Ye Ling slowly explained, “I originally hail from Heishui Commandery. I have long heard that the martial arts scene in Yun'an Commandery is thriving, so I traveled here to experience its martial atmosphere.”
“However, since I have just arrived and am unfamiliar with many areas, I wanted to ask you both for guidance.”
Zhou Wen nodded in realization. “So you are from Heishui Commandery, Young Friend.”
“But Heishui Commandery's foundation is by no means weak. It is not inferior to our Yun'an Commandery at all.”
He continued slowly, as if making casual conversation. “During the sect selection in Heishui Commandery two years ago, two peerless geniuses suddenly emerged. Both of them ascended past the nine-thousandth step of the Heavenly Spirit Stairs.”
“Their talent shocked the entire Qingyun Kingdom. One entered the Qinglan Sword Sect, and the other joined the Burning Heaven Martial Academy.”
He asked seemingly casually, “As a disciple of the Qinglan Sword Sect, I wonder if you have had the honor of meeting that peerless genius from Heishui Commandery, Young Friend Ye?”
Last night, the husband and wife had secretly suspected that Ye Ling was indeed that very genius.
But on second thought, they figured a favored child of heaven with such status would surely travel with attendants and would never wander the world alone, so they had dismissed the suspicion.
Ye Ling's expression remained unchanged, and her tone was calm. “Since entering the sect, I have been in seclusion year-round, so I have not had the honor of meeting that genius in person.”
“However, fellow disciples in the sect often mention her, saying her talent is peerless and that she is a swordplay prodigy rarely seen in a thousand years.”
Beside them, Zhou Jinyun listened with great interest.
Zhou Wen laughed heartily. “I see. If you have anything you wish to know, Young Friend Ye, feel free to ask.”
Ye Ling took the opportunity to ask, “I have heard that there is a sacred ground for martial arts sparring in Yun'an Commandery called Tianyuan Peak. Is that true?”
Zhou Wen laughed heartily. “That is correct! Tianyuan Peak is located on the outskirts of Yunshui City.”
“Are you planning to go and observe, Young Friend Ye?”
Ye Ling nodded.
Ye Ruoqing smiled warmly. “Then you have truly arrived at the perfect time, Young Friend Ye.”
Ye Ling glanced at her slightly. “What do you mean by that, Madam?”
Ye Ruoqing explained with a smile, “Recently, Xiao Jinheng, who is ranked extremely high among the younger generation of the Qingyun Kingdom...”
“...broke through to the peak Xiantian Realm not long ago. He has sent out challenge letters far and wide, specifically naming Fairy Bai Ling of Jingshui Yaotai for a duel.”
Hearing this name, Ye Ling's brow twitched imperceptibly.
When she had first left the Qinglan Sword Sect, she had heard many rumors about her in a small town.
Fairy Bai Ling was ranked among the Five Geniuses of Qingyun. Not yet thirty-five years old, her cultivation had already reached the peak Xiantian Realm, and she had mastered her unique whip technique to perfection.
The world knew her strength was unmatched among her peers, but even more than her strength, her appearance was what astounded the entire Qingyun Kingdom.
Dressed in a plain white gauze dress, her aura was like a spiritual lotus of the Jade Pool, and her features were peerlessly beautiful. She was universally recognized as the number one beauty of the younger generation in the kingdom.
Such a genius rarely fought duels in public.
Ye Ruoqing continued, “Because this duel is imminent, Tianyuan Peak has been unprecedentedly lively these past few days. It is the perfect opportunity to broaden your horizons.”
Ye Ling quickly asked, “How many days are left before the duel?”
Zhou Wen took over the conversation. “There are exactly seven days left.”
“Tianfeng City and Yunshui City are not far apart. A Xiantian Realm expert can fly there in a single day.”
“However, there are probably many martial artists coming upon hearing the news. If you want a good viewing spot, you might need to set off a few days early.”
Ye Ling nodded slightly upon hearing this. “Thank you both for informing me.”
Then, Ye Ruoqing turned to look at Zhou Jinyun and asked gently.
“Jinyun, would you like to go and broaden your horizons at such a rare clash of geniuses?”
