Hundreds of disciples were cultivating inside Yan Wuchang when my figure appeared at the edge of the plaza. Quite a few of them, in the middle of practice, unconsciously glanced in my direction. Soft whispers spread through the crowd like wind rippling across a lake.
I had long since grown used to those kinds of gazes. A flawless smile worthy of the title of eldest senior brother remained on my lips. As I walked along the edge of Yan Wuchang, I quickly confirmed the key individuals who needed attention today.
This sect that stood at the top of the cultivation world was not a proper immortal sect at all. It was more like a gigantic daycare for problem children. My second junior sister was the sole survivor of a sect extermination massacre, yet for some incomprehensible reason she was a devoted connoisseur of women's chests. My third junior brother looked domineering and cool on the outside, with the aura of a legendary protagonist straight out of myth. But on the inside, he was basically a little kid in short pants. As for that breathtakingly beautiful mortal princess, every single night she waited for me to bring her spiritual chicken soup right on schedule. She was more precise than an alarm clock.
Sometimes I truly doubted whether I was cultivating immortality or serving as the dormitory manager, upgraded by the Heavenly Dao. If anyone asked how it felt, I could only say, "Other people's road to immortality is defying heaven and changing fate, while mine is collective child care."
In one corner of the plaza, a young girl was practicing swordsmanship alone. Her sword style was completely different from that of the fellow disciples around her, cold and sharp, like a divine weapon that had remained frozen for ten thousand years.
She was my second junior sister, Chu Qinglin. Three years ago, she had been rescued by Master, True Lord Mo Yuan, who happened to be passing by during the extermination of the Chu family. In the blink of an eye, the dying little girl from back then had grown into a beautiful young woman, so stunning that others found it hard to look away.
Her cultivation had already reached the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. Her talent was even more terrifying. Unfortunately, her personality was excessively cold. Aside from me, her eldest senior brother, Chu Qinglin treated everyone else, including Master, with silence, offering a glance whenever a glance could suffice in place of words. Because of this, rumors secretly spread throughout the sect that the junior sister of Falling River Peak had practiced swordsmanship so much that she had ruined her voice entirely.
The moment I regained my senses, I realized Chu Qinglin had somehow already walked over. Her icy eyes were staring directly at me.
I smiled gently. "Your swordsmanship has improved again, junior sister."
Chu Qinglin's eyelashes trembled slightly. Immediately afterward, the familiar mechanical voice sounded in my mind.
Second junior sister Chu Qinglin's affection has increased. Current status, deep trust. Recognized core member recorded.
Hearing that, my mood instantly improved quite a bit. This was the result of three years of being a professional babysitter. At the very least, my efforts had not completely gone to waste.
Chu Qinglin merely replied with two words. "It's all right." Her voice remained cold and emotionless.
But if anyone could have heard her inner thoughts right then, they would have discovered that inside her, fireworks were exploding like a New Year's Eve celebration.
Eldest senior brother is looking at me. He even praised my swordsmanship for improving today. Eldest senior brother is still as handsome as a painting. What am I even thinking about? Focus. Eldest senior brother is still talking to me.
Naturally, I had no idea how chaotic her thoughts had become. I simply took out a jade bottle from my storage ring and handed it to her.
"This is the mind-calming spirit pill. It can stabilize the mind and reduce fatigue from cultivation. Don't push yourself too hard."
Chu Qinglin stared at the jade bottle for a long time. A tiny ripple finally appeared on her icy face. She accepted it extremely seriously, with both hands.
"Thank you, eldest senior brother."
Afterward, she carefully tucked the medicine bottle into her chest, as though it were her greatest treasure.
This little girl looked cold enough to freeze an entire lake on the outside, but in truth her thoughts were adorably simple. I continued giving her a few small reminders about matters within the sect.
In the distance, some disciples could not help whispering in amazement.
"Isn't Chu Qinglin only obsessed with practicing swordsmanship? She actually knows how to talk today."
Chu Qinglin's hearing was extremely sharp. Every single word entered her ears clearly. Her icy gaze immediately swept toward them. The few disciples were so frightened that their backs turned cold. Their expressions looked as if they had seen a ghost in broad daylight.
Hearing this, I could only shake my head helplessly. "I'll go check elsewhere for a bit."
Chu Qinglin nodded slightly before returning to her original spot. The moment she turned around, the deep reluctance hidden within her eyes instantly disappeared completely. All that remained was her usual frosty expression.
As for me, I continued my routine patrol, correcting disciples' improper cultivation postures, resolving a few minor disputes, and conveniently saving several fragile hearts that were on the verge of going insane from overtraining.
After handling everything, I originally planned to return to Falling River Peak and rest for a while, drink a cup of calming tea, and enjoy one of the rare peaceful moments in my life. At this point, a single day without anyone causing trouble for me was already considered a mythical-level miracle.