Chapter 183: Chapter 181: A Hundred Butterflies Dancing

After leaving the Money Commerce Association, Jiang Chen went straight to the Cui Mansion.

The guards at the gate already recognized Jiang Chen and knew their master was always incredibly respectful in his presence.

A guard said respectfully, "Greetings, Young Master Jiang!"

"Mm."

Jiang Chen smiled and nodded, then asked, "Where are Cui Zheng and Kumu?"

The guard replied, "The Patriarch and Master Kumu left for the Association over a month ago. The Patriarch instructed us to tell you, should you return, that they are entering secluded meditation at the Association. They will not emerge until they reach Tier Two Advanced!"

Before entering seclusion, Jiang Chen had given them a task: to break through to Tier Two Advanced within six months.

’They must be feeling the pressure!’

"I see. In that case, where is Qingyi?" Jiang Chen nodded and asked.

The guard said, "Miss Qingyi is in the East Garden. Shall I go announce your arrival?"

"No need. I’ll go myself."

Jiang Chen waved his hand and tossed a bottle of pills to each guard. He was already some distance away, but his voice lingered by their ears. "You two have worked hard. These bottles contain Advancement-Origin Pills; they should help you break through to the True Martial Realm."

The cultivation of both guards had already reached the Peak of Martial Arts Ninth Stage.

They were just one step away from entering the True Martial Realm.

The two men stared at the pills in their hands, their faces filled with excitement and gratitude. As they watched Jiang Chen’s departing figure, they silently clenched their fists.

...

The Cui Mansion was very large.

It was divided into four gardens—East, South, West, and North. Jiang Chen and Xiao Qingyi resided in the East Garden.

Jiang Chen walked directly to the East Garden. Even before he drew near, a melodious zither tune drifted toward him. The music was ethereal and crisp, much like Xiao Qingyi herself—a newly bloomed Clear Lotus, emerging from the mud unstained.

The music was at times hurried, then slow; at times soaring, then cheerful; and at times tinged with melancholy.

It was as if the music mirrored Xiao Qingyi’s own heart.

Peeking over the wall, Jiang Chen saw swarms of colorful butterflies flying in from outside the mansion, circling above the East Garden. There were hundreds of them, gathering to form a vibrant ring, fluttering around the garden like a kaleidoscopic vortex.

’Qingyi’s music can even attract butterflies? How incredible!’ Jiang Chen thought in amazement.

He approached quietly, and through a window into the East Garden, he could see Xiao Qingyi sitting in the garden, dressed in a long, cyan gown. The garden was filled with fragrant flowers, each blossom in full bloom, exuding a delicate scent. The butterflies danced through the air, and many even came to rest on Qingyi’s shoulders.

It was like a scene from a celestial paradise.

And Xiao Qingyi was the fairy at its center.

Even Little White and Black Emperor were there, lying obediently beside Xiao Qingyi with their eyes half-closed, a picture of pure enjoyment.

’Hm?’

Jiang Chen’s pupils constricted. He realized that as Xiao Qingyi poured her entire being into her music, a sacred light had begun to flicker into existence behind her.

It appeared to be a humanoid figure.

Except...

this figure had something resembling wings.

The figure was too blurry to make out clearly. Yet, looking directly at the indistinct, sacred form produced an oppressive sensation that seemed to emanate from one’s very soul, creating an urge to kneel in worship.

BUZZ—

In his mind, the God-slaying Sword trembled faintly, shaking Jiang Chen back to his senses. His heart pounded. ’What on earth is that?’

’My Divine Thought has already reached the Tier Two Advanced level. Even some Tier Three Divine Thought Masters shouldn’t be able to shake my will. But just now, when I looked at that sacred phantom behind Xiao Qingyi, I felt as if my will was being overpowered.’

TWANG!

Just then, the music came to a sudden halt.

The sacred phantom behind Xiao Qingyi vanished, and streams of Spiritual Power from the surrounding world began to converge upon her.

