As he walked through the mountain forest, he was astonished to see the ground covered in wild chrysanthemums and trees laden with fist-sized, ripe wild pomegranates.
’Just a few days ago, when Yu Zongding brought me here, those wild pomegranate trees were covered in blossoms. I’ve only been on Dingfeng Slope for six days. How could they already be laden with ripe fruit?’
’He remembered clearly. The day he came to Dingfeng Slope was the twenty-seventh of the fourth month. After six days, today should be the third of the fifth month. Do chrysanthemums bloom this early in the fifth month? Do pomegranates ripen so soon?’
The only explanation was that the time rate on Dingfeng Slope was different from the outside world.
At this thought, Chu Fan grew anxious. ’If it’s late in the sixth month or early in the seventh, that’s fine; the three-month deadline hasn’t passed. But if it’s already the end of the seventh month, wouldn’t that mean Yun Xi is about to be married off to the Celestial Derivation Sect?’
’Knowing Yun Xi’s fierce spirit, she’d rather die than submit to a marriage with Shui Yuntian...’
The more Chu Fan thought about it, the more terrified he became. He immediately jumped onto his Flying Sword and sped towards Cuiyun Peak.
And on this very day, the Lingyun Sect had received several uninvited guests.
Shui Yuntian, the Saint Heir of the Celestial Derivation Sect, had come to the Lingyun Sect, accompanied by his sect’s Third Elder, Luo Zefeng. Ostensibly, they were there to present the betrothal gifts, but in reality, Shui Yuntian simply couldn’t restrain himself any longer.
Shui Yuntian was infamous in the Eastern Domain Cultivation Realm as a debauched rake who couldn’t go a day without female company. Upon learning he was to marry Yun Xi, the greatest beauty in the Eastern Domain, he had immediately proposed to his father, Shui Zebo, that he personally deliver the betrothal gifts to the Lingyun Sect.
For his part, Shui Zebo had his own agenda, using this as an opportunity for Shui Yuntian to probe the Lingyun Sect’s true intentions. After all, it was common knowledge throughout the Six Sects and Eight Gates of the Eastern Domain that Yun Xi and Chu Fan were childhood sweethearts. With Chu Fan having just been deposed, why would the Lingyun Sect suddenly take the initiative to propose marrying Yun Xi to his son? How could he not be suspicious?
He wasn’t worried about the Lingyun Sect backing out of the deal. Rather, he feared they wouldn’t be able to persuade Yun Xi. If she did something foolish on the wedding day, wouldn’t it bring shame upon the Celestial Derivation Sect?
Upon arriving at Cuiyun Peak, the first thing Shui Yuntian learned was that Chu Fan had ventured into Dingfeng Slope alone two months prior. With that news, all his doubts vanished.
The Celestial Derivation Sect’s Great Elder and the matchmaker they had brought were in Lingyun Hall, discussing the wedding ceremony with the Lingyun Sect’s Sect Leader and elders. Yun Keji’s wife, Madam Chen, was also in attendance.
Meanwhile, Shui Yuntian, escorted by Ji Ling, had made his way to the Fifth Elder’s residence.
"Saint Heir, my master and his wife are in Lingyun Hall for a meeting. Only the women of the household are here. You should go elsewhere!"
Chen Xiao stood at the residence gate, blocking their path.
Ji Ling gestured to Shui Yuntian beside him and said to Chen Xiao, "Chen Xiao, allow me to introduce you. This is the Saint Heir of the Celestial Derivation Sect, your Junior Sister Yun Xi’s fiancé. It doesn’t matter whether I go in, but Shui the Saint Child has come all this way to see his fiancée. Surely you must let him pass."
How could Chen Xiao not recognize the young master in the long white robes as Shui Yuntian?
Chen Xiao and Chu Fan were good friends. With Chu Fan’s fate uncertain and the Sect forcing Yun Xi to marry Shui Yuntian, he was vehemently opposed to the match. Unfortunately, his words carried little weight, and he was powerless to change anything. All he felt for Shui Yuntian was hatred.
"Greetings, Shui the Saint Child," Chen Xiao said, giving Shui Yuntian a perfunctory salute. "As long as my junior sister is not yet married into the Celestial Derivation Sect, I will prevent any man from seeing her alone. So, please, leave!"
Shui Yuntian sneered at Ji Ling. "Ji the Saint Child, you are a Saint Heir, after all. It seems your status in the Lingyun Sect is..."
