Fairy, Don’t Be Afraid, I’m Blind

Chapter 104: A Teacher for a Day, a Mother for Life

The clouds drifted and rolled as the Cloud Lotus Boat flew for nearly three days.

Outside the cabin, the wind howled fiercely, but He Shutong remained unmoved, not a single strand of her hair fluttering. She floated in mid-air, her eyes closed in meditation, enveloped in a soft, mysterious aura, resembling a still lotus flower.

You Su, however, couldn’t withstand the biting cold wind at such high altitudes. Not daring to disturb his Master’s Wife, he closed the cabin door and returned inside.

Inside the cabin, Heavenly Maiden Wangshu was already asleep on the large lotus platform.

In truth, You Su could sense that his Senior Sister was no ordinary cultivator. Throughout the journey, she had never rested, tirelessly asking him all sorts of strange questions. It seemed she could go without sleep for long periods without feeling fatigued. But You Su was growing weary of the constant questioning and finally said gently:

“Senior Sister, don’t you want to rest?”

Heavenly Maiden Wangshu simply replied, “Oh,” and then lay down on the lotus platform, quickly falling asleep. You Su shook his head inwardly. Despite being forty-nine years old, his Senior Sister acted like a child who refused to sleep until caught by a parent.

You Su took out a mirror from his Dimensional Bag. Using his spiritual sense, he confirmed that Heavenly Maiden Wangshu was truly asleep before focusing his mind and opening his eyes.

Although Heavenly Maiden Wangshu was his Master’s Wife’s disciple, she wasn’t as close to him as his Junior Sister, with whom he could be completely open. You Su felt that the fewer people who knew about his ability to open his eyes, the better.

This was the first time You Su had seriously examined his own appearance. The mirror reflected his features: sharp and distinct, with the youthful recklessness of a young man, yet also exuding a sense of sharpness and determination. His sword-like eyebrows slanted upward into the dark locks of hair at his temples, and his eyes were now pitch black.

You Su stared at his reflection, feeling a sense of unfamiliarity. He quietly studied his face for a while, changing angles as if to commit every detail to memory. Finally, he chuckled softly and turned his gaze away from the mirror, looking out the cabin window at the distant, tiny world below.

In this state, his vision was exceptionally sharp. The magnificent city below was a scene of prosperity he had never imagined. Its vastness was such that even from high above, he couldn’t see its boundaries at a glance. Towering buildings reached into the clouds, and even the highest point of Chuyun City’s City Lord’s Mansion would seem ordinary in comparison.

You Su leaned out slightly, looking in the direction the Cloud Lotus Boat was heading—a majestic, endless mountain range stood between heaven and earth. Even at his current altitude, he couldn’t see its peak. It was like a sacred pillar connecting the earth to the heavens, vast and indistinct.

The Eternal Height Divine Mountain had finally come into view.

As if to welcome their arrival, a large flock of cranes flew past the Cloud Lotus Boat.

Following them was a massive cloud formation. As the Cloud Lotus Boat passed through it, You Su felt something different. These weren’t ordinary clouds but more like a strange liquid. Moving through them felt like creating ripples in space.

Once they broke through the clouds, the Eternal Height Divine Mountain finally revealed a glimpse of its grandeur.

The towering mountain was shrouded in light mist and white clouds. Steep cliffs were dotted with lush greenery, and everywhere there were floating islands and pavilions, creating a sense of harmonious beauty. Faintly, the sound of an ancient bell could be heard, carrying with it the profound meaning of the Dao.

“Junior Brother, we’re almost there.”

Heavenly Maiden Wangshu had somehow woken up and was now standing beside You Su, gazing at the most magnificent structure on the Divine Mountain.

You Su blinked, and his pitch-black eyes returned to their normal black-and-white appearance. He turned to her:

“Is the Mystic Firmament Sect close?”

“Yes.”

You Su took a deep breath, feeling both nervous and excited about the new environment.

The Chief Elder of the Mystic Firmament Sect was an elderly man with white hair and a weathered face. Dressed in Daoist robes and wearing a Daoist crown, he embodied the image of an immortal.

His eyes were tightly shut as he sat beside a tea table, where two cups of fragrant tea emitted faint wisps of steam. The other cup belonged to a serene fairy in a white dress.

“The Thirteenth Elder has returned,” the Chief Elder said in a deep, hoarse voice.

“Greetings, Chief Elder,” He Shutong replied with grace and composure.

The Chief Elder nodded slightly, his eyes still closed. “You’ve been away from the sect for eight years, claiming to be on a journey of cultivation. Have you achieved anything?”

“Very little.”

“Oh?”

The Chief Elder raised an eyebrow, his wrinkled eyelids lifting slightly. His eyes emitted two piercing purple lights. Upon closer inspection, his pupils resembled two purple stars, with intricate patterns constantly rotating within them.

