Time flowed like water.
Spring passed.
Summer arrived.
Then autumn quietly followed behind.
Unknowingly, several months had passed since the beast tide that nearly destroyed Cloud Mist Market. The scars left behind by that catastrophe had mostly healed while the various districts within the market had regained their former prosperity. Merchants once again filled the streets, cultivators resumed their businesses and the Training Center had become even more lively due to the competition surrounding the position of Phoenix Ridge Market Guardian.
Yet while peace appeared to reign on the surface—
Countless undercurrents continued to move beneath it.
The Lin Family's extermination campaign had never stopped.
After discovering the scale of the demonic cultivators' infiltration throughout the province, the Golden Core family had unleashed an unprecedented purge.
Bounties.
Search missions.
Investigations.
Every demonic cultivator within the province became a hunted criminal overnight.
Many chose to flee.
Others chose to hide.
A few attempted to resist.
The result was obvious.
Most ended up dead.
Within the Lin Province, the authority of a Golden Core power was not something ordinary demonic cultivators could challenge.
At this moment—
Far from Cloud Mist Market.
Within one of the countless mortal kingdoms under the Lin Family's jurisdiction.
A bustling city stood beneath the afternoon sun.
The streets were crowded.
Vendors shouted loudly.
Children ran between market stalls.
Travelers moved through the roads.
The city appeared peaceful.
Ordinary.
Mundane.
Suddenly—
A carriage raced through the main street.
"Move!"
Crack!
The driver's whip lashed outward.
A nearby pedestrian barely managed to dodge.
Several mortals cursed under their breaths but none dared speak aloud.
The carriage continued forward arrogantly.
Inside sat several wealthy young masters from prominent mortal families.
They laughed loudly.
Drank wine.
Admired beautiful women.
To mortals—
This was simply another day.
Yet hidden beneath the surface—
The city contained darkness.
After all—
Cultivators were once mortals.
They possessed emotions.
Desires.
Greed.
Lust.
Wrath.
Jealousy.
Pride.
The difference was merely that cultivators possessed greater power to indulge such desires.
Long ago, a powerful demonic cultivator had created a cultivation method centered around these emotions.
According to legend, the technique allowed practitioners to amplify the Seven Sins within both themselves and others.
The stronger the emotions became—
The stronger the demonic arts.
The technique eventually spread throughout several demonic factions and became one of their preferred methods for corrupting mortal cities.
At the edge of the city stood the famous Red Fragrance Pavilion. The largest pleasure house within the kingdom.
Even in broad daylight, music drifted from within.
Beautiful women laughed.
Musicians played melodies.
The air itself seemed filled with temptation.
Countless wealthy merchants and nobles frequented the establishment.
Few knew that hidden within its highest floor—
Several wanted criminals were currently gathered.
Inside a luxurious private room.
Six figures sat around a table.
Wine cups.
Exotic fruits.
Beautiful dancers.
Everything one could desire was present.
Yet beneath their seemingly relaxed appearances hid terrifying auras.
All six were demonic cultivators.
The weakest among them had already reached Mid Stage Qi Refining.
The strongest had stepped into Late Stage Qi Refining.
Several possessed bounties worth thousands of spirit stones.
One of them took a sip of wine before speaking.
"Most demonic cultivators chose to flee the province."
His voice contained a trace of mockery.
Another immediately laughed.
"And they walked straight into the Lin Family's trap."
The room fell silent briefly.
Everyone understood the meaning.
The province borders.
The transport routes.
The nearby mountain passes.
Everything had been monitored.
Many demonic cultivators who attempted to flee had disappeared without a trace.
Everyone knew what that meant.
Captured.
Killed.
Their corpses probably exchanged for bounty rewards by now.
Suddenly—
One of the cultivators smashed his wine cup.
Bang!
Fragments scattered across the room.
His eyes became bloodshot.
"Lin Family."
The words emerged through clenched teeth.
A terrifying killing intent briefly leaked outward.
"Good."
"Very good."
The others exchanged glances.
Yet nobody dared mock him.
Because they all hated the Lin Family.
The current extermination campaign had crippled countless demonic factions.
Another cultivator spoke calmly.
"At least hiding here remains safe."
"The province contains countless mortal kingdoms."
"Each kingdom contains hundreds of cities."
"Even the Lin Family cannot search every corner."
The others nodded.
Several smiled.
One even laughed.
Clearly—
None of them believed they would be discovered.
After all—
Who would suspect a group of demonic cultivators hiding within a mortal pleasure house?
The room gradually relaxed again.
Wine cups were raised.
Laughter resumed.
Yet—
None of them noticed.
A strange silence had begun spreading outside.
The dancers stopped moving.
The musicians froze.
Even the sounds from the street below seemed to vanish.
Then—
An overwhelming pressure descended.
The six demonic cultivators instantly stood up.
