Great Zhou, Cloud River County, Guangling City.
The rear courtyard of Apricot Yellow Medical Hall.
In the twilight of mid-spring, the branches and leaves of the great locust tree in the courtyard were lush and verdant, seeming ready to drip with green.
A young girl in a plain dress was practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard. Dazzling layers of sword shadows shimmered with illusory colors beneath the evening glow.
Again and again, the girl practiced her sword, as though she knew no fatigue.
Only when her strength was utterly exhausted did she stop, sitting beneath the Old Locust Tree.
"I wonder whether my younger sister is doing well now. She used to send me a letter every half month, but this time, it has been delayed by a full four days."
The girl sat there and murmured softly, as if confiding her innermost thoughts to the Old Locust Tree.
"Still, my sister is in Nine Cauldrons City, the imperial capital of Great Xia, with many experts watching over her. She likely will not encounter any trouble."
"The world is growing ever more perilous. No one knows when danger will descend, but no matter what, I will take good care of my parents and clansmen."
"Ah, if only I had someone to talk to..."
As she spoke, the girl's mood sank, and her eyes dimmed.
Her name was Wen Lingzhao.
She had once been the favored daughter of heaven among Guangling City's younger generation, blessed with exceptional talent. She had even entered Heavenly Origin Academy, the foremost faction of Gun Province, to cultivate.
But that was all in the past.
Now, she lived in Guangling City, caring for her parents and clansmen while cultivating diligently.
Still, she occasionally felt lonely and melancholy.
After all, Guangling City was merely an inconspicuous, remote little