Little junior sister.

Your Majesty the Sword Emperor.

Both were once brilliant stars shining at Yashan, yet now standing on this White Silver Tower in Mingri Xinghai, they addressed each other with such unfamiliarity…

One had disappeared for sixty years—no one knew where she had gone in between, but when she reappeared, she had shed her former naivety and could even fight against regional overlords;

The other had dominated for sixty years, ascending to Sword Emperor in this chaotic Mingri Xinghai where there might not even be a “tomorrow,” no longer the simple person he had been as Yashan’s eldest senior brother.

One was still Yashan’s eldest senior sister, while the other had become the most powerful new Sword Emperor in Mingri Xinghai today.

The moment Jian Chou’s greeting left her lips, the entire White Silver Tower fell into an eerie silence.

No one knew when Qu Zhengfeng had arrived at the White Silver Tower, much less how he had evaded the all-knowing Zhilin Sou. Everyone simply watched these two people standing opposite each other, their hearts surging with shock!

Qu Zhengfeng’s origins and background had never been a secret in Mingri Xinghai.

In fact, his experiences were regarded as an irreproducible legend. Betraying Yashan, stealing Yashan’s great sword, fighting through the pursuit and blockade of numerous sects in the Left Three Thousand of the Central Domain all the way to Mingri Xinghai, ultimately overwhelming all heroes to claim the title of Sword Emperor!

Even now, in this star sea, those who dared call him by his full name were few and far between.

Such a Qu Zhengfeng…

And Yashan’s eldest senior sister Jian Chou at this very moment, had unexpectedly reunited at the White Silver Tower just like this?

For a moment, all those shadowy rumors from the past floated through everyone’s minds like chaotic lights and shadows.

Some said he betrayed Yashan because he had long coveted Yashan’s sword;

Some said he betrayed Yashan because Yashan had long lost its former glory and honor;

Others said it was all for the “Nine Curves River Map”;

…

Still others had said that the Fudao Shanren had casually picked up a female cultivator and made her Yashan’s eldest senior sister, so naturally Qu Zhengfeng, who had been the foremost of Yashan’s new generation as eldest senior brother, was unconvinced in heart and mouth, thus causing conflicts with Yashan’s elders and betraying in anger.

These rumors came in various forms, all told with vivid detail. But regarding their truth or falsehood, actually few people took them to heart.

However, where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire.

Just imagine—Qu Zhengfeng had held the title of Yashan’s eldest senior brother for over ten cycles of sixty years, when suddenly Jian Chou appeared. Could he truly swallow this grievance in his heart?

The crisis of Liang Tingyu’s Nascent Soul self-destruction had now completely vanished.

But Qu Zhengfeng’s sudden appearance in the arena made everyone’s hearts leap to their throats. Their gazes constantly wandered between Qu Zhengfeng and Jian Chou, trying to discern some clues.

Unfortunately, neither of their expressions revealed any flaws.

Jian Chou they had never understood, and her face showed no particular expression; while Qu Zhengfeng’s entire bearing had become composed, having cultivated for who knows how many years to the point where emotions didn’t show on his face—how could others see through him?

After hearing Jian Chou’s “Your Majesty the Sword Emperor,” he fell silent for a moment.

In those eyes gazing at Jian Chou, obscure depths seemed to flow, but when he finally spoke, his tone was indifferent: “I came to watch some excitement, never expecting to witness two such spectacular duels. Gone for sixty years, returned at mid-Nascent Soul stage. They say there are no mediocrities in Central Domain’s Yashan—truly not false.”

No mediocrities in Central Domain’s Yashan…

Such flattering words coming from a former Yashan disciple’s mouth made Jian Chou feel quite uncomfortable. She knew Qu Zhengfeng hadn’t finished speaking, so she didn’t respond.

Zuoliu was still in the cage on the arena, and hadn’t yet reacted to everything.

When he had participated in the Left Three Thousand minor assembly back then, he was just a nobody little hoodlum. Though he had reached Nascent Soul stage now, he didn’t consider himself any great figure.

Existences like Qu Zhengfeng were unreachably high for his past self, and the same remained true now.

He blinked, looking at Qu Zhengfeng, then at Jian Chou, feeling quite uneasy inside.

Bai Yin, standing right beside the cage, was even more stunned and bewildered. Unlike Jian Chou who hadn’t been in the sect long, he had been there for several hundred years, had called Qu Zhengfeng “eldest senior brother” for several hundred years, and was more familiar with his character and personality.

Now the other party stood before them, his words clearly having no connection to Yashan whatsoever.

At this moment, various emotions surged up, converging into mixed, complex feelings.

Bai Yin couldn’t utter a single word.

On the contrary, Qu Zhengfeng, having spoken halfway, turned his gaze over, lightly sweeping across Bai Yin’s body before settling on the disheveled Zuoliu in the cage.

Perhaps remembering something, he suddenly smiled.

