Chen Ming was quite happy to see Huo Qianqian again. Once someone achieves success and fame, they naturally wish to reunite with old friends.

However, he first went to greet Xiao Zhuyun, "Miss Xiao, it’s been years, yet your grace remains unchanged."

Xiao Zhuyun did not lose her composure, and after standing to give a curtsey, she said, "I just entered the city yesterday and heard that Brother Chen has been shining brightly at the World’s First Pavilion, undefeated by anyone in the same rank, and has made it onto the Cyan Cloud Ranking. I came specifically to congratulate you."

"Miss Xiao, you’re so considerate."

Only then did Chen Ming look at Huo Qianqian, who was seated at the far end, "Junior Sister Huo, I hope you have been well."

Earlier, in front of the disciples of the Xiaoshui Sect, he thought it inappropriate to call her Junior Sister, lest anyone misunderstand. Things were different now, and he no longer needed to worry about such matters.

Just hearing Junior Sister made Huo Qianqian’s eyes instantly well up. She gave a bow.

More than anyone, she understood that her grandfather never took him as a disciple, nor taught him any martial arts. His willingness to call her "Junior Sister" was because of their past bond.

She recalled those mornings filled with autumn’s beauty, the scent of osmanthus pervading the courtyard, and each time she was defeated by Chen Ming’s sword, the unwillingness and determination to win lingering in her heart.

It was only a few years ago, yet she felt it was already a long time past.

Those present were startled when they heard Chen Ming call Huo Qianqian Junior Sister, those unaware of their connection were surprised. Who would’ve thought that Junior Sister Huo (Senior Sister) had such ties with Chen Gongzi.

Everyone sat down again, and Huo Qianqian was led to a seat next to Chen Ming.

He asked, "What brought you here in such a rush? You even missed the Cyan Cloud Ranking competition."

Xiao Zhuyun said, "It’s a long story. We came hurriedly from Yujie Commandery, encountered some trouble along the way, which delayed us and caused us to miss the Cyan Cloud Ranking competition."

Concerned, Chen Ming asked, "Was anyone injured?"

"Just one of my uncles suffered a minor injury, nothing serious."

"That’s good."

...

About a stick of incense later, a servant entered and whispered a few words to Chen Ming.

Xiao Zhuyun took the opportunity to say, "We should take our leave now."

Chen Ming did not insist they stay, and escorted them to the door.

After sending them off, he was about to return to his courtyard when he saw Huo Qianqian coming back alone, "There’s something I feel necessary to tell you."

"Alright, go ahead."

"I met Deng Ziyang in Yujie Commandery. He’s become part of the magic cult, so you should be careful if you encounter him in the future."

Chen Ming thought, I know about this. Can you tell me something I don’t know?

"Is that so?" It’s still necessary to act surprised.

Huo Qianqian continued, "He also caused quite a commotion at our Second Senior Sister’s wedding, kidnapping her and injuring Uncle Wang. He’s no longer the same as before, you should be careful."

Chen Ming sincerely said, "I understand, thank you for specifically informing me."

Finally, he learned the aftermath.

Deng Ziyang didn’t disappoint; he truly managed to pull off a successful bridal abduction.

It seems that the "Blood Demon Scripture" is indeed a rapid-advancing demon skill, and in such a short time, Deng Ziyang was able to injure Xiaoshui Sect’s Uncle Wang.

And that was a proper Fourth Grade.

After Huo Qianqian finished speaking, she left.

Outside the gate, she found several fellow sect members waiting for her.

She quickly walked over and apologized, "I’m sorry."

Lu Minzhi had already seen through everything and asked her, "Did you find it?"

"I did." Huo Qianqian opened her hand to reveal a jade pendant in the palm.

The Junior Sister Sun surnamed snorted, "It’s just something not even valuable. Lost is lost, yet here we are waiting for you, under this blazing sun—"

"Silence."

Xiao Zhuyun interrupted, sweeping her stern gaze, "What’s the seventh rule of our sect? Do you remember?"

Junior Sister Sun feared her but was unwilling to bow down, pursing her lips into silence.

Xiao Zhuyun’s expression turned colder, "Copy the sect rules ten times. Submit them to me by today."

Junior Sister Sun stubbornly raised her neck, "Why?"

"Twenty times!"

Junior Sister Sun was about to speak again when a senior sister beside her tugged her sleeve, finally silencing her defiance. She reluctantly lowered her head.

"Let’s go."

Xiao Zhuyun stopped fussing and led the group back.

...

In the courtyard.

Chen Ming saw Su Zhining, clad in white clothes like snow, sitting on a stone stool, sunlight filtering through the leaves of the large tree casting mottled shadows upon her. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

With a face full of surprise, he said, "Miss Su, you’re alright now?"

Earlier, a servant from Feng Mansion had come to notify him that a white-clad woman suddenly appeared in his courtyard. He guessed it was Su Zhining; upon checking, indeed it was her.

Just last night she seemed on the verge of a demon-induced breakdown, almost ready to perish. Now she was full of life. The cultivation techniques of the Celestial Dao Alliance truly are miraculous.

Su Zhining looked straight into his eyes, speaking in a complex tone, "Last night, it was indeed you..."

Didn’t Mudan tell her anything?

