[Wake up...]

Another familiar voice, yet this time, it did not sound annoyed.

It sounds sweet... and caring. As if the voice, truly wished her to wake up...

To wake up, properly.

[Wake up, young lady...]

"Annoying..."

So she said. Yet, as she did, she opened her eyes.

A bright, yellow sun... no, it was... hair.

Bright blonde hair covered her view. Sideway, she heard the whisper for her to wake up. The culprit whispered so directedly into her ears. She was so close, lips almost touching her right ear.

"Enough ASMR... I'm... awake,"

"Young lady, good morning,"

"Lin lin,"

What's she doing here?

Instead of coming here, just go cultivate. She wanted to protest, but... she was too drowsy to do so. Xiao Lin helped her raise herself halfway on the bed, then wiped her face with some wet tissues. The soft, warm tissues caressed her skin with much gentleness, all while she was doing nothing. Xiao Lin then took out a soft brush from a box, further cleaning the lady's eyes with it.

The brush was special to her. It only had one job, but she always carried it with her. As if happy doing so, Xiao Lin was humming to herself while the young lady was looking at her with dead eyes. Her humming seemed to have a certain tone on its own, as if a song.

It was lighthearted.

It was... full of hope.

Soon, she took out a talisman. The gold talisman had a special inscription within it. It was a 'Cleansing and Refreshing Talisman'. She had this one very specifically made for her young lady, and it was a rechargeable version too. Activating it with a simple hand gesture, warm mist circulated around Yun Zhi, soon cleansing her whole body and dress. As if she had taken a complete bath, it was refreshing.

No need to waste time bathing, how convenient!

"Young lady, I'll brush your hair next,"

"Emm,"

Sitting on her back, she took out a hairbrush. Soon, she brushed her hair with the same gentleness. Each time she brought down the hairbrush, a wave of energy surged within the lady. It was so comfortable, the young lady actually snoozed off.

All while they were doing so, two maids were peeking at them just outside the room's door. Seemingly a bit conflicted, they looked at each other, whispering;

"How come elder sister Xiao Lin still come here? I thought,"

"How do I know! And she's doing our work too,"

"Well, good for us anyway..."

"What's so good about it! She'll scold us later,"

"Hehe, that's the best part..."

"Creep! You're an M!"

As they were bickering, Xiao Lin's attention was all on her young lady.

"Young lady Yun... should I brush more?"

"Emm, more... stronger..."

"Ahh, You're really spoiled, young lady..."

Xiao Lin complained, yet there was no dissatisfaction in her voice.

She was smiling ear to ear, as if it was her dream job. Serving her young lady, lady Yun Zhi, seemed as though a bliss for her. People might call her a genius, praising her all day, greeting her with admiration... Yet compared to this simple satisfaction, those were nothing.

The two maids, observing, could only ponder why Xiao Lin still held her in high regard. Ever since her behavior changed four years ago, people started to distance themselves from her. Who could blame them? Her behavior was beyond reprimand.

It was strange though.

Just five years ago, she was glorified. Able to achieve the thirteenth layer of Qi Refinement at twelve, even winning the Grand Qi Refinement Tournament, she was acknowledged as the top genius, in the whole continent. Even the little demon from the mysterious and powerful demonic cult acknowledged her as his rival.

Alas...

A year later, she failed to build her foundation. However, that should not be a big fuss. There were many, even among geniuses, who had to try at least twice to achieve Foundation Establishment. Yet, strangely... She seemed to be out of drive ever since, not wanting to do even daily cultivation. Her spirit seemed to have left.

Her behavior turned stranger ever since.

She started to murmur gibberish words people could not understand... Neet, yeet, yolo, mofo, lol, gg... All confusing words that never existed and baffled experts. As if possessed, she also ignored orders from the elders and even the sect leader, her father. Later, even her grandfather, the sect's ancestor, was ignored. His wrath was witnessed by some elders, so the news could not be suppressed.

At fourteen, she avoided people completely and continued to stay in her room. For young cultivators, being active outside was more profitable to the body than long isolation. She even did not attend the conference for the young blood, held only once a decade. After not participating in anything and not being in the limelight for a year, vile rumors spread.

