After a long while, Xiang Haikui finally accepted the enormous psychological letdown and grumbled: “Shall we depart now?”

“Of course, Little Sister Kui.” Bai Xingxian put his “teeth” back in and pointed northward. “Once we leave this mountain, there’s a small town not far ahead. We can buy tickets for a flying boat to Silver Sand City.”

Wait—Xiang Haikui didn’t understand: “With your speed, why do we need to take a flying boat?”

Usually, he would carry Yin Changli around everywhere, flying through the sky and burrowing underground, leaving no place unexplored. Whether it was Gale Valley, Phoenix Garden, or Ten Thousand Bones Cavern, it only took him an hour or two.

Bai Xingxian shook his head: “That’s ‘Moon Chaser’s’ power. It’s fast, but has one flaw—it can’t distinguish directions.”

“Moon Chaser” referred to Yin Changli’s small black sphere palace. Xiang Haikui understood now—the black sphere was the engine, and Tuntun Shu was merely the steering wheel.

…

The two left the mountain and arrived in town, paying two spirit pearls as the entry fee.

Spirit pearls were the currency here. Xiang Haikui had no money; the pearls were spat out on the spot by Bai Xingxian, causing the city guards’ eyes to bulge.

After purchasing boat tickets, they ate lunch at a restaurant near the dock.

Bai Xingxian usually didn’t speak; now that he could talk, he wasn’t accustomed to it. Sitting face-to-face, the atmosphere was awkward. Xiang Haikui picked at her rice and asked him, “Little Bai, how do you train with the Tianbao Sword?”

“It’s simpler than your Tian Kuang—I just feed it treasures.” Bai Xingxian, displaying impeccable manners, swallowed his food and put down his chopsticks before speaking. “Once it’s eaten enough, it can release a divine ability, and then I need to feed it again.”

“Plus, it’s extremely picky. It doesn’t like eating the same treasure twice unless it’s particularly delicious.”

Xiang Haikui reckoned that his feeding treasures were similar to her accumulating wild intent. The Tianbao Sword’s “divine ability” corresponded to the Tian Kuang Sword’s “wild transformation.”

No wonder Yin Changli was always seeking treasures everywhere—it wasn’t a collecting obsession, but to help Bai Xingxian nurture his sword.

She asked another question: “What’s your cultivation level now?”

He answered: “One rank higher than yours.”

Come to think of it, Xiang Haikui had no idea what her own level was. After mortals established their foundation, they entered the first rank, then advanced step by step to the ninth rank.

Her father was currently at the ninth rank.

Beyond the ninth rank were Tribulation Crossing and Dao Merging cultivators, most of whom lived in seclusion.

As for beings like Yin Changli who didn’t belong to the human realm, they probably used an entirely different cultivation system.

Bai Xingxian continued: “I’m at the sixth rank.”

Xiang Haikui was surprised: “Then I must be at the fifth rank already?”

She hadn’t expected this at all. Usually, it would take at least a hundred years for someone to cultivate to the fifth rank. This speed was like riding a rocket.

“Why is Little Sister Kui surprised?” Bai Xingxian didn’t understand. “Every time you slept, Uncle Yin helped you channel energy and blood, clearing your meridians. This pace is actually quite slow.”

Yin was truly the best boss in the world, Xiang Haikui thought with emotion. No wonder she would collapse in exhaustion, fall asleep, and then wake up an hour later full of vitality. She had thought it was the power of the pills.

But what exactly was this “channeling energy and blood” method?

Why did he do it while she was sleeping and not tell her about it?

Xiang Haikui banished certain evil thoughts from her mind and asked another question: “Then why can’t others sense our cultivation level?”

Cities in the Central Province were places where cultivators and ordinary people lived together. Cultivators received preferential treatment everywhere, and ordinary people were in awe of them.

But as they entered the city, apart from Bai Xingxian attracting the gazes of many young women, matrons, and middle-aged ladies, they hadn’t experienced any special treatment.

“Little Sister Kui has no spirit root. Tian Kuang is both your spirit root and dantian.” Bai Xingxian pointed at the sword box on the table. “This box blocks spiritual energy. If you open it, they would sense it.”

