Outside the courtyard wall, Xiaoyu hovered before a wutong leaf, staring at it with rapt concentration.
It extended a translucent finger, cautiously approaching the petiole. The moment its fingertip made contact with the edge of the leaf, the leaf trembled slightly.
Holding its breath, it tried once more. This time, pushed by its finger, the leaf shifted forward by half a cun.
Though merely half a cun, it was already the heaviest thing it had ever moved in its entire life.
Ever since it had managed to flick a single strand of Gu Yanqing’s hair in the medicinal bath tub last time, it had been secretly practicing, eager to see how much it could truly achieve.
...
Inside the courtyard, Xu Muhe stood up and bowed her head slightly toward Lin Zhixue and Gu Yanqing.
“This is the Xu family’s business.”
Her voice was soft, yet every word rang with clarity.
“I appreciate your goodwill, but the Zhao family isn't an ordinary trouble. I don't want to drag you two into this as well.”
Just as Lin Zhixue was about to speak, the sound of footsteps suddenly echoed outside the courtyard gate.
A crowd had arrived. Their footsteps were orderly and brisk, drawing closer from afar before coming to a stop in front of the Xu manor’s entrance.
At their head was a young man in his early twenties, clad in a white brocade robe. He possessed refined features and wore a measured smile at the corner of his lips.
Six or seven people followed closely behind him. Nearest to him was a grey-haired elder exuding a profound aura—he was, impressively, an early Golden Core cultivator.
Zhao Mingchuan, young master of the Zhao family, mid Foundation Establishment.
Stepping into the courtyard, he even nodded courteously toward Xu Muhe.
“Miss Xu, pardon my abrupt intrusion. I hope I am not disturbing you.”
His tone was gentle and polite as his gaze casually swept across the courtyard. It paused briefly upon Lin Zhixue and Gu Yanqing before swiftly moving away.
Hearing the commotion, Xu Chongguang hurried out from the inner room with an ingratiating smile, bowing deeply.
“Young Master Zhao, what brings you to visit in person? Please, come inside and take a seat.”
Zhao Mingchuan did not respond or move to sit down. Standing in the center of the courtyard with his hands clasped behind his back, he fixed his gaze squarely on Xu Muhe, the gentle smile on his face remaining unchanged.
“Second Uncle Xu, have you properly considered the matter I raised last time?”
He paused briefly, his tone leisurely, as though they were genuinely negotiating a mutually beneficial business deal.
“As long as you are willing to surrender the talisman shop, the Xu family can continue operating in peace. In terms of price, I will not mistreat you.”
Xu Chongguang’s lips quivered. His gaze darted back and forth between Xu Muhe and Zhao Mingchuan, a thin layer of sweat beading on his forehead.
Xu Muhe took a direct step forward.
“Not for sale.”
Zhao Mingchuan did not take offense.
He let out a soft sigh, his tone laced with feigned regret.
“Miss Xu, you should know full well that the Xu family cannot hold on for much longer.”
“The supply of spirit paper has been cut, and the talisman shop grows bleaker by the day, going most days without any customers. Stubbornly holding on and wearing yourselves down helps no one.”
He spoke with utmost sincerity.
“As long as you hand over the talisman shop, the Zhao family can ensure the rest of the Xu family's businesses operate as usual. It is merely a change of owners. This is already the most generous term I can offer.”
Xu Muhe clenched her fists.
Lin Zhixue spoke up.
“Not for sale.”
Zhao Mingchuan was taken aback. He turned toward her, his gaze lingering briefly on the Guilan Sword at her waist. “And this lady might be...?”
“A Yunxiao Sect disciple.”
Zhao Mingchuan’s eyes darkened slightly, though the shift vanished in an instant, replaced once more by an unruffled composure.
He raised his hands and cupped them with impeccable etiquette, though his tone grew considerably cooler.
“So you are a Junior Sister from the Yunxiao Sect. However, this is an internal family affair of the Xu manor. It is perhaps inconvenient for outsiders to interfere.”
Lin Zhixue looked at him. “She said it’s not for sale, so it’s not for sale.”
The smile on Zhao Mingchuan’s face finally faded somewhat. “Miss, I am advising you kindly out of respect for your status as a Yunxiao Sect disciple.”
“However, this matter cannot be resolved by a momentary impulse.”
Lin Zhixue said nothing, merely reaching out and gripping the hilt of the Guilan Sword.
The moment her sword intent emerged, the air in the courtyard seemed to drop several degrees. For the first time, a crack appeared in Zhao Mingchuan’s composed facade.
