Yin Changli’s meridians were now blocked, his blood and energy stagnant, making it impossible for him to open the palace within the small black sphere.

He couldn’t even sit cross-legged to meditate; after just a brief attempt, his lower back would ache terribly.

The blue silk threads on his original form had already been absorbed by his body. After transformation, however, a faint black marking about an inch long remained at the small of his back.

He had spent over ten days recovering in the City Lord’s mansion before he could finally support himself to walk, leaning on his waist.

By the time his condition stabilized, it was nearly time to depart. Xiang Haikui purchased boat tickets, and they set off for the royal capital.

Before buying the tickets, she made a special trip to the Buddhist Cave: “Dao Chen, will you come with us?”

Dao Chen’s Tianren Sword could control her transformation into a flood dragon when she lost control, which was a valuable asset.

And her Tian Kuang sword was excellent at slaying demons and evil spirits, while Tianren provided support and could gain merit.

They complemented each other well.

Dao Chen chuckled: “Why should I go with you? Don’t forget, I was forced to associate with you because of being possessed.”

Xiang Haikui: “That’s true.”

Originally, they had been enemies. After spending ten years together, they had grown accustomed to each other’s presence and no longer found each other’s faces detestable.

But they weren’t exactly teammates either.

“Very well,” Xiang Haikui didn’t press the matter. “You’ve seen it yourself; if you’d work on cultivating your heart, the Tianren Sword would progress quickly. Isn’t that better than always concocting useless schemes?”

Dao Chen glanced at her.

But he seemed to have truly gained some insight from Xiang Tianqing.

For all these years, he had been unable to let go of his hatred toward his father, twisted inside him, not knowing who he was taking revenge on.

“Goodbye,” Xiang Haikui turned to leave.

Dao Chen called from behind her: “I hope you can contact your master soon and nail my father’s name to the pillar of shame. I might consider helping you cultivate Tian Kuang.”

“I hope so too,” Xiang Haikui sighed without looking back as she walked out of the Buddhist Cave.

On the day they left Yin Sha, Yin Changli was again saying a reluctant farewell to the alpaca: “Little Kui, do you want to leave Mie Mie in Yin Sha? There isn’t a single one of its kind in the entire Central Continent. It’s too pitiful.”

Xiang Haikui: “What else can we do? Spend another half year taking it back to the Western Continent?”

Yin Changli: “How about…”

Xiang Haikui: “How about we eat it!”

Yin Changli choked, moving sideways to shield the little alpaca’s body, tugging on its reins helplessly.

He wouldn’t stop her from eating it, but he truly couldn’t bear the thought.

Xiang Haikui was only joking. She had spent so much effort raising it for nearly half a year and had grown attached to it. She wouldn’t eat something she had emotional ties to, otherwise, she wouldn’t have let Dao Chen rescue it after it spat at her.

She was merely teasing him, but seeing his eyes nearly turn red, she couldn’t help but inwardly mock him.

Look at this scene—how far was it from “burying flowers in grief”?

Not far at all.

“Senior, it’s not convenient for us to take it to the royal capital now. Once you can open your palace, you can swoosh back to Yin Sha in an instant, then swoosh again to send Mie Mie back to the Western Province. If it pleases you, you could even raise it in your palace.”

It took much persuasion before he finally agreed.

Before boarding the ship, he entrusted the alpaca to Xiang Heng with countless instructions, like handing over his child.

Xiang Heng stood on the city tower, holding Yin Mie Mie’s reins and waving to Xiang Haikui: “Daughter, be careful! If anyone bullies you in the royal capital, regardless of their status, and without concerning yourself with my position, just beat them up!”

“Sure thing!”

After changing vessels once along the journey, they spent more than twenty days before reaching the royal capital, Jin Ling.

When the flying boat entered Jin Ling territory, guards boarded to verify everyone’s identity, allowing the vessel to continue directly into the royal capital before docking at the pier.

After entering Jin Ling City, Xiang Haikui gazed down at the entire city.

Jin Ling’s location was similar to ancient China’s Jinling, with the topographical difference being a dragon-shaped mountain range running through it from left to right. The pattern formed by the spiritual lakes and winding rivers resembled a phoenix soaring with outstretched wings.

