Huangliang Dream, Peach Blossom Spring: The Second Master Appears, a Monstrous Corpse in the Manor!

[As you slowly opened your eyes, you seemed to fall into a dreamland.]

[You suddenly came upon a peach grove. No other trees grew among them; fragrant grasses flourished, and fallen blossoms fluttered everywhere.]

[At the end of the grove, a clear stream murmured. Following it upstream, you suddenly saw blue-green mountains rising like painted brows. Fields crisscrossed their slopes, mulberry trees and bamboo stood in dappled shade, and a limpid pool gleamed like jade. It seemed a world beyond the world.]

[Abundant vital energy filled the air, richer even than in Bianjing.]

[Had you stumbled into Peach Blossom Spring?]

[As you drew closer, you saw a pond edged by vivid red peach trees. Ripples stirred across the water, reflecting the sunset spread over the sky.]

[When you came back to yourself, you understood. This was the Third Master's Natal Essence, Lamp-Lit Yellow Millet Dream.]

[Five borrowed years? Were you to spend them here in Peach Blossom Spring?]

[Just then!]

[The eighth sword intent in your Mud Pellet Palace suddenly stirred, as though about to burst free.]

[At a turn of your thoughts, a sword's shadow materialized from the void.]

[This was one of the Nine Swords the Second Master had given you upon his ascension. You had already grasped the wonders of the first seven and mastered them completely.]

[Only the eighth sword had always remained beyond your power to defeat.]

[On the grass, the figure formed of sword intent seemed different from before.]

[Its once-hazy outline gradually took solid form. In the past, looking at it had been like seeking flowers through fog or peering at the moon in water. Now, drifting clouds gathered and parted, and Clear Qi surged.]

[White clouds of qi began to converge into a distinct figure. A striking young man in white stepped