Chapter 203: Heavenly Sword Manor Master

Qin Wushang was not surprised in the least to be treated this way. He had expected Cang Yue to bring several expert guards, so, apart from the three competing disciples, he hadn't dared to bring anyone else. To his surprise, Cang Yue had come alone. Two of their three disciples had been crippled by Yun Che, and one had been forced to leave. Even with Xia Yuanba, they were only four people, a situation Qin Wushang himself found somewhat ridiculous.

He stepped forward and said, "Young brother, my name is Qin Wushang. We are here to participate in this Ranking Tournament."

"The four of you... are here for the Ranking Tournament?" The Heavenly Sword disciples guarding the mountain gate were all stunned. Ling Haiya noticed Cang Yue at this moment, and after a brief pause, he quickly asked, "Is this... Princess Cang Yue of the Azure Wind Imperial Family?"

"That's right," Cang Yue nodded slightly, presenting the invitation and list. "The four of us are representing the Imperial Family to participate in this Ranking Tournament. Here are our invitation and the list."

The list, of course, only contained four names: Qin Wushang, Cang Yue, Xia Yuanba, and Yun Che. Furthermore, in the section for competing disciples, there was only one name: "Yun Che."

Ling Haiya's facial muscles twitched slightly. He then stepped aside and politely said, "So, it's distinguished guests from the Imperial Family. Please forgive my earlier discourtesy. Four esteemed guests, please come in. The manor is ten li ahead, where the Manor Master and his wife are already waiting in person. Please proceed."

After the four had passed the mountain gate, the disciples guarding it exchanged bewildered glances.

"Only one competing disciple, and he's only at the True Profound Realm..." one disciple muttered. "As far as I know, there has never been a True Profound Realm participant in any of the previous Ranking Tournaments."

"Ever since Cang Wanhe fell seriously ill," another disciple remarked, "his authority has been secretly seized and divided by the Crown Prince and the Third Prince. The Imperial Family has been in turmoil, and they probably don't have the time or energy to care about the Ranking Tournament anymore. The Imperial Family's performance has always been dismal; this time, they've probably just given up completely. Princess Cang Yue leading the team herself is likely just a show of respect for our manor."

"Two things are certain," Ling Haiya said. "In this Ranking Tournament, the Imperial Family's performance will not just be dismal; they'll likely finish dead last. Secondly, during tomorrow morning's age and profound energy test, the Imperial Family will likely become a complete laughingstock. Alas, to think that our Heavenly Sword Villa's ancestors and the Imperial Family's ancestors were once like brothers, supporting each other, one holding authority over the realm and the other wielding immense power. Now, our Heavenly Sword Villa stands supreme in the Azure Wind, unrivaled by anyone, yet the Imperial Family is gradually declining. They only retain authority among common folk, and in the eyes of powerful sects, they are losing their deterrent power. It's truly regrettable that they will be looked down upon by even more people this time."

Yun Che and the other three walked onto the mountain path. Although Heavenly Sword Villa was still ten li away, they could already clearly feel the formidable, awe-inspiring aura emanating from ahead.

"As expected of Heavenly Sword Villa," Yun Che remarked with emotion. "This aura makes it feel as if thousands of swords are flying around us."

"Wow... I never dreamed that I would personally visit Heavenly Sword Villa one day," Xia Yuanba exclaimed. "My Uncle Sikong, whom I used to admire most, never even got to Heavenly Sword Villa." Along the way, Xia Yuanba looked up and down, east and west, his eyes wide open, reluctant to even blink.

Xia Yuanba's excitement made Cang Yue involuntarily smile. She turned to Yun Che and said, "Junior Brother Yun, Heavenly Sword Villa is unlike any other place. It can be called the sacred land of the Azure Wind Empire, and it is the only one. Even the lowest-ranking disciples of Heavenly Sword Villa are considered geniuses outside. The disciples guarding the mountain gate earlier were all at the Spirit Profound Realm; Spirit Profound Realm cultivators in their twenties are qualified to become instructors in major branch profound palaces, but here at Heavenly Sword Villa, they are merely gatekeepers. The profound heritage and immense power of Heavenly Sword Villa are beyond ordinary imagination."

