Guo Guoguo glared at Yang Yan, then turned to look at the Sect Leader.

"Dad! Let me go! I..."

Guo Guoguo was full of anticipation, chattering incessantly.

"Sigh!"

Lin An sighed and said unyieldingly, "The Grandmaster has already spoken, and everyone agrees. There’s no need to say more, this matter is settled!"

"Dad, you also... you really don’t want me!"

Upon hearing Lin An suddenly reach a conclusion, Guo Guoguo was stunned for a moment, then her eyes turned red.

"Hmph! What’s so great about it! They won’t let me go, I’ll find a way myself!" She said, turning her head and running out.

Seeing this, Lin An opened his mouth slightly, feeling a bit disappointed. The good mood he had just felt evaporated instantly, leaving him with a headache. Why is this kid so stubborn?

"Sect Leader! The Young Sect Leader is just a bit too playful, it will be fine in a while. Later, I’ll instruct someone to send her some favorite food."

Lin Zimu stepped forward and spoke to Lin An.

"Hmm, thank you, Zimu." Sect Leader Lin An said somewhat bitterly.

"No need to be polite, Sect Leader."

"Uh? Where were we?"

Yang Yan interjected.

...

Guo Guoguo, who had run out, gradually slowed down. How she wished that a voice would call out to her at this moment.

But the more she hoped, the more disappointed she felt. She paused, looked back, and then ran angrily into the distance.

"Hmph! Dad actually scolded me! Dad really doesn’t want me anymore!! Waa!!!"

She couldn’t hold back the tears in her eyes any longer, bursting into tears like a flood.

For the first time being treated so harshly by her own father, Guo Guoguo was genuinely heartbroken and felt very wronged.

However, this instead fueled her rebellious spirit.

Hmph! It’s just the Land of the North Cold! Why can’t I go there, if those women can, why can’t I?!

I have to go! If they won’t let me, I’ll sneak along! Hmph!

And that Yang Yan, looking down on me, even said I’d be a burden. We’ll see who’s who.

...

Yang Yan, Zimu, and the remaining folks like Gongsun Ruyan were making the final preparations.

...

A month later, this day finally arrived.

Sect Leader Lin An, Yang Yan, and others gathered at the martial arts field.

"This time, our destination is the Land of the North Cold. The journey is very dangerous, do not advance rashly upon encountering danger, and absolutely do not act alone."

"You are all valuable talents within the sect, and we cannot afford to lose even one more. Do you understand?" The Sect Leader looked around below.

"Understood!" The crowd responded in unison.

"Set out!"

As soon as the Sect Leader’s voice fell, only a shadow of him remained.

The crowd hurried to follow, one by one boarding the Wandering Dragon Boat with sword shadows.

After flying in the high sky for a long time, the Wandering Dragon Boat finally reached its destination—the southernmost end of the Land of the North Cold, Zhu Zixia.

"We will rendezvous with the others from the ten sects here, do not wander around at will."

The Sect Leader scanned the surroundings.

"Look, so many people here!"

One of the disciples suddenly exclaimed.

The others followed the direction of his voice and looked.

"It seems that the other sects have arrived long ago, and I can feel other strong forces too."

Elder Dugu finished speaking and looked at the Sect Leader.

The Sect Leader nodded and gazed into the distance, having already devised a plan in his mind.

This trip wouldn’t allow them to have it too easy.

Yang Yan and others looked around upon hearing the voice too.

The severe cold of winter and snow covered everything, and the air seemed to freeze.

The wind blew, sweeping up the snowflakes in the sky.

A chilling intent quietly spread.

The narrow entrance of the mountain pass was densely packed with tents, with the flags of various sects erected at the entrance.

The Sword Sect, Valley of Ten Thousand Flowers were at the forefront, of course, also at the best spots.

The ten sects stationed nearby, neither too close nor too far.

"It seems they have all arrived, no need to cause conflict with them. Just set up camp in the back."

The Sect Leader said thoughtfully.

"Understood, Sect Leader, I’ll instruct the disciples to do so."

Elder Dugu, having been given orders, withdrew.

The Ancient Abyss Sect group set up at the furthest back.

Just as they were preparing to rest, they heard noises from the front.

The Sect Leader and Elders, immersed in training, assumed it was just a conflict among the front sects, paid it no mind, and continued meditating.

On the contrary, Yang Yan and the disciples went out to observe the situation.

"You all move aside, don’t block my way."

An unreasonable female voice came through.

"Young lady, you intruded into our camp, destroyed our things, and you’re still being unreasonable, do you think we’re pushovers?"

A person who seemed reputable stepped forward. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"I got lost, it’s not on purpose, just move out of the way and don’t ruin my mood."

The woman appeared unwilling to be entangled there.

"This voice sounds quite familiar."

Zimu, who was watching the show, whispered.

Yang Yan nodded in agreement.

"I’ll go check it out first then."

With that, Lin Zimu turned into a sword shadow and flew towards the source of the voice.

"Then don’t blame me for being ruthless, you brought this upon yourself."

The man said somewhat arrogantly.

"Being reckless at the entrance of our sect, you can’t afford those consequences."

"Hmph, who’s afraid of you, bring it on."

The woman seemed unimpressed.

Both sides drew their longswords, immediately at daggers drawn.

The rest of the disciples quickly surrounded the duo, the intention was obvious!

The woman had no choice but to grip her sword tight.

Just as the two prepared to attack, a flying sword shot down.

"Who is it?"

The man roared in anger.

"There’s no need to be aggressive, brother, we’re all men, why make things difficult for a young lady?"

Lin Zimu descended with the flying sword.

The woman turned around, and upon seeing Lin Zimu, a gleam flashed in her eyes.

"Young Sect Leader Guo, what brings you here?"

"Ah, it’s Zimu, with you here, I’m not afraid anymore."

Seeing Lin Zimu arriving, Guo Guoguo’s tense heart relaxed.

"Weren’t you told not to come, why are you here?"

"You don’t need to worry about that. Where is Yang Yan, take me to see him!"

Guo Guoguo seemed to be ignoring Lin Zimu.

"Sigh, you’re incorrigible."

"Hey, don’t overlook me, just because one more person came, I won’t just let you leave!"

The man’s face twisted somewhat.

"Brother, we did not intend to cause trouble here, could you give us some face? We’ll offer our apologies."

Lin Zimu remained humble and courteous, not wanting to provoke an incident, especially with the Young Sect Leader Guo present.

"Face? Who are you all? Why should I give you face? Don’t think of leaving without paying a price!"

The surrounding disciples drew their swords, ready for battle.

"Since you’re so aggressive, don’t blame us for being ruthless!"

Lin Zimu declared, drawing his longsword to prepare for combat.

The man’s right fist swung, as Lin Zimu met it, palm pushing out, stirring waves that kicked up stones.

The man raised his blade overhead, the edge of the knife fierce.

The confrontation was just about to explode.