Long before He Shutong had joined the sect, the Chief Elder had already held his position. He Shutong didn’t know the true extent of his cultivation, but being stared at by his half-closed purple eyes made her feel uneasy.

“Do you have confidence in recovering?” the old man asked calmly.

He Shutong sighed inwardly. Even though she had tried to conceal her crumbling Spirit Platform before returning to the sect, the Chief Elder had seen through it at a glance.

“Yes,” He Shutong replied firmly.

“That’s good. The Thirteenth Elder is exceptionally talented and will go further than us old folks. Don’t be impatient.” The Chief Elder assumed her condition was due to a failed breakthrough.

“I will remember your advice, Chief Elder,” He Shutong said without further explanation.

“This isn’t advice; it’s a warning,” the Chief Elder said coldly, closing his eyes again.

Although He Shutong was a peak master, her responsibilities as an elder were minimal. She rarely taught or took disciples. After being away from the sect for eight years, if her cultivation were to collapse, many would covet her position as a grand elder, especially the twenty-three minor elders who had been suppressed by her.

He Shutong took a sip of tea and remained silent.

“What exactly happened in Chuyun City? Even Gu lost his life there.”

He Shutong shook her head. “Everything I know has already been reported to you, Chief Elder.”

“Sigh, we’ll have to wait for the investigation…” The Chief Elder stroked his beard. “Wangshu is your only disciple. Her life is of utmost importance. In the future, don’t let her leave the sect recklessly.”

“I’ve brought back a young man and Ji Lingruo from the Serpent Clan of Eastern Cascade. I intend to take them as my personal disciples.”

The Chief Elder’s voice carried a hint of surprise. “So the Thirteenth Elder’s Lotus Sword Technique isn’t a single-line inheritance?” He finally lifted the lid of his teacup and took a sip, a faint smile on his thin lips. “After being away for eight years, it seems the Thirteenth Elder has changed after all. To compete for that thing, you’ve even started taking more disciples.”

Thirteen towering mountains rose from the ground, standing among the Mystic Firmament Sect, a testament to both nature’s craftsmanship and the skill of immortal artisans. The Cloud Lotus Boat continued toward one of these isolated peaks, encountering no obstacles along the way.

You Su noticed the wind outside gradually subsiding until it disappeared entirely. Only then did he realize they had arrived at their destination.

“Junior Brother, we’re here.”

Heavenly Maiden Wangshu reminded You Su and was the first to step out of the cabin. Lotus Peak wasn’t as grand and majestic as one might imagine. Instead, it was a simple, unadorned courtyard. If You Su could open his eyes, he would have noticed that the layout of the courtyard was strikingly similar to the Mandarin Duck Sword Sect’s ancestral home. Without the surrounding streams and lush trees, it would be hard to believe this was the residence of a Mystic Firmament Sect elder.

You Su stepped out of the cabin and noticed that his Master’s Wife, who had been meditating on the deck, was nowhere to be seen.

“Senior Sister, where is Master’s Wife?”

“The Chief Elder came to see her.”

The Chief Elder was the leader of the thirteen grand elders, second only to the Sect Leader of the Mystic Firmament Sect.

You Su was inwardly shocked. Although it was normal for his Master’s Wife to report her return after eight years away, he hadn’t expected her to be greeted by such a high-ranking figure immediately upon her return.

The Cloud Lotus Boat had stopped but wasn’t on the ground. The height of the boat combined with its floating position was about three to four meters above the ground.

After speaking, Heavenly Maiden Wangshu leaped off the deck, landing gracefully on the ground like an elegant white cat.

“Junior Brother, jump too. I’ll catch you,” Heavenly Maiden Wangshu said seriously, raising her hands as if ready to catch him.

You Su’s mouth twitched, feeling that his Senior Sister was underestimating him. Although his cultivation level wasn’t as high as his Senior Sister, who claimed to be at the Feather Transformation Realm, he wasn’t so weak that he needed someone to catch him from a height of less than five meters.

“Senior Sister, do you think I’m a three-year-old?”

You Su smiled wryly and leaped into the air.

But his confident expression quickly changed. Something was wrong!

As soon as he left the range of the Cloud Lotus Boat, he felt the chaotic currents of air. They weren’t blowing from a single direction—some came from the left, some from the right, some were cold, and some were hot. They swirled around him, causing his body to sway uncontrollably as he fell.

You Su tried to resist, but these wild currents had an extraordinary power. Every time he tried to gather his spiritual energy to stabilize himself, it was immediately dispersed and absorbed by the strange currents.

No matter how ordinary the courtyard looked, it was still one of the thirteen peaks of the Mystic Firmament Sect. How could it be simple?

You Su frowned. In the blink of an eye, he was about to draw his Black Pine Sword to help himself land when a pair of jade-like hands gently caught him in a princess carry.

You Su found himself in Heavenly Maiden Wangshu’s arms, like a hero saved by a beauty. He awkwardly looked at her, and in her blurred features, her blue gem-like eyes were pure and clear.

