That night in Outrealm City, hidden currents were already stirring.
At a teahouse on the outskirts of the city, the Jade Sword Queen, who had been resting, was abruptly woken by a message talisman from Blood Sword House.
She thought it was a routine mission update and scoffed, “That slow, huh?”
But the moment she saw the contents, her expression changed.
[The target is protected by a powerful cultivator. The House Master and elites were killed instantly. Means unknown. Suspected opponent: peak Emperor Realm cultivator.]
She was well aware of the Blood Sword House Master’s strength—7th stage Innate Realm—and the other elites were all near the Peak Postnatal Realm.
Even she wouldn’t dare claim she could take them all out in an instant without leaving a trace.
Yet this critical detail hadn’t been mentioned by the Thunder Sword Emperor.
“That old bastard is clearly setting me up.”
The Jade Sword Queen snorted coldly. She was at peak King Realm, and yet they expected her to target someone guarded by an Emperor Realm expert?
And all for a measly 100 black crystals?
“What do they think I am, some brothel girl they can toy with at will?”
With a sneer, she pulled out her own message talisman and sent a reply.
[Target is protected by a peak Emperor Realm expert. Please find someone more suitable.]
Just as she finished sending the message, a knock came at the door.
She frowned and said coldly, “Who is it?”
“Senior, it’s us!”
A man’s voice came from outside.
Then, a woman spoke respectfully, “Senior, we’ve captured the little girl you were looking for!”
At those words, a sharp gleam flashed in the Jade Sword Queen’s eyes.
She moved to the door almost instantly and asked urgently, “Where is she? Where is she now?!”
…
In the Heaven on Earth Pavilion, inside a top-tier Heaven room.
The Thunder Sword Emperor, who had been enjoying himself, scowled deeply as he read the message talisman.
“Damn it. Peak Emperor Realm?”
By rights, he should have gone to confirm it himself.
But thinking about it, what if it was true? He might not make it back alive.
After a moment’s thought, he also pulled out a message talisman and sent out a reply.
Then he tapped the person beneath him and said blandly, “I’m tired. Let’s switch to seated meditation.”
…
In Azure Dragon City, within the Zhao Family residence.
[The target is suspected to be protected by a Dao Consolidation cultivator. I fought with all my might and was forced to retreat. Currently reflecting deeply.]
“What nonsense is this? A Dao Consolidation cultivator in Outrealm City?!”
Zhao Wanfeng frowned hard.
A Dao Consolidation cultivator was someone who had grasped the power of the Dao—capable of destroying entire sects alone!
Even across the entire Heavenly Mystic Continent, such figures were considered apex powerhouses. He’d never heard of one appearing in Outrealm City…
His aide hesitated before asking, “Do you think it could be someone who also came for the treasure?”
“If you put it that way… maybe it’s not impossible.”
Zhao Wanfeng fell into deep thought. But what he couldn’t understand was, if they came for the treasure, why were they sticking around Bai Xiaoxue?
“Should we still proceed, Patriarch?”
“Proceed my ass. You want the Grand Elder to personally go and kill her?”
Zhao Wanfeng coldly snorted. Though their Zhao Family did have a Dao Consolidation expert, only one.
If anything happened to him, the Zhao Family would be finished.
“Forget it. Leave her alone for now. With her cultivation talent, she won’t be a threat to the family for decades anyway.”
“Understood, Patriarch.”
The aide nodded, then muttered with some emotion, “Outrealm City sure is lively now. So many first-rate powers have sent people. Even Pleasure Valley and Heavenly Demon Palace are here.”
Zhao Wanfeng sneered, “Isn’t that more interesting?”
“If a fight breaks out over the treasure in the end, things will get even more exciting.”
The aide grew curious. “Patriarch, what exactly is this rumored treasure? Shouldn’t we try to grab it too?”
Zhao Wanfeng narrowed his eyes and replied, “Naturally… it’s a chance to become an Emperor!”
…
The next morning, Lin Yun was still fast asleep in his room when he was suddenly jolted awake.
“No no no! Don’t come near me!!!”
Lin Yun shot up in bed, looked around at the empty room, and sighed in relief.
“Good… it was just a dream.”
He had just dreamed that both Bai Xiaoxue and Qing Yue insisted on marrying him.
The worst part? They demanded he choose one—or they’d kill him! It was terrifying!
“What a weird dream. Why would I dream about something like that?”
Lin Yun sighed again. Given Bai Xiaoxue’s gentle personality, she didn’t seem the type for yandere behavior.
As for Qing Yue… she kind of seemed like she hated men. Lin Yun even suspected she might like girls.
While he was lost in thought, the system’s prompt sounded in his mind.
[You have activated the training mission!]
[1: Help Bai Xiaoxue comprehend the essence of the sword – Pending] Find the original chapter at novelping.com.
[2: Help Qing Yue forge her life-bound magic weapon – Pending]
[Mission Rewards: Orphan Talents x3, Director Talent x1!]
Reading the new mission list, Lin Yun raised his brows.
“Seriously? These are insanely hard.”
Over the past few days, he had finally grasped the cultivation system of this world.
Take, for instance, the essence of the sword—something only those who had fully mastered the sword path could grasp. Most who achieved it were Transcendents or even peak King Realm sword cultivators!
Bai Xiaoxue was only at Peak Qi Condensation Realm. If she could comprehend sword intent now, it would be unprecedented!
As for the life-bound magic weapon, it was the core of a demonic cultivator’s strength.
To forge one, a large quantity of rare materials was needed—which meant spending a lot of black crystals.
And as for Lin Yun… his pockets were cleaner than his face.
“Sigh, I really need to find a way to make money…”
He sighed again. But wait—Qing Yue was actually a demonic cultivator?
According to legends, demonic cultivators were ruthless and bloodthirsty. She didn’t seem like that at all.
“Forget it. I’ll slowly get to know her better in the future.”
There was still time. For now, he had more pressing matters.
As soon as Lin Yun stepped out, he saw Qing Yue sweeping the yard while Bai Xiaoxue was squatting by the pond washing vegetables.
When she saw him, Bai Xiaoxue looked up and smiled. “Director, you’re awake? I was just about to cook lunch.”
Seeing both girls busy with chores, Lin Yun felt a slight pang of guilt.
Lately, he’d done nothing but eat, sleep, and occasionally reflect on life.
At this rate, he’d be raised into a useless bum one day…
He cleared his throat and said, “Come over here, both of you. I’ve got three excellent martial techniques to teach you!”
The moment she heard there were martial techniques, Bai Xiaoxue ran over eagerly. Qing Yue followed calmly.
“Director, did you buy new ones again?”
“Yeah, you could say that.”
“That’s great! What level are they? Yellow-grade? Or Profound-grade?”
The last one she got was only Yellow-grade. If these were Profound-grade, she’d be thrilled.
As for Earth-grade martial techniques? She didn’t even dare dream about them. Such techniques were insanely rare even across the entire Eastern Continent.
Qing Yue, on the other hand, remained calm. The reason was simple—she had already learned several Earth-grade lower-tier techniques.
Even if a top-tier Profound-grade technique was placed in front of her, she wouldn’t give it a second glance.
Right then, Lin Yun gave them a mysterious smile.
“Not Profound-grade… but three top-tier Earth-grade techniques.”