Zhou Jinyun was slightly taken aback. After pondering for a moment, she took a deep breath, suddenly stood up, and bowed deeply to her parents.
“Father, Mother, I have completely made up my mind.”
“From now on, I will no longer insist on venturing out into the Jianghu.”
“I will stay in the city to cultivate diligently, study the ways of governing a city, and take up the burden of guarding Tianfeng City.”
Ye Ruoqing's heart tightened upon hearing this, and she quickly tried to comfort her.
“Jinyun, you don't have to force yourself like this.”
“Your father and I are still young. You must not make a decision against your will just because of those wicked people yesterday.”
Zhou Jinyun shook her head gently. “No, Mother.”
“I am not being forced to compromise; I have truly understood.”
“My brother has been depressed for ten years, and I fear he can never return to how he used to be.”
“In the past, I always thought of waiting for him to pull himself together, but I cannot rely on him forever.”
“I want to become strong, not only to protect myself, but also to guard my parents, protect my brother, and guard this entire Tianfeng City.”
Seeing that her daughter's mind was made up, Ye Ruoqing spoke no more, her eyes filled only with gratification.
A bright light flashed in Zhou Wen's eyes, and his face was full of comfort. “Good! Since your resolve is firm, I will impart everything I have learned in my life to you in the future.”
Zhou Jinyun nodded heavily, then turned and bowed deeply to Ye Ling once more.
“Sister Ye, the person I should thank the most is actually you.”
“If you hadn't saved my life and woken me up, I wouldn't have recognized my true heart so quickly.”
“I know that you will eventually travel far, Sister, and I am merely a passing traveler in your life.”
“I only hope you won't forget me, and don't forget that you still have me as a friend in Tianfeng City.”
Looking at the young girl who had grown up overnight, Ye Ling said earnestly, “I won't forget.”
The next morning, as the first light of dawn broke, Ye Ling packed her bags and prepared to set off for Tianyuan Peak.
Hearing the news, the Zhou family came to the gate to see her off, but there was an additional figure among them who had never shown his face before.
Aunt Lin slowly pushed a solid wooden wheelchair forward. Sitting in the wheelchair was a young man dressed in white.
His features were handsome and refined, and he should have been high-spirited, but his entire body was shrouded in a heavy air of desolation.
Aunt Lin pushed the wheelchair in front of Ye Ling and stepped aside.
The young man in white raised his eyes, his gaze landing on Ye Ling. His voice was gentle and carried a hint of apology.
“Miss Ye, please forgive me for being unable to rise and greet you due to my disability.”
Ye Ling raised her hand calmly. “No matter.”
Zhou Jinhang let out a soft breath, his eyes filled with gratitude.
“I have already heard the full details of Jinyun's peril yesterday.”
“As her elder brother, I have been decadent for years, unable to protect my sister in the slightest.”
“If not for your rescue, Jinyun's life would have been in grave danger.”
“I will always keep this great kindness in my heart.”
After saying this, he smiled self-deprecatingly, a bitterness accumulated over ten years hidden deep in his eyes.
Zhou Jinyun immediately took a step forward, her eyes reddening. “Brother, it was never your fault.”
Zhou Jinhang gently raised his hand to stop her comforting words, then turned to look at his parents with a resolute gaze.
“Father, Mother, I have wasted ten years of my life in depression.”
“But from today onward, I will no longer close myself off.”
“I will pull myself together and do my best to assist Jinyun in guarding Tianfeng City.”
These few short words were worth more than a thousand.
Zhou Wen's and Ye Ruoqing's eyes grew red. They quickly stepped forward to support their son, choking up with emotion.
“Good.”
Ye Ling watching this scene of family reconciliation, offered a soft blessing, “May your path ahead be safe, and may your family prosper.”
With that, she turned to look at Zhou Jinyun, whose eyes were filled with reluctance to see her go.
“Jinyun, I am leaving. If I have free time in the future, I will come back to visit you.”
Zhou Jinyun nodded vigorously, holding back the moisture in her eyes as she watched Ye Ling.
As soon as her voice fell, a light green shadow swept through the morning light, disappearing into the distance in an instant.
Only the four members of the Zhou family remained standing quietly before the gate, gazing in the direction of her departure for a long time.
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