Seeing the two disciples finally quiet down—one rubbing his head, the other lowering her gaze—Cloud Retainer felt the tightness in her chest ease slightly.
She shot Yi Chen an annoyed glare, then glanced at Shenhe—who looked calm but still had pink-tinged ears—and cleared her throat, resuming her authoritative tone.
"Hmph. Now that you understand, listen carefully."
With a flick of her wing, the ancient scroll floated in midair, glowing faintly with mystery.
"This technique is profound and cannot be mastered overnight. Its foundation lies in the two cultivators achieving perfect mutual understanding—shared intent, unified heart."
"Only through absolute trust and spiritual resonance can your powers circulate seamlessly, refining the baleful aura without harming Shenhe's essence."
"Therefore—from today onward, until you can independently complete a small circulation of this method—"
She pointed decisively at both of them.
"You two will remain together at all times!"
"Eat together. Live together. Cultivate together. Travel together!"
"You must become familiar with each other's aura, rhythm, even subtle shifts in intent—only then can joint cultivation proceed without obstruction!"
Yi Chen and Shenhe froze, instinctively exchanging glances.
Living together… inseparable?
Before they could process this, Cloud Retainer suddenly widened her eyes, wingtip nearly poking Yi Chen's nose as she added sternly:
"But—!"
"Remember this clearly! You are to cultivate and temper your minds—not do anything improper!"
"Especially—"
Her gaze swept between them.
"—that ridiculous 'dual cultivation' nonsense you were imagining earlier!"
"Don't even think about it! If I catch any boundary-crossing behavior, I'll send you both to the back mountain to face the wall in reflection! Understood?!"
Yi Chen shuddered, snapping to attention.
"Understood, Master! No bad thoughts! No bad behavior! Single-minded cultivation!"
Though his wandering eyes and flushed ears betrayed his inner chaos.
Shenhe remained expressionless, but her slightly tightened lips and once-again pink ears showed she was not unaffected.
Cloud Retainer finally seemed satisfied.
"Good. Shenhe, take Yi Chen to place his belongings. Cultivation begins immediately!"
"Yes, Master."
Shenhe replied softly.
Yi Chen muttered a quiet acknowledgment.
They left the cave one after the other, keeping a subtle distance.
Watching their retreating figures, Cloud Retainer sighed deeply and muttered to herself:
"…Am I saving someone… or have I personally invited the most dangerous pig into my own cabbage patch…?"
They walked along the tranquil paths of Mt. Aocang, clouds drifting gently around them. The silence felt delicate.
Yi Chen scratched his head and spoke first.
"Um… Senior Sister, sorry about earlier. I really messed things up and even made Master angry."
Shenhe shook her head lightly without stopping.
Her voice remained cool, but without reproach.
"You were… acting out of kindness."
She could feel that his desire to help her was pure—if always unexpectedly expressed.
Soon, Shenhe led him to a secluded cave dwelling.
"This is my residence."
She opened the stone door. Inside was sparse: a bed, a table, a meditation cushion—nothing extra. Clean, cold, almost untouched.
"From today onward, we will cultivate together here, as Master instructed."
She glanced at the room, clearly considering adjustments.
"Go fetch your belongings. I will… make some space."
Her tone was neutral, but her fingers curled slightly at her side, her gaze subtly avoiding his.
After years of solitary cultivation, suddenly sharing her space—especially with a male junior—stirred feelings she kept carefully frozen beneath her calm exterior.
Soon after, Yi Chen returned with his modest pack.
Shenhe saw that she had already moved the cushion aside, wiped the stone bed and table.
"Senior Sister, I'm back!"
Yi Chen cheerfully unpacked—
And Shenhe watched as her minimalist, icy cave was swiftly invaded by life:
Bright clothes hung on the wall;
Colorful Mondstadt trinkets cluttered the table;
An over-the-top adventure novel lay near the bed;
A soft pillow replaced the hard stone one.
In the time it took to burn a stick of incense, the room transformed.
The cold, empty cultivation chamber now pulsed with warmth, messiness, and life.
Yi Chen stepped back, satisfied.
"Much better! Feels more comfortable—like home!"
Then he remembered to ask, a little embarrassed.
"Uh… Senior Sister, is this too messy? If you don't like it, I can put things away."
Shenhe slowly surveyed the changed room.
It had never been this crowded.
Never this warm.
And strangely—it didn't bother her.
It felt… grounding. Like she was no longer alone.
She looked at Yi Chen and shook her head very lightly.
"…It's fine."
"This is good."
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