Not far from the courtyard.
Xiao Hongyu, the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Sword Sect, who usually carried a stern and dignified air, was beaming with delight. “Daoist Wuji, your visit to our Heavenly Sword Sect truly brings me immense honor.”
“Sect Leader Xiao, you are too kind. Your sect’s sword arts are peerless. Sparring with you has been most enlightening,” Luo Wuji replied. Dressed in sapphire brocade robes, his face was as fair and handsome as polished jade.
Xiao Hongyu’s authoritative gaze softened. “Not at all, not at all. How could I compare to Daoist Wuji, a prodigy who reached the Nascent Soul stage before reaching a hundred years of age?”
“I was hoping to ask Sect Leader Xiao about someone.”
“Please, go ahead, Daoist Wuji,” Xiao Hongyu responded courteously.
“Ye Wentian.” Luo Wuji’s eyes held a deep, contemplative light.
Xiao Hongyu narrowed his eyes slightly. “Daoist Wuji has also heard of Ye Wentian? He is the Sect Leader of the Lingyun Sect. Both his cultivation and sword arts surpass my own.”
“I’ve also heard him say that all eight of his disciples are geniuses, though I’ve never met them. The man himself is elusive, never mingling with the rest of us.”
“He has one particular fondness—an absolute obsession with fine wine.”
Xiao Hongyu spoke without malice, simply recounting what he knew of Ye Wentian truthfully.
A flicker of interest passed through Luo Wuji’s eyes. “It seems he’s quite a fascinating character. I heard his Sword Intent attained Sagehood many years ago?”
Xiao Hongyu sighed lightly. “A source of shame, truly. I am no match for Ye Wentian. His comprehension is far beyond that of ordinary people.”
A subtle glint appeared in Xiao Hongyu’s solemn eyes. “Speaking of which, Daoist Wuji, you don’t have any disciples yet, do you?”
Luo Wuji shook his head. “I have yet to encounter one who feels right. The master-disciple bond is tied to karma. I dare not accept one carelessly.”
Xiao Hongyu smiled. “Let me take you to meet someone, Daoist Wuji. She formed her Golden Core just six years after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage. A formidable junior.”
The two men began walking towards Sheng Shike’s courtyard.
As they neared the compound, both Luo Wuji and Xiao Hongyu’s expressions grew serious.
Xiao Hongyu’s eyes held a hint of apology. “Daoist Wuji, I had no idea she was behaving like this in private. My apologies for wasting your time.”
“It’s of no consequence. There’s always a reason behind actions. Let’s go in and see.” Luo Wuji stepped ahead of Xiao Hongyu and pushed open the courtyard gate.
Xiao Hongyu felt a touch of surprise. Daoist Wuji was not one to meddle in others’ affairs…
Luo Wuji couldn’t quite explain it either. He felt an indistinct voice, an impulse, urging him onward.
The moment Luo Wuji pushed the gate open, Sheng Shike lowered her whip, her gaze turning sharp and fierce.
No one could be allowed to see what she had been doing!
Sheng Shike strode out of the room, whip in hand, towards the courtyard. When she saw Luo Wuji, a flash of murderous intent crossed her eyes.
She had never seen this man before; he couldn’t be anyone important.
Someone like this could be killed!
Her whip instantly lashed out like a venomous serpent, striking towards Luo Wuji.
A trace of disdain flickered in Luo Wuji’s eyes. With a mere flick of his sleeve, the bone whip disintegrated into dust as it neared him.
Sheng Shike’s face instantly drained of color.
Xiao Hongyu, who had followed right behind, stared wide-eyed. To dare attack Daoist Wuji!
Sheng Shike was pushing the Heavenly Sword Sect to the brink of ruin!
Xiao Hongyu raised his hand, and a powerful gust of palm force sent Sheng Shike crashing into the courtyard wall.
Pfft!—
Cough, cough, cough!—
Sheng Shike vomited a torrent of blood.
Boom!—
The wall behind her collapsed completely.
“Daoist Wuji, please forgive us! This is entirely due to this ignorant, wretched disciple’s actions. I beg your forgiveness.” Xiao Hongyu bowed his head in apology.
But no reply came. He looked up to find Luo Wuji already walking towards the room.
Not daring to stop him, Xiao Hongyu could only glare at the barely breathing Sheng Shike. “Do you realize the crime you have committed?”
“Sect Leader, the one who committed a crime is not me, but you. You should never have brought him here,” Sheng Shike retorted, her eyes icy cold.
She regretted even more not having killed Su Yanran immediately.
Sheng Shike couldn’t fully articulate her feeling, but she knew—Luo Wuji was the opportunity the Heavenly Dao had sent for Su Yanran.
Xiao Hongyu gritted his teeth. “You insolent wretch! Don’t think that just because you’re a direct descendant of the Sheng Family, I won’t dare to punish you!”
“Do what you will. Kill me, slice me to pieces. But I advise you, Sect Leader, do not let him take Su Yanran away. Otherwise, the Heavenly Sword Sect will be—annihilated!” Sheng Shike’s tone was deadly serious, her eyes filled with certainty.
Having spent the most time with Su Yanran, she naturally understood her character.
Just then—
Luo Wuji emerged from the room. His elegant brows and fine features held an air of lofty grace, an indescribable dignity and refinement.
In his arms, he carried a woman covered in blood and wounds.
Luo Wuji’s dark, heavy gaze settled on Xiao Hongyu. “Sect Leader Xiao, I will take this person. Let us consider this matter settled?”
Though phrased as a question, his words carried an undeniable, unyielding pressure.
“Of course. Thank you, Daoist Wuji, for your magnanimity.” Xiao Hongyu expressed his gratitude with a bow, watching as Luo Wuji departed on his sword.
“Hahaha… To fight against Heaven, to fight against Earth… In the end, destiny is impossible to change!” Sheng Shike laughed, her laughter edged with madness.
Xiao Hongyu was bewildered. Had he not been right? This was Daoist Wuji’s first time meeting Su Yanran, wasn’t it?
Little did Xiao Hongyu know that he would one day deeply regret this very moment.
——————
The scene shifts back to the Lingyun Sect, atop Mount Yunxiao.
Ning Shiyue looked at the gloomy-faced Baili Wenxue with a teasing smile. “Does it hurt, Sixth Junior Brother?”
