The Luanyang Palace’s great ship soared into the sky, leaving behind new legends among the Chongshan peaks and ridges.

Whether it was the immortal palace within Chongshan Secret Realm, the Luanyang Palace Lord’s contracted spirit beast breaking through Golden Core and immediately advancing another level, or the divine artifact from Autumn Water Pavilion’s display of power—all these tales would travel with the dispersing cultivators to every corner of the realm, becoming topics of animated discussion until the next batch of rumors emerged to replace them.

I watched the spiritual energy in the air flow into Seraphine as she absorbed it, waiting patiently. The moment she opened her eyes, I zipped forward with a cheerful “whoosh!”

Before I could even speak, she immediately declared, “This secret realm expedition was incredibly fruitful. Those life-and-death battles gave me profound insights. I need to enter closed-door cultivation to properly comprehend everything.”

“Alright, Sera—”

“While I’m in seclusion, you can return to the Main System for a vacation. Don’t say I never give you time off.”

“—phine.”

I tried again. “Okay, so—”

“If you come back and I’m still in cultivation, feel free to play around nearby. Just don’t let outsiders discover you!” she added hastily.

I didn’t respond, just hovered there like a deflated matchstick, staring at her.

Seraphine raised an eyebrow.

After a long moment, she clicked her tongue impatiently. “Speak up!”

Wait, I was allowed to talk now?

“You’re avoiding the issue.” I stated flatly.

Seraphine feigned confusion. Even when I enlarged my task panel and practically plastered it against her eyelids, she remained perfectly composed. “I haven’t rested properly yet.”

I stared harder.

She stood and walked toward the inner chamber, casually shedding her outer robes as she went. By the time she disappeared behind the screen, only her undergarments remained.

I stopped at the pearl curtain, watching it sway gently as water sounds echoed from behind the screen. “Seraphine, when exactly is ‘later’?”

Standing beside her bath, she lazily trailed her fingers through the water. Her tone matched her actions—completely casual. “In the future.”

“When specifically is ‘the future’?” I pressed.

She drawled slowly, “The future is… later.”

Frustrated, I threw my task panel on the ground with a dramatic clatter.

My spherical form drifted forward, stopping just before the curtain. The swaying pearl strings brushed against my surface without touching my actual body, yet somehow the woman behind the screen sensed my presence.

“Don’t you dare come in here!” she warned sharply.

I hadn’t moved. My matchstick arms grabbed two pearl strings—I was practically ready to perform some tragic opera about barriers and separation. Systems don’t have words for “giving up” or “surrender” in our dictionaries.

“Host, please provide the system with a specific timeframe.” I requested formally.

Look at that—I’d even dropped the casual name usage.

Seraphine soaked in the warm water, laughing softly. She turned around, draping her arms over the edge of the tub and resting her chin on them. Steam rose around her, dampening her face and washing away her usual arrogance, leaving only pure, clean amusement.

She blinked playfully, and water droplets from her wet lashes immediately fell, landing softly on her pale arms before sliding down her delicate skin with the other transparent beads.

“After I finish my seclusion?” she offered.

Still not specific enough.

“After seclusion, you’ll discuss the cultivation technique with me and won’t brush me off? Please don’t dismiss the system.” I confirmed seriously.

Look —persistent as a clingy pet.

Seraphine said lazily, “Mm-hmm.”

I remembered her previous promises and grew stern. “Good. Now swear an oath.”

The kind sworn to the Heavenly Dao, I meant.

“Hiss.” Seraphine sucked in a breath, straightened slightly, and flicked a water droplet at me.

The droplet shot through the screen, heading straight for me. I calmly raised my matchstick arm and split it in half. The two halves splattered on either side of my form like adorable little blush marks.

I opened my system shop without panic. “I’m purchasing recording equipment.”

“Stop right there! My word is my bond!” Seraphine sputtered indignantly, splashing water everywhere. “I said after seclusion, so it’s after seclusion!”

I closed the shop with satisfaction.

Slinging my matchstick over my shoulder, I mimicked her usual speaking style and sighed dramatically, “Tsk, women.”

As a mature voice package, I delivered this line with all the wooden charm of a domineering CEO novel. She’d just said she’d tell me after resting, and now it was after seclusion. Tomorrow after tomorrow—how many tomorrows could there be?

Seraphine had never heard Echo speak in such a low, husky tone before. The sound was like clear, light snow that had been compressed and weighted down, settling heavily over everything. Her neck tightened suddenly, and she turned to look.

