In the guest room, Li Shenzhi sat cross-legged within a small Spirit-Gathering Array. Thin spirit mist coiled gently around him.

The moment Li Guanqi’s terrifying sword intent shot into the heavens, Li Shenzhi’s eyes snapped open. A sharp glint flickered in his eyes. The corner of his lips lifted slightly, but just as quickly, he closed them again.

Li Guanqi’s aura had already vanished. There was no reaching him now, and there was no point in dwelling on it. Li Shenzhi returned to his cultivation.

Song Zhi’ang watched Li Guanqi turn away. Her lips parted as if to speak, but before she could get a word out, he was already gone. Disappointment flickered in her beautiful eyes.

A graceful figure appeared in mid-air, dressed in a peacock-green embroidered qipao. Song Yunshu fixed her gaze on Song Zhi’ang, her expression cold and distant. “Who are you?”

Song Zhi’ang frowned slightly. She looked at the stunning woman before her, whose beauty could topple cities, and felt her chest tighten. Hostility crept into her eyes as she shot back, “Who I am is none of your business. And who are you?”

A playful smile curved Song Yunshu’s lips. She idly twirled a strand of hair around one finger. “Me? You don’t even know who I am? I’m Brother Guanqi’s mistress. Strange... he never mentioned you.”

Song Zhi’ang’s blood surged, her face flushing with anger as she opened her mouth to retort. But then her expression shifted, as though she had realized something. A faint, disdainful smile touched her lips as her gaze drifted down over Song Yunshu.

She turned away and sneered. “Impossible. He doesn’t like small ones.”

Song Yunshu’s face darkened instantly. “Stop right there! Hmph! Do you really think he’d like you?”

Song Zhi’ang spun around, her eyes locking onto the other woman.

Song Yunshu crossed her arms and lifted her chin proudly. “You probably haven’t met his Dao partner, Meng Wanshu, have you?”

At the mention of a Dao partner, Song Zhi’ang stiffened just barely, and Song Yunshu caught it.

Song Yunshu went on, her tone cool and deliberate. “Now that’s what it means to be chosen by the heavens. Cold and aloof, beautiful beyond compare. Even I get jealous looking at her. Her standing is in a class of its own, and I heard she’s about to break through to the Combined Body Realm. What could you possibly have that would compare?”

Song Zhi’ang clenched her teeth, her lips pressed tight until the color seemed to drain from them.

She held her silence for several breaths. Then she gave Song Yunshu one deep, unreadable look and turned away. “Even if he doesn’t choose me, he won’t choose you either. I may not measure up, but you’re no better.”

Song Yunshu stood there expressionlessly before turning away and returning to her room. The moment the door shut behind her, her composure shattered. “Ahhhh! I hate that woman! How can she have such a vicious tongue? Hmph! Small? Who is she calling small?!”

Bang!

Outside Song Zhi’ang’s room, an old man with a slightly hunched back stared at the door she’d slammed, his face full of concern.

Bang bang bang! Crash! Clang!

Continuous smashing sounds echoed from inside the room. “Ahhhhh! You wretched woman! You think he’d ever like you? Impossible! Do you even know what I went through just to see him? You know nothing!”

Hearing the hysterical shouting, the old man lowered the hand he had raised to knock. He sighed softly. Back then, he had been strung up from the second floor of a tavern, beaten and humiliated, all to force his daughter to repay his debts. If not for Li Guanqi, he would have died long ago. And without the silver the Daxia Sword Sect had provided, he would never have survived his illness. After so many years in a place rich in spirit qi, his health had finally improved.

But the more time he spent around cultivators, the more he understood just how powerful Li Guanqi truly was. Those high and mighty figures he had once looked up to would bow their heads in Li Guanqi’s presence. Everyone showed Lu Kangnian, the sect master, the utmost respect wherever he went. Yet before Li Guanqi, even Lu Kangnian spoke as though seeking guidance rather than giving orders. For a man like that, calling him a dragon among men was no exaggeration.

The old man made his way slowly to the stone table in the courtyard and sat down with effort, letting out a long sigh. “Foolish child... How could a man like him ever be within reach of people like us?”

The crashing inside the room suddenly stopped.

Creak. The door swung open.

Eyes bloodshot and hair disheveled, Song Zhi’ang stepped out and stared at her father. “Father! Why am I not worthy of him? Even you think I’m not good enough for him?”

Her vital force surged violently as she stepped toward him. Song Kangning looked at his daughter, suddenly feeling as if she were a stranger.

The force of it bore down on him, leaving him gasping for breath. His face turned deathly pale, sweat pouring down his forehead. “Daughter... I... I can’t breathe...”

But Song Zhi’ang didn’t notice at all. Her mind was consumed by one thought—even her own father thought her unworthy.

His face turned a deep purple, blood streaming from his nose. His eyes rolled back as he collapsed, unconscious.

Only then did Song Zhi’ang snap back to her senses, the red in her eyes fading as panic overtook her.

Tears sprang to her eyes as she rushed forward, circulating her spirit qi to soothe the chaotic flow of blood and qi within her father.

Within the territory of the Daxia Sword Sect, spirit mist filled the air, far denser than the thin spirit qi of the outside world. The sect was flourishing like never before. One nearby mountain had even been transformed into a docking port for ships.

The sect was also building cross-territory transport arrays. One connected to the Six Gates Holy Sect, while the array for the Divine Treasure Territory sat directly inside Li Guanqi’s pavilion.

Even Xi Yunhuai found it hard to believe he’d one day have unrestricted access to the materials needed to build such transport arrays.

Inside the study, Li Guanqi listened as Lu Kangnian brought him up to date on the situation, including the latest intelligence from the Guanyun Pavilion.

Li Guanqi’s brow furrowed. The undercurrents within the sect still ran strong. Factions had formed, and alliances had been forged. Those who had spent years out in the world knew the games of faction and favor all too well.

Lu Kangnian lowered his voice. “But because of you, they’re all lying low for now. Nothing shows on the surface. They’re still following orders... for the time being.”

Li Guanqi nodded slightly. “As long as they obey, leave them be for now. The sect needs stability. These returning members don’t truly feel they belong yet. At a time like this, it’s best not to stir up unnecessary trouble.”