Zhu Yanyi smiled. "Once people have enough to eat, they want nice clothes. After that, they want fun things to do. That is spiritual life."
It was Zhu Yanyi’s turn. She played a card. "Spiritual life is just about having fun. Some like movies, some like singing, some like traveling. Travelers read books or play cards. Life is very relaxed. You never feel bored."
Zhu Yanyi grinned. "I think people in the mortal world live very well."
"I don’t know how you live, but this card game is fun," Ouyang Tianyun said with a smile.
Zhu Yanyi laughed. "We like it. Cultivation is important, but we can’t just cultivate all the time. For me, heart cultivation is key. Daily practice keeps my power steady, but to break through, I need inner understanding."
Yi Yunfei played a card. "I want to go out. Fifteen, the mortal world is nice. Take us to see it sometime?"
"Maybe. After this mission, I have three months off. I can take you. But in the mortal world, it’s only one month. Time moves differently there."
Zhu Yanyi was happy to invite them. "I opened a Traditional Chinese Medicine school there. You could teach my students."
"I think that’s your real reason," Ouyang Tianyun looked at Zhu Yanyi.
Zhu Yanyi smiled. "Don’t worry about it. I will pay for your food and stay. You should help a little."
Everyone laughed.
Sikong Xuran said, "Then we will go with Junior Sister after this mission."
"You can look around. But there is almost no spiritual energy there. Don’t show off your powers and scare people," Zhu Yanyi warned.
"No problem," Yi Yunfei said. "I play the Royal Bomb, then a straight. I win."
Zhu Yanyi looked at her with disdain. "Senior Brother, you are acting strange. You just won as the landlord. Keep playing. I will beat you."
"Keep going. Try to win," Yi Yunfei smiled proudly.
Zhu Yanyi looked shocked. "I didn’t know you were like this."
Sikong Xuran spoke slowly. "It is normal. Everyone has a hidden side. Yunfei just showed his."
"Fine. I won’t argue. Let’s play cards," Zhu Yanyi said. She wanted to beat them at the game.
"Beating them is easy. We have good memories. We remember every card played," Zhu Yanyi explained.
"So we just play for fun. No money involved," Ouyang Tianyun said.
Zhu Yanyi smiled and continued playing.
The journey was boring, but they made it fun. Besides cards, Ouyang Tianyun organized a dumpling-making contest. They ate what they made. Some dumplings looked strange, but everyone was happy.
Happiness made the trip less lonely.
Zhu Yanyi watched them happily. She focused on the outside.
The outside was not quiet. An uninvited guest had arrived. Zhu Yanyi told Ouyang Tianyun and walked out.
A man in black clothes floated in the air. Black mist surrounded him. He was clearly an evil demon.
She was different from other demons. Her head was not covered. She was bald. Her face was covered in blue and black colors. Even without a black cloth, no one could see her real face.
Zhu Yanyi thought, She looks so ugly. She should cover her head. Seeing her makes me uncomfortable.
"You are from the Sage Academy," the man said. Her voice was hoarse but magnetic. Zhu Yanyi thought, If I liked nice voices, I would be silent.
"Yes, we are from the Sage Academy. Where are you from, demon?" Zhu Yanyi asked curiously.
"Demon? No. I am not a low-level creature. They cannot compare to me." He did not agree to be called a demon.
"If you say you are not a demon, then you are not? Fine. Even if you don’t admit it, tell me where you came from," Zhu Yanyi said coldly.
Sikong Xuran and Yi Yunfei came out. They stayed calm. Sikong Xuran asked quietly, "Junior Sister, what is happening?"
"A monster from somewhere. She denies being a demon and won’t say who she is. I haven’t finished asking," Zhu Yanyi said softly. The place was quiet, so everyone heard.
The people in the flying boat were restrained by Ouyang Tianyun. They did not come out. They sat down, moved stools, and took melon seeds. They watched the scene like a show.