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Beili, Snow Moon City.
Atop Cang Mountain, a sea of clouds surged.
This was the training ground of Li Hanyi, the "Snow Moon Sword Immortal." On ordinary days, apart from the endless swirling snow and whistling sword qi, only a deathly silence reigned.
But today, Cang Mountain was lively.
Zheng! A mournful sword chime echoed through the heavens.
Li Hanyi, clad in gray robes, still wore the awe-inspiring Asura Mask on her face. Her "Iron Steed, Icy River" sword slashed out fiercely, a hundred-zhang long blast of icy sword qi instantly tore through the sea of clouds, forcibly shaving off a corner of a distant mountain peak.
This single sword strike was stronger, colder, and even more… domineering than before her injury.
Whoosh…
Li Hanyi sheathed her sword and stood, but a slight frown creased her brow beneath the mask. She gazed at her palm, her heart filled with shock and uncertainty.
Over the past few days of recuperation, she was astonished to find that the hidden meridian injuries, which should have plagued her for months or even years, had miraculously healed. Even more terrifying, a trace of incredibly pure and potent Yang Qi had appeared within her True Qi. This surge of Yang Qi, far from clashing with her inherently Yin-cold "Still Water Sword Art," had instead achieved a subtle harmony of Yin and Yang.
Her cultivation realm actually showed faint signs of breaking through from the Mid-stage to the Late-stage of the Heavenly Human Realm.
"Was it… that night?"
Unbidden, the image of that figure, entangled with her in the sea of flowers, surged into Li Hanyi's mind. That man, Gu Liufeng, using the most primal method, had not only saved her life but also granted her this astonishing fortune.
"Bastard…"
She cursed under her breath, yet her tone held little killing intent, replaced instead by a hint of vexation and embarrassment.
"Second Senior Brother!"
"Father! Second Martial Uncle really is practicing her sword! I told you she was fine!"
A burst of commotion shattered Li Hanyi's contemplation. Several figures strode through the sea of clouds.
Leading the way was a middle-aged man in black, wielding a long spear. He had a refined appearance, yet exuded a weariness from overwork. He was precisely Sikong Changfeng, the Third City Lord of Snow Moon City, known as the "Spear Immortal" and the Grand Steward.
Beside him, followed a young girl in practical attire, her hair tied in twin ponytails. The girl held a silver spear, her appearance delicate and charming, though her large eyes held a "not-so-bright" kind of innocence. She was Sikong Qianluo, Sikong Changfeng's only daughter.
Trailing behind was a white-robed man, swaying as he walked, clutching a wineskin. He appeared to be only about thirty years old, his expression brimming with carefree elegance, as if even the sky collapsing wouldn't stop him from taking a sip of wine. He was the Grand City Lord of Snow Moon City, the Wine Immortal, Baili Dongjun.
Besides them, there was also a stunning woman in a red dress. She leaned languidly against a rock, her eyes alluring, every gesture exuding the unique charm and allure of a mature woman. She was Snow Moon City Elder, the Sunset Glow Fairy, Yin Luoxia.
"Second Senior Brother! You've finally come out of seclusion!"
Sikong Changfeng walked forward with an anxious expression, scrutinizing Li Hanyi. "I heard you encountered a Dark River ambush on your way to Lei Family Fortress? Did that old man Su Changhe personally make a move? How are your injuries?"
Li Hanyi gave him a cold glance, her voice, muffled by the mask, sounding especially deep and authoritative. "I won't die. Su Changhe lost an arm, and the three heads of the Dark River were gravely injured."
Hiss—
Sikong Changfeng gasped sharply. Fighting the entire Dark River alone and still managing to turn the tables and kill? Second Senior Brother truly is Second Senior Brother!
"Oh, I told you Second Martial Uncle is invincible under heaven!" Sikong Qianluo waved the small silver spear in her hand, leaning in with an expression of adoration. "Second Martial Uncle, did you chop that Su Changhe down with one sword and make him flee? That's so cool!"
Li Hanyi looked at her simple-minded martial niece, the corner of her mouth twitching beneath the mask. If it were before, she would certainly have tacitly agreed. But this time… "It wasn't my doing alone."
Li Hanyi said faintly, her tone somewhat vague. "Someone… lent me a hand."
