Outside the city.
A streak of sword light descended, revealing three figures.
They were Chi Jiuyu, Zhang Yunlu, and the Sword-Holding Maiden formed from the aura of weapons and war.
"Not bad, Xiao Yunlu. You actually thought of that." Chi Jiuyu grinned.
She carried a tree far taller than herself over one shoulder, its roots still caked with great clumps of dirt, while her other hand rested on the Sword-Holding Maiden's shoulder.
Sure enough, Senior Sister had packed up the tree and taken it with her.
Zhang Yunlu was not surprised in the slightest. This was exactly the sort of thing she would do.
"Senior Sister must have thought of it too. I merely beat you to it."
"...That's right!"
Chi Jiuyu set the tree aside. "Oh, right! I paid for this tree, you know. I left behind two jin of silver!"
Back at the Sword Sect, after obtaining information on this 'Three Heavens Realm,' she had exchanged some gold and silver to keep on hand.
A whole heap of it!
Gold and silver were nothing precious in the Great Profound Realm.
But their purchasing power in this world seemed quite impressive.
The Sword-Holding Maiden, held in place beneath Chi Jiuyu's hand, wore an odd expression.
Two jin?
It was her first time hearing someone use such a measure as an adjective.
But she quickly asked, "Why am I not dead yet?"
Her life pact was bound to the Heir Apparent of Prince Dingnan. By rights, the instant he died, she should have dropped dead along with him.
"What, do you really want to die?" Chi Jiuyu shot her a sidelong glance.
Before the Void-Piercing Golden Pupils, nothing could hide—naturally, that included the restriction within her body.
At that moment, the restriction was being firmly suppressed by a strand of