Ye Anping's dark purple eyes slowly swept over every word on the letter. Even though he didn't understand calligraphy and painting, he could still see the courage and determination in the heart of the one who wrote.
—The handwriting on the paper was firm as well as graceful.
Because of this handwriting, he frowned, thinking about the intention behind Tong Zilan's letter.
At first glance, it seemed like nothing more than asking him to take care of Ating and asking Xiao Yunluo to put in a good word for Si Xuanji, but actually...
A playful voice reached his ear. "The Empress' heart is not reconciled. Is she trying to make up for her daughter?"Si Xuanji, who was standing on tiptoe next to Ye Anping's shoulder, looked back and forth at Liang Ating and Ye Anping with her yin-yang eyes after reading the letter and smiled.
"Well, I think so..."
Ye Anping shrugged and sighed somewhat bitterly.
Ever since Nangong Cheng fell, the ***Demon Clan*** had taken over more than twenty cities of the ***Imperial*** Sect. The *Alchemy Division* and *Artifact Division* of the ***Imperial*** Sect had dispersed, and only the *Justice Division* was left.
In other words, Tong Zilan wanted to leave the *Justice Division* to Ating.
In this way, no matter what Ating wanted to do in the future, whether she wanted to establish her own sect or just be a disciple of the ***Hundred Lotus*** Sect, she would have the *Division* at her back to support her.
After all, through Ating's veins flowed the blood of Nangong Cheng, the **Central Region** Emperor."What do you think, Master Ye?"
Ye Anping was silent for a while. If he could save them, he would lend a hand and do them a favor.
However, in the Eastern Great Wall incident, the difference in combat strength between the *Justice Division* and demonic cultivators was like the difference between heaven and earth. It was impossible for him, Feng Yu Die and the others to turn the tide alone.
The demonic cultivators encountered at the Great Wall this time were the leader of the ***Ghost Spirit*** Sect, dozens of cultivators in the *Deification* and *Nascent Soul* stage, and countless demonic cultivators in the *Core Formation* and *Foundation Building* stage.
Ye Anping held his chin and recalled the ending of the plot of the Eastern Great Wall in the game.
*Sword Pavilion* Master Fu Xuan of the *Justice Division* was a middle-stage *Deification* cultivator. In order to delay the demonic cultivators and help the other members of the *Division* escape, he confronted three *Deification* demonic cultivators. Then, he encountered the ***Ghost Spirit*** Sect Master and was killed.
Yue Mingxuan, the Commander of the *Justice Division*, was in the *Nascent Soul* middle stage. When he was escaping with the remaining disciples of the *Division*, he encountered several *Nascent Soul* stage demonic cultivators and also died.
Another two early-stage *Nascent Soul* cultivators, who were at the command of the *Justice Division*, also tried to delay time for the young disciples and were besieged and killed by the demonic cultivators.
But even so, not a single person from the *Justice Division* survived in the end.
Even Feng Yu Die, who rushed over to help, was severely injured after encountering Gu Mingxin.
Without the *Nine Dragons Heavenly Seal*, she might have even died in Gu Mingxin's hands. In the end, Xiao Yunluo carried her on her back and fled to the **Western Region** in a hurry under the relentless pursuit of the demonic cultivators.
Thinking of this, Ye Anping shook his head slightly and replied, "There's nothing I can do."
Si Xuanji narrowed her eyes slightly, smiling. "Is that so? Even Young Master Ye feels helpless?"
"Well..."
"Half a month ago, the *Justice Division* sent a message to my mother asking for help. However, my mother did not agree because she was concerned about the other sects of the Immortal Family."
Ye Anping shrugged helplessly, but he understood that it was indeed not appropriate for the ***Black Star*** Sect to intervene in this matter. Otherwise, it would be easy for the ***Bright Star*** Sect and the others to suspect that Nangong Cheng's fall was related to the Immortal Matriarch.
If that happened, it would cause a bigger mess.
"I know."