"Oh?" Baili Dongjun, who had been drinking continuously, suddenly put down his wineskin. His blurry, drunken eyes looked over, a sharp glint flashing within them. "To be able to intervene in a battle of that caliber and save you from a certain death situation… when did such an expert appear in the martial world? Is it a man or a woman? What's their name?"
Li Hanyi's heart skipped a beat. If these gossipy individuals knew it was a man, and that he had spent a night with her in the sea of flowers… Snow Moon City would probably explode.
"A passing reclusive expert, left no name, and departed." Li Hanyi stiffly changed the subject, a surge of icy qi erupting from her. "Let's not speak of this. Sikong Changfeng, relay my Hanyi's Command!"
Sikong Changfeng's expression grew serious. "Second Senior Brother, please speak."
"The Dark River colluded with the Tang Clan to ambush and assassinate Snow Moon City's City Lord, violating the martial world's fundamental rules." Li Hanyi's "Iron Steed, Icy River" pointed directly at the sky, radiating chilling killing intent. "Effective immediately, Snow Moon City declares war on the Dark River! All affiliated with Snow Moon City, upon encountering Dark River assassins, shall show no mercy! I want Su Changhe to understand who truly dictates the terms in Beili's martial world!"
"Good!" Yin Luoxia, who had been languidly watching the spectacle, suddenly clapped her hands in approval. She swayed forward, her waist like a water snake, her red lips parting slightly, her voice so enchanting it seemed to melt into one's bones. "I've long found those rats hiding in the gutters an eyesore. Hanyi, count me, Yin Luoxia, in for this battle. I hear Xie Qidao of the Dark River is quite arrogant? I'll go have a bout with him."
As she spoke, she deliberately cast a flirtatious wink at Li Hanyi. "But Hanyi, when you returned this time, how do you feel… prettier? Your skin is so radiant, I'm jealous." Although still a "leftover woman" of advanced age, Yin Luoxia's years and experience were undeniable. As a master of manipulating hearts, she keenly sensed the subtle change in Li Hanyi. It was the charm that only appears when a girl transforms into a woman.
Li Hanyi's face beneath the mask instantly flushed crimson. She glared fiercely at Yin Luoxia, sword qi flickering from her hand. "If you're so idle, why don't you spar with me?"
"No, no, no! I surrender!" Yin Luoxia quickly raised her hands in surrender, laughing so hard her body trembled like a swaying branch, and the glimpse of white at her chest made one dizzy.
"Alright." Baili Dongjun took a sip of wine, speaking with rare seriousness. "Since Junior Sister… ahem, Second Senior Brother has spoken, then we fight." He cleared his throat, correcting his address. "Changfeng, you go make the arrangements. Since we're going to fight, let's fight with the full might of Snow Moon City. The Heroes' Banquet is approaching; let's use the heads of the Dark River to spice up the martial world."
"Understood." Sikong Changfeng gave a wry smile. Fighting a war is easy, but the allocation of funds and provisions, the intelligence gathering—wouldn't he, the Grand Steward, be the one exhausted to death by all that in the end?
After everyone had finished discussing the plan to "slaughter the Dark River," they gradually dispersed.
Atop Cang Mountain, only Li Hanyi remained.
She removed her mask, revealing her exquisite face. It was sunset, and the golden-red afterglow fell upon her face, bathing her in a gentle halo. She walked to the edge of the cliff, her gaze sweeping over a thousand mountains and ten thousand rivers.
"Gu Liufeng…"
She touched her waist, where a small jade bottle hung. It was the best trauma medicine she had secretly had someone gather for him while at Lei Family Fortress. She had intended to give it to him, but because of their final "clash of wills," she hadn't.
"You told me to sharpen my sword, and to fatten myself up a bit…"
Li Hanyi's lips curved upward slightly. That smile, like melting ice and snow, was of unparalleled beauty.
"My sword is very fast now. As for me…" She lowered her gaze, looking at her figure, which, though slender, boasted increasingly proud curves.
"When you come to Snow Moon City, if you can't withstand my sword, or… if you can't satisfy my appetite…"
"Then I'll kill you!"
The mountain wind howled, as if carrying away that whisper, a blend of exasperation and Danger.