Su Bei naturally took Sword Maiden's small hand and walked towards the Sword Sect's quarters. Sword Maiden, however, hung her head low, wishing she could hide it in Su Bei's shadow.

The few Sword Sect Female Disciples following behind had tears brimming in their eyes as they watched the white-robed, begonia-embroidered figure ahead.

Everything he had proclaimed at the Sword Sect, he had truly accomplished.

And it was all for a mere few individuals whom others had dismissed as worthless.

At this moment, in their hearts, they wouldn't refuse even if this man asked them to do anything.

An ill-timed breeze blew gently past.

The normally bustling street grew even quieter, everyone immersed in the words Su Bei had just spoken.

All who enter the sect gates, regardless of origin or background, are disciples of the Sword Sect.

Does such a Sect truly exist, one that treats all disciples equally, without discrimination?

Liu Changqing squinted, gazing intently at Su Bei.

Su Bei's words still echoed in his ears. He sighed deeply, turned, and walked away, muttering to himself, "This Elder Su might get along with that fellow, Yumen Du... Speaking of which, what has he been through?"

「...」

Arriving at the Sword Sect's quarters, Su Bei looked at the shy girl.

The sunlight shone brightly. Sword Maiden's overly slender figure was hidden beneath a large sword robe. Its proportions seemed a tad ridiculous, but not unattractive; instead, it gave her a doll-like appearance. Her fair skin, flushed cherry-pink, exuded an indescribable beauty.

Although Su Bei's gaze held no ulterior motives, it was filled with pure appreciation!

At least, that's what he told himself.

His direct gaze, however, made Sword Maiden lower her head so far it almost touched her knees. Her fair cheeks burned, as if being roasted over a fire.

"This scabbard of yours is excellent, Sword Maiden!"

Su Bei picked up the scabbard, the Qingping Sword sheathed within, and waved it in front of her.

Sword Maiden nodded gently. A blush spread from her neck to her ears. Then, somehow gathering courage, she gently took Su Bei's large hand, her eyes glistening with tears as she gestured, "Please don't hurt people for Sword Maiden's sake in the future."

Su Bei looked at her, somewhat taken aback and puzzled, then asked gently, "Don't you hate that scar-faced man? If I hadn't arrived, you might have..."

That scar-faced man had shown no guilt whatsoever from beginning to end. The sword strike I delivered was intentionally controlled; even if he was fortunate enough to awaken, his cultivation would likely be completely gone.

Sword Maiden bit her thin lips, nodding and then shaking her head.

Su Bei sighed. He embraced the kind-hearted girl, feeling her delicate body, stroked her hair, and whispered softly, "Tomorrow is the opening ceremony. You must do your best."

He sighed inwardly. Here in Wu City, prejudice seemed far greater than he had imagined.

After greeting the group of disciples participating in the opening ceremony and offering them a few words of encouragement, Su Bei left and returned to his courtyard.

As soon as he pushed the door open, he found Wenren Pingxin sitting lazily on the bed, her long, jade-like legs propped up as she meticulously trimmed her toenails.

She looked up, and upon seeing Su Bei, showed no sign of bashfulness. Her hands didn't stop their task as she said, her red lips slightly parted, "Bei Bei, you've come to the Sacred Land, but you haven't had much peace, have you?"

She then added, "No, that's not right. Your Senior Sister can't call you Bei Bei anymore, can she? Right, Nineteenth Elder!"

Seeing Wenren Pingxin's languid appearance, Su Bei felt awkward. It was noon, and sunlight streamed through the window lattice into the room. Wenren Pingxin's light green gauze robe appeared somewhat translucent. A faint rosy glow touched her snow-white shoulders, already tinged with a blush. This, combined with her rather ungraceful posture, stirred a strange impulse in him.

"What is it? Is there something on your Senior Sister's face?" Wenren Pingxin asked.

Seeing Su Bei staring at her intently, Wenren Pingxin looked suspicious. She glanced down at herself; her slender, jade-like legs were slightly parted.

A blush slowly crept up her cheeks. Wenren Pingxin glared at Su Bei, then lowered her legs and pulled the hem of her gauze skirt over her knees. After a moment's thought, she extended a jade-like foot towards Su Bei and said nonchalantly, "That... foot massage of yours... Give your Senior Sister one."

Su Bei cleared his throat and moved closer to his Eldest Senior Sister. He placed her delicate, jade-like foot, exquisite as a work of art, onto his lap. Feeling its smooth skin, he began to knead it.

"Eldest Senior Sister, this was all an accident!"

As Su Bei's movements grew more practiced, a peculiar sensation arose. For some reason, Wenren Pingxin felt her body had become somewhat more sensitive than before.

Her languid eyes, half-open and filled with deep meaning, fixed on Su Bei as she asked, "Did you meet the Saintess?"

Although Wenren Pingxin was somewhat surprised that Su Bei had seen through the Wondrous Stone, she wasn't overly shocked.

After all, Su Bei had given her too many surprises. Now, he had even been promoted to Nineteenth Elder of the Sacred Land.

Su Bei nodded. He thought for a moment, then suddenly chuckled and said, "The Saintess actually likes candied fruit. She's not as mysterious as I imagined."

Wenren Pingxin arched her dark brows, nodded thoughtfully, and then continued, "Your conflict with Lin Duo is not a good thing."