"Master!"
The moment Chen Lin landed, Grass flew into his arms, brimming with excitement.
"Master, you refined that Sword Will so quickly?"
Grass nestled against Chen Lin's chest. Perhaps she had missed him too much; she was especially affectionate, nothing like her usual reserved self.
"Yes."
Chen Lin had wanted to tease her a little, but he dared not take liberties here.
He hugged her briefly.
Then he looked around and asked, "Where is Senior Sword Woman?"
Grass stepped out of Chen Lin's embrace.
Smoothing her hair, she said, "Senior Sword Woman said you aren't the person she's waiting for. She could only meet you once, and we should simply leave."
Chen Lin froze for a moment.
This was unlike any of the possibilities he had imagined.
But since she had said so, he could only comply. Besides, this outcome wasn't bad. He merely felt a little frustrated that all his preparations had come to nothing.
"Did Senior Sword Woman say whether we could continue staying here?"
This was important.
It concerned his use of this place as a transit point to return to the Inner World.
He also needed to keep an eye on Kaiyuan City. He had intended to ask Sword Woman about it, but since she wouldn't see him, he could only investigate himself.
"Senior Sword Woman said we could do as we pleased, as long as we didn't break the rules."
Hearing this answer, Chen Lin breathed a sigh of relief.
Although he couldn't see her or get answers to some of his questions, as long as she didn't restrict his coming and going, his expectations had been met.
"Then let's go."
Chen Lin had no intention of examining the Sword Stele, nor did he return to the shore. Instead, he activated the Peerage Token directly.