Modest and peaceful dwelling.
"Sister, are you a fairy?" Feng Xiaoran asked in a soft voice.
Looking at Wen Lingxue, whose figure was tall and exquisite, Feng Xiaoran couldn't help but think that if there were fairies in this world, they would surely look like her.
"No, I'm not," Wen Lingxue chuckled and pinched Feng Xiaoran's small face. "You're the most beautiful, especially your eyes. They are like the moon in the sky. When you grow up, you'll be even more beautiful than me."
Feng Xiaoran smiled, and her eyes turned into beautiful crescents, sparkling and deep. She said in a crisp voice, "Really? That's wonderful."
Wen Lingxue was taken aback. It seemed that this little girl didn't understand the meaning of modesty.
Huang Qianjun's face was full of astonishment. "Lingxue, before, I thought you were beautiful, but I never expected you to become so stunning. Is this what they call 'a woman changes greatly at eighteen'?"
When Huang Qianjun saw Su Yi bringing Wen Lingxue back, he could hardly believe that this was the same Wen Lingxue he knew. She was simply too dazzling and radiant. The bright and delicate aura emanating from her whole body made him unable to look her in the eye, leaving him feeling ashamed and inferior in his heart.
Wen Lingxue glared at Huang Qianjun and said impatiently, "Who said anything about eighteen? I'll only be sixteen in two months."
"Uh..." Huang Qianjun lowered his head sheepishly.
According to the customs of Da Zhou, fifteen was the age when a girl was considered eligible for marriage. However, martial practitioners were different from ordinary people. Regardless of gender, their appearance would undergo rapid changes as their cultivation progressed.
After all, cultivators tempered their bodies and refined their spirit and energy. The progress of their strength often brought about changes in appearance akin to rebirth.
For example, Feng Xiaoran, who was now fourteen, only two years younger than Wen Lingxue. However, she had never practiced before, so despite her exceptional facial features, her physique gave the impression of frailty and smallness.
But with her recent training with Su Yi, coupled with the continuous ingestion of spirit medicines day and night, her body was now filled with vigorous vital energy. Her skin was smooth and radiant, and her once dull hair had turned shiny and black. Her deep eyes were full of liveliness.
"Senior Su, let's have a drink," Feng Xiaofeng lifted the wine jug and poured a full cup for Su Yi.
They sat in the courtyard at a stone table, where a sumptuous and delicious feast was laid out.
Although it couldn't compare to the delicacies of Yin Xue Mountain Villa, Wen Lingxue felt that this meal was the most comfortable and pleasant.
The flowers and trees were lush, and occasionally, the sound of insects and birds added a touch of tranquility. Moreover, she had her brother-in-law by her side.
It felt like being back home.
With no reservations, Wen Lingxue poured out all her inner doubts while eating.
Huang Qianjun mostly answered her questions, speaking eloquently and incessantly.
For those questions that only Su Yi could answer, he would simply say, "Yes," "That's right," "Not bad," or "Hmm..."
He didn't feel like elaborating with lengthy explanations, and he also didn't want to come across as bragging or shallow by saying too much.
Wen Lingxue, on the other hand, was astonished and her delicate and exquisite face kept changing expressions.
Why is it that even beautiful people have their own charm in every frown, smile, or movement?
In the end, Wen Lingxue let out a long breath and blinked her eyes, asking, "Brother-in-law, can I discuss these things with my sister?"
Su Yi responded with a question, "Lingxue, if one day your sister and I dissolve our marriage, would you still consider me your brother-in-law?"
"This..." Wen Lingxue was stunned.
After a moment, her delicate eyebrows lightly furrowed, and she sighed, "Brother-in-law, I've always wanted you two to reconcile. I never thought you would separate."
Su Yi calmly said, "Your sister hates this marriage, and I also reject it. We are like strangers to each other, devoid of any feelings."
"Moreover, the premise of reconciliation is that we had a good relationship before. But as you know, your sister and I were forced from the beginning. In that case, dissolving the marriage is a relief for both of us. So, you should be happy for your sister and me."
After listening, Wen Lingxue's face was filled with distress.
Su Yi patted her fragrant shoulder with some pity and said, "Alright, this matter has nothing to do with you. I can assure you that as long as you're willing, I will always treat you well. I don't care about anything else."
A warm feeling surged in Wen Lingxue's heart, and she nodded.
After finishing their meal, everyone went their separate ways to cultivate.
Su Yi lay on the reclining chair in the pavilion, starting to inquire about Wen Lingxue's cultivation progress and providing guidance.
"Lingxue, remember, you must slow down during the early stage of Qi Gathering Realm. It's not enough to just refine and penetrate the 108 spirit orifices in your body."
"Not enough?"
"Yes, you need to reach the stage of 'Spiritualization of All Orifices.' Each orifice should become like a miniature secret realm. Only then can it be considered a complete penetration of the orifices."
"Has brother-in-law achieved this stage?"
"I'm one step away from it."
... They continued their conversation like this, as time quietly passed by.
Until dusk descended, Wen Lingxue stood up and said, "Brother-in-law, I have to return to Qinghe Sword Mansion. I'll come to visit you another day."
Su Yi nodded and handed her a prepared package. "These are some spiritual medicines. Take them and use them. I will send you some regularly in the future."
He was well aware that the Wen family's financial resources would likely be insufficient to provide enough assistance to Wen Lingxue in her cultivation. Especially since the girl had already reached the late stage of the Blood Shifting Realm and was practicing the Profound Pure Spirit Jade Technique, the amount of spiritual medicine she needed for daily use was immense.