Seeing Ye Anping answer so casually, Si Xuanji paused, pinched his shoulder worriedly, and reminded him, "Don't act rashly or you'll mess up."
"Haha, am I that kind of person?" Ye Anping laughed.
In fact, he had already decided not to participate in this matter. An enemy of that size could not be dealt with by some tricks or cleverness.
Si Xuanji sized up Ye Anping's expression and, knowing that he was a self-aware person, she didn't say anything else.
Liang Ating, who was listening to them from the sideline, felt as if they were talking in riddles.
"Uncle, what are you guys talking about? What daughter? What can't be helped? Is auntie pregnant? Am I going to have nieces and nephews soon?"
"..."
Ye Anping looked at Liang Ating, feeling speechless. He raised his hand and knocked on her forehead. "Why are you here? Weren't you going to participate in the selection?"
"Ah... After the written test, I was going to take the sword test, but I got lost~ hehe."
"I'll take you there. The sword test is at **Heavenly Cloud Peak**."
Saying that, Ye Anping summoned his flying sword and stepped on it. Then, he cupped his hands to Si Xuanji. "Miss Xuanji, I'm leaving now."
"Alright."
"Ating, come up!"
"Okay!"
Ye Anping reached out and pulled Liang Ating from the ground to step on his flying sword. Then, he raised his sword finger and called back the flying sword that Liang Ating had just fallen from in the lake. He then headed toward **Heavenly Cloud Peak**.
Si Xuanji watched the two fly away, then sighed silently and sat back on the shore alone. She lifted her skirt and soaked her feet in the water, making ripples.
But sometime after Ye Anping left, she felt bored and didn't have the mood to play anymore...
"Come to think of it, it's already been several months, sigh..."
Si Xuanji pouted, feeling a little uncomfortable.
A few months, for her, was like a fleeting moment.
However, since it had only been a few months… Why did her little tiger cub crave meat again?
"Wait a few more months. He's getting more and more presumptuous now. He even dares to lie on my lap and flirt with me. If it happens too often, who knows how far he'll go..."
Her voice sounded fierce, but Si Xuanji herself didn't realize that she was smiling when she said this...
...
The sword-testing platform at the top of **Heavenly Cloud Peak** echoed with the sound of wooden swords clashing.
Those new disciples who had finished the written test had already gathered here, waiting for the disciple in charge of recording to call their names, and then walked up on the platform to spar with the ***Black Star*** Sect's inner disciples.
Ye Anping landed his sword and brought Ating to the back door reserved for inner disciples beside the sword-testing platform.
When the two disciples who were guarding the gate saw Ye Anping, they quickly went forward and cupped their hands politely.
"Senior Ye, what brings you here?"
Ye Anping nodded to the two people, then pointed at the somewhat shy Liang Ating beside him. "She's here to participate in the selection, but she got lost and then ran into me. There are too many people at the main entrance of the sword-testing platform. I'll bring her in from here. Is that okay?"
"Of course. Senior Ye, please come in."
Although it was a bit against the rules, the two did not say much and made way for Ye Anping.
However, after walking past the two men, Liang Ating giggled for some reason, hugged Ye Anping's arm shyly, and said coquettishly, "Uncle is getting more and more handsome."
Ye Anping glanced at her expressionlessly and nodded. "Indeed."
"Uncle, will you be in charge of my sword test later? Can you give me some slack? Can I give you a back massage later?"
This girl...
Ye Anping shook his head slightly. "The sword test is overseen by dozens of inner disciples from each peak, and each person is responsible for testing dozens of new disciples. It is not under my control."
"Uncle, you talk to them. The main thing is not to take it too seriously. I am afraid of pain."
"Most of the inner disciples will be merciful, don't worry. It shouldn't be too hard for you to pass."
While chatting, they passed through the corridor behind the sword test platform and came to a high platform in the square.
Liang Ating let go of Ye Anping's arm, ran to the fence, and clung to it, standing on tiptoe to look down.
Right now, there was a new disciple on each of the eight sword test platforms below.