Through the hole in the screen, human and system eyes met.

I brightened cheerfully.

Seraphine snapped back to awareness and quickly ducked under the water, sputtering in embarrassment, “Go away! You little female ball!”

The female ball didn’t move. “Echo wants to wash too. Can I soak in there after you’re done?”

My matchstick still had traces of Seraphine’s blood on it from earlier.

Now that I had a physical form, I needed to maintain proper hygiene.

The submerged Seraphine raised her hand, sending several water jets flying at me. I quickly lifted my matchstick and spun around, getting thoroughly doused from every angle with a series of satisfying splashes.

“Thank you, Seraphine.” I said gratefully.

Seraphine covered her face with her hands underwater and blew out a stream of bubbles, completely unwilling to speak.

Filled with gratitude toward Seraphine, I picked up the scattered garments from the floor and neatly folded them to one side for her convenience. When she emerged from her bath and saw the pile of clothes in the corner, she raised her finger and released a small flame. The blood-stained and dust-covered garments instantly turned to ash.

On the deck of Luanyang Palace’s spirit ship, disciples who had emerged from the secret realm entered their cabins to meditate and recover. The ship’s guards curiously watched the guests standing on deck, while behind their vessel, another large ship followed with maple leaf banners fluttering alongside the palace’s phoenix flags.

Siyi smiled at their guests. “Nanyang Continent seems to be in a different direction from us.”

Qiu Shuangshuang’s eyes sparkled as she declared, “I want to follow Master back to Luanyang Palace! I’ll be one of your people from now on!” Her tone was bright and cheerful, while Wei Yutong, standing behind her, sighed deeply.

Even though Seraphine had claimed the sword energy had nothing to do with her, Qiu Shuangshuang remained determined to acknowledge her as master. The Autumn Water Pavilion disciples were extraordinarily indulgent with their junior sister, following along even when she declared her intention to “switch allegiances.”

Siyi noticed Wei Yutong’s expression and smiled without addressing the topic directly. Instead, she focused on the man standing further back, looking rather awkward.

“Young Master Xue, do you need us to arrange transport back to the Lianshan Sect?” Siyi asked.

Xue Bufan caught Siyi’s hint that he should leave, but couldn’t reveal his current master-disciple relationship with Seraphine publicly. He bowed to Siyi. “Elder Si, I’d like to see Little Tao.”

Siyi smiled pleasantly. “She was injured in the secret realm and is currently resting. If it’s urgent, perhaps I could relay a message?”

They’d all been together before leaving the realm, so Xue Bufan had seen Xue Mengtao’s condition. He bowed again and withdrew several herbs from his storage ring. “These are ingredients for Foundation Establishment pills. Please give them to Little Tao.”

The herbs were of excellent quality. Siyi’s eyes glittered as she accepted them with a smile. “Since this is Young Master Xue’s thoughtful gift, I’ll deliver it for you. Though with such consideration, no wonder Xue Mengtao is so fond of you.”

Xue Bufan’s smile grew even more awkward. He pulled out an egg from his storage ring—everyone’s attention immediately focused on it. The egg was forearm-length, deep purple, with flowing light across its surface.

“I previously offended Palace Lord. This is my apology—please give it to the Palace Lord.” Xue Bufan said quietly.

Siyi looked surprised, sensing the vitality within the enormous egg. “Could this be the thunder bird’s lost child?” she exclaimed.

Xue Bufan had joined the battle relatively late and by coincidence, missing the confrontation between the Thunder Bird and Fire Rock Dragon. Under everyone’s curious stares, he explained, “It’s a thunder bird egg, but I found it abandoned in an underground maze. There were no thunder birds guarding it, and a vicious crocodile was trying to devour it.”

Silence fell over the group.

Qiu Shuangshuang gaped, thinking about Xue Bufan’s restored spiritual roots, his incredible fortune, and now finding a thunder bird egg… Thunder birds were extremely rare spirit beasts!

“Such incredible luck……” she muttered enviously, practically drooling.

Hanging on the railing, I asked Seraphine, “Are you tempted?”

Under my intense stare, Seraphine replied coldly, “My fist is tempted to move.”

I was satisfied and let go, jumping onto Seraphine’s dress and climbing up her clothing. Maybe having a physical form made me feel different—I preferred crawling to floating now.

