To the northeast of Zhuang Country lay Cloud Country, a land dominated by mountains. Its capital, Cloud City, perched upon the highest peak within its borders, Embracing Snow Mountain.

In the early days of Cloud City’s establishment, the harsh environment below the mountain compelled the master of Lingxiao Pavilion to carve the mountain into a vast platform, upon which the city was built. Subsequent cities within Cloud Country followed this example, constructing their main settlements on high mountains. This elevated terrain, often shrouded in clouds, gave rise to the name “Cloud Above Country.”

Two paths led to Cloud City. One was a system of ropeways connecting it to other major cities, and the other, a colossal stone staircase ascending from the mountain’s foot, known as the Ascend Cloud Stairs. The prosperous Cloud Country, having enlisted master craftsmen from the Mohist school to oversee the design, ensured both paths were marvels of engineering.

The ropeways, crafted from the tanned tendons of powerful demon beasts and steeped in iron tung tree oil, were renowned for their incredible durability, said to last a hundred years without rotting. This claim held true, with replacements occurring only once a century and no reported instances of natural breakage. The people of Cloud Country traversed these high-speed routes in mechanized cars, moving swiftly between cities. This efficiency in travel, covering straight-line distances high above the ground, likely contributed to Cloud Country’s flourishing commerce, facilitating greater exchange between its various settlements compared to other nations.

However, the most breathtaking spectacle on Embracing Snow Peak was the set of four “rainbow bridges” connecting Cloud City to its nearest four major cities. Legend attributed these ethereal pathways to the immense power of Lingxiao Pavilion’s founding ancestor, who was said to have gathered clouds into roads and drawn rainbows into bridges. These four cities subsequently rose to prominence, second only to Cloud City itself. Although Cloud Country expanded over time, no other city ever attained this distinction.

Leaving aside the exorbitant cost of the materials and the intricate array patterns etched into the stone slabs, the Ascend Cloud Stairs themselves held no inherent magic. Yet, despite years of exposure to wind and sun and the constant traffic of people, the stairs remained impeccably clean.

Jiang Wang, carrying An An, reached the final step without a hint of exertion, his breath even. He gazed up at the towering archway of Cloud City before stepping directly inside. Though the brother and sister were covered in dust and weary from travel, and An An’s beast-hide wrap spoke of a humble background, they encountered no scornful stares or ill-treatment. Cloud Country, a land of thriving commerce, welcomed guests from all directions, though the entrance tax was somewhat steep. For Jiang Wang, however, a few gold or silver pieces were easily obtained through minor tasks undertaken along the journey, sufficient for their needs.

Upon inquiring with the city guards, Jiang Wang learned that Lingxiao Pavilion was not situated within Cloud City itself, but rather above it. The guards, however, were unaware of the means of entry to the celestial abode. Fortunately, Jiang An An carried a Cloud Crane. Under Jiang Wang’s instruction, she carefully penned a few words before releasing the small creature. The Cloud Crane seemed momentarily disoriented in the air before flapping its wings and soaring upwards, vanishing into the clouds.

Uncertain when Ye Qingyu would receive the letter, Jiang Wang decided to explore Cloud City with Jiang An An, primarily sampling its local delicacies. They enjoyed Cloud Pulp Fruit, said to grow amongst the clouds. Biting into its skin released a drinkable juice, and each of the five colors boasted a distinct flavor. They also indulged in Colorful Cloud Candy, which resembled vibrant clouds and delivered seven different layers of sweetness with each bite. Today, Jiang Wang placed no restrictions on An An’s sweet indulgence, allowing her to eat her fill until her little belly was round.

It was while savoring the Colorful Cloud Candy that Jiang An An caught sight of Ye Qingyu.

The bustling long street fell silent.

The bright sky above was suddenly “torn open,” yet it wasn’t the true sky, but rather like a painted scroll. As the scroll peeled back, it revealed pavilions and towers behind the opening, exquisitely crafted and magnificent in their grandeur. Lingxiao Pavilion resided here! Beyond the “sky.”

Immortal aura permeated the air, and clouds and mist coalesced into stairs.

A woman from within the painting slowly descended the cloud stairs, stopping before Jiang An An and her brother. Today, she wore no veil. Her fine eyebrows were gently curved like autumn shadows, and her eyes, clear and bright as still waves, shone with purity. Her jade-like nose was delicately straight, and her red lips were lightly pursed. Her beauty was so radiant that the entire long street seemed to lose its luster. Her tall, slender figure further enhanced her presence; merely standing there transformed her into a breathtaking vista.

Jiang An An’s large eyes lit up, and she enthusiastically waved her hand, “Sister Qingyu!”