"Senior Sister, I understand. Don't worry," Yun Che smiled and nodded. "If I encounter any mockery or provocation, I will back off, as long as it doesn't cross my bottom line." He understood Cang Yue's meaning. Cang Yue knew he was someone who would never tolerate injustice. His profound energy level was among the absolute lowest of the more than a thousand competing disciples, making him an easy target for ridicule. If he were to retaliate on the spot and anger Heavenly Sword Villa, even Cang Yue's personal intervention might not be enough to resolve the situation.

However, his premise was not to cross *his* bottom line. As for what that bottom line was, he would, of course, determine it himself. "A gentleman's revenge is never too late, even after ten years"... but that applied to gentlemen. He never considered himself one.

At the same time, a group of five from Ice Cloud Asgard was approaching the main gate of Heavenly Sword Villa.

"Sister," Chu Yueli asked, her beautiful eyes flickering as she voiced the question that had been weighing on her mind since they left the Asgard, "besides that time you left to retrieve three Ice-element Heavenly Profound Beast profound cores to refine 'Ice Heart Jade Liquid' for Qingyue, you haven't left Ice Cloud Asgard in over a decade. Why did you volunteer to come to this Ranking Tournament this time?"

Chu Yuechan's gaze was crystal clear and unruffled. Her voice was like wind caressing profound ice, gentle yet piercingly cold: "I have been secluded for too long. I wish to see if the current young generation is thriving or has declined."

Chu Yueli, however, shook her head slightly. "Sister, in this world, I am the one who understands you best. Others might believe your reason, but how could I?"

Chu Yuechan: "..."

"You suddenly left the Asgard half a year ago and only returned last month," Chu Yueli continued. "Since your return, you've often seemed troubled. Your Ice Cloud Art and Ice Heart Art have both reached the sixth stage; unless something monumental happened, you wouldn't be like this. And now, Sister, you suddenly propose to personally come to Heavenly Sword Villa..."

"We have arrived at Heavenly Sword Villa. Do not ask about things you shouldn't ask," Chu Yuechan said coldly, interrupting Chu Yueli. The coldness in her voice made the three Ice Cloud disciples behind them tremble with fear.

Chu Yueli immediately fell silent, not daring to ask further. The main gate of Heavenly Sword Villa appeared before them at that moment.

"Qingyue, wear this. Do not take it off until the very last moment," Chu Yueli said, turning around and placing a string of ice-crystal beads into the hands of the veiled maiden.

"Yes, Master," the maiden replied, taking the ice-crystal necklace and placing it around her fair neck.

Ling Yuefeng was over fifty years old, but he looked no older than thirty. At the King Profound Realm, one's lifespan could extend to four or five hundred years; for a King, fifty was merely the beginning of youth.

Ling Yuefeng's face was as handsome as jade, his skin fair and clean-shaven. He was elegant and refined, with a gentle and peaceful demeanor, utterly lacking the imposing aura of a sword dao supreme. His hands were like white jade, not at all like those of someone who frequently wielded a sword. He not only personally greeted guests at the gate but also wore a humble smile and acted with gentle courtesy, showing no trace of the arrogance or pride expected from the Azure Wind's foremost overlord. When some young female disciples who had come to participate saw him, their eyes revealed admiration, even infatuation.

Standing beside him was a richly dressed woman who looked to be in her early thirties. She was Xuanyuan Yufeng, Ling Yuefeng's only wife and the birth mother of Ling Yun and Ling Jie. Her demeanor was graceful, and she was as beautiful as a flower. While her appearance was indeed one in a thousand, compared to Chu Yuechan, she was merely a mortal woman next to a heavenly fairy, a difference of at least a hundred and eight thousand miles.

The reason Ling Yuefeng, who was infatuated with Chu Yuechan, ultimately married Xuanyuan Yufeng could not possibly have been her looks, but rather her family background. However, even after they had been married for over twenty years, no one ever dared to inquire about the background or origins of Heavenly Sword Villa's Manor Mistress, nor did anyone dare to investigate. Simply recalling her surname, "Xuanyuan," was enough to evoke a deep sense of trepidation in people's hearts.

Because it was the surname of the master of one of the Four Great Sacred Lands of the Profound Sky Continent.