“Why didn’t you just exchange for a human body back then?” Seraphine asked.

Because it had been an emergency situation, and getting a human form required special customization from the Main System. Plus, whether I was human or spherical, I was equally powerful.

This was the important part.

I hung myself on Seraphine’s belt so I could watch the deck activities, then asked, “Are you going to accept Xue Bufan’sgift?”

“Accept my ass!” Seraphine snorted un-Palace-Lord-like. “If I took it, wouldn’t I have to look at that bird egg every day? Just thinking about it being Xue Bufan’s gift would be infuriating. What use would it be besides making me angry? Or are you suggesting I should accept his things?”

Absolutely not!

I adopted the tone of someone with experience: “Spirit beasts are better when you steal them yourself.”

Take Error, for example—aside from eating a lot and taking up space, it had no other flaws and could even help with barbecuing! What an excellent spirit beast.

“……” Seraphine found my logic impeccable as always.

On deck, Siyi received Seraphine’s mental message and smiled broadly, directly refusing Xue Bufan’s apology gift. “The Palace Lord says that for that person’s sake, your grievances with her are temporarily settled.”

That person? Temporarily?

Siyi savored the implications of Seraphine’s words, then addressed the Autumn Water Pavilion sisters: “The Palace Lord asks you both to return home. Luanyang Palace is busy, and the Palace Lord isn’t considering disciples at this time.”

Of course, Seraphine’s actual message had been far less polite—just two impatient words: “All scram.”

Qiu Shuangshuang whimpered and threw herself into Wei Yutong’s arms. “Qiu Never-Cry” was apparently just her name. Wei Yutong felt relieved inside and patted her head before grabbing her collar, preparing to drag her away.

Just as everyone was about to go their separate ways, warning calls rang out from both ships’ lookout posts.

“Elder Si! Several large ships approaching from the west! They look hostile!”

The Autumn Water Pavilion disciple also called out, “Big Sister! Enemy attack!!”

Before his shout faded, the ships aggressively approached, deliberately surrounding the two vessels. The ship crews warily drew their weapons.

Siyi scanned the approaching fleet. The lead ship bore banners with deep blue cauldron patterns, followed by three merchant vessels and various smaller ships crowded with cultivators who looked ready for a show.

Wei Yutong pushed the curious Qiu Shuangshuang behind her and whispered, “Jade Cauldron Sect.”

Xue Bufan also recognized them. “The Jade Cauldron Sect is from Central Continent. Why would they suddenly come here?” And with so many other sect members in tow.

Siyi pressed her lips together. She’d been entertaining guests after leaving the secret realm, her clothes still bloodstained. She glanced subtly at the third-floor cabin, where curtains had been drawn across the platform, blocking prying eyes.

No movement from behind the curtains.

Siyi curved her lips and cupped her hands toward the surrounding ships. “We wonder what brings you all to block Luanyang Palace’s path?”

Someone immediately shouted from one of the merchant vessels: “Friends, don’t blame us! We’re just Immortal Achievement Trading Company—we took payment to rent spirit ships and transport these guests here! Whatever they do is none of our business! We absolutely won’t interfere!”

Complete neutrality!

Siyi bowed politely to the speaker and scanned the crowd. The cultivators wearing excited expressions met her gaze, then hastily looked away toward the Jade Cauldron Sect’s ship.

The Jade Cauldron vessel’s deck held many disciples, with those at the bow placing down a wide chair. Two figures flew from the cabin—a young man and woman with refined features and arrogant expressions, each carrying a sword.

They announced: “We welcome Master.”

I couldn’t help commenting through the curtain: “This person has entrance effects.”

Seraphine’s gaze shifted from outside the curtain to me at the bottom: ?

What laugh?

After their welcoming call, a bright light descended from the Jade Cauldron ship. The man with special effects made his grand entrance, settling into the jade chair. His narrow eyes swept over Luanyang Palace’s vessel, looking at Siyi with complete disdain.

“Foundation Establishment stage.” His tone carried even more contempt.

Siyi maintained her smile. “And you are?”

The female disciple behind him announced, “Our revered master is a personal disciple of the Jade Cauldron Sect Leader, surnamed Nie, given name Xiu, titled True Master Cauldron.”

Those who recognized his reputation couldn’t help but gasp.

Xue Bufan also inhaled sharply, whispering, “Central Continent has countless sects and geniuses. The Jade Cauldron Sect is renowned, and Nie Xiu is among their best. Despite being under three hundred years old, he’s already early Nascent Soul stage!”