Xiang Haikui nodded. She was merely curious, with no intention of showing off.

Bai Xingxian added a reminder: “However, cultivation rank doesn’t mean much for us Twelve Divine Sword wielders. Our power is unstable—it depends on whether our divine swords are well-fed or not.”

If well-fed, they could unleash powerful moves that could shake heaven and earth.

Once their accumulated power was depleted, they could only lie flat like salted fish.

Xiang Haikui couldn’t help muttering: “I still can’t understand why the Sword Sect Ancestor would forge such stupid swords.”

There was a question Bai Xingxian had wanted to ask for a long time: “Little Sister Kui, I understand ‘stupid,’ but what does ‘stupid bi’ mean?”

Xiang Haikui: …

Looking at the beautiful youth’s pure, radiant face full of curiosity, she really couldn’t tell him it was a curse word.

“It means… someone who’s endearingly silly,” she hedged.

Bai Xingxian nodded, happy to have learned a new word: “Actually, I was curious about that too and asked Uncle Yin once.”

Xiang Haikui: “What did the Senior say?”

Bai Xingxian rested his chin on his palm, recalling: “Uncle Yin explained a lot, but to summarize—the reason the Sword Sect Ancestor forged these twelve stupid bi swords was specifically for stupid bi people like us to practice with.”

Xiang Haikui nearly choked.

Save her!

Why was she still suffering Yin Changli’s psychological attacks even when they were eighty thousand miles apart?

…

On the third day, they boarded a flying boat bound for Silver Sand City.

Waiting three days was considered quick—this flying boat usually required a month’s wait.

It wasn’t because the distance was great, but because there weren’t many passengers heading to Silver Sand City, and the boatman needed to gather enough people before departing.

This related to a question Xiang Haikui had earlier: why wasn’t the teleportation array from Ten Thousand Bones Cavern set directly near Silver Sand City?

Conditions didn’t allow it.

The environment around Silver Sand City was exceedingly harsh.

This cultivation world her father had crossed into had geographical features highly similar to Earth’s, just with a much larger overall area.

Silver Sand City, situated on the border, was somewhat comparable to the ancient Chinese Yumen Pass, with monsters and demons roaming inside and outside the city borders.

Her father, as the great City Lord, was like a general defending the frontier.

After two days of sailing, the flying boat entered the desert region.

Just as Silver Sand City came into view, the flying boat suddenly halted in midair.

The captain explained that there was a sandstorm ahead, and they couldn’t proceed. They needed to either detour or wait for the storm to pass.

Sandstorms were terrifying here—they obstructed spiritual perception, made it impossible to see, and monsters often hid within them, approaching flying boats to launch attacks.

The passengers, mostly familiar with the local environment, were understanding and accustomed to such situations.

But after half a day of waiting with the boat still motionless, someone grew impatient and emerged from the cabin to demand: “How much longer do we have to wait?”

He was followed by a group of servants, making quite a spectacle.

Xiang Haikui had been dozing off. She and Bai Xingxian had arrived late and couldn’t buy cabin tickets, so they were sitting on the deck with some others. Awakened by the commotion, she looked up and saw a young man with sword-like eyebrows and star-bright eyes.

The captain was extremely respectful toward this person: “Young Master Lu, it’s hard to say. We must watch the weather. With good luck, maybe another two or three hours; with bad luck, it could be two or three days.”

“Two or three days?” Upon hearing this, Young Master Lu’s brows immediately furrowed. “We’re not waiting. Continue forward.”

“This…” The captain hesitated.

“What’s the matter? With me here, are you afraid of mere sand monsters?” Young Master Lu had a non-negotiable attitude. “Set sail immediately!”

“Very well.” The captain reluctantly agreed.

If the man hadn’t revealed his power, Xiang Haikui still couldn’t discern people’s cultivation levels. She quietly asked Bai Xingxian: “What’s his cultivation rank?”

Bai Xingxian looked up just as the man’s leg was entering the cabin door: “Sixth rank, same as me.”

He dared to be so arrogant at just the sixth rank?

