As Lu Yan observed the departing figure of the boy, she noted his complete lack of interest in looking back at her. Bafflement took hold; it was the first time she felt a twinge of fear when facing someone her own age. To avoid being overshadowed by countless other talents, she understood the imperative of advancing her cultivation once more. She was overanalyzing the situation, she realized. The boy's decisive departure wasn't due to a lack of courage to face her; he withdrew because he acknowledged his inability to defeat her. Moreover, recognizing that a king-level entity was observing her, he surmised that his adversary was no ordinary foe.
Before she could delve further into her thoughts, Elder Su arrived with an anxious expression on her face. Witnessing her young lady come close to death before her eyes, and realizing her inability to offer protection, sent a chill through her body. If news of such an incident reached their family, destruction would befall them in an instant. Elder Su cast a vigilant gaze over Lu Yan, relieved to find her unharmed.
Elder Su's eyes narrowed as a surge of killing intent emanated from her gaze, her voice laced with a chilling edge as she inquired, "Young lady, shall I eliminate that rascal for nearly taking your life?"
In response, Lu Yan merely squinted before releasing a sigh, her tone contemplative. "No need. Something about him feels amiss. His eyes hold an enigma I've never encountered before. His ability to conceal his killing intent surpasses even seasoned generals who've slain countless foes."
Elder Su registered her lady's sentiments but couldn't help but dismiss them. "It's preposterous. That brat possesses no cultivation whatsoever; it's implausible that he could pose a threat. Even low-level beasts could easily overpower him."
Lu Yan shook her head, her gaze distant as she responded, "No need to fret. Recall our purpose here. My brother dispatched me to this location to break through the lower realm of my sword intent. Time is of the essence. We cannot afford to be sidetracked by trivialities."
Once again, Lu Yan's attention was drawn to the boy's retreating silhouette, her thoughts drifting to Green Cloud Valley. The valley had always been steeped in mystery, surrounded by countless myths. One such tale whispered of a sword emperor who once dwelled beneath the valley, valiantly battling pursuers to his last breath.
While these stories largely remained the stuff of legend, a few days prior, she had uncovered evidence substantiating certain aspects. Her brother's directive had been clear: to use this time to achieve a breakthrough in her sword intent. Despite her status as a prodigious talent and the likely future sword empress, her cultivation of intent had been advancing at an exasperatingly sluggish pace.
Returning to her training spot, she drew her sword with a fluid motion. Unbeknownst to her, the encounter with the white-clad boy marked the inception of a legend destined to echo through the martial world for millennia to come.
Unfurling within the City Tower's East Yard, a scene unfolded featuring two individuals engaged in leisurely tea drinking. One was an elder with snow-white hair, while the other was a youth of about 16 or 17, blessed with handsome features radiating heroism. Their conversation flowed amiably, the young man's expression marked by a subtle smile.
"Why would the prestigious Yang Clan's young master pay us a visit now? Given this unique situation, does he bring any specific instructions?"
The elder, Gu Yan, was tasked with overseeing the City Tower's East Yard, primarily responsible for the continent's intelligence network. Given the yard's role, Gu Yan enjoyed a relatively undemanding existence, predominantly involving the collection and transmission of vital information.
Observing the portrait the youth retrieved from his robes, Gu Yan's gaze was drawn to it with a mixture of awe and bewilderment. The image depicted a figure exuding an aura akin to that of a fairy—both ethereal and formidable.
"Gu Yan, I wish to be apprised of any movements by the lady depicted in this portrait. There's likely a King-level guard accompanying her; ensure our observer remains undetected."
The youth, Yang Han, sipped his tea while regarding Gu Yan with a slight smile, his eyes reflecting a spark of amusement.
Taking the portrait from Yang Han's hand, Gu Yan's initial astonishment was palpable. The portrait encapsulated a commanding presence—the woman clad in red and wielding a sword emitted a resolute, heroic vibe.
As Yang Han's awestruck expression persisted, Yang Han's smile grew, and a knowing understanding passed between them. The woman in the portrait had triggered similar awe in him upon their first meeting—a lofty sword princess, a frigid fairy seemingly untethered by human emotions. While most found her haughty demeanor off-putting, Yang Han saw through her exterior. Despite her frosty exterior, Yang Han believed he could capture her heart.
Nonetheless, Yang Han's current mission in the unassuming city needed completion before pursuing personal matters. His gaze shifted to the Li clan in the distance, his lips curling into a sinister smile, a stark departure from his prior geniality.
Yet unbeknownst to him, a youth lounged languidly in his seat, his eyes fixated on the Lin clan's valley. This boy was anything but typical; his perspective transcended conventional norms.
And so, the stage was set, with questions lingering: where would the story unfold, and what destiny awaited these characters?