He trailed off and simply shook his head, but his meaning was clear to everyone present.
Provoked by Shui Yuntian’s words, Ji Ling flew into a rage. He pointed at Chen Xiao and bellowed, "I, your Saint Heir, command you to move!"
Chen Xiao took a step forward. "Never mind that you’re just the Saint Heir. Without my master’s permission, I wouldn’t step aside even for the Sect Leader himself."
"Are you really forcing me to act?"
"Only if you kill me and step over my corpse," Chen Xiao said, his own stubbornness flaring. "Our junior sister’s reputation is worth more than my worthless life."
Shui Yuntian let out another cold laugh. He had no intention of getting involved, content to stand aside and watch the drama unfold.
The laughter made Ji Ling feel deeply humiliated. He couldn’t help but think, ’Back when Chu Fan was the Saint Heir, which disciple in the Sect didn’t obey his every command? Now I’m the Saint Heir, and this Chen Xiao dares to disrespect me so openly! Does he have no shame?’
’Just a few days ago, the Sect Leader had inexplicably punished him with confinement and reflection. Li Qiong and Yu Wanqing hadn’t even been released yet! If Shui Yuntian hadn’t come, requiring an escort, he’d still be stuck in the Precepts Hall himself!’
All his pent-up fury ignited at once, and he lashed out with a palm strike.
Chen Xiao hadn’t expected Ji Ling to actually attack. Caught completely off guard, he took the palm strike square in the chest, stumbling back several steps before slamming into the gate behind him. A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.
"Are you going to move?!" Ji Ling demanded furiously.
"Ji Ling, do you have any idea what the penalty is for trespassing in an Elder’s private residence?" Chen Xiao asked.
"Cut the crap. I’m escorting Shui the Saint Child to see his fiancée on the Sect Leader’s orders."
"Then show me the Sect Leader’s written command."
"The Sect Leader gave me a verbal command! Do you think he needs to issue a written order for such a trivial matter? Chen Xiao, I’ll ask you one last time: are you going to move?"
"Not unless you kill me and walk over my corpse." Chen Xiao spread his arms, barring the way.
Ji Ling struck out again. This time, Chen Xiao was ready and wasn’t taken down in a single blow.
They traded more than a dozen blows, but Ji Ling’s talent and Cultivation were inherently greater than Chen Xiao’s. Fueled by true rage, Ji Ling landed several more palm strikes, and Chen Xiao collapsed to the ground, spitting up a thick mouthful of blood.
"Chen Xiao, I won’t forget this. You’d better hope you don’t fall into my hands again."
With that, Ji Ling led Shui Yuntian into the courtyard.
Ji Ling likely didn’t notice that as he turned, Shui Yuntian’s eyes were filled with utter contempt for him.
Perhaps, in his heart, he too looked down on such a contemptible fool.
Ignoring Chen Xiao’s hysterical warnings and curses, the two men headed straight for the side courtyard where Yun Xi’s private chambers were located.
The two female disciples inside, tasked with watching over Yun Xi, had heard everything from the initial argument to Chen Xiao’s pained curses.
They never would have imagined that Ji Ling could be so audacious.
"Shui the Saint Child, Ji the Saint Child, please leave. Our junior sister is not seeing anyone today." The one blocking their path was Wu Xiuzhen, the eldest disciple of Madam Chen.
"You’re going to block me, too?" Ji Ling demanded, his gaze vicious.
"Saint Heir, this is an Elder Residence. More than that, this is the rear courtyard, where the female members of the household reside. Do you understand the consequences of trespassing? If you leave now, I can overlook you injuring Chen Xiao. But if you insist on forcing your way in, do you truly believe you can withstand a single blow from my sword?"
Wu Xiuzhen was a genuine Golden Core Realm cultivator. She had become a disciple under Madam Chen only because she was female, but in truth, she was taught by both Yun Keji and his wife.
Just as Ji Ling was about to speak, Shui Yuntian stepped forward and said arrogantly, "And do you know that I am Yun Xi’s fiancé? What’s this? Did your Lingyun Sect propose this marriage simply to borrow the power of my Celestial Derivation Sect, with no real intention of having Yun Xi marry me? If so, I’ll have to go back and have a nice long talk with my father."
"Who said Yun Xi was marrying you?" A sudden voice startled everyone present.
They turned to see Chu Fan at the Moon Gate, supporting a wounded Chen Xiao as he walked in.
Ji Ling, in particular, stared with wide eyes, as if he had just seen a ghost.