Under these circumstances, relying solely on the cultivation resources provided by Qinghe Sword Mansion each month would be like a drop in the bucket.
Wen Lingxue's heart trembled slightly, and her watery eyes gazed at Su Yi for a moment. Suddenly, she revealed a brilliant smile and said, "Brother-in-law, I won't refuse you. If I have a chance to help you in the future, please don't refuse either."
With that, she picked up the package and waved her hand, saying, "Goodbye."
The girl's footsteps were light, and her slender figure gradually disappeared in the gentle evening sunlight.
Su Yi withdrew his gaze, smiled faintly, and sighed, "Lingxue has indeed grown up."
He returned to his room, contemplating in deep thought, refining his divine soul with the "Transcendence in Self-Transformation Sutra."
Cultivation was like a daily task that had to be completed.
Su Yi would not allow himself to slack off even a bit.
...
The lingering glow of the setting sun reflected on the water, creating a shimmering scene.
On the vast Cang River, a solitary boat surged through the waves.
"Yiren, when we arrive at Yunhe County, I will first visit Mu Cangtu and see if I can get some good seedlings from Qinghe Sword Mansion."
"As for you, help me investigate the whereabouts of that young master Su Yi. Once I'm done with my busy schedule, I'll go and meet him."
On the boat, a figure stood upright like a spear, wearing worn-out military attire. He stood with his hands behind his back.
His features were sharp and chiseled, his skin had a bronze tone, and he exuded a chilling aura of iron and blood.
Especially his eyes, when they opened and closed, it seemed as if a blood-filled sea surged within them, incredibly terrifying.
Chen Zheng.
One of the Nine Princes and Eighteen Marquises of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the "Martial Spirit Marquis"!
Under Chen Zheng's command, a regiment of the Green Armor Army was stationed year-round beneath the Bloodthorn Demon Mountain, slaying countless demonic beasts and achieving remarkable military exploits.
And Chen Zheng himself was a Martial Ancestor!
"Yes, sir!"
Zhang Yiren solemnly acknowledged the order.
Then, he hesitated and said, "Sir, young master Su Yi may appear ordinary on the surface, but he is extremely proud at heart. When you meet him, please don't get entangled in such matters."
Chen Zheng nodded and said, "Naturally. The more talented someone is, the prouder they become. According to what you've said, this Su Yi, who can behead a Grandmaster with a single sword, must be an extraordinary figure. It's normal for him to be a bit arrogant. Rest assured, in my life, the type of people I respect the most are those who have the ability. I will treat him with respect."
His voice was resolute and exuded a decisive and vigorous momentum.
Zhang Yiren smiled and said, "I believe young master Su Yi won't disappoint you, sir."
Pausing for a moment, he asked, "Sir, regarding the attack the Sixth Prince suffered on our boat last time, are we just going to let it go?"
Chen Zheng frowned and said, "I detest power struggles. As expected, the attack behind this incident must be related to the other princes of the royal family. We won't get involved in such troublesome matters."
During their conversation, the small boat had arrived at the dock outside Yunhe County.
"Let's split up and act separately."
Chen Zheng's figure flashed as he headed directly towards a distant place.
"For so many years, sir has always been so efficient in handling matters..."
Zhang Yiren was momentarily stunned, then he also started to act and hurriedly walked towards the city gate.
"That person seems to be Martial Spirit Marquis Chen Zheng. Wasn't he stationed at the Bloodthorn Demon Mountain? Why did he come to Yunhe County?"
Meanwhile, on a cargo ship near the dock.
An old man wearing old-fashioned Daoist robes frowned as he carried a bundle.
Beside him, a middle-aged beautiful woman with heavy makeup lazily stretched her waist and said, "Our mission this time is to capture Weng Yunqi and retrieve the Soul Jade he holds. We don't need to concern ourselves with anything else."
On the other side, a sickly yellow-faced, thin, and sloppy man asked, "Are you sure Weng Yunqi is really in Yunhe County?"
As he spoke, he greedily glanced at the middle-aged beauty's ample cleavage that threatened to burst out of her clothes, secretly swallowing his saliva. This enchanting woman was becoming more and more enticing!
The middle-aged beauty flirtatiously cast him a seductive glance and said, "You diseased ghost, how about coming to my room tonight?"
The sloppy man trembled all over and retorted irritably, "I'm just here to satisfy my eyes, I don't want to end up as a dried corpse because I wasn't careful enough."
"Phew! You shameless old pervert without the courage!"
The middle-aged beauty spat, exuding a coquettish charm.
"Weng Yunqi is indeed in Yunhe County. The information was obtained from our undercover agents within the sect. They said that this old man sneaked into Yunhe County seven days ago. However, he is extremely cautious and his whereabouts are unpredictable. Those underlings of ours couldn't track his movements at all."
The old man in the outdated Daoist robe spoke and took out a blood-colored candle from his sleeve, handing it to the sloppy man. He said, "This is the 'Soul Calling Candle' that Weng Yunqi refined with his own blood when he entered the sect. I leave it to you to find his traces."
The sloppy man took the blood candle and smiled, "With this, I will definitely flush out the old man within three days!"
"Xiang Lan, go to the city and find a place to set up a ritual altar. If we encounter any troublesome threats, it can serve as our escape route."
The old man in the Daoist robe handed a heavy bundle to the middle-aged beauty and said, "These are some valuable magical tools. Don't waste them."
"What about you?" the middle-aged beauty asked.
The old man's eyes flickered, and he said, "I will go visit an old friend. With his help, Weng Yunqi is destined to have no way to escape this time!"