Jin Ling City was the place with the strongest spiritual energy in the Central Continent.

Compared to Jin Ling, Yin Sha was like a severely polluted area.

Therefore, Jin Ling had a dense population, and only the wealthy could afford fixed property there.

“Sister Kui! Little Brother Bai!”

Just as they disembarked, they heard Lu Xiqiao’s excited calls.

Lu Xiqiao, dressed in bright clothes, rushed toward them like a gust of wind and gave Bai Xingxian a hug.

This was Bai Xingxian’s first experience having a friend, and he was overjoyed at the reunion: “How did you know we were arriving today?”

“Before coming, my father sent a letter to the royal capital. We needed to register in advance to arrange for your reception,” Xiang Haikui smiled, showing her teeth. She was quite happy to see Lu Xiqiao, too.

“Come, one of my classmates has also come to meet someone. I don’t want to see him, so let’s go outside to talk,” Lu Xiqiao pointed to a group of people not far away.

As they walked out, he noticed someone else following beside Xiang Haikui, wearing a black cloak with the hood pulled low, concealing his face. It wasn’t Dao Chen, as a strand of long hair was visible outside the hood. “Who is this…?”

“My uncle,” Bai Xingxian introduced.

“Hello, Uncle Bai,” Lu Xiqiao quickly greeted him.

Yin Changli nodded slightly, not bothering to correct him.

Xiang Haikui changed the subject: “Brother Lu, where’s the courier station?”

Lu Xiqiao patted his chest: “What courier station? You’re insulting me. Coming to the royal capital means you should stay at my home.”

“I’d better stay at the courier station,” Xiang Haikui shook her finger. “Normally, I’d go to your place, but this time I’m representing my father, so staying at your home wouldn’t be appropriate.”

“I know it’s not appropriate, but haven’t I told you before? Uncle Xiang doesn’t like playing politics; his personality is too rigid, and he doesn’t leave room for maneuver when doing things, cutting off many people’s sources of income and offending too many.”

Lu Xiqiao advised her, “It’s rare for us to have a chance to be together. Xiang Tianqing is at the Sword Dao Academy under Sword Master’s protection, so they’ll concentrate their attacks on you. If you stay at the courier station, you definitely won’t have peace.”

Xiang Haikui became excited: “Really? That’s great!”

Lu Xiqiao was speechless. He wanted to remind her that this was the royal capital with strict rules, filled with powerful figures everywhere, not the wild lands of Yin Sha.

A familiar mocking voice came from behind: “You mean him? He’s my classmate at the Sword Dao Academy, Young Master Lu Xiqiao of the Lu family. The Lu family has nothing but money. From Young Master Lu’s mediocre talent level, unable to defeat even a third-rank cultivator during sparring at the Sword Dao Academy, yet his cultivation has somehow been raised to the sixth rank like mine, you can imagine why.”

Lu Xiqiao made a ‘seven’ gesture with his finger: “You’re wrong, I’ve just reached the seventh rank. Does that make you angry?”

The male cultivator’s face darkened.

Lu Xiqiao spread his hands: “See, I’ve surpassed you while just eating, drinking, and having fun. If I were smart and hardworking too, how would you survive?”

The male cultivator sneered: “Lu Xiqiao, enjoy your verbal victories for now. Just wait and see how I’ll beat you to a pulp in the assessment later!”

Xiang Haikui turned to glare at him, but Lu Xiqiao pulled her away: “Come on, Sister Kui, it’s not worth getting upset over such a sour loser. Let’s go eat first. I’ve booked the entire Jin Ling Tower to welcome you.”

During the meal, Xiang Haikui suddenly remembered to ask: “By the way, since you opened your Heavenly Eye, have you seen anyone with a golden soul?”

There should be little golden people in the capital, too.

“After Meng Xilou, I haven’t seen any more,” Lu Xiqiao said rather dejectedly. He had thought himself special, but it seemed this Heavenly Eye had no use at all.

After eating, Yin Changli and Bai Xingxian stayed at the inn.

Xiang Haikui went to the courier station to submit her official letter.

Whether following procedure or deliberately, Zhao, the middle-aged station master, announced very loudly: “So it’s the second young lady from Yin Sha City!”