In her dream, Xiang Haikui had lived in Silver Sand City for half a year. These monsters lurking in sandstorms varied in size. When high-level sand monsters came out to feed, even seventh-rank cultivators were their prey.

That’s why her father never allowed her to leave the city casually.

Initially, she thought her father was exaggerating, until one day during their conversation, someone reported that a noble youth from the capital who had come to train near Silver Sand City had insisted on proceeding through a sandstorm. As a result, he was devoured by a high-level sand monster, and everyone on the flying boat perished…

Wait—Xiang Haikui froze. Could it be this very flying boat?

Was it possible she was on the death ship on her first flying boat journey?

He was surnamed Lu.

Xiang Haikui desperately tried to recall. Ah, Lu Xiqiao! It was him!

But by the time she realized this, the flying boat had already entered the sandstorm area!

Xiang Haikui was truly enlightened now. Previously, when reading novels and seeing such supporting characters, she always thought authors were forcing characters to act stupidly to advance the plot.

But in real life, there really were quite a few people who had no sense of their own capabilities and were eager to court death.

“Little Bai, get ready.”

“What’s wrong?”

“A sand monster is coming—a high-level one out hunting. No one on this boat can defeat it. The two of us need to work together to buy some time. My father will arrive soon.” As she spoke, Xiang Haikui pulled up her dusty, wind-blocking cloak to cover her head.

After her hair had been burned by the lightning balls, she had cut it shoulder-length and tied it into a bun.

Then she took Tian Kuang Sword out of its box and stored the box in her storage ring.

She couldn’t let people recognize her; otherwise, the person who had suffocated her wouldn’t act so easily later.

Yin Changli had reminded her of this many times, fearing she might impulsively draw her sword at the slightest provocation.

Just as she finished speaking, the flying boat lurched from side to side in the sandstorm.

In the darkened sky, sand arrows shot from all directions, striking the boat’s protective barrier.

Ripples like water appeared on the shield, accompanied by a buzzing sound.

The captain, an old hand at this, immediately judged from the situation that they had encountered a formidable sand monster. He cursed their bad luck!

He shouted: “Everyone, get into the cabins!”

People on the deck fled into the cabins in terror.

Seeing Bai Xingxian also rising to go inside, Xiang Haikui grabbed his sleeve: “Where are you going? Didn’t we agree to work together?”

Bai Xingxian said: “I can’t help. In this situation, I can’t draw my sword. The sand monster isn’t using magical treasures or weapons—it’s using natural forces. My sword has no effect on it and might even help it.”

Xiang Haikui didn’t understand: “What do you mean?”

“My Tianbao Sword affects the power of magical treasures. Its divine ability can temporarily deprive them of spiritual energy.”

After explaining, Bai Xingxian blinked, asking if she understood.

The sand monster wasn’t using magical treasures, so his sword would have no effect on it.

But it would affect the flying boat, potentially causing the formation array to malfunction and directly rendering it useless.

Xiang Haikui was shocked: “So you’ve been setting me up by following me?”

Bai Xingxian quickly explained: “Not at all. None of the Twelve Divine Swords can harm each other. If one sword is damaged, another can help heal it.”

That was a relief. Xiang Haikui sighed.

She also realized something: don’t count too much on Bai Xingxian in the future. He was just a money bag and healing support.

Xiang Haikui released his hand and waved him away, letting him hide in the cabin.

At this moment, the sand monster finally revealed its true form—a giant face made of sand particles.

Accompanied by the wind, it let out a cackling laugh.

The hired fighters on the boat had all taken their positions, holding various magical devices and displaying different abilities. But when their powers hit the sand monster, they disappeared like a stone dropped in the sea—completely useless.

“So we really encountered one.” As people crowded into the cabins, Lu Xiqiao walked out against the flow, holding a long sword, looking somewhat excited.

The flying boat’s protective barrier was about to shatter, and Xiang Haikui was accumulating wild intent.

Lu Xiqiao charged out first with his sword. The captain tried to shout after him: “Young Master Lu, please don’t act rashly! This is a sand—”

After leaving the flying boat’s protection, the howling wind drowned out the captain’s words. Lu Xiqiao couldn’t hear what the captain was shouting, but his expression immediately changed.

