Chapter 201: Tianjian Mountain Range

Yun Che’s mouth was slightly agape, a stunned expression on his face.

He wasn't surprised by Chu Yuechan's title as the "Number One Beauty"—given her unparalleled looks, she certainly deserved it. Nor was he surprised that she was one of the "Seven Fairies of Ice Cloud," or even ranked first; after all, he had vaguely suspected it, considering her half-step Emperor Profound Realm strength.

What he hadn't expected was the sheer number and prestige of her admirers. Leaving aside everyone else, the current Sect Master of the Xiao Sect, the current Master of Heavenly Sword Villa, and even the Azure Wind Emperor Cang Wanhe… all three were renowned figures whose names shook the world.

If even these three powerful men were so infatuated with Chu Yuechan, then the total number of men deeply in love with her must be a terrifyingly astronomical figure.

And if these people ever found out that their "Ice Chan" fairy had been intimate with him, wouldn't they…

The thought made cold sweat almost break out on Yun Che's forehead.

"Junior Brother Yun, what's wrong?" Sensing Yun Che's body suddenly tremble, Cang Yue raised her delicate head and looked at him with concern.

"N-nothing, it's just windy and a bit cold," Yun Che mumbled evasively. Then, he tentatively asked, "So… since so many people admire her, has she ever taken a liking to anyone? After all, the men who admire her are all of… " Yun Che swallowed. "…very high caliber."

"No," Cang Yue gently shook her head. "I've heard that Chu Yuechan and her younger sister were orphaned at a young age and were taken in by the Palace Master of Ice Cloud Immortal Palace. The women of Ice Cloud Immortal Palace are all 'ice-hearted' and never develop romantic feelings. Chu Yuechan is, of course, no exception; in fact, she seems to genuinely dislike men. She ruthlessly rejects her admirers, even resorting to lethal force. Coupled with her own strength and the deterrence of the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace, no one has ever been able to force her. So, after all these years, no man has ever gained her favor, let alone had the chance to be alone with her."

"Oh," Yun Che nodded, secretly breathing a sigh of relief. He almost blurted out, "That's good." "You just said she has a younger sister?"

"Yes, her sister is named Chu Yueli, and she's also one of the Seven Fairies of Ice Cloud, ranked fifth. She's also an ice-cold beauty, and together with Chu Yuechan, they are known as the 'Twin Marvels of Chu Yue.' However, just like Chu Yuechan, no one has ever gained her favor… Junior Brother Yun, why are you suddenly asking about Chu Yuechan? Could it be… you've met her?" As soon as she asked, Cang Yue dismissed the idea herself: "No, that's not right. Chu Yuechan usually stays deep within the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace. Even if she does appear, she's said to wear a veil, never letting anyone see her face. So, have you heard some rumors about her somewhere?"

"Hmm, you could say that," Yun Che replied, his mind in turmoil. To be with Lan Xueruo, he had to face Fen Juecheng. But to fully win over Chu Yuechan…

Oh, dear heaven! Leaving aside Chu Yuechan herself, the Azure Wind's number one beauty, whom powerful men had adored for half a lifetime without even receiving a kind glance, had been completely taken by him, a mere junior. If those men found out, wanting to kill him would be the least of it; tearing him to shreds and feeding him to dogs would be merciful.

The wind whistled in their ears. Looking down, the vast land below was a blurred expanse, stretching to the horizon where sky met earth. The colossal snow eagle's wings stopped flapping; it glided on the wind, soaring like lightning toward their destination.

The Heavenly Sword Mountain Range, though located within the Azure Wind Empire, was not under the jurisdiction of the Azure Wind Imperial Family. Instead, it belonged exclusively to Heavenly Sword Villa. This land was originally part of the Azure Wind Empire, known as the Heavenly Cloud Mountain Range. However, after Heavenly Sword Villa became the empire's foremost power, the Imperial Family, seeking to curry favor, fully gifted the territory to them. Heavenly Sword Villa then renamed the mountain range to the Heavenly Sword Mountain Range.

The Heavenly Sword Mountain Range spanned eight hundred li north to south and nine hundred li east to west. Its main peak soared thousands of zhang high, named "One Sword Piercing Cloud Peak." Aside from the smaller hills, there were also six secondary peaks, each over a thousand zhang tall.

Since Heavenly Sword Villa settled here, centuries had passed, and the entire Heavenly Sword Mountain Range had undergone significant changes. From afar, one could feel a chilling aura emanating from it, as if the entire range was encircled by cold, sharp sword qi, making people only dare to observe from a distance, not to approach.

"…Heavenly Sword Villa is located in the area surrounded by the main peak and the six secondary peaks. The entire villa spans over fifty li."

High above, the colossal snow goose had begun its descent. Cang Yue pointed towards the towering, cloud-piercing peaks ahead as she explained to Yun Che.

"Over fifty li? Is that still a villa? It's practically a small city!" Yun Che exclaimed in surprise.

Cang Yue continued, "This entire mountain range belongs to Heavenly Sword Villa. Without permission, no one can step foot on any inch of this nearly thousand-li range. Within this vast mountain range are endless mineral deposits, profound crystals, medicinal herbs, deliberately preserved profound beast territories, and many natural or man-made trial and training grounds. Of course, there must also be secret realms unknown to others."

Yun Che gasped in astonishment. The profound resources of Heavenly Sword Villa were truly unbelievable.

It was already nearing evening. The ranking tournament was scheduled to begin tomorrow morning, so their arrival was timely.