Jiang Chen took a moment to sense her energy and his eyes widened in astonishment. ’This... how is this possible? Qingyi has already advanced to the True Martial Realm Fourth Stage?’

He knew that...

before he entered seclusion, Xiao Qingyi had only just stepped into the True Martial Realm. Now, a mere two months later, she had somehow jumped three stages to reach the True Martial Realm Fourth Stage!

It was simply unbelievable.

"Huh? The boss is back!" Little White’s voice suddenly rang out.

Black Emperor raised his sleepy eyelids, glanced at Jiang Chen, then went back to sleep.

"Brother Jiang Chen, you’re back!"

Xiao Qingyi quickly stood up. Her cyan gown swayed in the breeze, and her delicate, beautiful face was filled with joy as she threw herself into Jiang Chen’s arms like a happy sprite.

Holding the gentle woman in his arms, a warm smile spread across Jiang Chen’s face.

After a long moment.

Xiao Qingyi finally lifted her head, her lovely face blushing like the most beautiful spring blossom. With a sweet smile, she said softly, "Brother Jiang Chen, you said you’d be back soon when you left. But two months passed in the blink of an eye. I thought you’d abandoned me!"

"Hahaha, my Qingyi is so beautiful and sweet. How could I ever abandon you?" Jiang Chen laughed heartily.

Qingyi stuck out her tongue and pouted playfully. "Who said I’m yours? I haven’t agreed to that!"

"Is that so? Then I suppose I’ll have to find another mistress for the house!" Jiang Chen said with a grin.

Xiao Qingyi froze. Her watery eyes stared at Jiang Chen without blinking as she lightly bit her lip.

She looked as if she was about to cry.

Jiang Chen’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly said, "Qingyi, I was just joking! You’re the only woman for me, Jiang Chen. I’ll never look for anyone else!"

"Really?"

Xiao Qingyi asked earnestly.

Jiang Chen nodded earnestly.

"That’s more like it! Hmph!" Xiao Qingyi broke into a tearful smile.

The two chatted for a while longer.

When Jiang Chen asked how she had managed to advance to the True Martial Realm Fourth Stage so quickly, Xiao Qingyi shook her head, saying she didn’t know. All she knew was that her cultivation improved every day after she played the zither.

She had been persisting with this method of cultivation. After confirming that Xiao Qingyi wasn’t experiencing any discomfort, Jiang Chen nodded. "Qingyi, perhaps this is the cultivation method that suits you best. You should keep at it. But if you ever feel unwell, you must tell me immediately, understand?"

"Mm, I know!" Xiao Qingyi nodded.

Jiang Chen nodded. After some deliberation, he decided against asking about the sacred phantom.

For the next half a month, Jiang Chen spent all his time with Xiao Qingyi.

It was the most peaceful time Jiang Chen had experienced since awakening his Martial Soul.

In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.

At the entrance of the Cui Mansion, Jiang Chen looked at a reluctant Xiao Qingyi and smiled. "Qingyi, stay here and don’t worry. If anything happens, go find me at the Saint Martial Sword Sect. Rest assured, once I’m settled in at the Saint Martial Sword Sect, I’ll find a way to bring you over!"

"Okay! Brother Jiang Chen, you have to take care of yourself too!" Xiao Qingyi said, holding Little White.

Jiang Chen nodded and instructed Little White, "Little White, you must protect Qingyi."

"Don’t worry, Boss! If anyone dares bully Sister Qingyi, I’ll swallow them whole!" Little White grinned, releasing the aura of a Tier Two Advanced Demon Beast. The two guards at the gate broke out in a cold sweat.

"Qingyi, I’m leaving now."

"Brother Jiang Chen, I’ll be waiting at home for your return!"

"Mm!"

Jiang Chen gave a firm nod, then boarded the carriage with Black Emperor and rode off.

His destination was the Martial Arts Holy Land of the Saint Martial Dynasty—the Saint Martial Sword Sect.