Wei Yutong added, “But Nie Xiu is deep-minded and erratic, bullying others with his cultivation level. Even when he offends people he shouldn’t, the Jade Cauldron Sect protects him.”

Qiu Shuangshuang listened and snorted dismissively. “Sounds like bad news. Three hundred years old—he’s just an old geezer!”

“Trouble comes from loose tongues!” Wei Yutong quickly covered her mouth, then reconsidered and released it, rubbing Qiu Shuangshuang’s face. “Save those words for when Master and Master’s wife are around.”

Qiu Shuangshuang straightened righteously. Why should she be afraid? She had a master now! A mere early Nascent Soul cultivator—her master had killed those before!

Seraphine, who hadn’t actually killed any Nascent Soul cultivators, casually played with two jade beads as her lazy voice carried across the area. “It’s an honor.”

Though her tone contained no actual honor.

“It seems Central Continent has been quite stormy lately, for Friend Nie to sail his ship to Eastern Continent for sightseeing.”

Everyone present caught the sarcasm in Palace Lord’s words. They’d come precisely to watch the show and maybe profit from it—two major sects facing off while they observed from the sidelines, thoroughly entertained.

Seraphine continued leisurely, “Though your ship seems rather old, and it keeps sailing where it shouldn’t. Friend Nie, traveling far from home is fine, but if you’re not careful and crash your ship without a way back, what would you do?”

“Ha, such big words.” Nie Xiu sneered coldly, his narrow eyes sweeping over all the surrounding ships. He placed his hands on the chair’s armrests arrogantly. “I’d like to see who in all of Eastern Continent could crash my ship?”

I brightened and started opening my storage space, but felt a gentle kick from Seraphine’s toe against my backside.

I covered my little rear and looked up at Seraphine.

She gave me a warning stare before continuing her conversation with Nie Xiu. “Friend Nie should know that Eastern Continent hasn’t been peaceful lately either. Who knows what might happen?”

After their verbal sparring, Nie Xiu saw that despite Seraphine’s low cultivation, her attitude was insufferable. He sneered and cut to the chase: “Enough with the wordplay! I’ll ask you directly—did you steal the Immortal Palace inheritance from Chongshan?”

The crowd fell silent.

Qiu Shuangshuang’s eyes widened as she exchanged glances with Wei Yutong, who shook her head.

The Autumn Water Pavilion disciples knew the most about the inheritance, but they would never leak information or run to Central Continent to inform the Jade Cauldron Sect. For Nie Xiu to know about it, either his sect possessed similar records from Chongshan Immortal Venerable, or he’d heard it from someone else.

Indeed, before Seraphine could respond, Nie Xiu declared decisively, “Two of my excellent disciples traveled vast distances to reach the secret realm, only to miss the inheritance due to interference. Their spiritual roots and comprehension surpass all others—how could they fail without someone sabotaging them from within!”

“I’ve investigated thoroughly. Only you entered the trials after the illusion! If you hadn’t destroyed the illusion array, how could they have failed at the first stage! I believe you sabotaged it to claim the fortune for yourself! If you’d let others enter the trials together, who knows who would have received the inheritance!”

“I advise you to obediently hand over the inheritance to my disciples! Otherwise, don’t blame me for being impolite!”

Nie Xiu’s words reached everyone’s ears. Many nodded in agreement, including those who’d been trapped in the illusion and escaped only after Seraphine broke it.

These followers who’d come with the various sects all agreed with Nie Xiu’s reasoning and had come to settle accounts with Seraphine.

“Shameless!” Qiu Shuangshuang ground her teeth. “Forget about inheritance depending on fortune—how many of these people could even escape the illusion? And after escaping, who could fight the Mirage? That was a Nascent Soul stage spirit beast!”

“If my master hadn’t broken the formation, everyone trapped in the illusion would have died inside!”

Having experienced it firsthand, she knew the Chongshan Immortal Palace’s secret realm was designed to find one person in ten thousand! And Seraphine was that chosen one!

These people weren’t grateful—instead, they came to blame her master. How ridiculous!

Xue Bufan sighed. “They’re just looking for an excuse to openly steal.”

Siyi didn’t judge Nie Xiu’s words but observed the cultivators on nearby ships, thinking that compared to them, even GuYuqing had a shred of decency.