His excitement turned to fear.

Forget about attacking—he couldn’t even control his own body anymore.

The sand monster’s face sucked forcefully, creating a vortex of wind and sand that dragged him toward its mouth.

Just as it was about to devour him, a black shadow flew past.

Moving faster than he was being pulled, it made a beautiful arc and kicked him hard in the stomach, sending him flying back.

Lu Xiqiao instantly spat blood from the kick and crashed back onto the deck.

His servants rushed forward: “Young Master! Are you alright, Young Master?!”

Lu Xiqiao felt like every bone in his body had been kicked apart, and he kept spitting out mouthfuls of blood.

The captain and others had no time to care about him—they were all watching the sword cultivator now battling the sand monster.

Wrapped up like a rice dumpling, it was impossible to tell if it was a man or woman. The sword in hand was also strange, and if not for the slashing movements, one wouldn’t even recognize it as a sword cultivator.

Not a match for the sand monster, but the speed of dodging and cutting down sand arrows…

Goodness, if this was a man, who knows how many years of being single it would take to achieve such hand speed.

“Retreat quickly!” the captain ordered gratefully.

Xiang Haikui was merely restraining the monster, so it wasn’t too strenuous. She didn’t feel her speed was particularly fast, just hoping her father would arrive soon.

Just as her energy was nearly depleted, she finally heard the sound of a signal arrow.

Xiang Haikui’s eyes brightened, and her spirit was instantly refreshed.

A light arrow pierced through sand and wind. Wherever it passed, sand scattered and wind retreated.

Xiang Haikui quickly seized the opportunity to slip away, catching up with the flying boat and sneaking aboard.

“The Lord of Silver Sand City has arrived!” someone on the boat shouted loudly.

Immediately, a wave of joyful cheers erupted at their salvation.

The flying boat stopped again, and Xiang Haikui joined everyone else running to the deck to look ahead.

Actually, they couldn’t see anything—only glimpses of sparkling lights.

Shortly after, as the sand and wind dispersed, they saw a group of people who had rushed over from Silver Sand City.

There was Xiang Tianqing in a crimson long dress, along with several guards, but Xiang Haikui’s eyes were fixed only on her father, Xiang Heng.

“Is everyone alright?” Xiang Heng, dressed in dashing black clothes, landed on the deck.

The captain and others hastily expressed their gratitude.

Lu Xiqiao struggled to push through the crowd and accusingly questioned: “Great City Lord Xiang, how are you governing Silver Sand City?!”

Xiang Heng glanced at him: “Then perhaps I should resign and ask the Emperor to appoint you in my place?”

Lu Xiqiao was instantly silenced. His family, the Lu clan, had an ancestor who had crossed the Tribulation, which made him disrespect everyone. He was about to storm off in a huff, but the movement aggravated his chest wound, causing him to spit out another mouthful of blood.

Damn it, where was the person who kicked him?!

He searched around but couldn’t find them. They claimed to save him, but did they have to kick so hard?!

Xiang Haikui had been caught up in wild intent at the time and had indeed kicked too forcefully. Now seeing his condition, she thought she should have kicked even harder, until he couldn’t move at all!

The flying boat prepared to continue its journey.

The path from here to Silver Sand City had been cleared of obstacles. Still, Xiang Heng assigned a few people to remain on the boat while he returned to the city first.

As he was about to leave, he sensed a gaze fixed intently on him.

Many were looking at him, mostly with curiosity and awe, but this particular gaze was strange, indescribable.

He couldn’t help but pause, turn around, and trace the gaze back to its source.

He saw a young girl standing on the deck with her hair in a bun, her big eyes filled with tears, looking at him with a pitiful expression.

Xiang Heng’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.

“Father, what’s wrong?” Xiang Tianqing, seeing him stop, also halted.

Xiang Heng didn’t respond, so Xiang Tianqing followed his gaze and likewise saw Xiang Haikui.

Xiang Tianqing’s heart also skipped slightly. Could it be her?

