Sword Master

The Celestial Maiden Sect's mountain gate.

The mountains were lush and beautiful, veiled in rising mist. Cranes cried out in the distance, and monkeys could be seen reaching out with their paws.

Encircled by mountains lay a small lake. Its smooth surface was as flat as a mirror, reflecting brilliant light like a piece of jade nestled among the peaks.

"Phew... So this is the Celestial Maiden Sect's mountain gate? It's rather ordinary!"

Fu Hongmian slowly let out a breath, gazing at the women working hard in the plantations on either side. "I can't help feeling... it's quite different from what I imagined!"

"Even martial artists are ordinary people. We can't do without food, clothing, shelter, and transport. Our Celestial Maiden Sect values both reclusion and engagement with the world, so naturally we must train in these areas! We live by our own labor, and the Saintess is no exception!"

Seeing this, a woman in pale yellow immediately smiled and said, "Of course, you and your senior brother are honored guests of our Celestial Maiden Sect. You'll be given the very best of everything!"

As she spoke, a trace of surprise lingered in her eyes.

After all, the Celestial Maiden Sect only accepted women. How could that silly-looking young man, even if he was a First-Rank Grandmaster, have earned the Sect Leader's favor?

"Something terrible has happened, Senior Sister Huang Ying!"

At that moment, two girls in red came running over, panting, their faces full of panic. "The Armory Tower has announced that it will hold a martial arts conference in two months to discuss the position of Alliance Leader, and... and... the Tower Master will personally execute Jiang Xiao Die and the Saintess at the gathering to rally the troops!"

"What?"

Huang Ying's expression changed at once. "This is