The next morning, Yi Chen was still deep in dreamless sleep.
In his haze, something feathery brushed his cheek. Once. Twice.
He frowned, waved a hand, and turned over.
But the tickling persisted—stronger now—accompanied by faint suppressed giggles.
Annoyed, he cracked his eyes open.
The first thing he saw—
Pure white, smooth… feathers?
His gaze moved up.
Bird-like pupils.
A dignified, immortal crane stood at his bedside, gracefully poking his face with the softest tip of its wing.
Yi Chen's brain froze for three seconds.
This crane looked… familiar?
Before he could process anything, the crane suddenly pulled back and burst into laughter.
"Pfft—hahaha—!"
The refined仙家 demeanor shattered instantly. She laughed so hard her wings trembled.
Yi Chen: "..."
He sat up silently, hair a mess, staring at Cloud Retainer.
So this was Ganyu's idea of "calling her master over"?
Immortals had… unique personalities.
Cloud Retainer finally calmed down, cleared her throat, and regained her dignity.
"Ahem. I was entrusted by Ganyu to escort you to Mt. Aocang. Seeing you sleep so deeply, this one worried you might miss your immortal opportunity."
She gestured at the bright morning outside.
Yi Chen yawned, rubbed his eyes, and remembered.
Right—cultivation.
He jumped out of bed, clasped his hands formally.
"Immortal Crane Sister—no, Master! Please accept this disciple!"
Cloud Retainer gently patted his head with her wing.
"Enough, enough. Rise."
Her tone softened.
"To see you return to the immortal path and awaken your bloodline… this one is most pleased."
Yi Chen smiled brightly.
"Thank you, Master! I'll work hard!"
"Good."
She nodded.
"Pack lightly and bid farewell to Ganyu. We depart at once."
"Yes, Master!"
Yi Chen hurried to prepare.
Cloud Retainer watched him with expectation.
This uncut jade… would finally be shaped.
Soon after, Yi Chen finished packing. He wrote two letters—one left on the table for Ganyu, the other to be delivered to the Jade Chamber.
He took one last look around the home filled with warm memories.
No sadness—
he would return someday.
Outside, Cloud Retainer waited.
"Master, I'm ready!"
"Then let us go."
Immortal power surged. Wind lifted them into the sky.
Yi Chen glanced once more at Yuehai Pavilion shrinking below, then eagerly turned toward the misty mountains.
Hours later, they arrived at Mt. Aocang.
Clouds swirled. Immortal energy filled the air.
At the cave entrance stood a tall, white-haired woman—cold, beautiful, distant.
Like a sheathed blade.
"Shenhe," Cloud Retainer said.
She nodded faintly.
"This is your junior brother, Yi Chen."
Then to him—
"This is your senior sister, Shenhe."
Cloud Retainer suddenly clapped her head.
"Oh! I nearly forgot—go get the cultivation manual."
And just like that, she left.
Leaving Yi Chen and Shenhe alone.
Yi Chen stepped forward cheerfully.
"Senior Sister! I'm Yi Chen, from Mondstadt! Please take care of me!"
Shenhe paused.
"…Shenhe."
And thus, the immortal journey truly began.
"If you like the chapter please vote using power stones and
For Early Access 60+Advanced chapters please visit Patreon.com/UchihaAce"