“Worthy of Yashan indeed—for such a nameless nobody without sect or backing, actually worth a bounty of a million, making the dignified Yashan eldest senior sister risk her life and fight desperately…”

The words seemed to hide needles, pricking Jian Chou uncomfortably.

Her brow raised with displeasure, her voice becoming even more distant as she declared loudly: “Your Majesty the Sword Emperor is probably mistaken. He is neither a nameless nobody nor without sect or backing—Junior Brother Zuoliu is a disciple of our Yashan.”

A disciple of our Yashan!

A Yashan disciple?!

This statement truly shocked everyone present!

The White Silver Tower already had countless connections with the Night Navigation Ship, and the building housed many stewards and cultivators responsible for reception and service, as well as Zhen Daoren who was responsible for hosting this bounty auction.

Hearing Jian Chou’s words, they nearly had their hearts scared out of their bodies!

When had this hoodlum Zuoliu actually become a Yashan disciple?

When they had initially captured and subjected him to all manner of torture and beating, this Zuoliu hadn’t said a word, never revealing that he was a Yashan disciple!

This… this…

Zhen Daoren cowered in the corner, looking at that figure covered in wounds, disheveled and barely recognizable as human, suddenly feeling as if someone had grasped his throat, unable to breathe!

Jian Chou was Yashan’s eldest senior sister, and now she was saying this in front of all these people at the White Silver Tower—she definitely wasn’t speaking carelessly.

The White Silver Tower had placed a bounty on a Yashan disciple?!

Even spectators who had little connection to this matter now felt a chill rising, almost immediately burning three incense sticks in their hearts for the Night Navigation Ship—

It was over.

The Night Navigation Ship was probably finished.

Even Qu Zhengfeng showed a moment of surprise.

Then, his gaze toward Zuoliu carried several parts more scrutiny.

The profound gaze revealed no trace of emotion.

But being watched by such a gaze, Zuoliu felt somewhat uncomfortable. Having come from hoodlum origins, he was most sensitive to others’ gazes.

This gaze was measuring, evaluating, and carried sword-like sharpness, as if wanting to penetrate his skin.

After quite a while, Qu Zhengfeng finally withdrew his gaze, asking casually: “Did he take the Fudao Shanren as master?”

“Yashan matters are Yashan’s to handle.”

It was unclear under whose tutelage Zuoliu would be, and Jian Chou really didn’t want to answer him, especially in front of this crowd, under their opposing identities.

“Our Yashan’s affairs really don’t require Your Majesty the Sword Emperor’s concern.”

“…”

The atmosphere in this moment suddenly turned cold.

Jian Chou’s response really gave Qu Zhengfeng no face at all. Everyone watched his expression, their hearts breaking out in cold sweat.

Traces of the previous torrential rain still lingered in the wind.

Cold wind mixed with some moisture swept fiercely across Qu Zhengfeng’s black robe hem, making the golden cloud and thunder patterns embroidered on it sway and blur.

He stared at Jian Chou fixedly for a long time before saying: “Indeed.”

Indeed.

This single “indeed” suddenly contained many indiscernible, ineffable emotions…

In another part of the elegant room, Wang Que, who had been observing from the sidelines, suddenly furrowed his brow slightly.

He was not someone ignorant of the grievances between Yashan and Kunwu sects, nor was he an ordinary person who had never interacted with Qu Zhengfeng. From Qu Zhengfeng’s seemingly light and casual two words, he immediately detected something.

Betraying Yashan…

Why exactly he had betrayed Yashan remained an unsolved mystery to this day—whether for Yashan or for Kunwu.

At this point, the atmosphere had become completely rigid.

Jian Chou felt there was nothing to say.

Back when she was still at Yashan, she hadn’t had deep interactions with this “eldest senior brother” or rather “second junior brother,” and had even had some trivial grievances; now that the other party had betrayed Yashan and become a regional magnate of Mingri Xinghai, there was even less to talk about.

The three arena matches had now finished, and Zuoliu’s fate had been decided.

After brief consideration, Jian Chou ignored Qu Zhengfeng and turned instead to Zhen Daoren in the corner who had hosted this bounty auction, asking: “According to the White Silver Tower’s bounty rules this time, Yashan made the highest bid and has defeated the three defenders sent by the Night Navigation Ship. Now, may I take him away?”

Though Zhen Daoren was also a famous figure in the star sea, at this moment he wished he could oil his feet and slip away. How could he have thought that in such a tense atmosphere, Jian Chou would actually turn to speak with him?

In an instant, all eyes in the venue turned over.

He immediately broke out in a cold sweat, trembling as he emerged to reply: “The three arena matches were indeed won, as long as the million spirit stones are paid… oh no no no, you can take him directly, take him directly! These spirit stones, no need, no need!”

“What a business deal…”

After learning Zuoliu’s identity, they didn’t even dare collect the spirit stones!

