Elder Zhang's Summit of Stress
The recent surge of Romance chaos—culminating in the dramatic Void Severing Slash of a love letter and the impending arrival of the icy fiancée, Jing Yue—was the final straw.
The Jade Cloud Sect's Elders gathered in the Grand Hall for an emergency summit. The normally solemn assembly was punctuated by the sound of muffled weeping from nearby Junior Disciple Ying Li (whose heartbreak was causing the energy surge for the next trial) and the distant sounds of exploding spiritual energy (likely Lin Qing brewing an angry potion).
Elder Zhang, the most stressed of the elders, slammed his teacup down, rattling the ancient ritual bells.
"The situation is untenable!" Elder Zhang declared, rubbing his temples. "Our sector is known for its refinement, yet we are hosting duels over spilled tea, quests for stolen swine, and now, void rifts opening on the training grounds because of a love letter! The integrity of the Jade Cloud Sect is at risk!"
Another elder, Elder Wu, sighed. "It's the boy's talent. And his level. Dao Celestial Soul [7 Star] is too high to discipline with mere chores. And the Divine Matchmaker's Seal..."
"We must impose restrictions!" Elder Zhang insisted. "Bring the boy here. We will mediate between his... admirers and force him to adhere to a strict, non-flirtatious schedule!"
The Mediation Fiasco
Han Yu was summoned. He sauntered into the hall, radiating effortless charm, his usual cheeky grin in place. He had temporarily delayed the Trial of the Love-Sick Soul by sending Ying Li a calming herb infused with a soothing Ethereal Whisper.
The Elders had gathered Han Yu's three most prominent admirers—Lin Mei, Yue Rong, and Lin Qing—in the hall.
"Han Yu," Elder Zhang began sternly. "We are imposing a new regulation. Effective immediately, you are forbidden from holding private meetings with any female disciple until the betrothal to Jing Yue is formalized. You will adhere to a schedule of cultivation and lectures, entirely unsupervised."
Han Yu looked wounded. "Forbid me from meetings? But Elder, how will I distribute my freshly brewed 'Focus and Harmony' tea?" (He had used his Divine Alchemy Hand to brew a completely useless but highly aromatic tea.)
Before anyone could answer, the chaos began.
Yue Rong stepped forward, her ice Qi chilling the room. "The Jade Cloud Elders dare to interfere with the terms of the Celestial Ice Pavilion's allegiance? He swore to stand by me forever! A formal betrothal to an Ice Palace girl violates that sacred contract!"
Lin Qing's hands sparked with fire. "Formalize the betrothal? No! He swore his future depends on my efforts! I shall not be replaced by a snow woman!" She dramatically pulled a small, explosive pill from her satchel. "If he leaves for the North, I shall ignite the sect's water supply in protest!"
Lin Mei, ever the voice of reason, stepped in front of the others. "Elder Zhang, the problem isn't the meetings, it's the Matchmaker Seal! Any restriction you place on Han Yu's Romance will only backfire and cause a bigger energy surge, just like the prophecy warned!"
Elder Zhang was shaking. "We are trying to impose discipline, not listen to threats of water destruction and alliance breaches!"
The Spectacular Failure
Han Yu saw his chance to demonstrate the futility of their plan. He subtly channeled his Qi, focusing not on the Elders, but on the atmosphere.
He activated Celestial Barrier—a golden energy shield technique designed to protect against strong attacks—but he cast it around the Elders' dais, trapping them in a shimmering, unbreakable dome.
Then, he used his most powerful distraction: Thunder God's Wrath. He aimed the devastating heavenly lightning not at a person, but straight into the sky above the hall, creating a spectacular, deafening Action display that shattered every window in the compound.
The disciples outside screamed. The dome glowed, protecting the Elders from the noise but trapping them.
"Elder Zhang!" Han Yu shouted over the thunderous echoes. "Your restriction has already caused a catastrophic Superpower backlash! Look! You are trapped! The sky is angry! The only way to restore balance is to disband the restriction immediately!"
The Elders inside the Celestial Barrier were furious, but terrified. Elder Wu screamed, "It's true! The prophecy! Disband the restriction before he summons a storm demon!"
Han Yu then dropped the barrier. The moment the Elders were released, they scrambled off the dais, rubbing their ears.
Elder Zhang, defeated, pointed a trembling finger at Han Yu. "Fine! You are free to... to cultivate love! But you must leave the Jade Cloud Sect for a month! Go! Cause your chaos elsewhere! And take Lin Mei with you as a supervisor!"
The Forced Journey
Han Yu's eyes lit up. An Adventure outside the sect, and taking his childhood friend? A perfect opportunity to accelerate his Love Crystal Diamond harvest in a new environment.
"A forced journey of self-reflection and romantic growth?" Han Yu beamed. "A marvelous idea, Elder! I accept this punishment wholeheartedly!"
Lin Mei, however, was appalled. "Wait, me? But I hate trouble! And I was planning on studying the Ancient Arrays!"
"Nonsense," Han Yu said, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "You're coming to ensure I stay on the path of non-flirtatious cultivation, just as the Elders ordered." He gave her a wink.
Jin-Jin, the Matchmaker Spirit, zapped onto Lin Mei's shoulder, buzzing with excitement. "The Trial of the Love-Sick Soul can't be completed here! You must find Ying Li in the wilderness! And don't forget the Jing Yue betrothal clock is ticking! An Adventure! Huzzah!"
Han Yu looked at his friend, whose face was a perfect mix of resignation and fury.
"It seems, my dear Lin Mei," Han Yu said, his eyes glittering with ambition, "the Elders have just gifted me a powerful, reluctant traveling companion. Our Adventure begins at dawn!"