It was her!

Xiang Heng hadn’t seen his daughter for over two hundred years. When he left, the little girl was only nine years old.

As an orphan himself, Xiang Heng’s heart twisted like a knife whenever he thought about his daughter enduring the same hardships he had once suffered. How could he forget her face?

In fact, it had become even clearer in his memory.

He had imagined his daughter’s grown-up appearance over and over, and one of those imaginations was very close to the face before him.

With people all around, Xiang Haikui called out: “Father.”

With that one word, everyone from Silver Sand City was stunned.

“Little Kui!” Xiang Heng quickly flew over to her!

A guard beside Xiang Tianqing asked: “Young Lady, could she be the City Lord’s second daughter who was lost outside?”

Xiang Heng had already informed everyone that he would be bringing Xiang Haikui back.

After a moment of silence, Xiang Tianqing nodded.

Everyone then looked curiously at Xiang Haikui, wondering why she didn’t resemble the City Lord at all.

…

On the way back to Silver Sand City.

Xiang Heng still couldn’t believe it, looking at Xiang Haikui again and again: “How did you get here?”

How was this possible?

“Senior Yin Changli brought me here. He said he sensed you retrieved the wrong person, discovered the error was in the formation he had told you about, felt sorry, and therefore brought me over. He even sent someone to escort me.” This explanation had been prepared in advance. Fearing Xiang Heng wouldn’t believe her, Xiang Haikui pointed at Bai Xingxian, who was admiring the scenery not far behind: “Little Bai, show your teeth.”

After seeing those two big gold teeth, Xiang Heng finally believed her and proceeded to ask his daughter many questions.

As Xiang Haikui chatted with her father, she felt numerous spiritual perceptions examining her.

Xiang Haikui was also observing them, specifically looking at their hands.

The murderer who had suffocated her, being able to enter the City Lord’s mansion, must be here in Silver Sand City or even within the City Lord’s household.

It could be a guard, or even one of her father’s disciples.

However, just looking with her eyes revealed nothing. She needed to find an opportunity to touch them.

When the murderer had grabbed her hair bun, their fingers had touched her scalp. She remembered the sensation—that hand was especially cold.

Cold to the bone.

Unforgettable.

After returning to Silver Sand City.

“Little Kui, this is the room Father prepared for you.”

Having spent a long time in the cultivation world, constantly called “Father” by Xiang Tianqing, Xiang Heng had grown accustomed to this form of address.

After calling him “Dad” twice and seeing his confusion, Xiang Haikui simply switched terms as well: “Father has put so much thought into this—I love it!”

In truth, her mood was terrible. She knew this room too well, having lived in it for half a year in her dream.

Especially, the bathtub was prepared for her behind the screen.

One glance at it made her shudder.

“What’s wrong?” Xiang Heng noticed her pale face. “Were you frightened by the sandstorm earlier?”

Even now, Xiang Heng was still worried. Fortunately, there had been a formidable person on that boat who helped restrain the sand monster; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

“I’m fine.” Xiang Haikui stood the sword box upright against the wall, pretending to happily examine the bedroom.

Coming back out, she saw her father about to touch the sword box and quickly said: “Father, I’m hungry!”

She had explained to Xiang Heng that Yin Changli, out of remorse, not only brought her over but also helped establish her foundation.

But if her father touched the sword box, he would immediately know how heavy Tian Kuang Sword truly was.

It was not something a mere foundation establishment cultivator could carry.

“What does Little Kui like to eat now?” Xiang Heng withdrew his hand. “I’ll have someone prepare a feast to welcome you.”

Xiang Haikui smiled and linked her arm with his: “There’s no need for such trouble.”

In her dream, Xiang Heng had held a welcoming banquet for her.

In the Central Province, sacrifice and possession were strictly forbidden, so Xiang Heng’s identity was a secret.

He claimed Haikui was his daughter who had been lost outside years ago. But Xiang Heng and Xiang Tianqing looked like father and daughter, while her appearance was different.

Moreover, both father and daughter had single spirit roots with excellent innate qualities, while Xiang Haikui was an ordinary mortal.

