"Relax, Sister Yun Yun. Don’t keep your body so tense—just loosen up a bit."
Chen Mo spoke softly near Yun Yun’s ear.
But Yun Yun’s breathing was already quick and uneven. Her cheeks were flushed, and her entire body felt tingling and numb. Especially when Chen Mo’s warm breath brushed her ear as he spoke—it made it impossible for her to relax. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ N()velFire.net
She tried her best to stay calm and focused, but despite her earnestness, no real progress was made.
By the end, even Chen Mo began to feel a little discouraged.
Yun Yun’s sword technique had clearly reached a bottleneck.
No matter how Chen Mo tried to guide her, her speed simply wasn’t fast enough.
If she wanted to break through, she first needed to surpass her current limit in speed. Only then would her sword technique naturally improve.
Releasing her hand, Chen Mo said, "Sister Yun Yun, I think I’ve figured out your biggest problem. It’s your speed. You should focus on speed training first. Once you break through that, your sword skills will follow suit."
Yun Yun blinked, a little disappointed since she had actually wanted to keep practicing. But since Chen Mo had pointed it out so clearly, she had no choice but to nod and agree. "Alright, we’ll stop here for today. Thank you, Little Brother Chen Mo. Let me walk you back."
Privately, Yun Yun often called him Little Brother Chen Mo.
"No need, no need," Chen Mo quickly waved his hand. "With the kind of relationship we have, there’s no need for such formality. It’s the least I can do."
Then, changing the subject casually, he added, "Sister Yun Yun, we’ve been practicing swordplay for quite a while now. How about taking a break and walking around a bit? The Nalan Estate is pretty big, and I haven’t had a proper look around yet."
Since the sword training had hit a wall, Chen Mo decided to switch strategies. A casual walk, a chat—perhaps it would give him an opportunity to deepen their connection.
Truth be told, she actually liked spending time with Chen Mo.
But the Nalan Estate was full of people, and nearly everyone there knew who they were. If the two of them were seen strolling together, it could easily cause misunderstandings.
However, while her swordplay hadn’t improved today, Chen Mo had gone out of his way to help her. Refusing his invitation now would feel ungrateful.
"You have something else to do, Sister Yun Yun?" Chen Mo asked.
"No." Yun Yun eventually shook her head and gave a gentle smile. "I don’t have any plans. I’ll accompany you for a walk, Little Brother Chen Mo."
Chen Mo answered nonchalantly, though inwardly he was thrilled.
Then he added, "Sister Yun Yun, you don’t have to call me Little Brother Chen Mo. You can just call me Mo, or even just Chen Mo. Every time you call me ’little brother,’ it makes me feel like a kid."
"Then... Mo Mo?" Yun Yun tried hesitantly.
"Here!" Chen Mo grinned in response.
Yun Yun had always been composed—her heart rarely stirred, no matter the situation. But now, walking side by side with Chen Mo, she felt an unfamiliar restlessness rising within her.
Every time he glanced at her with a smile, ripples stirred in her calm heart.
[Ding! Favorability +1. Gained 2 Favorability Points.]
"Sister Yun Yun," Chen Mo asked, "besides sword training, do you have any other hobbies?"
Step one in winning a goddess’s heart—find her interests, then plan accordingly.
Yun Yun murmured the word as if it were foreign to her. Her steps slowed as her thoughts drifted far back.
Ever since her master took her into the sect, her days had been consumed by cultivation and sword practice. She barely had time for friendship, let alone romance.
At first, she had disliked it.
But after over a decade, she gradually adapted to solitude. It became her norm.
And because she was used to it, she didn’t hate it anymore.
Even after becoming the Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect, her responsibilities simply added political duties to her already-monotonous routine of cultivation and swordsmanship.
"Other than cultivation... I guess it’s just sword training," Yun Yun replied softly.
Wow, not a single fun hobby...
Still, he couldn’t help but admire her ability to endure such loneliness.
Smiling, he praised her, "No wonder you became a two-star Dou Huang at just twenty-six. That kind of achievement takes more than talent—it takes persistence and hard work. I really admire you, Sister Yun Yun."
In the original story, Yun Yun’s talent couldn’t quite keep up with the protagonist’s group. It wasn’t until she became the Flower Sect’s leader that she caught up.
She was a tragic character in many ways.
Her master was killed by the man she loved the most.
Her Misty Cloud Sect was destroyed by him, too.
And in the end, Yun Yun didn’t even get a happy ending. The protagonist only married Xun Er and Queen Medusa. (As far as Battle Through the Heavens is concerned—what happened in The Great Ruler is another matter.)
When Chen Mo first read the novel, it didn’t strike him too deeply.
But after watching the anime and re-reading it...
Yun Yun became one of the greatest tragedies in the story.
Especially the moment her master was slain by Xiao Yan—the way her world shattered in that instant was unforgettable.
Yun Yun was a woman who deserved to be cherished.
Even after all that, she still wanted to grow stronger—for Xiao Yan’s sake.
She was someone who would give up everything for love.
"You’re teasing me now, aren’t you? My little bit of talent is nothing compared to yours," Yun Yun said with a soft laugh as she resumed walking.
Can I say I’ve got a cheat system?
Without it, he wouldn’t even be qualified to hold a sword in front of Yun Yun.
"Sister Yun Yun, please don’t compare yourself to me. I don’t deserve it. I just... stuck with it and worked hard, that’s all." Chen Mo chuckled, masking the truth with a joke.
Unexpectedly, Yun Yun nodded seriously. "Well, persistence and hard work are important."
Their walk didn’t last long before it was interrupted by the steward of the Nalan family.
"Sect Leader Yun, Master Chen Mo."
The steward gave them a respectful bow, then turned to Chen Mo and said, "Master Chen Mo, Her Highness the Grand Princess has arrived. She’s waiting in the main hall and has requested to see you."
"Yao Ye?" Yun Yun frowned slightly.
The steward nodded. "Yes, Princess Yao Ye."
"What does she want with me?" Chen Mo asked, puzzled.
The steward shook his head. Years of experience had taught him not to ask questions he shouldn’t—and certainly not to speak out of turn.
"Very well. Lead the way," Chen Mo said calmly.
"Please, Master Chen Mo."
The steward led the way ahead.
Chen Mo and Yun Yun followed behind.
Yun Yun leaned slightly closer and whispered, "Could it be... your cover’s blown?"
"No idea." Chen Mo furrowed his brow, but quickly smiled. "Sister Yun Yun, if I really was exposed... would you protect me?"
Yun Yun shot him a side glance. "Do you need my protection?"
"Well, I’m just asking," Chen Mo replied with a grin.
"I would," Yun Yun answered without hesitation.
In that brief moment, something passed between them.
Chen Mo was completely smitten.
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