Tombstone

Ink Mountain, Ninth Peak. Ning Chen returned. Before the bamboo grove, Yin'er was still diligently practicing her swordsmanship, sweat continuously dripping from her little face. Every move and stance was precise and proper.

Ning Chen stood quietly to one side, not disturbing Yin'er's sword practice.

Before long, two figures arrived together. One wore green robes and possessed an extraordinary bearing; the other was a woman clad in silver, with silver hair and a beauty so excessive that one could scarcely bear to look directly at her.

Ning Chen was no longer unfamiliar with the man in green. He was Qi Huan. As for the silver-clad woman, he only knew that her name was Ayluo Zhen, the Ink Lord's eighth disciple, whose cultivation talent was astonishing.

"Ninth Junior Brother."

Qi Huan greeted him with a smile. Beside him, Ayluo Zhen looked at the young man before her, the chill in her eyes softening somewhat as she nodded in greeting.

Yin'er, who was practicing her sword, heard the newcomers. She had only just turned her head to look curiously when Ning Chen raised a hand and knocked her on the head.

"Ah!" Yin'er cried out in pain, covering her head, her lips pouting enough to hang an oil bottle from them.

"Do not be distracted. Continue practicing your sword," Ning Chen said calmly.

"I'll practice if you want me to."

Yin'er muttered, then continued practicing with focus, no longer daring to let her mind wander.

Ayluo Zhen noticed the Vermilion Sword in the little girl's hand, and a strange light flashed through her beautiful eyes. A blood-refined weapon.

"Ninth Junior Brother, may we take a few steps aside to discuss something?" After watching for a while, Qi Huan asked softly.

"Mm."

Ning Chen nodded. He glanced at Yin'er, then walked toward the