Inside the third-floor cabin curtains, a small sphere rolled in a circle.

A cold voice stated, “I’m going to kill them all.”

Now that she had her little sword, our system had become truly lawless, constantly talking about killing. Seraphinewanted to teach Echo subtlety and misdirection. She waved for Echo to fly into her palm, then began on-the-spot instruction.

Seraphine laughed coldly, her voice carrying across the area as she addressed Nie Xiu: “How I conduct myself requires no instruction from you! What are you anyway!”

“And your disciples—if they’re so excellent and surpass everyone, how could they be stopped at the first stage by me? Shouldn’t they ascend immediately and become immortals rather than remain mortal!”

The air fell silent again. Someone on Luanyang Palace’s ship laughed first, followed by Autumn Water Pavilion disciples, then the spectators couldn’t help but join in.

Qiu Shuangshuang laughed the loudest. “That’s right! Go become immortals! There’s no room for them down here!”

Nie Xiu’s face darkened. He slammed his armrest, releasing Nascent Soul stage pressure that swept outward. Except for the protected large ships with defensive barriers, cultivators on smaller vessels were forced to their knees by the overwhelming aura.

Their faces paled as they quickly lowered their heads, no longer daring to laugh.

The disciples protected by defensive barriers on Luanyang Palace and Autumn Water Pavilion continued laughing. Siyismiled particularly sweetly as she spoke gently: “Whether our Palace Lord inherited the immortal palace fortune or not, it would be Heaven’s blessing regardless. Setting aside whether our Lord actually received the inheritance—even if she did, it would simply be your disciples’ poor luck. If they’re unwilling to accept it, they should confront her themselves…”

Siyi’s eyes glittered as she smiled and looked up at the phoenix banner fluttering in the air. “If you wish to act on their behalf, Luanyang Palace can also request someone to represent us. That back-and-forth would create true enmity.”

Her tone was meaningful as she spoke.

Nie Xiu pressed his lips together, refusing to engage with her words. How could he miss Siyi’s threat not to interfere personally? If he acted, only disciples could respond—but his two disciples were Foundation Establishment stage. How could they possibly defeat Seraphine!

But with such fortune before him, asking him to give up was truly unbearable! This was a legacy from an ascended immortal! If not for this, he wouldn’t have rushed here to block Luanyang Palace’s ships!

The man and woman standing behind Nie Xiu were his disciples. One lowered his head and said resentfully, “Master! What are we afraid of? What powerful figures does Luanyang Palace have left? Even if they bring out their supposedly secluded Soul Transformation cultivator, don’t we have Grand-Master behind us!”

“Shut up, you fool! You know nothing!” Nie Xiu scolded. “You understand shit!”

Even if Luanyang Palace had no powerful figures and they looked down on them privately, they absolutely couldn’t voice intentions to create enmity! Otherwise, wouldn’t they become the laughingstock of all righteous cultivators!

Nie Xiu’s scolded disciple lowered his head but pouted.

Knowing or not knowing, weren’t they still blocking ships and creating conflict? How could they meet with smiles in the future after this? Besides, Seraphine had practically pointed at Master’s nose while cursing him, yet Master could still restrain himself. How strange.

Nie Xiu naturally felt furious. He suddenly stood, taking a sword from his disciple and declaring coldly, “I have no intention of creating enmity with Luanyang Palace. I’m only addressing the inheritance matter. Palace Lord destroying the illusion and preventing my disciples from entering the later trials is fact. As their master, I must seek justice for them.”

“Palace Lord, I’ll suppress my cultivation to early Golden Core stage and wager the inheritance in battle with you!”

His intentions to bully someone weaker couldn’t be more obvious. The expressions on Luanyang Palace’s deck turned ugly.

But behind the curtains, Seraphine laughed.

I noticed her staring at the Jade Cauldron Sect’s banner and asked, “What’s on the flag?”

Seraphine said lazily, “It’s not the flag—it’s the Jade Cauldron Sect’s face-saving cloth.”

She pinched me gently, curving her red lips into a light smile as her voice carried across the mountains and peaks.

“I accepts.”

Nie Xiu’s expression lit up with joy, but then heard Seraphine continue: “However, before the match, everyone should know that the Chongshan Immortal Palace inheritance never fell into my hands. I’m willing to swear by the Heavenly Dao that I, Palace Lord, did not pass Immortal Chongshan’s trials. If I’m lying, may I die and my path be destroyed.”

