On the fifth floor of First Under Heaven Pavilion, inside an antique-styled room, Mu Qing sat across from an elder.
"Did you gain anything from your visit to the Chen Kingdom?" the elder asked.
"I did make some gains. The most significant one was meeting an impressive person!"
The elder nodded. "I heard from Ye Guluan about it. It is said that person has a Sword Sovereign backing him?"
"Yes."
"In that case, befriending him would not be inappropriate."
Hearing the elder's words, Mu Qing fell silent, as if lost in thought.
After a brief pause, the elder continued, "You should understand what I mean. Keep your distance carefully. Crossing a certain line would not only harm you but also him."
"I understand!"
At that moment, a voice suddenly called from outside the door.
"Pavilion Master! Young Miss! Something seems to have happened downstairs!"
The elder raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"A little girl accidentally dirtied Jiang Qianxue's dress. Jiang Qianxue's admirer slapped the girl, and now her brother is retaliating, beating up the entire group of young nobles!"
"What?!"
The two people inside the room exclaimed in unison.
"A little girl? Brother? Could it be him? This is bad!"
Mu Qing immediately guessed the identity of the troublemaker.
"Jiang Qianxue? Is that woman crazy? She even dared to mess with his sister!"
After spending a month together, Mu Qing knew how much Feng Wuchen treasured his sister.
She vividly remembered how Qin Xiaorou from the Qin family had once taken the Cold Essence from Feng Ning, prompting Feng Wuchen to go on a murderous rampage.
If things escalated, Jiang Qianxue might end up just like Qin Xiaorou!
"Is it him?" the elder asked suddenly.
"It should be him," Mu Qing nodded.
"Heh... interesting! Since you know him, I won't interfere in this matter. Just make sure no one dies."
"Thank you!"
With that, Mu Qing stood up swiftly and rushed downstairs.
---
At that moment, in the hall on the second floor.
When Feng Wuchen drew his sword, the previously silent scene erupted with astonishment.
"A Sword Cultivator!"
No one expected that the plainly dressed young man would turn out to be a Sword Cultivator—and wielding a spiritual sword at that!
As the sword intent and killing aura locked onto her, Jiang Qianxue's eyes trembled. She felt as if death itself was staring her down, and no matter how fast she moved, she couldn't escape.
"Impossible!"
With disbelief in her gaze, Feng Wuchen's sword had already closed in on her brow, barely half a foot away.
"Young Master Feng, stay your hand!"
At the critical moment, Mu Qing's voice rang out. Feng Wuchen's blade halted, stopping a mere half inch from Jiang Qianxue's brow.
Though the sword had not made contact, the tip's sharp edge had already sliced into her skin, causing blood to trickle down her nose.
Drip.
The sound of blood hitting the ground seemed to freeze time itself.
Surviving the ordeal, Jiang Qianxue no longer cared about her wound. Her entire body went limp, and she couldn't move a muscle.
If Mu Qing hadn't arrived at the right moment, this young man truly would have killed her!
"Why shouldn't I kill her? Give me a reason!" Feng Wuchen demanded.
Mu Qing frowned slightly. "Her crime doesn't warrant death."
"In my world, I only care about whether to kill or not. That reason is insufficient."
Mu Qing forced a bitter smile. "Then consider it a favor to me. Is that acceptable?"
Hearing this, Feng Wuchen sheathed his Blazing Sun Sword.
"That reason is sufficient."
He then walked over, took Feng Ning by the hand, and prepared to leave. But he paused, looking back at Jiang Qianxue.
"Oh, one more thing: no true genius would ever be interested in a vulgar woman like you."
"…"
Once Feng Wuchen left, Mu Qing glanced at the stunned Jiang Qianxue.
"It's best if you don't think of seeking revenge. That young man isn't someone you can afford to provoke."
Jiang Qianxue remained dazed for a moment before asking, "Why? Does he have some powerful background?"
Mu Qing gave a cold laugh. "Background? Only the mediocre rely on such things. Take my warning or leave it. But you should have noticed—I'm his friend."
"…"
Hearing this, Jiang Qianxue was dumbfounded.
It sounded less like a warning and more like a threat! If she dared to go after Feng Wuchen, First Under Heaven Pavilion would not stand by.
And recalling Feng Wuchen's parting words, her emotions churned.
No true genius would care for a vulgar woman like you.
A true genius?
Could Feng Wuchen really be one?
She remembered her three conditions.
First, Feng Wuchen had immediately seen through her cultivation and intentions, showing his strategic brilliance.
Second, despite being only sixteen or seventeen, he had demonstrated astonishing swordsmanship, his talent one in a million.
And a Sword Cultivator's resolute spirit?
Feng Wuchen was precisely that!
How ironic. The boy she had dismissed was actually the one she had been searching for.
But it was too late now—her earlier actions had ruined any chance of a connection.
---
Back in their room, Feng Ning seemed downcast.
"What's wrong, Ning'er? Does your face still hurt?" Feng Wuchen asked.
Feng Ning shook her head. "It doesn't hurt… I just feel useless, always causing you trouble."
Feng Wuchen gently reassured her. "Don't think that way. A brother protecting his sister is only natural! I promised I wouldn't let anyone hurt you."
"Will you always stay by my side?"
Feng Wuchen nodded. "Always."
"Okay."
Satisfied with his promise, Feng Ning closed her eyes and drifted into a peaceful sleep.
The night passed quietly. Early the next morning, Mu Qing knocked on Feng Wuchen's door.
"It's time. I'll take you to Qingchen Sect."
"Thank you!"
Spring had arrived in Yujing City, bringing vibrant scenery. But as they approached Qingchen Sect, the temperature grew colder.
By midday, the First Under Heaven Pavilion's carriage stopped at the base of a snow-capped mountain range.
"The snow on this mountain never melts, separating it from the seasons. It's a perilous place in Cangzhou. Atop these mountains lies Qingchen Sect," Mu Qing explained.
Feng Wuchen looked up, seeing two snow-covered paths extending from the base. One was packed with people—thousands, including those already climbing—while the other remained desolate, avoided by everyone.
"Curious?" Mu Qing asked, seeing Feng Wuchen's puzzled look.
Feng Wuchen nodded. "It's a bit strange."
"Heh, these aren't just mountain paths—they're a formation."
"A formation?"
"Indeed. A major sect like Qingchen wouldn't accept just anyone. These paths are tests, filled with obstacles. Only those who reach the top are admitted. Out of these thousands, it's rare for even one percent to succeed."
"I see." Feng Wuchen nodded, then glanced at the second path. "And the other path?"