After his words fell, the scattered divine senses that had been observing her suddenly shot at her from all directions.

Tian Kuang trembled; there were skilled masters worth noting, but she couldn’t distinguish their sources.

Xiang Haikui frowned and asked: “Is there a problem?”

Station Master Zhao smiled: “No problem, it’s just that Second Young Lady Xiang’s reputation precedes her. This old man is simply amazed at how the young can be so formidable.”

After receiving the access token, Xiang Haikui entered the garden behind the front hall. As she walked, she could hear voices all around.

“She doesn’t have a spirit root. Strange, how did she cultivate without one? Can you sense what rank she is?”

“Ten years ago, she was fifth rank, now she should be sixth rank, right? After all, she was recognized by the Sword Master.”

“Wasn’t she said to be a ‘buy one, get one free’ deal?”

“Even if she was free, she must have some ability. After all, to be given to the Sword Master, she must be worth something…”

A series of laughter followed.

Xiang Haikui slapped her sword case with the back of her hand, causing a crack to appear.

The discussions and laughter ceased immediately.

A sword cultivator releasing sword energy was a warning before attacking.

Those staying at the courier station at this time were either children or disciples of various city lords, or elites from major sects. Few fools would provoke her without reason.

Xiang Haikui truly hoped for such fools to appear, so she could draw her sword.

The coming days might be much more peaceful.

Better yet, if more fools showed up, letting her prove that “buy one, get one free” was utter nonsense.

Xiang Haikui followed the signs to her room. Just as she was about to open the door with her access token, the adjacent door creaked open, and a woman emerged.

This woman had a beautiful appearance and an extremely slender waist: “With so many empty rooms in the courier station, why must you stay next to mine?”

Her tone was extremely hostile.

Xiang Haikui knew who she was—Wan Yuyao, the young lady from Snow Dragon City.

Lu Xiqiao had warned her, saying this woman was notoriously arrogant and unreasonable, and might be used as a tool by others.

Lu Xiqiao’s prediction had come true.

With so many empty rooms in the courier station, the master had deliberately arranged for her to stay next to this woman, who knows how much black money he had received.

Xiang Haikui: “I didn’t choose this myself.”

Wan Yuyao: “Then go find the station master and choose another room. I don’t like having people on either side of me.”

Xiang Haikui: “Oh, then you should go.”

Wan Yuyao narrowed her eyes: “I mean you.”

Xiang Haikui also narrowed her eyes: “I know.”

Wan Yuyao gave a cold smile that said “if you don’t take the easy way, you’ll take the hard way.”

Xiang Haikui, full of energy, didn’t even bother opening her door. She stood at the entrance with hands on her hips, returning the cold smile.

Come on, provoke me, draw your sword, fight!

If others could use her as a pawn, she could use them, too. Xiang Haikui wouldn’t waste pity on her.

Wan Yuyao was truly provoked and drew her sword with a clang: “Then let’s fight. Whoever loses must leave!”

She jumped over the railing, leaping down from the third floor into the garden.

Just as Xiang Haikui was about to follow, a sharp sword energy suddenly came from behind Wan Yuyao!

Wan Yuyao turned sideways and swung her sword to block it. When the two sword energies collided, they didn’t completely cancel each other out.

The attacker was superior, forcing Wan Yuyao to take two steps back.

“Young Lady Wan, isn’t it enough for you to be aggressive on your turf? Now you’re bullying people from my Yin Sha City?”

Xiang Haikui stood in the third-floor corridor, frowning. This was Xiang Tianqing’s voice.

A moment later, Xiang Tianqing walked in from outside.

She still wore a crimson gauze robe, but while her red clothing and lips had been charming before, now she was as fierce as fire.

Perhaps due to following Jing Wenxiu in the way of the killing sword, her brows had hardened considerably.

Wan Yuyao raised her willow eyebrows: “When is a fair duel between sword cultivators considered bullying?”

Xiang Tianqing said, “Look at your age. If you want real fairness, come at me. Why pick on my sister?”

“Fine, then you!” Wan Yuyao raised her sword and slashed toward her.

The sword at Xiang Tianqing’s waist was drawn once more.