And it was at this moment when...
*"Ahh!!"* A scream came from the sword-testing platform in the southeast.
That new disciple participating in the sword test was directly knocked seven or eight feet into the air by the examiner from the platform before falling heavily to the ground, and was carried away on a stretcher by the inner disciples waiting nearby.
The examiner, who had her hair tied into a ponytail, waved her wooden sword and lowered it with a flourish. She slowly exhaled, turned to look at the disciple who was taking notes, then nodded and gestured. "Well…"
"Uh..." The disciple who was recording embarrassedly looked down at the roster, cleared his throat, and shouted, "Next, Liang Ating, **Heavenly Cloud Peak** Sword Test Platform. Come on stage!!"
Liang Ating heard her name and quickly raised her hand. "Here!!!"
The examiner was stunned when she heard the name and immediately turned to look at Liang Ating.
Just now, because only her profile was visible, Ating did not recognize her at first glance.
But now that the examiner had turned around, she recognized her. It was her aunt!
Ating's smiling face turned pale at a speed visible to the naked eye.
The raised right hand also slowly retracted...
"Ah..."
Ating gulped. Remembering Ye Anping, she hurriedly looked behind her, wanting to ask him for help, but...
"Uncle!!!"
?
Ye Anping, who had just brought her in, was nowhere to be seen.
Stunned, Ating looked left and right in panic, wanting to flee, but she only took two steps when a hand grabbed her shoulder.
"Ating? Are you here to participate in the ***Black Star*** Sect selection?"
"..."
Pei Lianxue patted her head gently with a doting face. "It just so happens that I'm in charge of your sword examination. Let's see if you've been slacking off during the past few years when I haven't been around."
"Ah..."
Ating turned around and smiled awkwardly, then broke free from Pei Lianxue's hand and tried to run away, but she was caught back.
"Nooo!! Wuuu ah ah ah -- uncle, help me!!"
Pei Lianxue saw that Ating did not seem to like her very much, and she pouted a little dejectedly. However, she still dragged her to the sword-testing platform as if she were a corpse.
Still, watching Ating crying and making a fuss, she remembered her old self, and her eyes were filled with nostalgia. "Ating, don't be afraid. Although Elder Qin asked me to be stricter in the sword test, you've practiced with me in the past. Your results should be better than the others so far."
"Woo... Ating doesn't want to be selected anymore!! Ating wants to go back to the ***Hundred Lotus*** Sect... Ating doesn't want to be a disciple of the ***Black Star*** Sect!"
"Ating, behave..."
...
The sun was setting over the mountains in the west.
Dawn and dusk shone on the bamboo forest, dyeing it a layer of golden.
In front of the pavilion in the forest, in the clearing covered with bamboo leaves, Ye Anping held a wooden sword, practicing the *Nine Heavens Sword* technique that Feng Yu Die had taught him over the past few months, as usual.
*Swoosh—*
The wooden sword let out bursts of sharp sounds, cutting through the air.
His movement was agile and light, and the wooden sword in his hand was like a white snake spitting out its tongue, hissing and breaking the wind. At first glance, it seemed that he had some achievements, but Ye Anping was very clear about it.
Now, his *Nine Heavens Sword*'s technique, in terms of sword momentum and power, was not even a tenth of Feng Yu Die's, and was even inferior to the *Interrogation Sword* and *Leaf Shadow Sword* techniques that he and his sister had learned together.
But this was something that could not be helped. If he could catch up with Feng Yu Die in just a few months of practice, becoming able to break everything with his spirit, then Feng Yu Die would not be the destiny of the heavens anymore.
All in all, after understanding Feng Yu Die's sword path, he would be able to cooperate with her in the future. Although he couldn't achieve the same swordsmanship as she and his sister, at least he wouldn't be at a disadvantage.
*Swish-- swish—*
The sound of footsteps came from behind. Ye Anping lowered his wooden sword and turned to look.