Heavenly Maiden Wangshu set him down, and as soon as his feet touched the ground, the chaotic currents vanished. Startled by the strangeness of it all, You Su quickly stood up and took a few steps back before bowing.

“Thank you, Senior Sister.”

“You’re welcome,” Heavenly Maiden Wangshu replied calmly, without a hint of teasing. In fact, You Su could sense a faint joy in her voice at being thanked.

Somehow, facing the pure-hearted Heavenly Maiden Wangshu, even though he had lost face in front of her, You Su didn’t feel the slightest bit of embarrassment.

“Senior Sister, what is this strange wind?” You Su asked humbly.

“It’s called the Wind of Worry.”

You Su repeated the name in his mind, still puzzled. “Then why can’t I feel it once I land?”

“It’s not that you can’t feel it; it’s that it becomes obedient.”

Heavenly Maiden Wangshu raised a hand, and a thin cloud immediately wrapped around her delicate fingers, behaving like a tame spirit beast.

“Many places on the Divine Mountain have this Wind of Worry. Where it exists, people cannot fly and must walk.”

Heavenly Maiden Wangshu didn’t explain further, but You Su understood. The Divine Mountain was home to immortals and the sect’s most important sites. It couldn’t allow cultivators to fly freely. Walking was a basic sign of respect for these sacred places.

Heavenly Maiden Wangshu began walking toward the courtyard ahead, and You Su quickly followed.

“Why is it called the Wind of Worry?” You Su asked, still confused.

“Master says it’s one of the teachings of the Eternal Height Immortal Ancestor. Only by staying grounded can one be free of worries.”

You Su smiled faintly at this, not entirely convinced.

As they approached the courtyard, You Su could feel the dense spiritual energy, so thick it seemed to turn into liquid. It flowed around him, like a gentle hand brushing through his meridians, bringing a profound sense of clarity.

The courtyard had no walls or gate, just four simple wooden houses. Aside from a peach tree in the center, there was nothing particularly remarkable about it. Beneath the peach tree stood a fairy in a white dress, her figure mature but her aura cold and aloof.

“Master.”

“Master’s Wife.”

The two greeted her respectfully.

He Shutong nodded. “I remember you once said you received a qualification to study here from a Divine Mountain immortal.”

This was directed at You Su. He nodded. Although Gu had died, the qualification token he had given was still valid, proving his eligibility.

“The status of a study disciple doesn’t suit you. From today onward, you are my personal disciple. Don’t call me Master’s Wife anymore; call me Master.”

You Su was stunned and finally asked, “Master’s Wife, who exactly are you?”

He Shutong glanced at him, as if saying, “You couldn’t resist asking after all,” and replied calmly:

“I am the Thirteenth Elder of the Mystic Firmament Sect, the master of Lotus Peak, Lotus Sword Venerable.”

You Su’s pupils dilated. Although he had suspected as much, hearing the title of a Void Realm Venerable from her own mouth was still shocking. Such a figure was his Master’s Wife and now wanted to take him as her personal disciple. It felt unreal.

Although his master and Master’s Wife were Dao Companions, they belonged to different sects. By becoming Master’s Wife’s personal disciple, was he switching sects?

“You don’t want to?” He Shutong’s delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly.

“I…” You Su hesitated. While it had been easy to choose between Gu and his master, deciding between Master’s Wife and his master was more difficult.

“If you’re worried about being disloyal to your master, don’t be,” He Shutong said, her hands clasped behind her back, her fingers nervously intertwining. “Before your master left, he entrusted me with your care. If your Yuan Sword skills were sufficient to graduate, you could seek another master. I have also guided you, so becoming my disciple is the best choice for you. Moreover…”

“Moreover what?”

“Moreover, I plan to take your Junior Sister as my personal disciple as well. If you remain a study disciple, you’ll have to leave after a year.”

You Su had been skeptical about his master’s supposed entrustment, but this last statement sealed his decision.

He straightened his robes, clasped his hands in front of his chest, and bowed deeply.

“From today onward, I, You Su, pledge myself as a disciple of Lotus Sword Venerable. I swear to respect my master and the Dao, and to cultivate diligently! If I ever betray my master or bring disgrace to the sect…”

He couldn’t finish the oath. You Su knew that Master trusted him not to betray her, which was why she didn’t let him continue. He suddenly raised his head and bowed again, this time more solemnly, saying:

“A teacher for a day, a mother for life! I will honor and respect my master. Please accept me as your disciple!”

Lotus Sword Venerable looked at the solemnly bowing You Su, and for the first time, a faint smile appeared on her icy face, like the melting of spring snow.

She felt comforted, having finally taken You Su as her disciple to make up for her past neglect.

When she heard You Su’s words, “A teacher for a day, a mother for life,” warmth flowed through her heart. She felt that the word “mother” was too great, and she still had much to learn. From now on, she would strive to care for her disciples with genuine affection.