"Haha, who knows? Maybe he wants to do you a favor."

As he spoke, Zichen’s mind drifted to the seductive demon woman from the Northern Region who had visited the Ji family estate two days ago. His gaze grew even colder.

He didn’t know what his father had discussed with that demoness specifically, but they were surely plotting something sinister. After all, the master of the Hundred Spirits Pavilion that his father had recommended Zichen to meet in Western Province City had also been from the demon race.

Now it seemed the Ji family had connections not only with the demons of the Western Region but also with those hiding in the Northern Region!

"If that’s the case, I’ll verify this myself."

Zhihan accepted the letter and turned away with a faint glance.

Zichen waved his hand and left. But the moment he stepped out of the Primordial Sacred Land, he came face to face with a tall powerfully built man in blue robes who carried himself with arrogance.

Recognizing who it was, Zichen’s heart trembled at the sharp look in those eyes.

"Young... Young master Lin..."

Feeling guilty, he could only bow his head in greeting.

Lin Yuchen swept his gaze over him, seeming to recall something. Then he strode forward and slammed his large, calloused palm onto Zichen’s shoulder: "Hye kido, Didn’t I warn you last time? If you dare come harass Lady Pei again, I’d cut out your tongue?"

He pressed his face close to Zichen’s shoulder. His green-tinted pupils radiated terrifying killing intent, and his peak Great Vehicle stage cultivation pressed down on Ji Zichen, making this younger cultivator struggle to breathe.

"I, I, I didn’t... I was just delivering a letter for my father..."

Zichen’s legs went weak, and he dropped to his knees.

Lin Yuchen looked down at him coldly and curled his lip: "Heh... I’ve said before that Lady Pei’s Primordial Sacred Land is under the Lin family’s protection. You Ji family dogs just can’t change your nature."

"Get up! Come back with me and kneel in apology to Lady Pei."

As he spoke, he kicked Ji Zichen in the backside and grabbed him by the collar, intending to drag him back.

At this crucial moment, the Ji family elders nearby could no longer stand by.

"Young master Lin, let that be enough."

"Heh..."

Lin Yuchen tossed Zichen to the roadside. He stood tall and proud, paying no heed to the elders.

He took a deep breath, then deliberately raised his voice loud enough for those inside the Primordial Sacred Land to hear: "In that case, get lost! If I catch you harassing Lady Pei again, next time it won’t just be cutting out your tongue!"

"..."

Ji Zichen clutched his backside. In front of this true young master, he didn’t dare express his anger. He slunk away in defeat.

Lin Yuchen watched that pathetic figure retreat with a satisfied smile, then strode toward the Primordial Sacred Land.

"Lady Pei, in my view, you shouldn’t waste your efforts on this little servant boy our Lin family wouldn’t even look at!"

"Wanting to pass on the Primordial Sword Art is simple! I already cultivate the Azure Dragon Sword Art, and now it’s complete. I’m looking for a new ancient sword technique to learn... Lady Pei, rather than wasting time on this useless Lin Che, why not pass the Primordial Sword Art to me?"

"If Lady Pei is willing to marry into the Lin family in the future, then your father’s legacy, this Primordial Sacred Land would naturally have more reliable protection!"

"Our Lin family is one of the three Grand Tutor families of the Dragon Dynasty. Surely that’s more reliable than the empty words of some Ji family elders!"

Lin Yuchen entered with a smile.

Atop the sacred platform, the woman in the black dress looked ashen, facing another formidable threat.

...

...

...

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

It was early February, with the year’s end approaching.

The capital’s martial arts tournament arrived as scheduled, held at the Profound Heaven Tower.

Young disciples from every major sect gathered in the capital of the nation. The entire city was ablaze with lights and packed with people, it was incredibly lively.

"Master... is this the capital? It’s so bustling..."

Walking through the streets of the capital, Lin Che followed behind his master, looking left and right with unconcealed excitement.

But ahead of him, the woman in the black dress wore a lonely expression. She felt no anticipation despite the lively atmosphere.

