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Cloudsky Divine Palace’s territory was on Cloudsky Divine Mountain, within the borders of the Great Xia’s Solar Province.
Beneath the light of the setting sun.
A flat stretch of land halfway up the mountain.
A fierce purple flying sword flashed and revolved in midair, quick as lightning, flickering on and off. It cast streak after streak of dazzling purple sword qi.
The delicate, slender figure of a young woman appeared within layers of illusory blades.
She wore a simple dress, and her hair was tied up. Her features were matchlessly beautiful, like an immortal or a yao.
This was none other than Wen Xinzhao.
Whoosh!
After a while, the young woman stretched out her hand and beckoned. The purple flying sword blurred into a streak of flowing light and landed in her palm. The flickering, densely-layered sword shadows silently disappeared.
Wen Xinzhao let out a long breath of turbid air, then looked up at the light of the setting sun. She stood there in a melancholy silence.
It’s already been three months and twelve days since Brother Su left the Great Xia

When he left, the ground was still hard, and everything was still covered in snow. Now, spring has already begun. The grass is growing, the birds are singing, and everything is vibrant with new life. Even the flowers growing along the cliff are extraordinarily bright

I just
 I just don’t know when he’ll return.
She stood there in silence for a while. Then, just as she was about to leave

A grave voice suddenly emanated from afar. “Xinzhao.”
Wen Xinzhao looked over and saw a scholarly middle-aged man in dark robes walking toward her.
This was the leader of Cloudsky Divine Palace, Yu Jiuzhen.
“Martial Uncle, do you have business with me?” exclaimed Wen Xinzhao.
“I’m here to discuss something with you,” said Yu Jiuzhen, looking a bit uncomfortable. “From this day forth, you are not to leave Cloudsky Divine Mountain.”
He sighed, then continued, “Actually, it’s not just you. That goes for your master Daoist Coldsmoke and your junior apprentice sister Qing Ya too. Starting today, you are not to take so much as half a step off the mountain.”
Wen Xinzhao’s painted eyebrows knit together. “Martial Uncle, what’s the meaning of this?”
After a moment’s silence, Yu Jiuzhen said, “Su Yi has appeared.”
Su Yi!
Wen Xinzhao’s eyes lit up, but a moment later, she sensed that something was amiss. “Martial Uncle, don’t tell me the Dongguo Family intends to use me to threaten him?”
Yu Jiuzhen shook his head. “I wouldn’t say that. They’ve ordered you, your master, and Qing Ya to remain on the mountain simply because they hope Su Yi will show himself of own accord to end the grudge between him and the Dongguo Family.”
Wen Xinzhao’s expression changed dramatically. “How is that not a threat?”
Yu Jiuzhen looked conflicted. “Xinzhao, the Dongguo Family won’t hurt you. They’re really only doing this so that Su Yi shows up of his own accord, but I can guarantee that even if Su Yi doesn’t show up, they won’t touch you.”
As he said this, his expression filled with conviction.
Wen Xinzhao jeered, “Martial Uncle, the Dongguo Family has effectively placed us under house arrest. When Su Yi finds out about this, how could he not show up?”
She was angry, and it showed on her face.
Yu Jiuzhen couldn’t help but sigh. “Xinzhao, this is a grudge between Su Yi and the Dongguo Family. Do you think our Cloudsky Divine Palace can do anything to stop it?”
Wen Xinzhao instantly fell silent.
An indescribable sense of helplessness coursed through her heart.
It was then that they heard footsteps in the distance.
The footsteps were neither hurried nor slow, and they touched lightly against the ground with a distinctive rhythm. It was as if each and every step were the exact same distance apart, without the slightest margin of error.
Wen Xinzhao and Yu Jiuzhen looked over and saw a tall, stick-thin figure approaching beneath the misty light of dusk.
He was a young man in worn hemp clothing, and he carried a heavy bronze sword case on his back. His features were angular and clearly defined.
His aura was firm as iron.
His presence was as weighty as a sword.
Dongguo Feng!
He was the most dazzling figure of the Dongguo Family’s younger generation, a monster of the ancient era with heaven-defying combat prowess. He was seventh on the Ranking of Stars.
This was none other than the man who, not long ago, single-handedly suppressed all of Cloudsky Divine Palace!
“I guarantee that none of you will be harmed in any way,” Dongguo Feng said calmly. His voice wasn’t loud, but it had confidence-inspiring strength.
Yu Jiuzhen laughed. “Young master, now that we’ve heard that, we have nothing to worry about.”
The leader of Cloudsky Divine Palace had a respectful look on his face.
However, Wen Xinzhao furrowed her brow and said coldly, “If you really want to avenge your little brother, go and challenge Su Yi openly. Don’t use me to threaten him.”
Dongguo Feng fell briefly silent, then said, “I just received word that Su Yi has already agreed to visit Cloudsky Divine Mountain. I trust that a man of his character won’t go back on his word.”
Su Yi’s on his way here!?
Wen Xinzhao’s heart shook, and the look on her beautiful face shifted erratically.
How could she fail to realize what this meant? Su Yi had almost certainly chosen to come here despite knowing Cloudsky Divine Palace had been occupied by the Dongguo Family because he was worried about her safety.
She was both furious and concerned.
Dongguo Feng looked at her and said, “Miss Xinzhao, if you feel threatened, you’re welcome to leave Cloudsky Divine Mountain right now. You can take your master and Qing Ya with you. I guarantee that no one will try to stop you.”
Wen Xinzhao froze, and she almost dared not believe her ears. “Really?”
Dongguo Feng remained just as calm as before. “Miss Xinzhao, do you think I’m the type to go back on my word?”
Wen Xinzhao shook her head.
It was true that Dongguo Feng had single-handedly subdued their entire sect, but even she had to admit that he was forthright and magnanimous. On a visceral level, he disdained to resort to such despicable tactics.
In other words, he might well be an enemy, but he was an enemy worthy of respect.
“I’ve already passed on word to our experts,” said Dongguo Feng. “Miss Xinzhao, you can leave whenever you please.”
Having said his piece, he was just about to leave when Wen Xingzhao suddenly said, “I’m not leaving!”
It seemed she’d made up her mind. “I’ll wait until Su Yi gets here, then leave here with him.”
“If Su Yi kills me, he’ll be welcome to leave with you. No matter who wins, so long as he dares duel me, it will mark the end of our grudge,” said Dongguo Feng with firm conviction. He was calm, without the slightest ripple of emotion.
Seeing this, Wen Xinzhao felt an inexplicable chill course through her heart. She couldn’t help but ask, “You really aren’t at all afraid you’ll lose?”
“I’m a sword cultivator. I’m not afraid of death, much less of defeat,” Dongguo Feng said without a second thought. “Besides, I won’t necessarily be the one to lose.”
With that, he turned and left, his steps neither hurried nor slow. His thin, sticklike figure gradually disappeared into the dusk.
Yu Jiuzhen had watched the entire exchange, and he couldn’t help but sigh. “Dongguo Feng is undoubtedly the most terrifying sword cultivator I’ve met thus far. He’s immune to both flattery and insults, and he’s steady and confident. He’s far beyond your typical genius.”
Wen Xinzhao froze, stunned. Wordless concern rose unbidden to her heart.
For a moment, she suddenly hoped Su Yi wouldn’t show up for his duel