Feng Yu Die walked along the path to the pavilion with a dejected look on her face. It seemed that she had not sold anything today. But when she saw that Ye Anping had already arrived, her eyes lit up again. "Master Ye, you're early today?"
"Yes."
For the past few months, he and Feng Yu Die had made an appointment to come to the bamboo forest at four o'clock every day to practice their swords until sunset, and then go back to their respective houses to rest.
Seeing Feng Yu Die coming, Ye Anping calmed down his breath after the sword practice, took out another wooden sword, and threw it over. "Let's get started."
Feng Yu Die reached out to catch the sword and nodded, laughing. "Great~"
...
*Ta-ta...*
*Ta...*
With the muffled sound of wooden swords colliding, the dusk that sprinkled on the two people through the bamboo leaves gradually darkened.
The redness of the horizon was replaced by the endless star dome.
*Plop—*
"Hu… hu..."
Ye Anping opened his hands wide and fell to the ground covered with bamboo leaves. He panted as if he had just fended off a few hundred girls, and his face was hot with sweat as he tried to calm his breathing.
Feng Yu Die, who was standing by, was in a better condition, but her face was also covered in sweat. She threw the wooden sword aside and followed his example, falling beside him.
She let out a long breath, turned around, and rolled on the bamboo leaves rug, grinning. "Hee~~"
"..."
Ye Anping glanced at her with a helpless sigh and asked."Where's Xiao Tian? What is she doing?"
As soon as he spoke, Xiao Tian appeared directly from the top of Feng Yu Die's head, leaned on her forehead, and smiled. *"Anping, did you miss me? ~Hehe."*
"Nope, just asking, seeing as you've been leaving early and returning late these past few months."
*"You and Yu Die have been meeting privately every day, so how could I disturb you? You've been having fun practicing with Yu Die, haven't you? Have you noticed that Yu Die looks very pretty today, she bought a new lipstick just the day before~"*
Ye Anping looked at Feng Yu Die's lips, and they indeed seemed to be pinker than yesterday, but he didn't care. He sat up straight, took out a chicken he had just roasted from the storage bag, and threw it on Feng Yu Die's belly.
"I'm going back."
"Hey? Anping, wait, I haven't finished yet..."
Xiao Tian hurriedly chased after him, chattering in his ear.
Seeing Ye Anping leave, Feng Yu Die pursed her lips with a red face and sighed regretfully. She got up from the ground, shook off the bamboo leaves in her hair, and walked in another direction with the roasted chicken in her arms.
As she walked, she muttered to herself. "Young Master Ye didn't notice it, and Sister Pei probably won't notice either. Let's change the color of the lipstick next time... Hmm."
It was at this moment that a fiery red light streaked across the night sky.
*Yiiii—*
The cry of a Phoenix came from above.
The two people walking with their backs to each other suddenly stopped and looked up tacitly.
The Fire Phoenix spread its wings a hundred feet high, then tightened them and swooped down before Ye Anping. It flapped its wings to cushion the impact before finally landing on his shoulder.
Ye Anping looked at Ah Feng's majestic eyes and then noticed a jade slip tied to its claws. He took it down and checked it with his spiritual sense.
The letter contained news from Li Longling.
—*"***Moon Shadow Sword*** Sect Patriarch Yun Tianchong, with three Young Ladies and a thousand disciples, has crossed over to the southern boundary of the **Central Region**, and it is rumored that he seems to be preparing to go to the Eastern Great Wall."*
"..."
This news was completely beyond his expectations, and Ye Anping's eyes widened slightly.
Yun family? Why did they bring their whole family to the Eastern Great Wall?
Family trip? Or a seven-day tour of the battlefield...
Ye Anping pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a little tired.
Seeing his expression, Feng Yu Die came over. She put her hands behind her back, leaned close to his face, and asked expectantly, "Master Ye, did something happen?"
?
What are you doing...
Ye Anping looked away. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to calm down. With an extremely serious expression, he replied solemnly, "Your wife may be in danger."
?
Feng Yu Die was startled, and her pink lips slightly opened. "...Huh?"
