### Chapter 7 You Love Her and I Love Her, Aren’t We Supposed to Be on the Same Side?
After all, Huan Aotian is Huan Aotian, the future empress. She’s not going to just call Yún Zhònghé a good buddy just because he wants to.
Only when she reaches a certain level of affection will she accept Yún’s team request.
“Hey, hey Young Master!”
“Oh? Ah, sorry, I was just thinking.”
Táo Jiǔ’er crossed her arms and frowned slightly, looking rather unhappy. She had been calling out to Yún Zhònghé, but he didn’t pay any attention.
Is the Young Master really planning to change for good this time? Or is he just playing around again like usual?
Just then, Yún Zhònghé noticed the delicate wooden box Táo Jiǔ’er was carrying. The intricate carvings on it suggested it was made by a master craftsman.
Yún asked, “Jiǔ’er, what’s that?”
Táo Jiǔ’er pouted. “Master asked me to give you this personally and deliver it to Li Duzhu at the Immortal Alliance branch in Cangzhou City.”
Yún Zhònghé realized what this meant.
This cultivation world isn’t like traditional sects vying for power; instead, there’s an official force akin to a celestial court managing everything, known as the Immortal Alliance.
They have branches across the continent, maintaining order. The existence of these branches has greatly reduced cases of cultivator oppression against common folk, even those unaffiliated ones must be registered and monitored.
Li Duzhu, leader of the Immortal Alliance Cangzhou City branch, is a notable and influential figure, and also a close friend of Yún Zhònghé’s mother.
In the game, Yún Zhònghé gained entry into the Xuantian Sect with Li Duzhu’s help. It’s like getting a special pass, given that only geniuses like Huan Aotian or Lin Zhongyu (with her Golden Emperor Sacred Eyes) are qualified to join such a super-sect. For someone with average talent like Yún Zhònghé, this connection was essential.
As per the storyline, if Yún hadn’t gotten killed in Cangzhou, he’d have joined the Xuantian Sect and continued chasing after Huan Aotian, trying his luck repeatedly.
Now, his mother instructed him to personally hand over a gift to Li Duzhu to pave the way for his entry into the Xuantian Sect.
He had planned to skip out entirely, but with the Book of Prophecy, he understood that ducking Huan Aotian would do no good. Entering the Xuantian Sect might actually increase his chances to interact with the protagonist crew, thus improving his standings.
Hence, he rushed to clean up: “Wait a moment, since we’re meeting Li Duzhu, I can’t look like a mess.”
Táo Jiǔ’er was surprised by his immediate answer—she’d already prepared herself to drag him along regardless.
Could her Young Master really have changed?
Dressed in black-and-white brocade robes with red trim—quite the change from his usual all-black attire—Yún now hoped to shed his villainous yellow-hair image.
His golden hair shone brilliantly, almost mocking his yellow-hair identity. If only Yún could dye it black, but the golden hair symbolizes his family’s premium gold spiritual root, their pride. Changing it would be like betraying his heritage, leading his parents to punish him.
Oh well, oh well.
After tidying up, he checked his reflection in the glass mirror and felt more respectable.
—
Yún Zhònghé adjusted his appearance quickly. “Let’s go, Jiǔ’er.”
Táo Jiǔ’er’s ice-cold eyes focused on him, blinking contemplatively. After a moment’s hesitation, she blurted, “Young Master, Li Duzhu may be young and beautiful, but she is your mother’s close friend. Besides, she has a daughter your age.”
Yún: “????”
What did she think he was, a minister looking for concubines?
Come on, I’m a pure-hearted virgin!
…
Yún didn’t comment on these words. Upon leaving the study, they immediately had servants prepare a carriage and headed off to the Immortal Alliance branch.
Despite being isolated, Cangzhou City was not small. Many clans existed within its walls along with commoners. With few tall buildings, it was fairly similar to a big city in many ways.
Inside the carriage, Yún watched the bustling streets with a sigh.
If it weren’t for his yellow-hair identity, he could have lived comfortably and carefree. Now, he needed to figure out how to win Huan Aotian’s favor and become her good friend.
How should he do this?
Táo Jiǔ’er sitting opposite noticed Yún’s distress and asked gently, “Are you troubled about something, Young Master? If you don’t mind, you can tell me.”
Glancing back at her, Yún thought of their long friendship. Even though annoying sometimes, he knew she would always support him when in trouble.
Recalling the original story, Táo Jiǔ’er’s role in the plot was minimal as Yún Zhònghé usually acted behind her back. But every detail showed her fate tied closely with his. When Yún died, she was heartbroken and soon followed.
He felt truly ashamed of himself.
“It’s nothing,” Yún shook his head. “I’m not a kid anymore. Some things, I can handle.”
As he spoke, noises outside caught his attention.
“Hey, there seems to be a disturbance at the Immortal Alliance office in East City Street!”
“Oh boy, who’s that brave person?”
“Seems to be some foolish girl from the Lin family. She’s in a conflict with the office manager and challenged her to a duel right there!”
“Eh? Interesting, let’s go see!”
Yún, bound by the Book of Prophecy to follow Huan Aotian’s power level, had reached Foundation Establishment Third Layer. His senses were sharper than ever, capturing even the faintest sounds.
One dialogue caught his ear—the mention of “Lin family’s waste girl” hinted unmistakably at who they’re referring to.
Lin Zhongyu? In a clash at the Immortal Alliance?
An opportunity… presents itself?
Yún couldn’t contain his excitement. It wasn’t Huan Aotian herself, but helping a woman linked to her could still build favor.
At worst, befriending Lin Zhongyu first would allow her to speak on his behalf to Huan Aotian, possibly making things happen.
Since you’re buddies, shouldn’t I be too?
Makes sense indeed!
With this thought, Yún called out to the driver to hurry towards the Immortal Alliance branch.