Chen Ming found it strange; or perhaps she hadn’t returned to the room afterward?

As he was thinking, he suddenly felt his hairs standing on end, sensing immense danger, surprisingly emanating from Su Zhining.

Startled, he clearly saw in her eyes a tangible killing intent.

"She wants to kill me?"

"Why?"

Chen Ming never expected that after saving her, she would want to kill him.

It’s truly repaying kindness with enmity!

Just as he was about to activate the sword intent within the "Sword Jade," the sense of danger suddenly vanished. Looking again at Su Zhining, the murderous intent in her eyes had also dissipated.

"Miss Su, you—"

Before he could finish speaking, Su Zhining, who was sitting up front, had already vanished into thin air.

"..."

So inexplicable.

She was so emotionally unstable, could it be that her period had come?

Speaking of which, after reaching the Fourth Grade in cultivation, does one still have a period?

...

In the following days, Su Zhining did not appear again.

Chen Ming tried summoning her but received no response, unsure if she had left.

These days, he stayed indoors, either reading or contemplating that sword intent every day.

Ever since he borrowed the power of that sword intent in Su Zhining’s dream to cut through her heart demon, he felt he was about to comprehend the meaning within it.

Just a bit more!

Yet, that tiny bit felt like an insurmountable chasm, impossible to cross.

Chen Ming actually understood in his heart that what he lacked was cultivation. If he were at Third Grade now, he could comprehend the sword intent at any time.

He silently murmured and opened the panel.

[Level: 55]

[Current Points: 698000]

[Cultivation Technique: "Iron Horse Stance" (Fifth Level Perfection), "Yin Yang True Skill" (Fifth Level 870000/1500000)]

[Martial Skill: "Three Talents Fist" (Mastery), Eight Trigrams Saber Technique (Mastery), Zhuang’s Flying Knife (Mastery), Swallow Returning Sword Technique (Mastery), "Vermilion Bird Swordsmanship" (Mastery), "Phoenix Dance of Nine Heavens" (First Level 15463/100000)]

[Secret Technique: "Disguise Technique" (Mastery)]

He now added two thousand points daily to the "Yin Yang True Skill," proving he wasn’t slacking off; his skills were continuously growing to mislead Su Zhining and gain time.

Originally, he intended to comprehend the sword intent and then challenge the Fourth Grade to swiftly gather experience points.

Now it seemed that this path was mostly unfeasible.

He thought to himself, "I still need to find someone to help."

So, he had a carriage prepared, ready to head out.

...

An hour later, Chen Ming arrived at Evergreen Hall to find Doctor Sun, the old physician who, despite being over ninety, remained in robust health.

Upon reaching the entrance, he noticed Ji Qianxing just standing inside.

He exclaimed in surprise, "Ji Bro, what a coincidence."

Ji Qianxing’s expression was indifferent; he said nothing but blocked the way.

This person’s always been this way, so Chen Ming was accustomed and stood outside waiting.

Ji Qianxing guarding the outer door meant Yu Haitang was inside.

A while later, a woman wearing a curtain hat with a white silk scarf covering her face came out. Just by seeing her graceful posture and gait, it was evident she was Yu Haitang.

As Yu Haitang passed by, she paused slightly, turned her head as if glancing at him but said nothing, didn’t greet him, and left directly.

Chen Ming just watched her leave and then walked into Evergreen Hall, meeting Doctor Sun who came out from the inner room.

He respectfully said, "Old Sun."

"You’re here." Doctor Sun was quite pleased to see him.

Chen Ming asked, "Who were those two just now?"

Doctor Sun replied, "A very troublesome woman, you’d best not provoke her."

"Was she here to trouble you? Do you need my help?"

Doctor Sun laughed, "I’m already this old, what can she do to me? Don’t bother about her, did you come for any difficult issues today?"

"Yes."

Seeing his reluctance to continue the conversation, Chen Ming could only bring up the questions accumulated over the days and ask them all at once.

Doctor Sun answered each one in detail, extending one question into a heap of theories, taking over an hour to complete.

"Thank you for your guidance, Old Sun."

Satisfied, Chen Ming was about to leave when he suddenly remembered something and took the opportunity to ask, "Old Sun, have you heard of Lingxi Jade?"

"Lingxi Jade..."

Doctor Sun’s expression became somewhat peculiar, as if reminiscing, and he asked, "Why ask about that?"

Chen Ming’s heart stirred, seeing his expression; could he have once possessed something like Lingxi Jade?

He asked, "Suppose someone develops a heart demon due to another person, and is about to fall into madness. Then, that person uses Lingxi Jade to share dreams, entering the other’s dream to help eradicate the heart demon. After waking, is it possible for that person’s disposition to change drastically?"

Doctor Sun stroked his beard and pondered momentarily, then slowly said, "Generally, only those practicing extremely specialized techniques focused on the mind would develop heart demons. The idea of using Lingxi Jade to help someone overcome a heart demon is indeed a brilliant concept. However, such peculiar occurrences, I’ve never encountered. It’s hard to judge."

"Oh."

Hearing this, Chen Ming prepared to take his leave.

"But," Doctor Sun added, "heart demons originate within oneself. If someone else’s power is used to break them, I’m afraid..."

"Afraid of what?"

"Afraid the helper might become the new heart demon."