A light boat sails through the myriad peaks and layered mountains.

Time flies by, and as twilight descends, it’s already time to light the lamps. Si Miaoxue, with a face as drunk as the red clouds, looks just like a docile cat.

"Mr. Lin, Miaoxue has never been so happy. You’re really wonderful." The intoxicating murmur slipped through her red lips.

You’re happy, but can that girl watching the door let me go back?

Fortunately, I’m young, with good stamina, and an iron waist.

"It’s time to talk business, or else I should be leaving." Lin Miao lightly tapped her shoulder.

"Ouch, Mr. Lin, be gentle, that hurt."

"Alright, don’t gain an advantage and pretend to be innocent. If Mei’Er were here, she’d definitely laugh at you." Lin Miao teased.

"Humph, if I don’t go back, will she sneak back to eat?"

"Ji Fei’Er went to his place, does she dare to sneak back?" Lin Miao said, "That Ji Fei’Er has truly high talent. Without my help, you two wouldn’t hope to advance to Meridian Passage before thirty, yet she has advanced before that age. Although she has an innate flaw, it doesn’t affect her cultivating to Meridian Passage Realm. But going further, if she doesn’t fix this flaw, it’s hard to say what could happen."

"So when she sought you to cure her, her real motive was to compensate for this flaw?"

"It’s not impossible, but even if the surgery is done, she can marry and bear children like an ordinary woman. However, there’s still a difference. For her to advance to Celestial Essence, it might be harder than for you two."

"Mr. Lin, when did you advance to Meridian Passage? Now, I’m cultivating with you, though progress is clear, it’s not as effective as before..."

"That’s because your cultivation is higher, so you feel this way. It doesn’t mean the progress in training has slowed down!"

"It’s so hard to advance to Celestial Essence. Now I’ve pushed the Charm Girl Heart Skill to the ninth level, and my cultivation has advanced to the Upper Grade Meridian Passage Realm, but I’m still far from perfect."

"You’re being greedy. Think about what level your cultivation was at just a year ago—a classic case of human insatiability." Lin Miao laughed and scolded.

"Let me ask you, how true is the news that Nie Tian from Heaven-Dominating Tower obtained the Celestial Essence Fruit and broke through to advance to Celestial Essence?"

"The news of Nie Tian advancing to Celestial Essence should be true. Otherwise, if he spread false information to deceive the world, it would become a joke. However, whether he got the Celestial Essence Fruit’s aid is unknown." Si Miaoxue said.

"Will a Celestial Essence Fruit appear at the Heaven-Dominating Tower auction, and is that news true?"

"Right now it’s just rumors, but the source is untraceable. Perhaps Heaven-Dominating Tower leaked it, or someone else is stirring trouble. Even Xiu’s side has given me no definite information."

"Does Baili Yuyao know your identity?"

"She didn’t know before, and she still doesn’t know now. That means she’s not fit to be Xiu’s Heiress." Si Miaoxue nodded.

"Didn’t you cooperate with her acting?"

"I can’t. She’s either around that toad Zhuang Cheng or Bihai Tower’s Shen An. If I appeared a few times, it wouldn’t be seen through, but too often, I might be recognized. If Baili Bingyun truly announces my selection, it’ll be quite the show." Si Miaoxue said, "Toying with Xiu offends many."

"Which means you’re basically excluded as a competitor."

"Baili Bingyun didn’t expect Zhuang Rong and Zhuang Cheng to advance their martial arts quickly. Especially Zhuang Cheng, who even defeated Bihai Tower’s Shen An and earned the title in the competition."

"Have you fought Zhuang Cheng?"

"I’ve only fought Shen An. Shen An indeed possesses great talent with the blade. In the same realm, I’m not his match."

"What’s the relationship between Baili Yuyao and Shen An?"

"Neither good nor bad. I can tell that Yuyao doesn’t dislike Shen An. However, Shen An is the son of Bihai Tower’s Shen Yidao. Shen Yidao hasn’t explicitly stated that Shen An could marry into Xiu, but seeing his personality, he’s probably unwilling but also hasn’t stopped Shen An from coming here. There must be some calculation involved."

"Shen Yidao is waiting for Xiu to announce the candidates. If Shen An is selected, then he’ll step forward to negotiate terms." Lin Miao said, "If Shen Yidao also advances to Celestial Essence, then his weight in words and bargaining chips will be different."

"It’s unlikely for Xiu women to marry out."

"If Xiu can change the rule of not seeking husbands for so many years, what’s wrong with marrying out? In fact, it’s just about where a young couple lives after marriage. One at Xiu, one at Bihai Tower, as for the children’s last name, they could have twins and split evenly, or boys to Bihai Tower and girls to Xiu. There’s no conflict in passing on lineage..."

"This..." Si Miaoxue was a bit dazed. Yes, back then Baili Bingyun favored Lin Miao, wasn’t it the same intention?

Lin Miao has no parents or strong teachers to rely on, whether marrying into, or marrying Baili Yuyao isn’t a problem.

Shen An is different; he’s the young leader of Bihai Tower and would naturally favor it. Xiu’s century-old foundation might just become Bihai Tower’s dowry.

As for Zhuang Cheng, she’s too aware of their character. Inner marriage might solidify stability, but the ambition and desire shown by this mother and son duo are so strong that if Baili Yuyao truly marries over, Xiu might completely turn into the Zhuang family’s in the future.

Many things weren’t formed in just one day.