The two had been long-time pen pals, having seen each other many times through the Shadow Leaving Stone, but this was their first meeting in person.

Ye Qingyu approached, a smile gracing her lips, and gently touched Jiang An An’s little head. Then, her gaze shifted to Jiang Wang, her eyes holding a complex expression. “Is Fellow Daoist Jiang faring well?”

Cloud Country and Zhuang Country were considered neighboring nations, and Fenglin City Domain was a border city in Zhuang Country’s northeastern region. The complete sacrifice of the entire city domain to an evil cult and its descent into the underworld was a matter Ye Qingyu could not have been unaware of. She held a deep sense of gratitude towards Jiang Wang and a pure affection for Jiang An An. Their exchanges of letters had forged a genuine bond. The news of Fenglin City’s fate had saddened her for a long time. Had she not received Jiang An An’s letter today, she would have believed her two friends from the foreign lands had met a tragic end. Learning of their arrival in Cloud City filled her with surprise. Thus, she disregarded the possibility of shocking the common folk and directly “tore open the sky” to enter Cloud City.

The youth with white hair, covered in dust and weariness, was not a sight that inspired cheerful words.

“Not very well,” Jiang Wang said with a bitter smile. He had made his decision outside Fenglin City Domain and therefore spoke without hesitation. “Earlier in Sanshan City, Fellow Daoist Ye bestowed upon me a Cloud Middle Order. It was unfortunately lost within Fenglin City Domain. However, I must 厚着脸皮 (thick face) ask if it still holds validity?”

“Of course,” Ye Qingyu replied earnestly. “Though the Cloud Middle Order is lost, Qingyu’s promise is not. Fellow Daoist Jiang, please state your request.”

Jiang Wang tightened his grip on Jiang An An’s small hand before releasing it. An An, sensing something, countered by grabbing his hand firmly.

“Could I trouble Fellow Daoist Ye to look after An An on my behalf, allowing her to cultivate within Lingxiao Pavilion?” Jiang Wang forced himself not to look at his sister, his gaze fixed on Ye Qingyu’s eyes. “I must journey to a perilous place and cannot care for her.”

“You may,” Ye Qingyu answered straightforwardly.

“Brother…” Jiang An An’s large eyes welled up with tears. “You don’t want An An anymore?”

Jiang Wang felt his heart being crushed. He half-squatted and gently embraced his sister. “An An, brother will never abandon you. It’s just that I have something very important to attend to and cannot protect you, so I must temporarily entrust you here. Only temporarily. Brother will certainly return to fetch you, alright?”

“Not alright…” Jiang An An pouted, her teary eyes fixed on Jiang Wang. “Can I say not alright? Brother?”

“I’m sorry,” Jiang Wang gently stroked Jiang An An’s little head, hardening his heart. He picked her up and placed her in Ye Qingyu’s arms. “I possess nothing of value now, but I give you my word, Jiang Wang’s word, that any resources Lingxiao Pavilion invests in An An will be repaid in full one day.”

“From this day forward, Jiang An An is a member of my Lingxiao Pavilion. Lingxiao Pavilion will wholeheartedly cultivate her, care for her, and protect her. Please rest assured, Fellow Daoist Jiang,” Ye Qingyu promised solemnly.

The destruction of Fenglin City Domain would inevitably compel the surviving youth to take action. She did not question where Jiang Wang intended to go or what he planned to do. She simply fulfilled the duty of a friend, striving to alleviate his worries. She considered trying to persuade Jiang Wang to stay and cultivate in Lingxiao Pavilion. Such an action would undoubtedly break the rules and incur dissatisfaction, but her father was not incapable of indulging her to this extent. However, she noticed the look in the youth’s eyes. Beneath the endless pain and torment lay a profound calmness. He had clearly deliberated deeply, he had certainly hesitated painfully, and finally arrived at his own calm resolution. This kind of calmness often signified irreversible determination.

Jiang Wang bowed solemnly to Ye Qingyu, then abruptly turned away.

In Ye Qingyu’s arms, Jiang An An’s tears flowed like rain, but she held back her sobs. She knew her brother would be deeply saddened if he heard her cry. The little girl watched her brother’s solitary back recede, further and further, until it was lost to sight.

The crowd bustled, and the sky was bright. The sunlight in Cloud City seemed to split into two paths. One path illuminated the stairs formed of clouds, where Ye Qingyu held the entranced Jiang An An, slowly ascending into the sky. The other path fell upon the winding Ascend Cloud Stairs on Embracing Snow Mountain, where the white-haired youth, leaving only his back to Cloud City, walked alone down the mountain.

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