Someone had spread a rumor saying she was her father’s concubine.

The reason he claimed she was his daughter was because in the Central Province, male cultivators were forbidden from taking mortal women as concubines—a law protecting mortal interests.

Xiang Haikui considered for a moment: “Could you make me a bowl of noodles yourself?”

Xiang Heng paused slightly: “Well…”

Xiang Haikui blinked: “As the Great City Lord now, would it be embarrassing for you to personally cook in the kitchen?”

“That’s not it.” Xiang Heng wasn’t concerned about appearances. He just hadn’t cooked for over two hundred years and lacked confidence in his culinary skills. But since his daughter wanted it, he stood up resolutely, tapped her nose, and smiled: “Alright! Wait here!”

As soon as he left, Xiang Haikui’s smiling face crumpled a bit. She hugged herself and shivered, feeling this room was filled with a deep chill, like a morgue.

A morgue that had held her corpse.

Tian Kuang began to vibrate in its box.

Xiang Haikui sensed it and was inwardly surprised. She was feeling timid, so why was her wild intent increasing?

After pondering for a while, she understood—the more frightened she was, the more the sword considered the situation difficult. The fact that she still dared to confront it directly made it think she was truly wild.

Xiang Haikui rolled her eyes.

“Little Sister Kui.” A voice came from outside the door.

Xiang Haikui opened the door without hesitation, letting Xiang Tianqing enter.

Xiang Tianqing brought a bottle of medicine pills and smiled gently: “Were you scared today? I’ve refined some soul-calming medicine for you.”

Xiang Haikui took it, tilted her head back, and swallowed them all at once: “Thank you, Sister.”

Xiang Tianqing was taken aback by her forthrightness.

She seemed completely unconcerned about suddenly having an elder sister who would compete with her for their father’s affection—especially since they actually had no blood relation whatsoever.

Xiang Tianqing composed herself and smiled: “Actually, according to reason, you’re father’s first daughter. You should be the elder sister.”

“That doesn’t matter at all.” Xiang Haikui truly didn’t understand what she was fretting about.

Moreover, Xiang Haikui still hadn’t figured out whether Xiang Tianqing knew her true origin or not.

When taking the medicine bottle from her hand just now, she had also touched her hand.

The sensation was different—it wasn’t her hand.

After exchanging pleasantries, both girls fell silent.

Shortly after, Xiang Heng returned, holding a bowl of steaming tomato and egg noodles.

“Little Qing is here too? Would you like some?” Seeing the two getting along, Xiang Heng’s concerns diminished somewhat.

Xiang Tianqing shook her head: “Daughter isn’t hungry.”

“Then I won’t stand on ceremony.” Xiang Haikui picked up the chopsticks and began eating.

Seasonings were very scarce in the cultivation world—there was only a little salt, and it wasn’t particularly tasty.

But as she ate, tears began to fall, dropping one by one into the soup.

She often felt her life had been full of hardships, but eating this bowl of noodles suddenly made her realize how fortunate she was.

Xiang Heng wiped her tears tenderly, avoiding any topic that might cause sadness, only saying: “Why do you still eat like someone’s going to steal your food, just like when you were little?”

Xiang Haikui stuck out her tongue: “Because it’s so delicious!”

Xiang Tianqing sat to the side, trying several times to say something.

But feeling like a third wheel, she stood up: “Daughter will leave first.”

“Alright.” Xiang Heng smiled at her briefly.

After Xiang Tianqing left, she stood at the door for a moment.

In the darkness, a spiritual perception fixed on her, followed by a cold laugh: “Lowly mortal.”

…

Xiang Haikui felt Tian Kuang trembling in its box, not the usual excitement but a kind of warning.

It was the murderer!

She immediately extended her spiritual perception to search, but found nothing.

“Little Kui?” Xiang Heng noticed her strange behavior, his gaze containing both concern and scrutiny.

Xiang Haikui came back to her senses and first took out the demon-dispelling medicine: “Father, the Senior said this is for you. If your demonic energy isn’t managed, it will become increasingly severe.”