If it were possible, Baili Bingyun actually doesn’t want to choose her daughter as the third-generation Xiu. Wouldn’t marrying a person and living a normal life be good?

No need to exert all efforts and exhaust one’s mind like this.

"Didn’t Mr. Baili give Zhuang Cheng a one-year observation period?" Lin Miao said, "This doesn’t seem like something that needs to be settled urgently."

"That’s what you say, but Baili Bingyun is worried that if Yuyao spends too much time with Shen An, true feelings might develop, and that would be troublesome. Mr. Lin, leaving aside the Green Blade Sect’s background, Shen An is indeed a good match for a girl. He’s good-looking, has high aptitude, his martial arts are decent, and he exudes the elegance of a gentleman. In the embroidery tower, countless girls have offered themselves to him, but he rejected each one!" Si Miaoxue said.

"At this moment, it would be strange if he agreed to those girls." Lin Miao chuckled, thinking that he would chase romantic adventures himself once he had Baili Yuyao. By then, wouldn’t those beauties in the embroidery tower be his for the taking?

A normal person would know what choice to make.

This cannot explain anything.

What kind of sect is the Green Blade Sect? Lin Miao has dealt with them many times and still isn’t clear. Maybe Shen An is indeed an exception, but if Shen Yidao has chosen him as an heir, how could he be as meek as a rabbit?

There are many people in this world good at disguising themselves.

Zhuang Cheng is openly evil, while Shen An might be the kind that’s evil to the core, just not showing it to others.

"Mr. Lin, Baili Bingyun wants you to make a move and take Yuyao." Si Miaoxue said, "If Mr. Lin agrees, Miaoxue can assist you."

"My current identity may not be suitable, right?" Lin Miao slightly frowned.

"Of course, it’s as Lin Bei." Si Miaoxue smiled slightly, "Miaoxue will play Mr. Lin, and you will be Lin Bei. Anyway, Lianxin and Liansuo, those two girls, even if they know, won’t say anything."

"You’ve planned this long ahead, haven’t you?"

"You’re Yuyao’s brother-in-law; being one, you wouldn’t want your sister-in-law to jump into the pit of fire, would you?" Si Miaoxue giggled.

"Are you sure we can swap identities without anyone noticing?"

"I don’t appear often, and I move alone without many friends. Besides, Yuyao and Baili Bingyun will also cover for you, so your identity won’t be discovered. Even if they know your name is Mr. Lin, you’re not well-known in the martial world, so no one will suspect." Si Miaoxue analyzed.

"Let me think about this." Lin Miao didn’t immediately agree to Si Miaoxue’s proposal.

"Yuyao has a bit of affection for you as her brother-in-law, especially since you healed Baili Bingyun and helped her advance to the Celestial Essence rank. Just show a little concern, make her have a better impression of you, and soon she’ll willingly fall into your embrace."

"Alright, I’ll head back for now. If there’s anything, send someone to Snow Mountain Residence. You know the little kid, the messenger is less noticeable."

"Hmm, can’t you stay with Miaoxue for a night?"

"Given my current identity, not returning home would raise suspicions."

"Will you come by tomorrow?"

"We’ll see."

...

Bihai Tower, the Green Blade Sect’s property in Li Hen City, where Young Sect Leader Shen An was staying. Being at a family place, he felt more at ease.

"Second Uncle, why have you come?" Shen An was about to go out when suddenly a group rode to the gate and walked straight in.

Upon sight, it turned out to be Second Uncle Shen Hao.

"Xiaoan, after a few months of not seeing you, you’ve changed a lot; Second Uncle almost didn’t recognize you." Shen Hao approached with a big hug and laughed heartily.

"Second Uncle, what’s your purpose this time..."

"For the Celestial Essence Fruit, your father has reached a critical point in his breakthrough. If he has the fruit, the success rate will be higher." Shen Hao whispered.

"Is there really a Celestial Essence Fruit? I thought it was just a baseless rumor. If Heaven-Dominating Tower really has the fruit, why would they auction it? Wouldn’t it be better kept for themselves?" Shen An said in astonishment. Although he was in Li Hen City, he didn’t think the auction rumor was true. At least, after the rumor spread, Heaven-Dominating Tower didn’t make any acknowledgment or denial.

"You don’t need to worry about that. Second Uncle is here to clarify that." Shen Hao said, "Speaking of which, how is your relationship with Baili Yuyao? Your father said if we can form an alliance with the embroidery manor, taking over their external businesses would offer crucial paths for the Green Blade Sect. He instructed me to ensure you secure it..."

"Rest assured, Second Uncle. Yuyao has a great impression of me now. Zhuang Cheng has a bad reputation; if the embroidery elder were considering him, they would have done so already. Why would they come to this?" Shen An chuckled confidently.

"That’s good!"

...

Outside Snow Mountain Residence, a elderly woman with greying hair alighted from the carriage. Inside the hall, Lianxin was chatting over tea with Yu Dazui and was delighted to see her and exclaimed, "Master, why have you come?"

"Xin’Er, why are you here?" The woman was also surprised to see her disciple and quickly stepped inside.

The newcomer was Helian Wanwan, Lianxin and Liansuo’s master from Snow Mountain Sect.

...

The Green Blade Sect sent someone, the Snow Mountain Sect came, the Celestial Sect, Famous Sword Manor...

The major sects of Da Li’s northwestern martial world have all sent people, and the leaders are at least at the Meridian Passage Realm.

Clearly, they are all here for the soon-to-be-held auction of a "Celestial Essence Fruit," whose existence remains uncertain.