"Chu Yueli of Ice Cloud Asgard, accompanied by my senior sister Chu Yuechan and disciples Shui Wushuang, Wu Xuexin, and Xia Qingyue, have specially come to visit Heavenly Sword Villa and convey our Palace Mistress's greetings to Manor Master Ling and Madam Ling." Facing Ling Yuefeng and Xuanyuan Yufeng, who were greeting them, Chu Yueli walked at the forefront and bowed slightly to the couple.

As soon as they approached, Ling Yuefeng's mind was thrown into disarray because he saw Chu Yuechan. Even though Chu Yuechan wore an icy veil, and even though he and Chu Yuechan had not seen each other for thirty-one years, he still recognized her eyes at a glance. However, he dared not be certain, as he couldn't believe Chu Yuechan would personally come to Heavenly Sword Villa. It wasn't until Chu Yueli personally uttered the name "Chu Yuechan" that he dared to believe.

Thirty-one years had passed, and no one would have imagined that he had been haunted by her image for all thirty-one of those years. Even after marrying and having children, with both his sons now of marriageable age, he still hadn't managed to erase that exquisitely beautiful shadow from the depths of his heart and soul.

The world's foremost overlord was thrown into utter disarray for the first time in decades. After Chu Yueli finished stating their identity, he remained stunned for a full three seconds before giving a self-deprecating smile and bowing in return. "Welcome, five fairies, to my humble manor. I haven't seen your esteemed Palace Mistress in several years; I wonder if she is still well?"

"The Palace Mistress is well. Thank you, Manor Master Ling, for your concern," Chu Yueli replied, nodding slightly.

"Oh? This is the renowned 'Ice Chan Fairy' Chu Yuechan?" Xuanyuan Yufeng's gaze landed on Chu Yuechan, and a meaningful smile appeared on her face. "Yufeng heard of the 'Ice Chan Fairy,' the Azure Wind's foremost beauty, decades ago. I never imagined I'd have the fortune to see her today. I wonder if Ice Chan Fairy would be willing to remove her veil, so Yufeng might witness the grace of the Azure Wind's greatest beauty and fulfill a lifelong wish?"

Who in the entire Azure Wind Empire would dare not respond to the wife of the realm's foremost overlord? Yet, though these words were clearly directed at Chu Yuechan, Chu Yuechan's gaze did not waver in the slightest; her clear, cold eyes stared straight ahead, completely undisturbed. It was as if she hadn't heard what Xuanyuan Yufeng said at all.

Xuanyuan Yufeng's moon-like eyebrows suddenly furrowed.

Ling Yuefeng chuckled and said, "My dear, these fairies are our esteemed guests. I know you are eager, but it's a bit discourteous to make requests before they've even entered."

Xuanyuan Yufeng smiled and nodded. "Indeed, I was too eager. I hope Ice Chan Fairy doesn't mind. Esteemed fairies, please come in. Someone will arrange your accommodations. If you need anything, please inform our disciples. We ask for your understanding if there are any shortcomings."

"Madam is too kind," Chu Yueli replied, bowing once more. The group of five then entered Heavenly Sword Villa.

Xuanyuan Yufeng's expression darkened after they entered the manor. She glanced at Ling Yuefeng and sneered, "Ling Yuefeng, you truly are deeply infatuated. Back then, you pleaded for ten years and didn't even see a shadow of her. Now, after we've been married for over twenty years, you still haven't forgotten her! When she presented herself this time, were you just ecstatic?"

"My dear, you've misunderstood me," Ling Yuefeng said with a bitter smile, taking Xuanyuan Yufeng's hand. "When I was young, I inevitably did some foolish things typical of youth. We've been married for twenty-one years; how could a simple yearning from back then compare to even a fraction of our more than two decades of shared affection? With a wife like you, I, Ling Yuefeng, have no further desires in this life. I haven't even taken a concubine in over twenty years, so how could I have other thoughts? My brief distraction just now was merely a moment of sentimentality recalling the foolish things I did in my youth."

Xuanyuan Yufeng squeezed Ling Yuefeng's hand in return, and the cloud on her face dissipated. What she didn't know was that the thoughts in Ling Yuefeng's heart were ten or even a hundred times more intense than the words he spoke...

*She actually came... she actually came...*

*I finally saw her again...*