As her words ended, everyone looked up at the sky. Seeing no lightning preparing to strike her, they frowned. Among the cultivators who’d entered the secret realm, Seraphine had shown the most exceptional talent—if she hadn’t obtained the inheritance, who could have?

Someone immediately voiced this question. Seraphine raised her eyebrows and looked thoughtful.

On deck, Xue Bufan started, staring at the sky.

How could Seraphine not have obtained the inheritance?! Impossible! He’d personally witnessed her sword techniques containing Master’s sword intent!

“Haha! She’s definitely lying, playing you for a fool!” the spiritual consciousness in his ring transmitted mockingly. “You actually believed her and even wanted to give that hard-won thunder bird egg as an apology gift!”

Accustomed to the spiritual consciousness’s mockery, Xue Bufan felt unusually frustrated. “Master, didn’t you notice either? That’s your inheritance!”

The spiritual consciousness paused, stopped mocking, and made excuses: “Cough, perhaps she has some artifact that conceals heavenly secrets?”

Right, exactly! That must be it!

After swearing by the Heavenly Dao that she hadn’t obtained the inheritance, Seraphine leisurely continued under everyone’s amazed gazes: “Though I did see someone’s figure on the Celestial Stairs.”

The arguments ceased. Xue Bufan broke into a cold sweat and looked up.

Fiery red spiritual energy painted a large image in mid-air, depicting an extremely ugly, hunched figure.

“It was him.” Seraphine said. “The last to reach the end besides me. I failed at the third trial—the inheritance must have gone to this person!”

The golden-red portrait was enlarged so everyone could see the face, but it was so old and ugly that it hurt to look at. This clearly half-dead person didn’t seem like someone who should be associated with “inheritance.”

Qiu Shuangshuang’s pretty face twisted as she swallowed hard, glancing at the pale, weak-looking Xue Bufan with both sympathy and relief. At least she’d never have to see that eyesore again!

Then someone in the crowd shouted, “I’ve seen this face! I personally watched him enter the secret realm! This person exists!”

“Right! I saw him too!”

More and more testimonies confirmed the person’s existence, proving Seraphine hadn’t fabricated him. But this didn’t necessarily mean this person had taken the inheritance—Seraphine might have seen him and decided to use him as a scapegoat. Yet she’d sworn by the Heavenly Dao…

Nie Xiu looked suspicious. His disciple shouted, “If so, why don’t you swear by the Heavenly Dao again to prove your words are true!”

“You’re going too far!” Qiu Shuangshuang stamped her foot angrily, nearly crying. “My master would never lie!”

Xue Bufan cleared his throat. “That’s right. Palace Lord isn’t someone who would stoop to deception.”

And indeed, she wasn’t lying. Technically.

In Seraphine’s palm, I tapped lightly and looked up at her. She met my gaze.

The system, ready to act, quietly opened its storage space.

“Ha.” Seraphine laughed lowly, the mocking sound making everyone startle and fall silent.

In the silence, the Palace Lord of Luanyang Palace appeared, landing on the ship’s roof. Her pale gold dress spread across the red lacquer like brilliant silk. Her long black hair hung loose, unmade-up, beautiful in its honesty—unforgettably so.

Holding her long whip, she declared coldly, “Ridiculous! When did I, Seraphine, fall so low as to be questioned by mediocre waste like you!”

Accompanying her fury and contempt was the whip she lashed out. The blazing fire whip showed no mercy, striking the Jade Cauldron Sect disciple who’d demanded her oath. It sent him flying, golden-red flames instantly enveloping him. NieXiu, unprepared for Seraphine’s sudden attack, rushed to save his disciple. Shocked by the flames’ vicious dominance, he watched his disciple—whose spiritual roots and comprehension supposedly surpassed all others—lose half his life to a single lash.

“……”

Terror spread instantly. The various sect disciples blocking Luanyang Palace’s path instinctively retreated, their heated minds cooling as they remembered something crucial.

This was Luanyang Palace. The Luanyang Palace that had once slaughtered the demonic Nine Heavens Sert and restored clarity to the cultivation world—the righteous sect whose name was known across all five continents! And Seraphine was the only child of the old Palace Lord, once the foremost person under Heaven’s Dao!

Seraphine curved her lips, playing with the flame whip like a toy as she locked eyes with Nie Xiu. Under his wary, furious gaze, she raised her eyebrows and laughed lightly.