"The current Master of Heavenly Sword Villa is Ling Yuefeng, aged fifty-one. He is the youngest Emperor Profound Realm supreme expert in the Azure Wind Empire in nearly three hundred years. He broke through the peak of the Sky Profound Realm and officially entered the Emperor Profound Realm at the age of forty-seven, causing a huge sensation across the entire Azure Wind Empire. At that time, my Imperial Father even personally brought gifts to congratulate him." Cang Yue stuck out her tongue, speaking with great longing, "Wow, the Emperor Profound Realm! I heard that those at that realm are called 'Thrones.' I could never reach that realm in my lifetime. And above that, there are said to be 'Tyrant Emperors' in the Tyrant Profound Realm, and 'Monarchs' in the Monarch Profound Realm. I truly can't imagine what it feels like to reach such a level."

"Fifty-one?" Yun Che looked puzzled. "I remember that Heavenly Sword Villa's Young Master Ling Yun is only twenty this year, and his second son, Ling Chen, is fifteen… Oh, he should be sixteen now. Did Ling Yuefeng have his first son only at age thirty-one? Or is there an elder brother above Ling Yun?"

"Ling Yuefeng indeed had his first son, Ling Yun, when he was thirty-one. He married the current Villa Mistress when he was thirty. It wasn't because he was obsessively devoted to the sword and unwilling to marry, but rather because… you guess." Cang Yue's voice shifted, and she looked at him with a slight upward tilt of her beautiful eyes, smiling playfully.

Yun Che pondered for a moment, then said, "Could it be because of… Chu Yuechan?"

"Hehe, so smart!" Cang Yue curved her lips and chuckled. "My Imperial Father told me that Ling Yuefeng not only possessed astonishing talent—he was already designated as the Young Master of Heavenly Sword Villa at eighteen—but he was also exceptionally handsome, as refined as jade, and his demeanor was scholarly yet authoritative. He didn't exhibit the arrogance and tyranny often seen in heirs of top families; he was virtually flawless. At that time, countless young maidens were infatuated with him, some even vowing to remain unmarried for life if they couldn't marry him. Yet, at the age of twenty, Ling Yuefeng happened to see Chu Yuechan, who was then only fifteen. From that moment on, he was utterly consumed by love for her. To catch a glimpse of her, he traveled alone to the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace over seventy times in ten years, willing to be as humble as dust for Chu Yuechan, even pleading with the lowest-ranking maids of the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace…"

"Once you've seen the great ocean, other waters are not worth gazing at; once you've crossed the Wushan Mountains, other clouds are not worth seeing. Encountering a woman of that level of beauty is often not a blessing, but a disaster. This Ling Yuefeng is indeed a deeply infatuated man," Yun Che remarked with considerable emotion. Yet, inwardly, he cursed, *'Ling Yuefeng, you're a fifty-something old man now. My little fairy didn't fancy you back then, and she certainly won't now!'*

"Chu Yuechan not only gave him no opportunities but also never saw him again. After persisting for another ten years, whether out of complete despair or simply having no choice but to return and assume the position of Villa Master, he married and had children at Heavenly Sword Villa, took over as Master, and never visited the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace again."

As they spoke, the colossal snow eagle flew lower and lower, and the largest main gate of the Heavenly Sword Mountain Range gradually came into view.

"Look, we're almost there! Prefect Qin and Yuanba are still behind us. Let's wait a moment for them, then go down together."

Heavenly Sword Mountain Range, in front of the main gate.

A group of seven—three elders and four youths—climbed the stone steps to the main gate. The oldest of the four youths appeared to be twenty-three or twenty-four, while the youngest was only ten. Despite their youth, the profound energy emanating from them was astonishingly potent, and a dignified aura, capable of making most peers feel inferior, seemed to gather between their brows. Among the three accompanying elders, two appeared to be around fifty, while the third had white hair and beard, seeming seventy or eighty years old, yet his face was unlined, and his eyes were as serene as ice, showing no signs of age.

"Seven esteemed guests, please stop," a Heavenly Sword disciple guarding the gate stepped forward and said politely. "Are the seven of you here to participate in the ranking tournament? Please present your invitation and the participant list."

"Here," the person in the middle presented the invitation and list, stating blandly.

The Heavenly Sword disciple took the invitation and list, quickly scanned them, and his demeanor became slightly more respectful. "Ah, so it's the seven esteemed guests from the Xiao Sect. My apologies for the oversight. Please come in. The villa is located ten li straight ahead…"

Having spoken, he returned the invitation and list to the seven, then stepped aside. The leader nodded slightly and led the other six through the main gate.

After the seven departed, the Heavenly Sword disciple quickly turned to the person next to him. "Zimo, quickly report to the Villa Master that the Xiao Sect has arrived. Sect Master Xiao Juetian is personally leading the team, accompanied by Sword Sect's Chief Elder Xiao Boyun and Medicine Sect's Chief Elder Xiao Wuji. Xiao Kuangyu, who took third place in the previous individual tournament, has also come, though likely as an accompanying member. The three participants are Xiao Juetian's third son, Xiao Kuanglei; Xiao Boyun's youngest son, Xiao Zhen; and Xiao Wuji's eldest grandson, Xiao Nan. Go quickly!"

"Yes," the Heavenly Sword disciple called Zimo promptly replied, quickly retreating to a quiet corner to transmit this information into Heavenly Sword Villa.