The courier station’s courtyard was large enough for the two beauties to leap up and down.

More and more divine senses descended into the courtyard, with various undisguised comments, all focusing on Xiang Tianqing.

Xiang Haikui could also see that Xiang Tianqing must have devoted considerable effort to sword cultivation over these years.

It seemed she had wronged her. Though her family had paved the way, some of her reputation might indeed have been earned through her efforts.

Just as Wan Yuyao was about to be defeated, Station Master Zhao hurried over to stop them: “Oh my, young ladies, what’s happening?”

Wan Yuyao glared at him: “You still have the nerve to ask what’s happening? Before I arrived, I wrote in my letter that I don’t want neighbors. How do you conduct your business?”

Station Master Zhao had a sudden revelation: “Look at my memory!”

“I’ll let it go this time!” Wan Yuyao gave herself a way out, flying back upstairs. Before entering her room, she shot Xiang Haikui a glare.

Her eyes seemed to say, “No wonder you dared to be so arrogant in front of me, you knew your sister was coming!”

Xiang Haikui found it quite amusing. Big sister, fortunately, she came, otherwise, you would have been kneeling and calling me daddy, alright?

Xiang Tianqing sheathed her sword and came upstairs, following Xiang Haikui into her room.

“Though I dislike you, when we’re outside, we both represent Yin Sha City. Every word and action represents Father, so we must stand united.” She placed a token on the table. “If you need anything these days, send someone with this token to find me at the Sword Dao Academy.”

Xiang Haikui glanced at the token. Seeing her so considerate of the bigger picture, she couldn’t say she didn’t need it: “Alright.”

Then Xiang Tianqing stood there without moving or speaking, as if waiting for Xiang Haikui to ask something. But Xiang Haikui went straight to making her bed, seemingly oblivious to Xiang Tianqing’s transformation.

“I’ll be going now,” Xiang Tianqing bit her lip and left the room.

Over these years, Xiang Tianqing had found a reasonable explanation for past events.

Xiang Haikui might not have been as malicious as she had thought.

The Senior Brother was indeed a noble from the royal capital, perhaps harboring some scheme against her father, as even Second Senior Brother had said so.

Xiang Haikui had indeed helped Father solve the problem, but to replace her, she had meticulously crafted a set of reasons.

Xiang Tianqing wasn’t angry anymore. If she wasn’t good enough, she couldn’t blame anyone else.

Rather than worrying about others saying she was more like Father, why not change herself to become even more like him?

So she abandoned the path of alchemy, gave up tending flowers and plants, and broke down and utilized every fragment of her time, practicing diligently and seeking experiences everywhere.

When she had achieved some minor success, she couldn’t help but write a letter to her father.

However, her father’s response was truly heartbreaking.

Her father’s meaning was for her to be more clear-headed, that all of this was arranged by others.

Father even revealed some regret, regretting having let her go—Yin Sha didn’t suffer, but somewhere else did.

Her efforts, paid for with a body full of scars and gritted teeth, were thus negated.

Afterward, she never wrote another letter.

…

No matter what incidents occurred, nothing could dampen Xiang Haikui’s good mood.

Before coming to the courier station, she had asked Lu Xiqiao to help deliver a message to Senior Brother at the Sword Dao Academy, arranging to meet him that night. Senior Brother had agreed.

Xiang Haikui was overjoyed. After bathing, she changed into a new dress. She had already left but turned back, applying some lip rouge in front of the mirror.

The meeting place was chosen by Senior Brother—Lotus Heart Lake, said to be one of the ten scenic spots of Jin Ling.

Arriving half an hour before the appointed time, Xiang Haikui found that Senior Brother was already there when she followed the map to the location.

On the shore was a bustling night market, while lotus lanterns and small boats floated on the lake. Her divine sense immediately located Senior Brother.

Wearing a plain white robe, he sat cross-legged in a small boat. His once short, tousled hair had grown to waist-length, half tied up and half loose, looking cold but with added serenity, somewhat different from her memory.

But ten years had passed, and Senior Brother had cultivated from an ordinary person to the fifth rank. It was impossible for him not to have changed.

“Senior Brother!” She sent her voice to him.