Hearing this, people around immediately made sounds of amazement, yet no one dared comment: Nonsense, if it were you, would you dare collect?

Zhen Daoren’s response seemed unexpected, yet when considered was completely reasonable.

Jian Chou didn’t know how many spirit stones Bai Yin had actually brought, or whether he was truly prepared to pay the White Silver Tower a million spirit stones. In any case, she herself had no intention of paying a single coin.

This Zhen Daoren was quite sensible.

Thus, Jian Chou didn’t waste words arguing with him, directly walking forward. The Deer-Cutting Knife turned, cutting through iron like mud to split open the cage imprisoning Zuoliu.

“It’s alright now, it’s over.”

“Sister Jian Chou…”

The originally sturdy cage fell at Zuoliu’s feet.

Looking at Jian Chou standing before him, the emotion on his dirt-stained face finally couldn’t be hidden, and even his eye rims reddened.

“It’s over.”

Jian Chou repeated again. Seeing Zuoliu in this state, she felt complex emotions, but slowly patted his shoulder, smiling steadily and composedly.

Such a smile made all the panic in Zuoliu’s heart disappear.

He raised his sleeve to wipe his eyes, curling his lip. His voice was still somewhat hoarse, but he said: “Damn bears, locking me up for so many days, even my clothes stink…”

Hearing this, Jian Chou couldn’t help but laugh.

Though he had experienced much hardship, the young man before her was still the same Zuoliu, with his carefree rascal nature!

Though Bai Yin didn’t know when Zuoliu had also become a Yashan disciple, what Eldest Senior Sister Jian Chou said couldn’t be false. He wasn’t very familiar with Jian Chou, but now he also came forward, looking at Zuoliu with inevitable curiosity in his eyes.

“Eldest Senior Sister, this is a place of trouble. We shouldn’t stay long. We should return.”

“Let’s go.”

Jian Chou had no intention of staying longer either. Hearing Bai Yin’s suggestion, she agreed.

She held the Deer-Cutting Knife without loosening her grip, scanning the surroundings once without discovering anything unusual, then took the lead in stepping forward to leave with Bai Yin and Zuoliu.

But no one expected that at this moment, several black shadows would flash through the air outside the hundred-zhang-tall White Silver Tower!

Dressed in black fitted clothing, wrapped in loose black cloaks, regardless of their builds, all were hidden in the deep shadows behind large hoods, indistinct.

Wasn’t this the attire of Night Navigation Ship cultivators?

Jian Chou’s steps immediately stopped, her entire body alert.

The other cultivators in the White Silver Tower also recognized them, feeling unexpected and speculating whether some change was about to occur.

These three cultivators rushed over swiftly, landing on the ground in the blink of an eye.

Those with keen observation immediately noticed their footsteps weren’t very steady when landing, their auras also quite unstable, as if they had suffered some fright or severe injuries.

One of them went directly to Zhen Daoren’s side, whispering a few words.

Zhen Daoren first froze, then his expression changed dramatically.

Even as a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, he now completely couldn’t suppress the shock in his heart, crying out in absolute terror: “What?! How is that possible—”

Before his words finished, from the southwestern direction in the sky, a tremendous “rumbling” sound suddenly came.

Two extremely fierce and savage auras, like two intertwined hurricanes, rose from the vast earth and shot toward the ninth heaven! The remaining clouds in the sky were scattered by them, and the solid earth trembled!

Even the White Silver Tower where everyone currently stood began swaying left and right, as if it might collapse at any moment!

What… what was happening?

All cultivators in the building were awed by this suddenly erupting momentum, nearly losing control of their hearts and souls. Those still conscious quickly looked in that direction, only seeing dense black shadows covering the sky…

Wasn’t that the location of the Night Navigation Ship’s lair?

It wasn’t only these cultivators who made this judgment.

Qu Zhengfeng, who had been silent for a long time, also looked up in that direction. Unlike many cultivators who only now noticed the anomaly in that area, he had already detected it while Jian Chou was still fighting Liang Tingyu.

He just hadn’t expected…

Such a grand scene—what kind of powerful existences could be fighting?

That aura of great demons ruling the world.

Qu Zhengfeng’s gaze became distant, thousands of mysterious lights finally converging into one beam before slowly disappearing into the depths of his pupils.

The Night Navigation Ship’s secrets—he must investigate them!

Thus, with that thought, his entire aura immediately merged with heaven and earth.

Everyone heard only a continuous sound of waves rising and falling, tidal waters surging. When they looked again, Qu Zhengfeng had vanished. In the boundless sky, only a vast expanse of deep blue seawater flew toward the shadowed area beneath the firmament!

Transforming his body into the sea!

In the blink of an eye, not a trace remained, leaving only his voice still lingering in place, still dissipating…

“Brother Xue, I’ll trouble you to handle matters here first. All Night Navigation Ship and White Silver Tower lackeys—”

“Kill!”