The shocking scene of the black-robed middle-aged man being crushed like an ant by the immense spiritual palm left a profound mark on everyone who witnessed it. The image of that crushing force remained seared into their minds, a grim reminder of the power that had descended upon Chaos City.
The city itself fell into an eerie silence, as though the very air had been sucked from the surroundings. Yet, despite the quiet, an invisible atmosphere lingered, filled with a reverent fear for the unknown Nascent Soul expert who had struck with such devastating decisiveness.
Gui Xinmeng, Gui Yiyi, and the others, led by Xuan Yi, left Chaos City in near silence, their presence barely acknowledged by the stunned onlookers. No one dared to approach them, no one even dared to break the heavy stillness in the air.
As they traveled beyond the city, the road remained peaceful and calm. The group, which had originally planned to engage in conversation with Xuan Yi, became uncharacteristically quiet. Even Gui Xinmeng, who was usually filled with questions and curiosity, was subdued. Only Gui Yiyi, who had a more personal connection to Xuan Yi, occasionally broke the silence with a few soft words.
The black-robed man's fate had delivered a silent but clear message: to provoke someone of such power was to invite certain death. And now, a quiet respect for Xuan Yi settled over the group like a heavy cloak.
The Scarlet Flame Sparrow glided smoothly through the sky, cutting through the clouds with a steady pace. As the early morning sunlight stretched across the heavens, painting the sky with thin golden threads, Half Moon City came into view in the distance, still a small silhouette against the horizon.
Yesterday's event had altered the dynamic among the group. The respect they held for Xuan Yi had deepened, and their demeanor reflected this change. They now approached him with more reverence, their words and actions quieter, more cautious. Only Gui Yiyi, who had a special bond with him, spoke freely, though even she had become more careful in her interactions.
Xuan Yi noticed the shift in their behavior but did not mind. A small, bittersweet smile tugged at his lips as he let them have their space. In truth, he preferred it this way. It would allow him to focus on Gui Yiyi and her training.
Xuan Yi had planned to use their time in transit to raise Gui Yiyi's strength further, pushing her toward her next breakthrough before they reached Half Moon City. Ideally, he wanted her to fully grasp the embryonic form of Sword Intent during this journey.
Without the Sword Soul Grass, Gui Yiyi's path to comprehending Sword Intent would have taken a considerable amount of time. But now, with the mystical grass, her progress had been accelerated in a way that even Xuan Yi had not fully anticipated.
At this moment, as they flew through the sky, Gui Yiyi's eyelashes fluttered gently. She sat cross-legged on the Scarlet Flame Sparrow, eyes closed in meditation. Suddenly, her eyes snapped open, a gleam of ecstasy sparkling deep within them.
"Master… I..." Gui Yiyi's voice trembled with excitement, unable to contain her joy.
Xuan Yi, noticing her sudden shift in energy, raised a hand with a gentle smile. He sent her a voice transmission, his tone calm yet teasing. "Don't rush. Let's save that surprise for the Half Moon City Grand Competition. It will be a pleasure to watch that so-called 'genius' from the Duan family get a surprise, haha."
Gui Yiyi's eyes softened as she registered his words, but the thrill of her breakthrough was still evident in her expression. Xuan Yi had sensed it the moment it happened: Gui Yiyi had successfully comprehended the embryonic form of Sword Intent.
It was a rare achievement for someone of her cultivation, especially in a place like the Heavenly Wind Kingdom. Most people would struggle for years to reach such a level, even those at the peak of their cultivation. But Gui Yiyi, with her exceptional talent and the help of Xuan Yi's guidance, had done it at the fourth level of Qi Condensation, something that few in the entire kingdom could claim to have accomplished.
Her ability to fight across such levels, defeating opponents five or six stages above her, would now be a reality. The lower the cultivation realm, the more accessible it was to fight above one's rank, but the feat she had achieved still felt extraordinary.
Xuan Yi nodded to himself, satisfied with her progress. "We're here," he said softly, his eyes lifting toward the sprawling city that now lay ahead.
Half Moon City loomed before them, its towering walls and bustling streets full of life. The city was a hub of activity, with cultivators and traders flowing through the streets like rivers of life.
Inside the Gui Family mansion, Patriarch Gui Tiancheng paced restlessly in the main hall. His brow was furrowed, and his hands were clasped tightly behind his back as he moved back and forth. The tension in the air was palpable, and the family elders sitting around the room mirrored his unease. Every one of them was waiting for the news that would determine their future.
A sudden burst of movement interrupted the quiet. "Patriarch! They are back! Second Elder and Young Master Gui Lan have returned!"