“Xinzhao, you needn’t worry. Not long ago, we received word that as soon as Su Yi appeared, he slew Chu Yunke and five other Hidden Cloud Sword Mountain Spiritual Manifestation experts single-handedly. They say he’s already stepped into the Spirit Dao!” transmitted Yu Jiuzhen.
He continued, “Don't forget. Even in the Gathering Stars Realm, Su Yi managed to take down Huan Shaoyou’s alliance of nine monsters of the ancient era. Now that he’s stepped into the Spiritual Manifestation Realm, he’s surely far stronger than before.
Wen Xinzhao’s starry eyes lit up, and much of her anxiety dissipated.
So, Brother Su’s already a Spiritual Manifestation Realm cultivator!



Late that night.
A thatched hut built atop a mountain.
Dongguo Feng had his sword across his knees, and his eyes were closed in meditation.
There was a calm before every storm. Before he fought a major battle, Dongguo Feng would place his sword in front of him, meditate, and temper his heart.
His sword was three feet, two inches long and four fingers wide. The entire weapon was as black as ink, heavy, and blunt.
Two fly-head-sized characters were engraved on the hilt: Heart Killer.
Killing enemies was easy, but killing the thieves of the heart was difficult!
Dongguo Feng knew of Su Yi’s accomplishments, and he knew that Su Yi had killed six Spiritual Manifestation experts in the Glittering Ghost Domain, including Chu Yunke.
His instincts told him that Su Yi was an extremely dangerous opponent!
However, that only increased Dongguo Feng’s eagerness!
It was just as he’d told Wen Xinzhao. He was a sword cultivator. He’d never feared death before, he didn’t fear death now, and he wouldn’t fear death in the future!
His Dao of the Sword was strong precisely because he’d polished a fearless sword heart!
Time slipped by.
Two days later.
It was early in the morning, and a drizzle of spring rain poured onto the world below, shrouding the landscape in mist and a hint of an early spring chill.
A group of young men and women traveled through the rain under the protection of their seniors. They were headed toward Cloudsky Divine Palace.
The young men and women were all extraordinarily dressed. They were descendants of prominent clans of the Solar Province, and all of them were in the Grain Avoidance Realm.
Their escort included a mix of Origin Palace and Gathering Stars cultivators.
One of them, a middle-aged, scholarly man in bright yellow robes, was in the Spiritual Manifestation Realm!
Su Yi was mixed into this group too.
After arriving in the Solar Province, he inquired about Cloudsky Divine Palace’s location, then headed directly over.
However, when he stopped to rest at a relay station, he encountered this group.
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When they learned that Su Yi was headed to Cloudsky Divine Palace too, the leader, the middle-aged scholar, invited Su Yi to travel with them.
Someone had offered to guide him. Su Yi naturally wouldn’t refuse.
“Look! That’s Cloudsky Divine Mountain off in the distance!” The middle-aged man pointed and smiled.
The youths perked up, and all of them looked over.
There, beneath the mist and rain, they saw a towering, majestic mountain off in the distance. It was like a dragon crouched upon the earth.
“Although Cloudsky Divine Palace is now only a second-tier faction, don’t forget! It’s a subordinate faction of an ancient clan, the Dongguo Family, and a tall tree casts a lot of shade,” said the middle-aged scholar. “If you earn the opportunity to cultivate there, you’ll naturally enjoy the Dongguo Family’s protection.
“Furthermore, when the Radiant Epoch arrives, you’ll have an easier time obtaining the resulting good fortune.”
The youths’ eyes shone with eagerness and longing.
They’d come all this way in hopes of cultivating in Cloudsky Divine Palace!
The middle-aged scholar suddenly recalled something, and his gaze landed on Su Yi, who’d been silent all this time. “Right! My young friend, you’ve come all the way to Cloudsky Divine Palace, but do you have an expert’s letter of recommendation?”