A rumor that she had given up on the path of cultivation spread like wildfire. It was initiated by vile people within their own sect and abroad. However, as it was not fake news, it was hard for her family and the sect to deny as days passed.

More and more people started to call her a disappointment, sighing at the sect's great loss. It would not be much fuss if she was a normal, good heir. However, since she was originally the prime hope of the sect, the light of the continent, she was deemed as an even greater...

Failure.

The black sheep of the family, and the sect.

The great humiliation.

The other top sects and clans often used her as the subject of ridicule. Even among the Jade Qilin Sect's so-called allies, they used the word 'concern' to initiate discussion on her among their peers, knowingly putting salt on the sect's sensitive wound.

The room, was a world of its own.

Without care about what's happening outside.

"Oh, Lin lin, congrats..."

"Young lady..."

"Just call me... by name already,"

"I, I can't possibly...!"

It's been four years since her failure to establish her Foundation.

Xiao Lin did not understand what happened.

Being her only maid then, she had seen her afterward. Laying on the ground, she was in total shock, as if something heavy was put on her all of a sudden. Her eyes were dead, as if light could not penetrate through. Her father was so terrified, he had to alert the ancestor that very day. The old monster came out of his seclusion right away, yet even this peak existence in the cultivation world, could not comprehend what happened.

Her body seemed fine. Yet her soul... was shaken. Even when they asked her what she experienced, she kept her mouth shut. As if having her vitality sucked out of her, she became lifeless, almost like a zombie. Fortunately, it turned better after a month or so, but...

She was never the same.

She turned into a completely unmotivated person.

Her condition had become worst in the last year. She wouldn't even care to wash herself up. If left on her own, she might not even take a bath for three days. Some people said she had become too lazy from being spoiled rotten, but that just did not fit the whole story.

She was very hardworking before!

If she claimed as the second most hardworking disciple, no disciple would dare to claim first.

Now that Xiao Lin, her handmaid, managed to establish Foundation before her lady... a feeling of guilt arose within her. After all, after Yun Zhi's 'fall', all cultivation resources she received, she gave to Xiao Lin. She was reluctant, but she still took some for use after her insistence.

Yun Zhi was her lady, yet she gave all her cultivation resources to her maid. She was still in thirteenth Qi layer, a shy away from Foundation. For four years, it remained stagnant. Xiao Lin felt the irony of their situation. She used to have such a low position even among the youngsters, and she was on top.

How cruel...

She had used around ten percent of those resources she gave her. Thanks to that, she managed to get ahead, but... it didn't feel as good as she thought. If only... If only Yun Zhi would show even a bit of envy or resentment towards her, perhaps she wouldn't feel so guilty. When she was still wondering whether to thank or to apologize, Yun Zhi snuggled into her lap. As if wanting to continue her sleep, she held her thick thighs within her arms.

It was plenty warm.

And soft.

"Y-young lady! It's almost noon, you have to wake up..."

"Naaa... Can't I be spoiled... today?"

"Y-you keep saying this every day the last time I took care of you!"

"Ehh, why so stingy,"

"No... it's not about me being stingy... mo,"

While Xiao Lin was complaining in a murmur, she took the liberty.

Rubbing her face on her thighs, she felt the comfort she had not experienced for the last three months. Yep, the other maids just won't do. They only did the bare minimum and did not even care that much about her. While she was grateful since she could sleep even more, she was missing out on this kind of warmth. Xiao Lin relented, patting her young lady's back while she was snoozing.

Yun Zhi and Xiao Lin, the lady and the maid...

While their status and role in the sect seemed to have taken a complete turnover, this small moment reminded them of their younger days. Back then, Yun Zhi was the one taking care of her, now... The role seemed to have reversed somehow.

As they were enjoying their quaint moment, it did not last long.

BOOM---

A sonic boom erupted in the sky, shattering the tranquility that transpired a moment ago. Xiao Lin was startled;

"A strike?!"