A hurried figure rushed into the hall, his face alight with urgency.
The entire room seemed to light up at the news. Gui Tiancheng was the first to move, striding toward the door with impatience. The other elders followed closely behind, all of them keen to hear the outcome.
Outside, the Second Elder and Gui Lan's group had arrived, but it was not Gui Lan's presence that commanded attention. It was the anxious looks of the family members that focused on him, their gazes burning with expectation.
"How is it, Gui Lan?" Gui Tiancheng asked, his voice trembling with hope as he rushed to his son's side. "Have you been chosen by the Profound Sword Sect?"
The entire family seemed to freeze in place, every eye fixed on Gui Lan. The weight of expectation was suffocating.
Gui Lan hesitated, his face twisting with uncertainty.
"Lan'er, tell us!" urged the Great Elder, his voice growing more insistent.
Gui Lan clenched his fists, struggling to speak through the lump in his throat. His shoulders trembled slightly as he spoke, the words heavy with finality. "No... No, I wasn't chosen."
The shock was instantaneous. It was as if a thunderclap had struck, and the whole room seemed to collapse inward under the weight of the news. The atmosphere thickened, and despair swept through the family like a tidal wave.
"The heavens want to destroy my Gui family!" the First Elder moaned, closing his eyes as if to escape the crushing reality.
The silence that followed was deafening.
But just as hope seemed to fade, the Second Elder's voice rang out again, filled with an unexpected glimmer of hope. "Patriarch, don't worry. Although Gui Lan wasn't chosen, the young miss was chosen!"
A ripple of shock passed through the room. "What? Yiyi?" "It's actually the young miss?" "How is that possible?"
The family members exchanged disbelieving looks. Gui Yiyi was indeed talented, but compared to Gui Lan, she had always been considered less remarkable.
But the Second Elder spoke with such certainty that they couldn't dismiss it as mere rumor.
"Second Elder, is this true?" Gui Tiancheng asked, his voice now trembling with a flicker of hope.
"Absolutely," the Second Elder affirmed. "Not only that, but Yiyi has become a disciple of an extremely powerful elder of the Profound Sword Sect! This is our family's salvation, Patriarch!"
The news hit the family like a bolt of lightning. An elder of the Profound Sword Sect—a figure of immense power and status. It was unthinkable.
Gui Yiyi had been accepted by such an esteemed figure as a disciple.
Gui Tiancheng's heart swelled with relief and joy. "Good! Good! Good!" He repeated, his voice breaking as tears welled in his eyes. The Gui family had hope once again.
The Second Elder's face grew serious, remembering something important. He turned to gesture toward the quiet figure standing beside Gui Yiyi.
"This is Elder Xuan of the Profound Sword Sect, Yiyi's master. He has come to Half Moon City with us to resolve the issue with Witherwood Gate."
The moment the elders turned their attention to Xuan Yi, they were struck by his youthful appearance. The realization that this young man was a powerful elder of the Profound Sword Sect was difficult to accept at first glance.
Gui Tiancheng, however, quickly composed himself. "Senior Xuan, welcome, welcome! Please, come in and rest."
After exchanging pleasantries, Xuan Yi led Gui Yiyi away to continue her training. He knew the opening of the Purple Moon Secret Realm was approaching rapidly. There was no time to waste if Gui Yiyi was to be fully prepared.
Meanwhile, back in the hall, the senior members of the Gui family remained stunned by the rapid turn of events. First, Gui Yiyi's acceptance into the Profound Sword Sect, and then the news that she had become a disciple of a Nascent Soul expert...
The Gui family's fortunes had changed overnight.
After a long silence, the Grand Elder finally spoke. "Second Elder, how powerful exactly is Elder Xuan? Who is stronger—Elder Xuan or Gui Xinmeng's master?"
The Second Elder gave them a mysterious smile. "Hehe, why don't you guess?"
"Seventh level of Soul Condensation?" the Fifth Elder ventured.
The Second Elder shook his head.
"Eighth level of Soul Condensation?" Gui Tiancheng guessed.
Again, the Second Elder shook his head.
"Don't keep us guessing! Just tell us!" the First Elder urged.
With a deep breath, the Second Elder finally gave the answer. His voice was steady, but his words carried immense weight: "Nascent Soul Realm."
The hall fell silent. The words hung in the air, unspoken yet loud enough to shake the very foundations of the Gui family's understanding. A Nascent Soul cultivator—this was the backer the Gui family now had.
An existence far beyond the reach of mere Soul Condensation cultivators. This was not just a powerful ally—this was a force capable of reshaping the Gui family's destiny.