The grey-haired elder behind him took a stride forward, unleashing the aura of an early Golden Core cultivator without reservation. He said in a deep voice, “Young Master, allow this old man to handle it.”
Lin Zhixue did not retreat.
The Guilan Sword left its scabbard. A watery sword light flashed across the courtyard, and a deep-blue sword qi cleaved straight along the bluestone pavers.
The stone pavers were plowed open into a deep trench. Stone fragments scattered, the sharp crack of debris striking the courtyard wall piercing the ear.
The elder’s pupils contracted violently.
In his lifetime, he had seen countless Foundation Establishment cultivators, but never had he seen an early Foundation Establishment cut such a sword strike.
While this blow would not grievously injure him, taking it head-on would certainly not leave him unscathed.
He retreated. One step, two steps, three steps, forced back all the way to the edge of the courtyard wall before he could steady his footing.
Xiaoyu flew in from outside the courtyard wall just in time to witness this. Thrilled, it nearly flipped a somersault in midair.
“Zhixue really is amazing!”
The elder stared intently at Lin Zhixue, the expression in his eyes shifting.
A tempest of complex thoughts churned in his mind.
His cultivation was vastly superior to hers; in terms of raw power, a mere early Foundation Establishment like Lin Zhixue was no match for him.
Yet in the several centuries he had lived, traveling all across the Southern Domain, he had never encountered such a monstrous junior.
At such a young age, with a pure water spirit root at early Foundation Establishment, she could actually condense such a cohesive, domineering sword qi manifestation.
Such terrifying talent could never be nurtured by an ordinary sect.
Behind a peerless genius like this, there stood an overwhelming likelihood of a top powerhouse at Nascent Soul or even higher watching over her.
At that thought, the elder’s expression shifted drastically, not daring to show the slightest contempt.
He hurried to Zhao Mingchuan’s side, leaning in to whisper his assessment in a low voice.
The moment the words fell, what remained of Zhao Mingchuan’s effortless poise shattered entirely, his whole face freezing stiff.
He stared fixedly at the slender, poised young woman in the courtyard, his gaze repeatedly drifting to the water-gleaming Guilan Sword in her hand, his heart awash with shock and dread.
He had no fear of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but he could not afford to gamble.
Who could say whether this seemingly inconspicuous Yunxiao Sect disciple had a formidable backer behind her?
Even if he felt unwilling, Zhao Mingchuan had no choice but to suppress all his thoughts, forcing out a stiff, polite smile.
“Since a Junior Sister of the Yunxiao Sect has stepped forward, this Zhao will no longer insist on the matter.”
He gave Lin Zhixue a cursory cupped-hand salute. Gone was his prior leisurely air as he turned and walked away briskly, his steps hurried.
Seeing this, the Zhao family’s retinue dared not linger, scrambling after him to vacate the Xu manor in a rush.
The courtyard fell instantly into dead silence.
Leaning against the wall, Gu Yanqing was completely dumbfounded.
He had always known Lin Zhixue made rapid progress, but he had assumed that with her current cultivation, her combat strength was at most on par with his own.
Yet the scene before his eyes had thoroughly overturned his understanding.
A dignified early Golden Core cultivator, possessing overwhelming, crushing might, had not dared to make a move. Instead, intimidated by her talent and potential background, he had directly retreated.
Gu Yanqing’s mind was flooded with bewilderment, utterly unable to wrap his head around the reasoning behind it for the moment.
In the center of the courtyard, Xu Muhe stood frozen in place. She stared at the empty courtyard gate, then looked down at the bluestone ground carved open by the sword qi, completely dazed.
She had envisioned countless outcomes—a stalemate, a bitter battle, or the Xu family being forced to concede—yet she had never imagined it would conclude in such a manner.
An imminent crisis had been dissolved so effortlessly.
Lin Zhixue raised her hand and smoothly sheathed the Guilan Sword. Turning to the dazed Xu Muhe, she asked in a calm tone, “Is it over just like that?”
Xu Muhe slowly regained her senses and exhaled a long breath. With a mix of relief, guilt, and profound emotion in her eyes, she said softly, “I truly didn't expect it would turn out like this...”
She cast her gaze downward, looking at the crisscrossing sword marks on the ground.
Stowing her longsword, Lin Zhixue was somewhat dazed as well.
She looked toward Xu Muhe and said softly, “I only meant to stall them; I didn't think I would drive them away.”
She was well aware that the opponent was a Golden Core cultivator; had he genuinely insisted on striking, she would have had no way of stopping him.
The fact that they retreated so decisively was completely beyond her expectations.
Xu Muhe looked up at her, gently shaking her head, her voice exceedingly calm. “It is already enough.”
Rate on N.U.
