Empty-handedly seizing the blade, Chen Jie held the Jade Maiden Sword in his hand, feeling an icy chill upon contact. The Jade Maiden Sword held in his hand felt like ice.

Following this was a piercing sharpness radiating through his body. Indeed, it deserves its title as the number one sword in the world.

Holding the sword, Chen Jie immediately reversed his grip and raised it with one hand, then promptly offered it back to Master Jue Mie with the other.

"Master!"

The whole process was seamless, and Master Jue Mie hadn’t even reacted; she only felt a powerful suction force, and then the indestructible Jade Maiden Sword slipped from her hand. By the time she reacted again, she saw that Chen Jie had already returned the sword to her.

Seeing the sincere smile on Chen Jie’s face, Master Jue Mie had a stern expression and asked, "What do you mean by this?"

"Look down on me?"

With questioning in her voice, Chen Jie immediately replied upon hearing this, "No, no, Master, I absolutely didn’t mean that. I only have admiration for you. In my haste just now, I took your treasure sword, hence I return it."

Master Jue Mie said displeased, "Since you seized the sword, it means my skill is not as good as yours, that I’ve lost to you. Since I’ve lost, you might as well take my life. Are you returning the sword to humiliate me?"

Chen Jie said earnestly, "Master, please do not misunderstand. You have always been an object of my admiration. If it weren’t for today’s events, such unpleasantness would never occur between us. I do not wish for our misunderstanding to lead to greater consequences. Returning your sword now is my way of saying that this is not about me, but for the people of the world!"

After Chen Jie finished speaking, Master Jue Mie knew he was speaking insincerely, yet a smile appeared on her face.

Master Jue Mie was strict and extreme but not foolish. Chen Jie had already proven that she lost when he took her sword barehanded. If Chen Jie hadn’t chosen to return the sword and had instead threatened her with it, her corpse might be lying here now.

Her expression was unpleasant earlier because she felt embarrassed, but with Chen Jie’s offering of the sword followed by his statement about offering it for the world, this flattery put Master Jue Mie at ease. Her dignity was restored, and unless she were foolish, why not back down gracefully?

No need for bloodshed within five steps displaying such disgraceful conduct.

Therefore, Master Jue Mie extended her hand to accept the Jade Maiden Sword Chen Jie offered and said, "Hmm, much of what you said is also my concern for the world."

With a sigh, Master Jue Mie said, "I concede defeat!"

"Thank you, Master."

Chen Jie immediately expressed his gratitude, and Master Jue Mie with a wry smile replied, "Lost because I am not as skilled, what’s there to be grateful for?"

Chen Jie said, "Master should not say that. The Emei Thirteen Sword is indeed powerful, like a raging storm, each sword stroke stronger than the last. When you performed the twelfth sword, I was already struggling to defend. Had you wielded the entire thirteen swords, it would be me who lost."

Chen Jie’s words genuinely touched emotional value, and although he defeated Master Jue Mie, he praised the Emei martial arts to the skies, preserving both Master Jue Mie’s and Emei’s dignity.

Grateful in her heart, Master Jue Mie said, "Hmm, you are right. The Emei Thirteen Swords indeed amplify in power, each stronger than the last. It’s unfortunate that my skills are inadequate, failing my ancestors. If my senior sister Gu Hongzi were to use it, you might not be able to withstand it!"

Chen Jie said, "Naturally, who does not know Senior Gu Hongzi’s prowess? In fact, not only Senior Gu Hongzi, even if Master were serious, I would have struggled to defend. Were it not for my sophisticated tactics involving my Qiankun Great Method, which you were unaware of, had you been on guard, winning would have been difficult for me."

Chen Jie’s words were generous, making Master Jue Mie’s smile grow wider. Words indeed have power; with Chen Jie’s speech, she maintained both dignity and honor. Even though she lost the bout, her spirits were not dampened.

Returning cheerfully, it was also part of Chen Jie’s strategy. As a Jianghu force, for Chen Jie to make a mark, he must gather allies.

And Master Jue Mie proved a great ally, even more so than the members of Wudang Sect, for Chen Jie discerned Master Jue Mie’s female nature rendered her binary in thinking. Once she deemed something good, it remained so, to help in any way.

The Wudang people, with stronger independence, could also be allied but would not be as easily utilized as Master Jue Mie.

Chen Jie courteously sent Master Jue Mie off, but Master Kong Wen’s face was grim as he looked at Master Jue Mie and asked, "Master, is this the end?"

Master Jue Mie, hearing this, looked at Master Kong Wen and said, "Master, you saw it too, his Qiankun Great Method indeed powerful. My Jade Maiden Sword was taken; without a sword, my fighting capability is more than halved. Continuing the fight would be self-humiliation. I ask for your understanding."

Master Kong Wen gave a bitter smile; with Master Jue Mie explaining so, he had nothing further to say. At this moment, he turned to look at Zuo Buqun of the Five Mountains Sword Alliance.