“Since we agreed to fight and stealing inheritances sounds bad when spread around, I’ll first give Friend Nie a reason to avenge his disciple. Isn’t that nice?”

“You should thank me for saving your face.”

Seraphine laughed heartily, her laughter filled with pure joy.

Nie Xiu ground his teeth, drawing his sword. “You!”

He decided against suppressing his cultivation, intending to severely punish Seraphine. But in that split second, a deep voice carried from the distance.

“The old Palace Lord beneath the Nine Springs should see how you treat her bloodline!”

Qiu Shuangshuang, who’d been wiping her tears anxiously on deck, suddenly became radiant with joy. “Father!”

On the horizon, a spirit ship with red maple banners approached. A man and woman stood at the bow—the speaker was clearly Qiu Shuangshuang’s father, the Autumn Water Pavilion’s Pavilion Master. The woman beside him needed no introduction.

Qiu Shuangshuang burst into tears, crying, “Mother!!”

She immediately flew over and threw herself into the woman’s arms.

The woman lovingly stroked Qiu Shuangshuang’s face, checking her from head to toe. Seeing she was unharmed, she sighed with relief.

Then threw Qiu Shuangshuang off the ship.

Running away from home, was she?!

The woman’s anger made the Pavilion Master’s heart skip a beat. His hand, reaching to catch their daughter, froze and moved behind his back instead. He cleared his throat and redirected his fury toward the Jade Cauldron Sect members.

“Friend Nie, how is your master faring? I heard he’s made no cultivation progress in years and focuses on seclusion. I see it’s true—otherwise he wouldn’t allow his disciples to do such despicable, contemptible, disgusting things as gathering people to surround and rob others!”

“Why don’t I also suppress my cultivation and help him properly discipline his disciples!”

Qiu Shuangshuang’s mother said softly, “I think that’s acceptable.”

Nie Xiu’s face twisted. Today’s affair would end here—both Autumn Water Pavilion masters were Soul Transformation stage cultivators. Fighting them would be like an egg hitting a stone.

“Let’s go!” He waved his sleeve and ordered his disciples to sail away.

Seraphine made a curious sound, looking genuinely surprised. “Oh? Not fighting anymore?”

Nie Xiu glared at her from afar, thinking she was deliberately provoking him while protected by two Soul Transformation cultivators.

Seraphine’s smile deepened. She switched the whip to her left hand and said lazily, “But I haven’t said you can leave yet.”

“I mean you. All of you.”

Everyone watched as the Palace Lord of Luanyang Palace, beautiful as a celestial being, casually waved her hand.

Sword sounds rang faintly between heaven and earth. Frost surged forth with an aura so cold it could freeze blood in veins, sweeping outward in mighty waves. Countless screams arose as every ship—whether from small sects or fleeing larger vessels—became covered in frost amid the surging sword energy, exploding with thunderous cracks.

Among all the ships, the Jade Cauldron Sect was at the sword energy’s center. Nie Xiu used all his strength to resist but couldn’t block this terrifying sword intent. His face paled as he forcibly endured the blow, spitting blood and collapsing to his knees.

The Jade Cauldron Sect’s great ship fell from the sky amid disciples’ panicked shouts of “The ship is breaking apart!”

Nie Xiu covered his chest, looking up from the falling vessel to meet Seraphine’s downward gaze of contempt.

She’d warned him—not watching where he was going would get his ship smashed.

Seraphine’s lips curved into the faintest smile, but her eyes remained glacial as she silently mouthed words to Nie Xiu.

“Just wait.”

The world erupted in brilliant white light.

As screams echoed through the air and bodies plummeted, Qiu Shuangshuang danced across the snow on her spear, leaping from point to point with childlike glee. “It’s snowing! It’s snowing!”

Snow again. Really?

Wei Yutong shook her head and bowed respectfully to her Master and Master’s wife. The Autumn Water Pavilion’s sect leader gazed at the woman standing amidst the falling snow, unable to contain his admiration. “Such domineering yet elegant sword intent—so bold and flowing! It truly matches Palace Lord’s nature!”

Both Xue Bufan and spiritual consciousness simultaneously exhaled in relief.

That’s right. It really is her.

Seraphine lowered her gaze to her palm.

Goose-feather snowflakes drifted down onto my little system head.

I brushed the snow away and blew on my tiny sword before tucking it into my mouth. Then I held up my interface panel toward Seraphine.

“I’ve learned much.”