Childhood Sweethearts Grow Apart

Ning Rongrong stood before Ning Fengzhi, the textbook in her hands creased from her grip.

"Rongrong, you can't judge the whole matter based on a single remark."

"Then explain the matter clearly."

Ning Fengzhi glanced toward the door.

Li Zhexian had already left through it.

"The sect won't drive him out."

"As for your engagement, it was an agreement made when you were children. Whether it still counts in the future depends on what the two of you want, and how far you can go in the end."

"I don't intend to change my mind."

Ning Fengzhi looked at his daughter.

"Then focus on walking your own path first."

Ning Rongrong hugged the textbook to her chest.

"I've always been walking my own path."

Six years passed.

Ning Rongrong had reached level twenty-six in her cultivation, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda now had two Soul Rings.

She received the most attention among the disciples of her generation.

Li Zhexian, however, remained at the peak of level ten.

His swordsmanship had grown increasingly steady. Wherever Chen Xin pointed, the tip of the sword in his hand would land. But whenever his Soul Power reached the barrier in his chest, it still could not pass through.

Without his Second Soul Ring, he could not continue along the path of cultivation beyond it.

The disciples in the sect began comparing them in private.

"One is already level twenty-six, while the other is still level ten. And they were actually engaged as children."

"Does it still count now?"

"No one can say for certain."

As Li Zhexian walked past them, the Azure Lotus Sword struck the doorframe, sending wood chips scattering across the floor.

The two disciples immediately shut their mouths.

"Go on, finish what you were saying. I didn't hear you clearly."

"We weren't saying anything."

"Since you weren't saying anything, stay and keep chatting."

The two left with their heads lowered.

Li Zhexian did not press them any further.

He had heard such talk for six years, and he had long since memorized all the different things people said.

Ning Rongrong had also begun speaking up for him more and more often.

When an elder brought up the engagement, she spoke up on the spot. "His Soul Power has only stalled at level ten. That doesn't mean he has no ability."

The elder looked at her and asked, "Do you know why he's stuck at level ten?"

"I don't know."

"Since you don't know, what makes you so sure of him?"

"I don't know the reason, but that doesn't mean he's useless."

"Rongrong, the paths you take in the future will depend on the results of your respective cultivation."

"I understand."

After saying her piece, she left the meeting hall.

When she returned to her residence, Li Zhexian was sitting by the window, wiping his sword.

Ning Rongrong stood there watching him for a while.

"Why aren't you worried at all?"

"If worrying did any good, I'd have flown up into the sky long ago."

"You say that every time."

"And you ask the same question every time."

Ning Rongrong walked over to the table and raised her palm.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda appeared in her palm, with two Soul Rings revolving around it.

"I'm already level twenty-six."

"People out there are all saying we're not suited for each other. Even the elder said the engagement made when we were children can't be taken seriously."

"Don't you have anything to say to me?"

The cloth in Li Zhexian's hand stopped moving.

Of course he had things he wanted to say.

But what he said might not make Ning Rongrong happy.

"Rongrong, you should keep walking your own path."

"Then what about you?"

"I'll stay here and keep practicing my swordsmanship."

"Are you pushing me away?"

"That's not what I mean."

"Then why do you always tell me to keep moving forward?"

Li Zhexian put the Azure Lotus Sword down.

"I don't want the engagement to hold you back."

Ning Rongrong looked at his face.

"You think this would hold me back?"

"I'm only telling the truth."

"Then say what you really want to say."

Li Zhexian opened his mouth.

He wanted to say that he didn't care what anyone else thought, and that he didn't want Ning Rongrong to give anything up because of him.

But when the words reached his lips, he swallowed them again.

He picked up the strip of cloth and resumed wiping the Azure Lotus Sword.

Ning Rongrong stood there waiting for a while.

"You won't even give me an explanation."

"It's not that I don't want to explain."

"Then say it now."

Li Zhexian still did not speak.

Ning Rongrong turned around, pushed open the door, and left.

After the sound of the door closing reached the room, Li Zhexian's hand stopped moving again.

He looked at the blade for a long time.

Its surface reflected his face, as well as the hesitation he had not admitted to.

That night,

the system panel appeared in his sea of consciousness.

Shield suppression rate: 97%.

Host is advised to seek a sufficiently powerful attacker.

After reading the panel, Li Zhexian took the Azure Lotus Sword and left his residence.

When he arrived at the training ground, a group of disciples had just finished sparring.

"Who wants to fight me?"

Everyone turned to look at him.

"Senior Brother Li, do you want to practice your swordsmanship?"

"I want to take a few hits."

Everyone began looking at one another.

"If you get hurt, Sword Elder will come looking for us."

"He won't come looking to make trouble for you just because I took a few hits."

"Sect Master Ning will ask about it too."

"I'll go and tell him myself."

"I have to go on guard duty today."

"I still have medicine to collect."

"Maybe next time."

After making their excuses, the disciples quickly left the training ground.

Li Zhexian picked up the scabbard.

"Then forget it."

A cold laugh came from behind the crowd.

"A piece of trash who's only level ten thinks he's worthy of having someone fight him?"

Shi Potian walked out from behind the crowd.

He stood half a head taller than Li Zhexian, and he wore wrist guards.

The surrounding disciples retreated to either side, clearing a space.

"What's your name?"

"Shi Potian."

"And I don't think Ning Rongrong marrying you would make the sect a laughingstock."

"If Ning Rongrong married you, she'd be the biggest joke in the sect."

"Have you said that to her face?"

"It's enough to say it to you."

"Then you've saved her a lot of trouble."

The smile had vanished from Shi Potian's face.

"Stop putting on an act."

"Weren't you looking for someone to fight?"

"Yes."

"Remember to hit harder."

Shi Potian raised his hand.

His Martial Soul emerged behind him, and his Soul Rings rose with it.

The disciples nearby retreated a few more steps when they saw it.

Li Zhexian did not draw his sword. He simply let his arms hang at his sides.

Shield suppression rate: 97%.

Given Shi Potian's strength, he should have been enough to cause a change in the shield.

For six years, Li Zhexian had been waiting for an opportunity like this.

Shi Potian fixed his gaze on him.

"Tomorrow, when we step into the arena, I'll show you what a true Soul Master is."