Deep in a forest north of City A stood a massive building made from special materials, strong enough to withstand sudden attacks, natural disasters, and even strikes from high-level cultivators. Tall fences ringed the compound. Guard towers positioned at regular intervals where armed personnel maintained constant watch.
Inside the building, Jin Ling stood before a long conference table. High-ranking military officials gathered here to discuss recent events.
"You're saying you didn't find the expected level 5 treasure at the Tang clan house?"
A middle-aged man wearing glasses in formal attire questioned Jin Ling critically.
"Yes, sir. The treasures detected were only level 3 items that already belonged to the Tang clan."
Jin Ling answered the question calmly, though his eyes showed he didn't particularly like this bespectacled man.
"Hah! What's the Black Hawk unit even doing?"
The bespectacled man muttered in displeasure. Jin Ling's brow furrowed, but he caught sight of another man across the room. The man smiled faintly and shook his head slightly. Jin Ling held his tongue.
"Furthermore, you also said a Grandmaster-level being appeared, correct?"
An authoritative elderly man changed the subject to what concerned him most.
"Bai Fanxian? I've never heard that name before..."
"Is she someone's disciple?"
"Or perhaps she's an old hermit who just came down from the mountain?"
They debated loudly. A Grandmaster-level being held power capable of fighting an entire army of ordinary soldiers single-handedly.
Even among these general-level figures, some were cultivators themselves, but only four had reached Grandmaster level.
"No, sir... From her appearance, she's only about twenty-some years old."
Jin Ling hesitated before projecting an image. A photograph of Bai Fanxian from the shopping district—devastatingly beautiful, a faint smile at her lips.
The high-ranking officials stared in astonishment. Even the man Jin Ling had noticed earlier froze, stunned by Bai Fanxian's face.
The room erupted when they recovered.
"That's impossible!"
"A Grandmaster-level cultivator in her twenties?"
"Is she some kind of demon..."
"Could it be disguise? Some cultivators can reverse their age or change their appearance, especially Grandmaster-level cultivators..."
Opinions and arguments continued for a while. Finally, the authoritative elderly man asked Jin Ling another question.
"Have you investigated her background yet?"
Jin Ling nodded and projected another image—Bai Fanxian's profile, which aside from her name, showed only question marks.
"Is this some kind of joke!?"
The bespectacled man slammed the table, but Jin Ling didn't flinch. He kept his expression calm.
"Her name is Bai Fanxian. First sighting was yesterday in the shopping district. No records in the population database. Not even a similar photo. Her identity is a complete mystery."
"This is..."
They debated again. The bespectacled man turned to question Jin Ling.
"Then just arrest her for questioning. No name and no data like this—isn't that suspicious?"
Jin Ling smiled at his question.
"In that case, would Major General Zhou like to arrest her yourself?"
Major General Zhou choked speechless at that question.
He held the rank of major general, but he wasn't a cultivator. Realizing the woman might be Grandmaster-level, he wasn't about to take that risk.
"Your Black Hawk people should go yourselves. Don't let the military waste resources feeding you for nothing."
His words drew frowns around the room. Most of the military were ordinary people, true, but certain special units consisted almost entirely of cultivators—handling missions regular forces couldn't touch.
The Black Hawk was one of them.
Besides Black Hawk, the military had three other special force units stationed in each region, primarily to prevent damage and control cultivators within the country.
"General Liu, your Black Hawk unit won't refuse, will you?"
Major General Ma adjusted his glasses and turned to another man in the room. The one who'd been watching Bai Fanxian's photo with interest—the same one Jin Ling had noticed earlier.
The supreme commander of the Black Hawk special forces, General Liu Yianfei.
Liu Yianfei looked younger than expected. Long hair fell across his forehead. He appeared to be in his late thirties. A sword rested on his shoulder. Despite the military uniform, his body looked frail and sickly.
Without the uniform, no one would guess he was military.
"Well..."
Surprisingly, he didn't refuse. He glanced at Bai Fanxian's information again.
"This is really interesting..."
.
.
.
"Do you like it, Grandmaster Bai?"
At a beachfront residence, Tang Tianjie personally gave Bai Fanxian the house tour. Pride lit up his face as he showed her around.
He'd figured out that Bai Fanxian knew very little about general knowledge and technology—and he was right. Even something as simple as an automatic door caught her attention.
She was fascinated by this era, especially all the strange technologies she'd never seen before. At the Tang clan house yesterday, she'd wanted to explore more, but between being a guest and all the chaos, she'd only observed quietly.
"Not bad..."
Bai Fanxian nodded. It wasn't as large as her Goddess Alchemy Palace or the Tang main house, but the convenience and technology far surpassed them both.
She walked to the wooden deck extending over the beach. Two little children ran and played on the sand below. Uncle Huang and Tang Xinlan watched over them, smiling.
One had grown up in the slums—forget about the beach, Hui'er had never even left the city.
Tang Yeye had been sick and housebound for years. She'd barely had chances to run around. Now, with both strength and a friend her age, she ran wild.
Hui'er noticed her lady appearing on the deck and quickly ran over.
"My lady, it's so beautiful here!"
The little girl's innocent words made Bai Fanxian smile.
"Do you like it?"
"I love it... Can we really live here?"
Hui'er asked uncertainly. For her, living in such a beautiful house felt like a dream.
"Mm..."
Bai Fanxian nodded gently. The other little child, Tang Yeye, ran after her sister.
"I want to live here too!"
Little Yeye pleaded with clear eyes. Instead of refusing—as Tang Tianjie expected—Bai Fanxian walked back into the house.
"That depends on your grandfather..."
Bai Fanxian's answer made Tang Tianjie nearly jump for joy. He leaped down from the deck—no ordinary old man could move like that. As a Martial Master 6th stage, he landed on the sand without leaving a mark. He scooped up Tang Yeye happily.
"Hahaha! Grandmaster Bai has really accepted my granddaughter!"
"What're you doing, Grandpa?"
Tang Yeye was too young to understand what had her grandfather so excited. She just stared in confusion.
Tang Tianjie set his granddaughter down and crouched to her level. "From now on, you call Grandmaster Bai 'my lady,' okay?"
"But I already call my lady 'my lady'?"
Tang Yeye tilted her head in puzzlement. She pointed at Hui'er, who was drinking coconut water that Uncle Huang had obtained from somewhere.
"Big Sister Hui'er taught me."
"Oh! That's right, I forgot."
Tang Tianjie patted his head, still grinning.
The Tang clan had gained a powerful backing!
Tang Xinlan approached her father-in-law, concern written on her face. Her daughter had just recovered—she couldn't bear the thought of separation.
"Xinlan, letting Yeye stay with Grandmaster Bai will be best for the child."
Tang Tianjie understood his daughter-in-law's feelings, but an opportunity to learn from a Grandmaster-level being? No amount of money could buy that.
Especially a Grandmaster at Bai Fanxian's level.
"I understand, but I can't help worrying."
She sighed. Watching her happy child made it harder to let go.
"Don't worry. If you miss Yeye, just come visit. That's why I gave this house to Grandmaster Bai, isn't it?"
Tang Tianjie laughed. Tang Xinlan smiled.
Right. The house was only 5 kilometers from the Tang estate. She could come over anytime to see her daughter.
"You're right..."
Tang Xinlan went to look after both children, treating Hui'er no differently from Tang Yeye. She felt affection for the girl, especially after Uncle Huang mentioned this child had begged Grandmaster Bai to cure her daughter.