Chapter 14 - Scene 1 - Cloudstar

After getting everything settled and placing a few more beds in the room; the siblings cultivated till dinner time. A bell rang out, signaling that dinner was served, causing the three youngest siblings to rush down the stairs from the third floor to the second. The older children followed after them. Sitting at the table, the nine siblings ate like wild wolves, eating plate after plate of chicken, rice, noodles, juice, and various vegetables.

The dishes were well made and the siblings enjoyed their meal to the fullest, as maids had served them everything on the menu. The Boss smiled and asked if they required anything in a timely fashion, which made Derk question his boss's intentions.

How could he know that his boss had good eyes and could see that these bunch of children were cultivators. After serving so many youths such as these, he had learned to recognize those with power. He treated them with respect, and even if he made a loss it was merely a small matter if these siblings became famous later. Having once served famous characters, his shop’s fame would rise to the heavens!

After they finished eating the boss smiled and asked, “Sirs and misses, if you would be so kind could you sign your names in this book? I knew from a glance that the nine of you are all cultivators, and when you gain fame in the world I wish to proudly say that this inn had once given you good service!”

Vince thought for a moment and didn’t see anything wrong with it; after all the boss did give them good service and even had a good character, so what was the harm?

“Alright, everyone signs the book and thank Boss… actually, we’ve never heard your name. What is it?”

The boss laughed. This kid…

“Haha, this one's name is Tao Li! Thank you kindly for signing.”

“Big brother, why don’t we have a last name?”

Nena suddenly dropped a bombshell, making the warm atmosphere drop dead in an instant. Indeed, they are brothers and sisters, yet they didn’t have a last name!

They all grew downcast; no one had an answer, no one knew what to say.

That is until Len spoke up in a quiet manner, “Mother called us her stars that hang above the clouds… why not let our last name be Cloudstar?”

The other eight siblings played with the name inside their minds and spoke it slowly; whispering it… toying with it. They said it together with their own names and instantly fell in love with it.

Ren laughed, his eyes shining brightly, “In the memory of our late mother, let our last name be Cloudstar! Whoever agrees, say Aye!”

Laughing even with sadness in their eyes, the siblings toasted in the memory of their late mother, all shouting, “Aye!” in unison.

Tao Li gazed at the youths with a slight smile upon his lips, ‘Ah what wonderful siblings. I hope they can pass the trials ahead of them.’

After signing their names in the book, the siblings finished up their meal and went to cultivate till midnight, when they went to sleep.

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Everyone was fast asleep except for Rune, who was sleeping in the same bed as Vince. Eventually, she whispered close to Vince’s ear, “Do you think Mother would like our last name? I think she would…”

She took a moment of silence then said, “Hey, Vince... I miss her so much. I still can’t believe she’s gone, you know?”

Her lovely green eyes blinked, brimming with tears. Seeing as he didn’t respond, she meekly added, “Vince, why do you always feel so distant, do you… do you hate me?”

Hearing Rune talk in such a way, Vince couldn’t hold it any longer and turned around, holding her close to his chest and giving her a shock.

Putting his chin on top of her head, he whispered softly, “Don’t worry little sister... I’ll try to always be there for you. No matter how far apart we are. Just stare up at the stars and know you're not alone. And above all else I will never ever hate you, I promise my life on it!”

Rune didn’t know how to act after hearing his words, yet she slowly slid her hand behind his back with a smile. It was a charming smile that could light up even the darkest of nights… it was a smile that seemed like a star.

“Thank you, Vince… I needed that. Just let me stay here a little longer… Sorry for being so selfish…”

He was almost compelled to kiss her forehead but managed to resist the urge,“Sleep well little sis. I won’t let you go…”

The two slept soundly, lying in the other's embrace throughout the night.