Plans Foiled, Leaving Heaven Dou City

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Ning Fengzhi stood before the window, gazing at the mist-shrouded mountains in the distance, his grip on the scepter in his hand unconsciously tightening.

By the schedule, a reply should have arrived today.

"Fengzhi, there is no need to worry too much." Chen Xin stood at his side. "Even without them, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is not something others can bully at will."

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside the hall.

"Sect Master, letters have arrived from the Clear Sky Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."

A disciple strode swiftly into the main hall, holding two envelopes.

Ning Fengzhi turned and accepted them.

He opened the letter from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan first.

Yu Yuanzhen's handwriting was forceful and vigorous, as domineering as his martial soul.

After reading it, Ning Fengzhi's brow furrowed slightly before he opened the Clear Sky Sect's letter.

This letter was even briefer...

Yet the meaning of both letters was the same—refusal.

Although he had prepared himself for it.

When he truly saw the two replies, Ning Fengzhi still felt a wave of helplessness.

"What did they say, Fengzhi?" Chen Xin asked.

Ning Fengzhi handed the two letters to the sect's two guardian Douluo and gave a bitter smile.

"It seems I overestimated the bond of brotherhood among the Upper Three Sects."

"What a fine 'wait and see'! What a fine 'stay out of worldly affairs'! Do they really think Spirit Hall will spare them in the future?"

After reading the letters, Gu Rong spoke with a trace of anger in his voice.

Chen Xin snorted coldly. "The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has always been arrogant and conceited. They think that by remaining neutral, they can keep themselves out of trouble."

"As for the Clear Sky Sect... ever since Tang Chen disappeared, they have completely withdrawn into their shells."

Ning Fengzhi walked to the center of the hall, his tone heavy. "In truth, their choice is understandable."

"Though the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is powerful, it has always remained neutral. They value their sect's legacy above all else and are unwilling to take risks lightly."

"As for the Clear Sky Sect..." Ning Fengzhi sighed. "After Tang Chen vanished, they lost their greatest support. Their decision to continue living in seclusion is likely born of necessity."

"Are we just going to let this go?" Gu Rong asked unwillingly. "Should I make a trip there and explain the stakes to them face-to-face?"

Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "There is no need. Since they have already made their choice, further persuasion would be useless."

Chen Xin stepped to his side and said gravely, "Fengzhi, since they are unwilling to join forces, we must make preparations early."

"In recent years... Spirit Hall's covert movements have become increasingly frequent."

"Otherwise... by the time Spirit Hall truly moves against us, it will be too late."

Ning Fengzhi nodded. "From today onward, strengthen the sect's defenses and seek out other allies."

"At the same time, deepen our cooperation with the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace."

Ning Fengzhi then dispatched someone to the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace to inform Xue Ye of the situation.

Time passed swiftly, and a month went by in the blink of an eye.

After a full month of Death Matches, Ji Xuan had now earned the Golden Dou Soul Badge.

The name Jian Xuan had also resounded throughout Heaven Dou City. Everyone was discussing this young swordsman who had emerged out of nowhere.

That evening, at the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace within the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

Ji Xuan stood by the window with one arm gently around Qian Renxue's slender waist, gazing at the stars filling the sky.

Qian Renxue leaned against Ji Xuan naturally, and neither of them spoke.

Only the faint chirping of insects drifted in from beyond the window.

"Xue'er." Ji Xuan finally broke the silence, his voice tinged with reluctance. "Tomorrow, I plan to leave Heaven Dou City."

Qian Renxue's body trembled slightly at his words.

After a moment of silence, she softly replied, "Mm... I know."

She knew Ji Xuan could not remain here forever. She had long expected this day to come, yet now that parting had truly arrived, she was filled with reluctance.

Sensing Qian Renxue's low spirits, Ji Xuan turned around and gently pulled her into his embrace.

Under the moonlight, Qian Renxue's delicate, beautiful face appeared especially soft and tender.

"Xue'er."

Ji Xuan looked into Qian Renxue's azure eyes, raised a hand to caress her cheek, and spoke with exceptional seriousness:

"The day I help you unify the continent, I will marry you and offer you Ten Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains as my betrothal gift. How does that sound?"

"Who... who said I was going to marry you?!"

Qian Renxue's cheeks instantly flushed red. She softly reproached him, yet instead of breaking free from Ji Xuan's embrace, she gently buried her face against his shoulder.

Ji Xuan chuckled, tightening his arms slightly. "Don't worry. That day won't be far off."

Ji Xuan's voice carried unquestionable confidence, his warm breath brushing past Qian Renxue's ear.

"Alright. I'll wait for you."

The two embraced quietly for a moment. Ji Xuan then bent down, scooped her up in his arms, and walked toward the bed.

"Xue'er, it's getting late. Let's rest early."

Qian Renxue said nothing. She merely wrapped her arms around Ji Xuan's neck and buried her head against his chest.

Ji Xuan gently laid Qian Renxue on the bed, bracing himself above her. Looking at the beauty in his arms, a smile rose at the corner of his lips.

His gaze fell upon her alluring red lips as he slowly lowered his head.

As his breath drew nearer, Qian Renxue unconsciously closed her eyes.

The next day, before dawn.

Ji Xuan quietly opened his eyes and turned to look beside him.

Qian Renxue was sleeping soundly, a faint smile on her lips, as though she were having a wonderful dream.

Ji Xuan carefully withdrew the arm she had been resting on, rose with gentle movements, then meticulously tucked the blankets around her.

Ji Xuan swiftly changed into a white robe, his gaze settling on the breathtaking sleeping face on the bed.

He then took a letter he had prepared long ago and a golden badge from his storage ring—the Golden Dou Soul Badge he had earned.

He gently placed the letter and badge in the most conspicuous spot on the desk.

Ji Xuan turned and walked to the door. He paused, looking back at her deeply one last time. Then, without further hesitation, he gently pushed the door open and left.

In the courtyard, Golden Crocodile Douluo's figure appeared without a sound. He had clearly been waiting for quite some time.

"Xiao Xuan, are you really leaving like this, without a word?"

Ji Xuan looked up at the starry sky and softly said, "Yes, Martial Uncle Golden Crocodile. Let's go."

Golden Crocodile Douluo nodded slightly, and the two figures vanished into the night.

Not long after Ji Xuan left, Qian Renxue slowly opened her eyes in the room.

In truth, she had awakened the moment Ji Xuan got up, but she had chosen to keep pretending to sleep.

She, too, did not wish to face the scene of parting.

Qian Renxue sat up, and her gaze immediately fell upon the bed. It seemed that Ji Xuan's warm scent still lingered there.

Then, she looked up and saw the two conspicuous items on the desk.

Qian Renxue rose and walked barefoot across the cool floor, picking up the letter and the golden badge.

The contents of the letter were simple:

"Xue'er, please forgive me for leaving without saying goodbye.

I leave the Golden Dou Soul Badge with you. Seeing it will be like seeing me.

Do not worry. Take care of yourself.

—Ji Xuan."

"A Xuan, take care. I'll wait for you to return with Ten Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains and marry me."

After a long while, Qian Renxue looked at the badge in her hand. A faint smile rose on her lips as she murmured softly.