But she was quick, covering Yun Zhi as if protecting her. She activated the room's protective formation, blocking the whole area from outsiders. This formation was made by Grand Elders, so it should be able to withstand even attacks by top cultivators while blocking the prying eyes of Spirit Search. The maids outside were also shocked, but they did not react the same as her.

Instead, they went out to check.

Outside, a figure they knew well... stood in all their majesty.

Lightning crackled around him, as if announcing the descent of a heavenly figure. In the sky, one could see the clouds clearly being separated by overwhelming force. Such force... was the top existence here. An old man, but with an appearance similar to a hot uncle. With white robe, white hair, and short, white beard, he was like another world's existence. As if the world's filth and dust, could not even touch him.

It was the sect's Ancestor, the Dao Seeker, Heavenly Sage Yun Tao.

He was otherworldly handsome, but the maids could not stand there to appreciate such a view. Dared not tarry, both had knees down to the ground, saluting while eyes closed. Were they not curious as to why he came? Of course, they were. However, the sect had rules. It was not their position to ask anything to such a high figure. Unless being addressed, they could not ask any question.

"Why's the Grand Formation active?"

His question was simple and slow, yet his tone carried such authority. The maids shivered, barely gathered their courage to reply;

"M-my lord, elder sister Xiao Lin just arrived. She might've misunderstood,"

"Hm, fine. Stay,"

"Yes..."

Walking in without a care, the Grand Formation only stopped him for a second. Ripples in the air occurred as he walked. As if sensing the authority of the guest, the formation did not block his way.

"Lin-er, I'm entering,"

The man said so. Seeing the familiar figure entering, Xiao Lin realized her mistake. She kneeled while saluting;

"Xiao Lin, pays respect to Lord Ancestor! Please punish me!"

"You're just protecting her. No need for such nonsense,"

"Xiao Lin thanked Lord Ancestor!"

"Fuu... eh, why all the fuss,"

Yun Zhi, the center of all this, was still snoozing when she spoke.

With sleepy eyes, she turned to see Yun Tao.

"Ehh, this handsome uncle looks familiar..."

Yun Tao's eyes twitched.

He did not see her for just a month, but it seemed her condition worsened. She acted as if she had already forgotten about him, her grandfather. Or did she really?

"Y-young lady, that's our Lord Ancestor, your esteemed grandfather..."

"It's fine, Lin-er. This lord is not here to waste time."

"Lord Ancestor?"

"I'm bringing her away. There might be a way to help her,"

"R-really?!"

With such revelation, Xiao Lin could not help but react in excitement, almost jumping forward. Soon realizing her mistake, she lowered her gaze, saluting;

"Please forgive me, Lord Ancestor... I forgot my place,"

"...It's fine. She might need to leave for a long time. Prepare her stuff and say your goodbye. Be quick,"

"A long time... Lord Ancestor, can I..."

"No,"

He knew what she wanted to ask.

Being close to his granddaughter, she would ask to be by her side. While he had treated her kindly because of her loyalty, he knew where to draw the line. Leaving them be, the ancestor was greeted outside by the sect leader and elders.

Meanwhile, Xiao Lin, a bit saddened by the sudden intrusion, caressed Yun Zhi's face. While she was a year younger than the young lady, she got used to being her de facto guardian. Sighing, she took out her ring. It was a storage ring, with shining green jade. With it, she cleared all the wardrobes and daily essentials within the room.

"Lin lin... what're... you doing..."

"Preparing your departure. Just stay there, young lady,"

Gazing it for a while, she took out some brushes and make-up she kept inside and stored them into a different ring on her other hand. The earlier ring was put onto Yun Zhi's finger.

"Young lady... I've packed your things. There are also cultivation resources inside. Use them well,"

"Ehh, I gave them all to you,"

"Nuh um, I used what I need already, a lot. It won't be right for me to use more,"

She barely used 10% of them, yet she made it sound as if she had used a lot more.

Soon, she helped her change her sleepwear into something acceptable, a simple white dress. Knowing the Ancestor wouldn't like waiting for long, she supported her to stand, bringing her outside with haste.

=== Chapter 2 End ===