NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 28: Home
As a native of Mingdu, Luan Yu not only possessed a pass but also held a residence permit, a Soul Master badge, and even an identity certificate from Illustrious Virtue Hall.
However, Luan Yu was not someone who enjoyed being in the spotlight. She only presented her permanent pass and helped Liuxing and Liuying obtain temporary ones, allowing the three of them to enter Mingdu together.
They entered the city through the eastern district, with Luan Yu dressed in a flowing blue gown, walking ahead while Liuxing and Liuying flanked her on either side.
The streets of the eastern district buzzed with life—crowds bustled about, and the calls of street vendors echoed through the air.
Shops lined the streets, displaying an array of dazzling goods in their windows.
The glow of soul guide lamps illuminated the merchandise, casting a shimmering light that reflected in countless hues.
The skyline of the eastern district was pierced by the spires of towering buildings, with sunlight filtering through the gaps, casting shifting patterns of light onto Luan Yu's dress as she walked.
Leading the way, Luan Yu guided the two toward the central district of Mingdu—the location of the Imperial Palace and the residential area for the city's elite.
Most of the high-ranking officials of the Sun and Moon Empire had their own villas in this district.
After all, living in the central area allowed these officials to conveniently attend early court sessions.
Despite its modern architecture, the Sun and Moon Empire remained a feudal monarch. As courtiers, these high-ranking officials dared not risk keeping the emperor waiting.
In case of urgent matters, they needed to be close enough to reach the palace in time, which was why most of them resided in the central district.
Luan Yu's sister was one such high-ranking member of the Sun and Moon Empire.
Although she served in the military, during peacetime, she was required to remain on standby in Mingdu.
Luan Yu herself, however, had chosen a different path. She declined to join the Sun and Moon Empire's political institutions, opting instead for a life of freedom. Yet, as a ninth-level Soul Engineer, a Title Douluo, and a member of Illustrious Virtue Hall, she was still someone the Sun and Moon Empire's royal family sought to win over.
As a gesture of goodwill, the imperial family had even granted her a villa in the central district.
Though she had no desire to be bound by the empire, declining such an offer outright would have been difficult.
Given that her sister served in the military, refusing would have been seen as a slight to both her and the royal Xu family, potentially leading to unnecessary trouble.
This was one of the reasons Luan Yu rarely returned to Mingdu, preferring to stay away to avoid such complications.
As they walked, the bustling energy of the eastern district gradually faded. Unlike the lively marketplace, the central district was quiet and serene.
The residents here were either wealthy or powerful, most preferring peace and seclusion. Few businesses were allowed to operate in this area, and ordinary citizens of Mingdu rarely had any reason to come near unless necessary.
Those who could open stores in the central district all had powerful backing.
By the time Luan Yu arrived at the villa with Liuxing and Liuying, the sky had already darkened.
The entrance to the villa was quiet, bathed in the warm glow of yellow lights. Luan Yu gently pushed the door open, and the fresh fragrance of flowers and greenery in the courtyard rushed to greet them. In the pond at the center of the courtyard, lotus flowers bloomed silently in the night, as if welcoming them home.
Seeing Luan Yu and the others enter, several servants hurried forward to greet her.
Although Luan Yu was rarely home, her spacious villa was always well-maintained, ensuring it remained spotless.
Otherwise, after being left unoccupied for years, the moment they opened the door, they would have been met with a layer of dust.
Despite her long absence, the servants all recognized Luan Yu from soul guide photos.
After all, working in a prestigious household required familiarity with its owner—mistaking her identity would be unacceptable.
Moreover, the servants in this central district were not ordinary people; even in servitude, they carried some degree of status, as regular civilians could never secure such desirable positions.
Waving a hand to dismiss them, Luan Yu gestured toward the grand villa in front of them and said, "Alright, you two little ones, this will be your home from now on."
"Home?"
Liuxing and Liuying exchanged glances, a hint of joy flashing in their eyes. Back at Earth Dragon Sect, Nan Shuishui had treated them well, and the sect members had been kind, but something had always felt missing.
Now, standing in Luan Yu's villa, they felt something different—something warm and peaceful. It was a feeling they had never quite experienced at Earth Dragon Sect.
Both of them chose a room, and without a word, they naturally picked ones right next to each other.
"Rest for tonight," Luan Yu said after showing them around. "Tomorrow, I'll take you on a proper tour of Mingdu and help you buy some daily necessities."
Liuxing and Liuying nodded, feeling at ease.
"Alright, you should rest too, Auntie," Liuxing added playfully before they both headed to their rooms.
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As the night deepened, time passed slowly.
Still unaccustomed to his new surroundings, Liuxing found himself unable to sleep. Just as he was turning over in bed, he suddenly heard the sound of a door opening next door, followed by soft footsteps fading into the distance. He frowned slightly.
Lifting his blanket, he slipped into his pajamas and quietly opened his own door. The dimly lit corridor was silent. Following the sound of the footsteps, he realized they had come from the fourth floor—an open-air rooftop balcony, a place that was supposed to be unoccupied.
Pushing open the rooftop door, he immediately spotted a silver-haired girl standing by the railing, her hands resting on the metal bar as she gazed up at the starry sky.
Hearing the door creak open, Liuying turned around and saw Liuxing. A slight look of apology flashed across her face.
"Sorry," she said softly. "Did I wake you up?"
Liuxing shook his head, walked over to Liuying's side, and also looked up at the starry sky. With a smile, he asked, "Why are you out here alone, watching the stars?"
Liuying kept her gaze on the sky and whispered, "It feels closer up here... and it's quieter at night."
Liuxing didn't respond immediately. Instead, he simply stood beside her in silence, watching as the lights of Mingdu flickered on and off in the distance.
He understood Liuying well. As an artificial being, she lacked certain functions of a normal person—such as the ability to dream.
Because of this, her sleep time was minimal. Her favorite thing to do was to find a high vantage point and quietly stare at the night sky, sometimes for the entire night, until dawn.
Back at Earth Dragon Sect, Liuying often climbed onto the rooftop in secret, spending the whole night there alone. She wouldn't return to her room until the morning.
Only Liuxing, who had occasionally accompanied her, knew about this habit. Nan Qiuqiu, who slept soundly through the night, was completely unaware.
Meanwhile, on the stairs leading to the rooftop, Luan Yu stood quietly, dressed in ice-blue pajamas.
She leaned against the railing, arms crossed over her chest, and observed them in silence for a moment before turning away and leaving slowly.
Though she had tried her best to suppress the sound of her footsteps, both Liuxing and Liuying had already sensed her presence. However, neither of them said a word.
As time passed, the night deepened. A small cluster of fireflies gathered around Liuying and Liuxing, their soft glow flickering in the darkness. In the shadows, spiders and cockroaches crept toward them, drawn by an unseen force.