Chapter Fifteen: The Boundless Sky

Cloudshade Village, as its name suggests, lies beneath the Cloudsky Sect. Though merely a village, it is extraordinarily prosperous, rivaling even Cloudtown. This is because the Cloudsky Sect is one of the five great spiritual sects in Linglong Continent, coveted by countless cultivators who dream of joining its ranks.

The Cloudsky Sect boasts a long history. A thousand years ago, when Linglong Continent was newly born, wild beasts roamed everywhere, leaving no place for humans to survive. At that time, a spiritual cultivator named Cloudsky appeared. Together with several others who cultivated spiritual energy, he battled those monstrous creatures and ultimately eradicated them, granting humanity a space to exist. When Cloudsky withdrew after his triumph, he foresaw the possibility of the beasts returning, so he founded what is now the Cloudsky Sect, passing his cultivation methods down through the generations. Now, in its thirteenth generation, the Cloudsky Sect not only surpasses its origins, but flourishes and stands proudly at the pinnacle of all Linglong Continent.

The Cloudsky Sect's Cloudlight Aura and Heavenly Dao Aura are two dazzling spiritual energies on Linglong Continent, both sought after by cultivators. However, admission to the sect is exceedingly strict. Ordinary cultivators can only become outer disciples, while only those with exceptional talent or perseverance may enter the inner sect. Once an inner disciple leaves the mountains, they can wield power in any ordinary territory. Shunqing was one such disciple.

At this moment, Mo Bai, Wu Luohua, Shunqing, and others were dining in a restaurant. Here, they could finally relax. Unexpectedly, Shunqing also ate a few bites and said woodenly, "The taste is the same as before." Clearly, he had visited this old Niujia Restaurant years ago.

A young woman chimed in, "Indeed, but it must be the beef shank—only then is it truly delicious."

The earlier speaker responded, "Sister Phoenix Dance, I really don’t understand. Braised beef is best made with brisket. Shank is good, but it’s too tough—how could it taste better?"

Phoenix Dance giggled, "That’s why we don’t go elsewhere, and Senior Jiutong especially likes the braised beef here at Niujia Restaurant."

The young man suddenly realized, "I see. Many thanks for your guidance, Phoenix Dance. I hope you’ll instruct me more in the future."

Phoenix Dance wrinkled her nose, "Although you’re a bit older than me, you entered the sect after I did. You should call me Senior Sister Phoenix Dance, not ‘sister’ anymore."

Ji Yue laughed heartily, "Senior Sister it is! With such a pretty young senior sister like Phoenix Dance, joining Cloudsky Sect was worth it!"

Everyone burst out laughing. It turned out Cloudsky Sect accepted both male and female disciples.

Wu Luohua, sharp-eared, whispered a few words to the waiter, who frowned, but when Wu Luohua tossed him a gleaming ingot, his face lit up, and he rushed off to the kitchen.

Mo Bai was puzzled. "Luohua, what are you up to?"

Wu Luohua replied smugly, "I overheard those at the entrance saying the braised beef here is a specialty. I must try it."

Mo Bai asked curiously, "Why not just order? Why give so much money?"

Wu Luohua exclaimed, "Experience teaches wisdom! While Cloudsky Sect would never poison the food, if everyone here is focused on cultivation and eats only vegetables every day, I’ll suffer. My mouth would grow numb from blandness—don’t expect me to beg you for beef then, Mo Bai."

Mo Bai smiled helplessly, "You really..."

Just then, the group entered. The first was a mischievous-looking girl—the only female among them, obviously Phoenix Dance. She had delicate features, large eyes, and two playful braids swinging behind her. Though beautiful, her appearance did not match her grand name, nor did her pale blue dress carry the majesty of a phoenix.

Wu Luohua glanced at her and whispered, "I thought she’d be a graceful woman, but she’s just a little girl."

Mo Bai smiled wryly, "You mean voluptuous?"

Wu Luohua smirked, "Mo Bai, you’re certainly a charmer. But these days, following you around has been tough."

Mo Bai laughed, "It’s been inconvenient. I’ll find a chance to shake you off."

Wu Luohua was stunned; he had never bested Mo Bai.

Ji Yue called out loudly, "Waiter, where are you? Why aren’t you greeting us today?"

The sweating waiter hurried in, carrying a heap of dishes. "Please, guests, there are good seats inside!"

Ji Yue, sharp-eyed, said, "Senior Jiutong, even the waiter knows your good news—they’ve already prepared everything for you!"

Senior Jiutong, with thick sword-like brows and keen, narrow eyes, broad shoulders and a slim waist, was quite the handsome figure. He smiled slightly, motioning everyone to find seats inside.

Phoenix Dance called out, "Waiter, over here! Don’t get it wrong!"

The waiter responded, "Sorry, miss, these are for the guests over there. Please wait, I’ll be right with you." He turned and brought the dishes to Wu Luohua, saying, "Young master, here are all your orders, with your change."

Wu Luohua tasted the beef and praised, "It’s truly excellent. The rest is your reward."

The waiter stood stunned, clutching the silver, not knowing what to do. He’d never earned so much in years—after all, who buys beef with gold ingots?

Mo Bai laughed, "Brother, if you don’t want it, I’ll take it back."

The waiter snapped to his senses, quickly stashing the silver, and thanked them profusely, "Thank you, sir! Now I can finally marry!"

Mo Bai and Wu Luohua exchanged smiles and went to enjoy the delicious beef shank.

Ji Yue, impatient, slapped the table and barked, "Why aren’t you serving us? Do you still want business under the Cloudsky Sect?" Clearly, he held his sect identity in high regard.

The restaurant owner hurried over, smiling apologetically, "Please, don’t be angry. What would you like? I’ll serve you myself."

Jiutong suddenly said, "Old Ni, no need to trouble yourself. Just let the waiter handle it. How could I trouble you?" He was in high spirits—after all, being accepted as a personal disciple of Master Cloudcrime, one of the Six Sons of Cloudsky, within five years of entering the inner sect, was cause for celebration. He wouldn’t let minor inconveniences spoil his mood.

The owner quickly called the waiter over and returned thankfully to the counter. To do business here, one must never offend members of Cloudsky Sect. Though the sect's rules were strict, no great sect is without a few rotten apples. Even a single one could spell disaster for an ordinary villager—especially an inner disciple.

Just as the owner relaxed, he tensed again at a sharp shout: "What? Don’t you know what your restaurant is supposed to serve? If there’s no braised beef, what’s the point of Niujia Restaurant? My brother Jiutong trained his spiritual energy for half a year for this entrance, never tasting a morsel of meat. Now it’s finally over, and you spoil the celebration. Hmph!"

The waiter said miserably, "But miss, before you arrived, that gentleman bought all the braised beef. There’s nothing left." He looked helplessly at Wu Luohua.

Suddenly, the waiter was sent flying toward Wu Luohua, blood streaming through the air. Phoenix Dance still held her striking pose. Mo Bai frowned and caught the waiter, while Wu Luohua quickly produced a pill and fed it to him, restoring some color to his pale face.

The owner rushed over, crying, "Ergua, are you alright?" Clearly, he was shocked. Ordinary folk rarely witness the wrath of a cultivator.

Wu Luohua instructed the owner to help the waiter aside, muttering, "So this is what it’s like under the Cloudsky Sect? All over a plate of beef? Jiutong, more like Barrel—no, more like Glutton."

Jiutong’s brows furrowed, about to speak.

Mo Bai said with a bitter smile, "Is he worthy of that title?"

Wu Luohua slapped his forehead, "I misspoke."

A sharp voice rang out, "You’re courting death!"

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