The reason was simple...

Over the past month, Lin Che’s progress had been slow.

She had completely given up hope that Lin Che could win any ranking in this tournament.

Perhaps, as Zichen and Lin Yuchen had said, Zhihan’s choice of Lin Che as the inheritor of the Primordial Sword Art had been a mistake from the start...

Having an Innate Pure Yang Holy Physique didn’t necessarily mean Lin Che was suited for cultivation.

"Sister Zhihan?"

Lost in thought, Pei Zhihan was suddenly stopped by a cool female voice beside her.

She stopped walking and turned to see a woman in white sitting on a bench in front of a portrait studio on the capital street.

She was young and elegant, with waist-length dark hair similar to Pei Zhihan’s. She sat holding hands with a handsome young man, waiting for the artist to paint their portrait. Her lovely face held a faint blush. She looked like the spirited, confident version of Zhihan from her youth.

For a moment, Zhihan stared in a daze.

"Oh Yuyan. Long time no see."

"Are you here for the capital tournament too? And who is he ?"

Noticing the intimate way they sat together, Zhihan raised an eyebrow, feeling a sense of realization.

About four or five years ago, she met Yuyan. A genius possessed extraordinary talent and, as the fated heroine of the Wuji Sect, had traveled across the lands competing in tournaments to hone her sword skills.

Back then, Yuyan had come to the Jianlan Sect to seek instruction.

It was through this encounter that Zhihan had come to know her. She had been captivated by Yuyan’s swordsmanship from the first glance, because the younger woman’s appearance, talent, and temperament all reminded her of her younger self.

However, Yuyan’s eyes had been colder, darker, and carried more hostility than Zhihan’s ever had.

Later, Zhihan had inquired and learned that Yuyan’s clan had been massacred when she was young. No wonder this girl had such an icy demeanor at such a tender age, far colder than Zhihan’s.

But Zhihan could understand.

She had a sword dao to inherit and protect, so she carried many burdens. Over the years, reality had worn down her sharp edges. Yuyan was different, she lived only for revenge. Without such constraints, she could live freely, ready to die at any moment, exacting vengeance as she pleased.

What Zhihan found regrettable was...

Even back then, Yuyan had already been taken as a disciple. She was a disciple of the Wuji Sect, after all. No matter how much Zhihan admired her, she couldn’t poach her for the Jianlan Sect.

Moreover, Yuyan possessed an Innate Frost holy body, which wasn’t suited for cultivating Zhihan’s Primordial Sword Art.

So Pei Zhihan hadn’t tried to keep her. They had simply become friends, after a fashion.

Occasionally...

Yuyan would visit the Jianlan Sect, and they would discuss sword art together.

But now, after years apart, when Zhihan encountered Yuyan on the streets of the capital, she was startled to discover that the cold, hostile gleam in the white-clad woman’s eyes had faded considerably.

In fact...

Her face was flushed, not just from the festive atmosphere, but from the sweetness of holding hands with her beloved on a date.

Thinking of this, Zhihan was even more shocked.

That girl in her memories, the one even more difficult than herself, always cold and proud, walking alone, now sat holding hands with a handsome young man in public, having a couple’s portrait painted?

"So you are the Sword Supreme Lady Pei..."

"I am He Yino. I’ve heard my senior sister speak of your sword dao before. Your reputation precedes you, I see now that your sword dao is truly well-deserved!"

The young man rose from the bench and clasped his fist in a humble bow. The corners of his lips curved slightly, and between his brows lingered a gentle, refined smile that made Zhihan’s heart tighten.

In that instant, time seemed to stop. Zhihan stood frozen, locking eyes with the young man.

In that brief moment, it felt like an eternity. Zhihan could sense that in just a few seconds, he had seen through her completely, inside and out. Yet with her centuries of experience, she couldn’t begin to fathom the complex depths hidden in his eyes.

"Hey!"

"You pale-faced bookworm kid, sit still!"

"Are you two going to have this portrait painted or not?!"

At some point, the impatient artist interrupted their staring contest with his shout.