After placing Master Fu's Guzheng inside his spirit book, Lian stepped out of his room, hesitating a bit.
Something was still nagging at the back of his mind.
"Tch… it feels like I'm missing something."
He passed through the disciple compound, heading toward the Sword Gate. As he walked through the Garden of Swords, it finally struck him.
"Shit— Guǐ Shā Shǒu!"
Panic washed over him.
He closed his eyes and tried to form a connection through the void.
In front of him, the silhouette of the blade blurred into existence. But the moment he reached out to grasp it, a sharp electric shock surged through his body.
"Ouch—!"
His legs gave out, and he stumbled back.
"Damn it… What's this? You no longer recognise me as your master?"
He hesitated, then reached out again.
Another jolt, stronger than before, shot through him.
"Tsk…" Lian withdrew his hand, shaking it. "So, you feel like something's missing from me as well, huh?"
He turned away. The silhouette flickered and vanished.
"I guess I'll have to ask Bo." He sighed as he headed down the stairs. "He might know something. The nascent soul of the blade is growing… it feels much stronger than the first time I held it."
As he descended, he passed by a few disciples whispering amongst themselves.
"Did you hear? He took out a Blood Demon Sect general."
"I heard he's still just a White Robe disciple. How the hell did he do that? How strong is he?"
"There are already rumours about that?" he thought to himself.
"Yeah. I heard he fought alongside a great master named Fu to push back the villains. The city they were sent to investigate was already taken over by demons, but they still managed to eradicate most of the evil."
"Waaah… I'm so jealous. He's definitely going to rise through the ranks fast. He brought great face to our sect."
Lian glanced at them and sighed.
"Tch… they don't know anything."
"The very sect you're calling evil… is working with this one."
He looked at them with quiet pity and continued down the next set of stairs
He finally reached the middle of the sect when a familiar voice called out to him.
His heart skipped a beat. He turned toward the sound.
It was Yànhuā Huǒ.
Her appearance had changed substantially. Her hair was now silvery, flowing down her back, and she wore white-and-blue silk robes. Her eyes were a clear, icy blue, with faint traces of pure Ice energy shimmering behind them. The air around her carried a biting chill—she had clearly grown stronger.
Behind her stood two other female disciples, both wearing robes similar to Huǒ's. They stared at Lian with sharp, hostile eyes, their expressions tight with displeasure.
"How are you… Bo Lian?" Huǒ said, stopping just in front of him.
Though momentarily flustered, Lian steadied himself and replied properly.
"How are you… Sister Huǒ?"
He smiled lightly.
His gaze briefly flicked to the two disciples behind her. Their scowls deepened, eyes fixed on him with open hostility.
"He's gotten stronger, hasn't he?" Huǒ thought. "I can feel it from his aura. And I've been hearing rumours he defeated the Fune twins, who were already close to Martial Sovereign."
"Now that I've broken through to Sovereign as well… I can help him, just like he helped me."
"Have you been to the Luans Market?" she asked, her gaze drifting slightly as if trying to sound casual.
"No… I haven't," Lian answered a little too quickly.
He wanted to say more, but every time his eyes met hers, his mind went completely blank.
"She's really become too beautiful…" he thought.
"Why don't you take me sometime?" Lian added hastily, almost blurting it out.
Yànhuā Huǒ froze.
Her pale skin flushed instantly, turning a vivid shade of red.
"Y-yes—" She turned away quickly. "My master is waiting for me. I'll… I'll take you next time."
She hurried back to the two disciples. Standing just behind them was their master, watching quietly.
"Why is it that ever since that day," Huǒ thought, "every time I look at him, I get so flustered?"
A wave of cold energy flowed through her body as she subconsciously circulated her Ice Qi, forcing her emotions back under control.
And her master, though she was over two centuries old, looked strikingly young. Standing beside Yànhuā Huǒ, one might have mistaken her for an elder sister.
She wore long, sky-blue robes layered with translucent white lace that fluttered around her as if she were wrapped in living ice. The fitted dress pressed closely against her form, rising to frame her figure before flowing outward again, elegant and cold. Her silvery hair was pulled tightly back, though a few loose bangs slipped free, falling across her face and partially veiling her eyes.
"So, this is the boy who has Hua's heart," she thought coolly.
"He does have some talent… but for someone with a Divine Snow Physique, he will only hold her back. With her potential, only someone of the royal family is worthy."
Without another glance at Lian, she turned and pulled Hua away by the wrist.
"Come. We're returning to the Northern Peak."
As they left, Lian frowned.
"Why did I feel murderous intent coming from her just now…?"
Shaking his head, he walked into the Mission Pavilion.
The doors were massive, carved from Re Spirit Trees, with silver bars hammered into their surface. When he pushed them open, they chimed softly, like distant bells.
Stepping inside reminded him of the Alchemic Association. The layout was almost identical, wide halls, polished floors, rows of counters—minus the pompous alchemists strutting around with arrogant airs.
When he reached the counter, he spotted an elderly master leaning back in his chair, deeply engrossed in a book.
The cover was… questionable.
Twenty-Four Arts of the Bed
by Tai Long.
"Good afternoon," Lian greeted, giving a formal martial salute. His eyes wandered briefly, careful not to glance at the book's cover.
"Mmm."
The old master coughed lightly and slipped the book into his sleeve.
"What can I do—" He paused, glancing at Lian more closely. "Oh? It's you. The rising hero. You defeated those wicked Fune twins, hm?"
He chuckled. "You've come for your credits, right? There's no need to report what happened; the sect already knows everything."
The old man waved his hand lazily. "They've decided to award you three hundred contribution points."
A smile crept onto his wrinkled face. "And for destroying one of their bases as well truly sublime… some Blue Robe disciples would have died in your place."
Lian stood silently, too exhausted to even respond.
"I suppose they want to sweep this whole matter under the rug," Lian thought "They don't even want anyone talking about what really happened, ha."
He leaned forward. "Go on, then hand over your nameplate so I can record your credits."
Lian reached into his pocket and passed it over.
The old master infused the jade with Qi, manually entering the credits. Golden numbers flared briefly before fading as he returned the plate.
"Thank you," Lian said, turning to leave.
"Mmm…" the old man murmured as he watched him go.
"We really do have some decent talent this year."
He pulled his book back out, flipping it open once more, his face flushed terribly pink.
"The rise of Heaven's Gate is inevitable."