She Knew Everything, Ah Yin

"Go back first."

A golden light flashed in Zhao Linchuan's right hand, and the Supreme Ease Golden Edge appeared in his grasp.

The longsword swelled in the wind until it was the size of a door panel, then hovered before him.

"I have some things to take care of. I'll be going out for a while. Wait for me outside Spirit City."

With that, he stepped onto the sword. A burst of golden light surged forth, carrying him into the sky.

The golden swordlight pierced the dusk like a shooting star, speeding toward the distance. In the blink of an eye, it vanished among the clouds on the horizon.

Bibi Dong stood where she was, watching the golden light disappear. Her brows knitted slightly.

"What's he going to do?" She turned to look at Yan Lingji, her tone tinged with confusion.

Yan Lingji stretched lazily, raising both hands over her head as her waist curved in a breathtaking arc.

"Who knows?"

Yan Lingji gazed in the direction Zhao Linchuan had disappeared, her expression half-smiling as she said, "Maybe he's off to meet some little sweetheart in secret."

"Ah...?!"

The next day at noon.

The sun shone brightly, and not a cloud marred the sky.

Outside a remote village hidden deep in the mountains, layer upon layer of peaks rose lush and green.

A winding mountain path snaked between the hills. Wildflowers of every color lined its sides, butterflies danced among the blossoms, and bees buzzed busily about.

A young woman in a silver-blue dress was returning along the mountain path, carrying a basket of herbs on her back.

Her steps were incredibly light, each one like a dance. Her toes touched the ground, her skirt fluttered, and she seemed like an elf leaping through the mountains.

The Blue Silver Grass along the path bounced gently with her steps, as if cheering or paying homage.

She hummed an unknown tune, her voice as clear as a mountain spring, echoing through the hills.

Zhao Linchuan had somehow crept up behind her. He raised a hand and lightly tapped her shoulder.

"Miss."

"Who's there?!"

The young woman's body stiffened abruptly, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, and she spun around at once.

Her hands instinctively came up in a defensive stance. A faint blue light swirled in her palms, as if she were ready to strike at any moment.

But when her gaze fell on Zhao Linchuan's face and she sensed his aura, her taut body gradually relaxed.

The light in her palms faded. She lowered her guard, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

"It's you?"

She looked Zhao Linchuan up and down, her voice carrying a trace of astonishment.

"The Soul Master who saved everyone in our village that day?"

"Oh?" Zhao Linchuan asked gently. "May I ask how you recognized me?"

"My name is Ah Yin," the young woman introduced herself with a slight smile. "My Martial Soul is rather special. I can sense auras that other people can't."

She looked at Zhao Linchuan, a sly glint appearing in her eyes.

"And if I'm not mistaken, that Evil-Purging Soul Master everyone's been talking about lately must be you, right?"

"Clever." Zhao Linchuan smiled calmly without denying it. "I never would have guessed that a transformed Soul Beast like you would be every bit as perceptive as a human Soul Master."

"What do you mean?!"

The smile on Ah Yin's face froze. She instinctively took a step back, raising her hands again as blue light flared in her palms.

She stared fixedly at Zhao Linchuan, as though ready to flee or fight at any moment.

"Exactly what I said."

Zhao Linchuan stepped forward and grabbed Ah Yin by the arm.

His grip wasn't strong, but it was unbreakable, like an iron shackle.

"Come with me." His voice was calm and firm, leaving no room for argument. "This isn't the place for you to stay."

"No! Let go of me..."

Ah Yin struggled desperately, using her other hand to pry Zhao Linchuan's fingers away. But they seemed welded to her arm, not budging in the slightest.

Her Soul Power surged within her as she tried to break free, but an invisible force suppressed it completely.

The mountain breeze suddenly died. The Blue Silver Grass beside the path stopped moving and drooped quietly, as if sensing its master's fear and helplessness.

Zhao Linchuan ignored her struggles. Golden light flashed in his right hand, and the Supreme Ease Golden Edge appeared in his grasp.

The longsword swelled in the wind, carrying them both into the sky. Its golden light tore through the heavens and sped into the distance.

Ah Yin's cries faded into the mountain wind, then finally vanished altogether.

One day later, at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.

The scenery remained as it had been, except that a simple loft now stood on the open ground beside the spring.

Nong Yu and Zi Nu had spent a great deal of effort building it. Though it couldn't compare to the brick houses in the city, it possessed a natural beauty that seemed to return to simplicity.

Zhao Linchuan stood before the loft with his hands behind his back, his eyes resting on the pool of water.

Ah Yin stood behind him, arms crossed over her chest. Her face was full of anger and vexation, and her lips were pressed tightly together.

"This is the best place for you to cultivate."

Zhao Linchuan spoke in a voice as placid as water, without turning around.

"You'll stay here from now on."

"When you've cultivated to the Titled Douluo level, I'll let you leave."

"What gives you the right to be so domineering?!"

Ah Yin's voice carried restrained fury. She stepped forward and pointed at Zhao Linchuan's back, her chest heaving violently.

"If you want my Soul Ring and Soul Bone, just say so. Why put on such a sanctimonious act?!"

"Think whatever you like."

Zhao Linchuan replied without the slightest concern. He turned around, glanced over Ah Yin's face, then looked at Zi Nu and Nong Yu, who stood nearby.

"You two, come with me."

With that, he started toward the loft.

Zi Nu and Nong Yu exchanged a glance and nodded slightly before hurrying after him.

They entered the loft, and the door closed softly behind them.

Ah Yin stood outside, staring at the closed door. Her teeth ground together, and her small fists clenched tightly as she said through gritted teeth:

"Fine! I'll stay here! When I've cultivated to Soul Saint, you'll regret it!"

She turned around, her gaze falling on the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well. The fury in her eyes gradually gave way to calm.

It had to be said: this really was the best place for her to cultivate.

Staying here would make her cultivation more than ten times faster than cultivating in the outside world!

Besides, her true form was the Blue Silver Emperor. As long as she didn't want to die, no one could kill her.

Her vitality was monstrously resilient. Even if she suffered a grave injury, she could recover completely in an extremely short time.

She had already made up her mind. She would stay here and cultivate until she became a Titled Douluo, then suppress Zhao Linchuan and make him regret it!

"Hmph!"

She let out a sharp cry and turned toward the edge of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.

She found a flat blue-gray rock beside the spring, sat down cross-legged, closed her eyes, and began to cultivate.

Blue light shone from her body like moonlight spilling down, mingling with the mist rising from the spring to create a dreamlike scene.