poisoning was only known by his family, Old Man Ruo, and Lu YanShui. Since that day, his condition has already stabilised, however he still needs to stick by someone with a Fire Spiritual Vein; mainly his sister, and in some cases when they can't meet, it was Lu YanShui. It was also partially the reason why their relationship has smoothened out.

Sixth, due to FengYin contracting the poison, he was unable to cultivate using normal means. The reason being, due to the poison, his spiritual power would go out of whack sometimes. He was unable to practise Sword-cultivating in order to protect himself, but with the help of Old Man Ruo, he had been able to cultivate using other materials.

In a way, it could be said that all was well.

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Every ten years in YangTian Valley, where Plum blossoms bloom all-year round, a meeting between all cultivation sects would be held.

Hailing from the north, the GuangQian Lei sect arrived in a quiet fanfare of green, the colours of the bamboo which was their sect's sigil.

From the east, the XianShan Kun sect came in a boisterous crowd of blue, cheers and laughter coming from the crowd. One could briefly see the wisteria embroidered on their sect uniform.

Last and not least, the HuoHun Chen sect from the west arrived in hushed whispers, the black of their uniform a stark contrast to the other sects.

As it was the first day of them arriving in YangTian Valley, they were allowed to go out and roam the surroundings.

In YangTian Valley, there was only one town, which was LiMing. Colourful stalls and banners decorated the streets, endless happy chatter followed everyone as they went around.

In one particular street of LiMing, a pair of boys were walking together, listening to the hushed whispers coming from an old woman and a young lady.

"Have you heard? It seems that the Xu family rejected yet another proposal!"

"Aiyo, the other families should take a hint and give up! There would be no way that the Xu family is willing to let go of the young master!"

"I know, I know right? Hey, just the other day I saw the young master walking around town with the oldest!"

"So lucky!" The old lady sighed. "Second young master Xu is such a blessing. Definitely not like his younger sibling, the third young master!!"