First Arrival at the Li Clan

Qin Wangchuan stood upon the deck of the Flying Ship, his black-and-gold robes snapping in the gale.

Beneath his feet, the Xuanxiao-class Sky Patrol Boat pulsed with flowing, deep-blue Spirit Patterns, while the thirty-six pairs of wing-shaped World-Breaking Sails along its sides were slowly retracting.

This was the latest generation of flying ship from the Qin Clan, brought into large-scale use by the hand of his third sister, Qin Qingni.

Though it did not compare to the Sky Patrol Throne she often spoke of, its performance was beyond reproach.

"Young Master, something is following us." The bell at Ye Jianwei's ear chimed without a breeze. She tapped her fingertip against the void, and within the ripples, a mountain-sized beast appeared.

Qin Wangchuan looked over.

The Cloud-Swallowing Beast resembled a qilin but possessed six wings, with clouds and mist constantly venting from the gaps between its scales.

It was currently trailing ten miles behind the Flying Ship.

"Reporting to the Young Master, it is a Cloud-Swallowing Beast," a guard said, cupping his fists. "This fiend usually lurks in the Cloud Sea, specifically targeting lone flying ships. Ordinary cultivators rarely survive an encounter with one—"

He glanced up at the churning mass of clouds in the rear and scoffed, "However, with its speed, it couldn't even touch the tail sails of our Qin Clan ship. It will know better and retreat in a moment."

Before he could finish, another guard stepped forward, a cold glint appearing in his eyes: "If the Young Master finds it displeasing, this subordinate shall go and slash it down."

"No rush." Qin Wangchuan raised a hand to stop him, his gaze falling upon the rhombic crystals newly installed at the Flying Ship's portholes—these were the Spirit Light Cannons developed by his third sister.

"Let's test this."

"Charge." Following Qin Wangchuan's command, a roar of mechanical gears interlocking echoed from the bottom of the Flying Ship.

Twelve gaps suddenly split open along the sides of the deck, revealing the rotating Spirit Gathering Arrays within.

Like living creatures, the arrays rearranged themselves, snapping together around the rhombic crystals to form a massive cannon muzzle three zhang in diameter in the blink of an eye.

The Cloud-Swallowing Beast seemed to sense the danger, its six wings snapping open as it tried to turn away.

But a blinding white light ignited at the muzzle, and in an instant, the entire world was dyed a ghastly cyan.

"BOOM—!"

As the beam of light pierced through the clouds, it emitted a roar like that of a dragon.

The Cloud-Swallowing Beast didn't even have time to wail; half of its body was vaporized instantly, while the remainder was blasted into a rain of blood by the shockwave.

The beam of light, its momentum undiminished, pulverized a distant mountain peak into dust.

"The power is a bit lacking," Qin Wangchuan murmured, watching the mountain rocks melt away as he tapped his fingers. "However..."

"The caliber can solve that problem."

It wasn't possible now, but if he were to increase the caliber to ten times, twenty times, or even a hundred times its current size...

"Perhaps I could invest a little in Third Sister?"

As he was thinking this, a sudden surge of Sword Intent struck him.

Where the clouds and mist dispersed, a ten-thousand-foot giant sword pierced straight into the firmament, the black iron chains coiled around its blade clanging in the wind.

He had already entered the territory of the Li Clan.

After sailing for quite some time longer, he finally arrived at the Li Clan.

As the Flying Ship passed through the final barrier, the entire Sword Domain suddenly opened up before him.

He saw nine towering sword peaks arranged in the formation of the celestial stars. At the summit of each peak hung an ancient, thousand-foot sword, the black iron chains of their tassels colliding in the gale to produce the sound of clashing metal—

This was the Heavenly Sword Li Clan's renowned Nine Luminaries World-Suppressing Sword Array.

Many world-famous sword cultivators came here in admiration to seek enlightenment in the sword.

At the very center and highest point, a giant, crimson-red sword descended from the void of the firmament. The blade carried boundless Sword Intent, and the two characters "Heavenly Sword" were carved upon it.

Qin Wangchuan nodded in satisfaction at the Sword Intent contained within the calligraphy. "I didn't come to the wrong place."

Several cyan sword rainbows guided the Flying Ship.

Sensing something, he lifted his gaze to see a graceful white figure stepping lightly down from the chains, her robes fluttering as if an immortal had descended to the mortal world.

"Wangchuan."

Li Qingluan tapped her toes lightly, and the moment she landed on the deck, even the howling gale around the Flying Ship fell silent.

She was dressed in a moon-white Flowing Immortal Dress with wide sleeves, her features as beautiful as a painting, her brows like distant, dark-painted mountains.

Her phoenix eyes were as cold and clear as water, making her appear aloof and ethereal.

Yet, when those crystal-like eyes fell upon Qin Wangchuan, the cold mist in their depths suddenly melted—like a red plum blossom blooming atop a ten-thousand-foot ice cliff. Even the Qingfeng sword at her waist began to hum and leap with joy.

"Was the journey smooth?" she asked softly.

Before Qin Wangchuan could answer, Li Qingluan had already taken a snow-white handkerchief from her sleeve and began to gently brush him off.

He wasn't sure what he smelled like when he arrived, but now, his nose was filled with the faint, cold scent of plum blossoms from her body.

"You've gathered some dust."

The Flying Ship was surrounded by a magical array; how could it have gathered any dust?

Before Qin Wangchuan could speak, he discovered that Li Qingluan had already reached out with her slightly cool, soft hand.

"?"

He looked over in confusion, only to hear Li Qingluan reply with a calm expression, "The Li Clan is very large."

I know it's large, of course, but what is the meaning of you reaching out your hand?

Although they were indeed an engaged couple, holding hands wasn't exactly a big deal.

However...

It seems like she has been even stranger ever since our identities were made public, Qin Wangchuan thought, though as he lowered his head, he caught a fleeting curve at the corner of Li Qingluan's lips.

"Let's go. Don't keep the Old Ancestor waiting."

Qin Wangchuan let her lead him, his eyes dropping to their joined hands. Li Qingluan's fingers were slender and long, with distinct knuckles and a hint of coolness, but the warmth where their palms met perfectly offset it.

Sunlight filtered through the wind chimes on the eaves of the Sword Pavilion, casting a fine, shimmering halo over her hair.

The young girl walked with a light gait, her skirt rippling like water.

In the distance, the nine ancient World-Suppressing Swords rose and fell within the Cloud Sea. Their chains swayed gently in the breeze, sending out crisp, metallic chimes in the morning light, as if time itself were knocking softly.

What a peaceful moment in time.