Now Xiang Heng was truly puzzled: “Why is Senior Yin suddenly so kind?”

When requesting the formation method, he had expended considerable effort.

“I asked him the same question.” Xiang Haikui took a sip of soup. “He said he had never made a mistake before. This was his first time, and he had to handle it properly.”

Xiang Heng thought to himself that he was indeed a strange person, but decided not to dwell on it: “If I have the chance to see him again, I must thank him properly.”

“I’ve already thanked him plenty.” Xiang Haikui smiled. “You should prepare to enter seclusion soon.”

“I’ll spend some time with you first before seclusion, and show you around Silver Sand City.”

“That’s not necessary.” Xiang Haikui brought out Bai Xingxian as a shield. “Young Master Bai will stay in the city for a while. With him protecting and accompanying me, you needn’t worry.”

Oh, right.

Xiang Haikui suddenly remembered: “What about my classmate whom you mistakenly brought here?”

Xiang Heng became serious: “I was just about to ask you—what’s your relationship with him?”

“No relationship.” Xiang Haikui answered straightforwardly.

A one-sided crush didn’t count as a relationship between them; it was just her matter.

Xiang Heng wasn’t convinced: “Really?”

Xiang Haikui: “Really.”

Xiang Heng: “That young man isn’t a suitable match. He’s destined for great things…”

He explained how Jing Ran wanted to stay, then continued, “Regardless of which classification of cultivation, it’s ultimately about cultivating technique and heart. He’s suited for heart cultivation, but Silver Sand City isn’t appropriate. Keeping him in Silver Sand would hinder him, especially given his age—he’s already starting quite late.”

Xiang Haikui frowned: “So?”

Xiang Heng: “My suggestion is to write him a letter of recommendation for the Imperial Capital’s Great Academy. That environment would suit him better, and with his qualifications, he would certainly be admitted. But in that case, you two…”

Xiang Haikui didn’t hesitate: “Whatever you think is best for him, let him go.”

Keeping him in Silver Sand wouldn’t be safe. In a little while, this grand, desolate Silver Sand City might become a battlefield.

…

Xiang Heng acted quickly, immediately writing a letter for Xiang Haikui to deliver.

Never parting from her sword, Xiang Haikui carried the box to his door.

After several deep breaths, she knocked.

With a creak, the door opened.

Jing Ran had already heard about her return and wasn’t surprised: “Miss Xiang.”

Xiang Haikui didn’t waste words, handing him the recommendation letter: “If you agree, my father will send someone to escort you to the Imperial Capital tomorrow.”

Jing Ran opened the letter and read it.

He had thought Xiang Heng would forcibly keep him here for his daughter’s sake. It seemed he had misjudged him: “Please thank your father for me.”

Xiang Haikui remained silent, just looking at Jing Ran.

Years ago, in a small alley, she had been harassed by street thugs, and he had come to her rescue.

At that time, fine rain was falling, and he held a black umbrella.

Like a sword, he knocked down all those men.

His expression never changed throughout. Then he extended the umbrella handle toward the bedraggled girl crouching in the corner.

Xiang Haikui grabbed the umbrella handle and was pulled up by him.

That’s when she learned that this genius from the neighboring class wasn’t just academically talented but also skilled in taekwondo and Chinese kickboxing…

Jing Ran suddenly remembered: “Oh, right, Miss Xiang. That question you asked me on the mountaintop—I haven’t answered you yet.”

Xiang Haikui immediately shook her head. Forget it—he had already rejected her once in the dream; she didn’t want to hear it again: “Senior, there’s no need to answer that question anymore. If I had known I would leave, I wouldn’t have confessed my feelings at that time.”

But Jing Ran shook his head: “No, I like to finish what I start. Since you asked, I should answer.”

Xiang Haikui knew he was particular about such things: “If you must answer, then answer a different question for me.”

Jing Ran frowned: “What?”

Xiang Haikui: “This has been bothering me for a while. That day everything happened so suddenly, and I couldn’t see clearly—was the cartoon pattern on your underwear Donald Duck or Psyduck?”

After saying it, she just wanted to slap herself twice.

But she did want to know.