Their expressions changed dramatically.
"Not good!"
"Enemy!"
Before anyone could react—
A brilliant sword light appeared.
Then another.
And another.
And another.
The room instantly transformed into a sea of sword radiance.
Sword lights descended from every direction.
Above.
Below.
Left.
Right.
Front.
Back.
There was nowhere to escape.
No blind spots.
No openings.
Only death.
The leading demonic cultivator roared.
Blood-colored spiritual power erupted from his body.
A defensive treasure emerged.
Another activated a talisman.
A third attempted to flee through the wall.
Unfortunately—
Everything was too slow.
Shing!
Shing!
Shing!
The sword lights pierced through their defenses as though they didn't exist.
Spiritual shields shattered.
Talismans exploded.
Protective artifacts cracked apart.
The six demonic cultivators were pierced simultaneously.
Blood splattered across the luxurious room.
Several bodies collapsed instantly.
One of them stared at the sword lights with disbelief.
Then recognition appeared.
His eyes widened.
"Sword..."
"Cough..."
"Sword Light Differentiation..."
The final words escaped his mouth.
Then—
His head rolled onto the floor.
Dead.
Complete silence returned.
A moment later—
The room door opened.
Several cultivators entered.
All wore the robes of the Lin Family.
Each carried a sword.
Each possessed powerful cultivation.
Leading them was a young woman.
Her appearance was cold and elegant.
Her sword remained sheathed.
Yet traces of sword intent still lingered around her.
It was obvious.
The attack moments ago originated from her.
Lin Yan.
Lin Sheng's elder sister.
One of the Lin Family's younger generation elites.
Looking at the corpses, her expression remained indifferent.
As though she had merely crushed several ants.
A nearby cultivator stepped forward.
His eyes contained admiration.
"Senior Sister."
"Your Sword Dao has advanced again."
The others immediately followed.
"Congratulations, Senior Sister."
"Your mastery of Sword Light Differentiation has become even more profound."
"Those six didn't even have time to react."
Lin Yan merely nodded.
There wasn't much joy on her face.
To her—
Killing several Qi Refining demonic cultivators wasn't an achievement.
It was merely another task.
Another mission.
Another step on the Sword Dao.
After inspecting the corpses briefly, she spoke calmly.
"Search everything."
"Storage pouches."
"Communication talismans."
"Maps."
"Records."
"Anything that might reveal the location of other demonic cultivators."
"Yes, Senior Sister."
The group immediately began working.
Half an hour passed.
Then another.
Eventually one of the Lin Family cultivators returned.
He bowed respectfully.
"Senior Sister."
"The search is complete."
"Unfortunately, we found little useful information."
Lin Yan frowned slightly.
The extermination campaign had lasted several months already.
The remaining demonic cultivators had become increasingly cautious.
Finding clues was becoming more difficult.
Just as she was considering the next step—
Another cultivator arrived rapidly.
His expression contained excitement.
"Senior Sister."
"We just received an order from the elders."
Lin Yan looked toward him.
"What order?"
The cultivator immediately replied.
"The elders are assembling an escort team."
"The newly appointed Martial Guardian of Phoenix Ridge Market will soon assume their position."
"We have been ordered to accompany them."
Lin Yan merely nodded.
"Where will we assemble?"
"Cloud Mist Market."
The moment those words were spoken—
A faint smile appeared on her face.
Cloud Mist Market.
A certain figure immediately surfaced within her mind.
Years had passed since Lin Sheng left Dragon Yuan Mountain.
The skinny little boy who used to follow behind her had probably grown much taller by now.
Perhaps he had already become a proper martial artist.
Perhaps he was still causing trouble.
Regardless—
This mission suddenly became far more interesting.
As for the escort mission itself?
That was secondary.
Seeing her younger brother after so many years was what truly mattered.
A faint smile appeared on Lin Yan's face.
It was extremely brief.
So brief that it vanished almost immediately.
Yet it was real.
The cultivator standing nearby blinked.
For a moment—
He wondered if he had imagined it.
After all—
Since joining her team, he had never seen Lin Yan smile.
Not once.
The expression disappeared so quickly that even he wasn't certain it happened.
Then things would become very interesting.
Finally, Lin Yan spoke.
"Gather everyone."
The surrounding cultivators immediately straightened.
"Yes, Senior Sister."
Within moments—
The Lin Family team assembled outside the pavilion.
Eight cultivators stood ready.
All possessed impressive cultivation.
All were elite members of the younger generation.
Looking at them, Lin Yan nodded.
"We leave immediately."
"Destination."
"Cloud Mist Market."
The group acknowledged the order simultaneously.
A moment later—
Several flying swords appeared.
Spiritual light illuminated the sky.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
The group shot toward the horizon.
Their figures rapidly disappeared into the distance.
Far away—
Cloud Mist Market remained completely unaware that several guests were already on their way.