Han Qi had been resting with his eyes closed. Hearing her, he opened his eyes, looked over at her, pointed to the seat opposite him, and made a “please” gesture.

Xiang Haikui leaped over in a single bound, landing at the stern of the boat. She untied her sword case and sat down across from him at a small table: “Seeing that you’re in good spirits, I’m relieved.”

“Thank you for your concern.” Han Qi glanced at her sword case placed beside her.

The jade pendant at his waist could block the sword energy that leaked from Tian Kuang.

Tian Kuang couldn’t sense his existence.

“I heard that you had injured your sea of consciousness earlier and lost many memories. I thought you might not even remember me.” When she heard this news, Xiang Haikui felt cursed, as people around her kept losing their memories one after another.

Han Qi poured a cup of tea and pushed it toward her: “Actually, I now have only vague memories of the young lady, but since you’ve written to me continuously over the years, I know what I should know.”

Those letters were like an old woman’s foot-binding cloth—long and unpleasant.

The key was that there were many parts he couldn’t understand.

But one thing he understood was that the physical body he had borrowed not only came from the same hometown as her but was also someone she admired.

This was something he hadn’t known before.

“That’s terrible.” Xiang Haikui was filled with sympathy. Already away from home, and now even the memories of home were blurred. “It’s okay, take it slowly…”

“I’m afraid it will be difficult. Not being in my native land, I can’t trigger memories through familiar scenes.” Han Qi looked toward a painted boat in the distance, trying to avoid eye contact with her. “You’re probably my only past connection in this place, and yet you can’t make me…”

He wanted to convey a message to Xiang Haikui that he couldn’t possibly remember the past. The current him was a completely new person.

Unexpectedly, Xiang Haikui interrupted: “What past connection am I? Senior Brother never paid attention to me before.”

She was well-prepared and took out two stacks of underwear from her storage ring.

She placed them on the small table between them, divided into left and right: “Senior Brother, you should be more familiar with these. I made them according to your original style, but to this day I don’t know if the pattern is Psyduck or Donald Duck…”

Unable to determine which duck was his favorite, she had drawn both, ten of each—enough for him to change regularly. “If you wear them every day, you’ll surely remember.”

Han Qi had just taken a sip of tea and seemed to have scalded his throat; his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down several times.

Oh right, people here didn’t wear underwear. She wasn’t sure if Senior Brother still remembered what underwear meant.

She glanced at his expression—he seemed to know.

Of course, the shape of underwear made it obvious where it should be worn.

“Senior Brother?” She pointed at the two types of ducks, hoping he would choose one side and recover some memories.

Han Qi keenly sensed a gaze falling on his back.

It wasn’t divine sense, yet it was more intense than divine sense.

He traced it back and saw a person in a black cloak standing under a wishing tree hung with safety amulets on the shore. The hood was pulled very low.

But sensing his observation, the person raised his arm and slowly lowered his hood, revealing a pair of eyes filled with hostility.

Yin Changli.

Han Qi knew he had come, but what was with that look?

Had his memory recovered?

That shouldn’t be possible so quickly.

Han Qi was momentarily baffled. After looking at him for a few moments more, then looking at Xiang Haikui in front of him, he suddenly understood!

He hadn’t failed—the red marriage star had indeed moved!

But this wasn’t right.

Even with sealed spiritual apertures, it couldn’t possibly be the woman before him.

It wasn’t that this woman was inferior, but rather, he felt that men like himself and Yin Changli had already transcended worldly passions. The few who could touch their heartstrings, if not a woman who understood cold and warmth, should at least be a gentle and obedient, bashful maiden.

Yet Xiang Haikui was a brash warrior, and after cultivating the Tian Kuang sword, she would become even more of a brash warrior among warriors. How could this possibly work?

Han Qi almost couldn’t catch his breath, feeling the pain of a jade cabbage being rooted up by a wild boar, inwardly crying out: Brother Changli, I truly apologize!

I only wanted to surpass you, never to humiliate you!

“Senior Brother?” Xiang Haikui saw his once calm expression suddenly become agitated, thinking he had remembered something. She quickly followed up, encouraging him: “These two ducks, quickly choose one instinctively!”