Yang Yaoqin

Just as Zu Hao was marveling, the girl in yellow had already sensed the presence of strangers.

Her ears twitched slightly, and she quietly readied Jade Bee Needles in her hand. She said coldly, "What distinguished master has arrived? Please show yourself."

Zu Hao calmly stepped out from behind an ancient tree, sunlight spilling across his blue robe and lending him an even more unrestrained air.

He cupped his hands in greeting. "I am Zu Hao. I have brought two young ladies to pay a visit to the current successor of the Ancient Tomb Sect. Please forgive this presumptuous intrusion."

The girl's gaze shifted slightly as she studied the visitor.

Zu Hao had fine features, a tall, straight figure, and a handsome face. Though he had traveled through dust and wind, none of it could conceal his elegant and extraordinary bearing.

The girl's gaze settled on Zu Hao's face, and she paused slightly.

She had grown up in the ancient tomb and had seen very few men. When had she ever encountered someone like him?

For a moment, her heart raced like a startled deer, and a strange, unfamiliar feeling quietly took root within her.

Even her frost-like expression softened without her noticing.

After standing there in a daze for a moment, the girl in yellow finally realized her lapse. She hurriedly returned the greeting. Though she tried to keep her voice calm, it was no longer as cold as before. "I am Yang Yaoqin, a disciple of the Ancient Tomb Sect. May I ask... what brings Mr. Zu here?"

Zu Hao keenly noticed the subtle shift in her attitude, but he did not point it out. Instead, he said brightly, "Greetings, Miss Yang. To be honest, the two younger sisters behind me have both endured difficult lives. The world is chaotic now, and it is inconvenient for women to travel alone."

"I have long heard that the Ancient Tomb Sect's martial arts are exquisite, and that all its disciples are women. It is a paradise where women of the world may train in peace."

"Thus, I have come presumptuously to ask your sect to take them in."

Yang Yaoqin understood his purpose and fell silent in thought.

The Ancient Tomb Sect had strict rules and rarely interacted with the outside world, much less accepted disciples of unknown origin.

She had initially intended to refuse outright, but her gaze swept over Zu Hao's face once more, and the words at her lips were swallowed back down.

Her thoughts raced.

This man carries himself exceptionally, and his words should be true. From his conduct, he sincerely cares for these two girls as well. The Ancient Tomb Sect is indeed short on members these days...

Moreover, deep in her heart, a faint thought arose that she did not wish to go against this man's wishes.

"The Ancient Tomb Sect's rules have always forbidden us from accepting outside disciples."

Yang Yaoqin spoke slowly, her tone already carrying a degree of deliberation. "However... since Mr. Zu has personally recommended them, and you do not appear to be a wicked man, these two young ladies must also be promising talents. I will make an exception this once."

She sighed inwardly. Perhaps this was fate, or perhaps...

As if she had thought of something, her cheeks warmed imperceptibly.

So-called love at first sight, when traced to its source, was usually born from an attraction to appearance. Men and women were no different.

Otherwise, why would there have been the saying, "One glimpse of Yang Guo, a lifetime led astray"?

Hearing this, Zu Hao turned and called, "Zhiruo, Yin Li, come and greet Miss Yang."

Zhou Zhiruo and Yin Li stepped forward in response.

Zhou Zhiruo was delicate and lovely, inspiring pity at first sight. Yin Li's eyes were lively, carrying a hint of wildness.

The two girls greeted her according to etiquette.

To show their sincerity, and to let Yang Yaoqin better judge their aptitude, Zu Hao gestured for them to demonstrate a little of what they had learned.

Zhou Zhiruo moved with an elusive grace, using the lightness skill from the Nine Yin Manual, while Yin Li's claw techniques were nimble and fluid—the Nine Yin White Bone Claw.

As a successor of the Ancient Tomb Sect, Yang Yaoqin was thoroughly familiar with the martial arts of the Nine Yin Manual. Her brows drew together slightly, and suspicion arose at once. "Wait! Where did you learn these martial arts?!"

A trace of vigilance had entered her voice.

The Nine Yin Manual hidden within the ancient tomb had been left behind by Yang Guo. Its techniques were even more complete, and it was the sect's supreme art. Letting it spread beyond the sect was no small matter.

Zu Hao had long prepared for this and explained without panic, "Miss Yang has sharp eyes. To be honest, what they practice is indeed the Nine Yin Manual. By a fortunate coincidence, they obtained it from the Heavenly Sword."

"The Heavenly Sword?"

Yang Yaoqin's eyes flashed. As a descendant of the Condor Hero Yang Guo, she naturally knew the secret behind the saying, "Supreme in the martial world, the Dragon-Slaying Saber commands all under heaven; none dare defy it. When the Heavenly Sword does not appear, who can contend against it?"

The Dragon-Slaying Saber and the Heavenly Sword contained Yue Fei's Wu Mu's Testament and the peerless martial arts of the Nine Yin Manual. They had been forged through the combined efforts of Yang Guo and Guo Jing.

In that case, these two girls obtaining such a fortuitous opportunity did indeed give them some destined connection with the Ancient Tomb Sect.

Most of the doubts in her heart immediately vanished.

Looking more closely at Zhou Zhiruo and Yin Li, she saw that not only were they exceptionally beautiful, but their natural foundations were also excellent. They were clearly fine material for martial arts training.

Yang Yaoqin grew increasingly satisfied.

The Ancient Tomb Sect truly has few members now, and I have been feeling lonely. If I had two junior sisters around my age for company, we could practice and discuss swordsmanship together, sparing me much loneliness.

If we ever need to travel the martial world in the future, the three of us could look after one another. Our presence would be stronger as well.

She even imagined the scene of three young women, each beautiful in her own way, appearing together. They would surely astonish the world.

Having made up her mind, Yang Yaoqin's expression completely softened. "So there is such a connection. In these troubled times, it is already difficult for women to establish themselves. It is rare for you to possess such aptitude and fortune."

"Since Mr. Zu has personally brought you here, and you share a bond with the Ancient Tomb Sect, I shall accept disciples on my master's behalf. The two of you may enter the Ancient Tomb Sect as my junior sisters. From this day onward, you must strictly observe the sect rules and devote yourselves to martial arts without slacking."

Zu Hao cupped his hands. "Thank you, Miss Yang, for granting this request! These two have drifted through difficult lives. I hope Miss Yang will care for them and discipline them strictly."

Then he turned to Zhou Zhiruo and Yin Li, speaking gently. "Zhiruo, Yin Li, from now on, stay peacefully in the Ancient Tomb Sect and train well under Miss Yang. The Ancient Tomb Sect's martial arts are broad and profound, and you will surely benefit greatly. Be obedient and diligent. If there is a chance, I will come visit you again."

Tears filled Zhou Zhiruo's eyes. She was reluctant to part with Zu Hao, yet also nervous and expectant about her new surroundings. She said softly, "We understand, Brother Zu. We will work hard."

Yin Li was more resilient by nature. Though she too was reluctant to part, she nodded firmly. "Brother Zu, don't worry. We won't disgrace you! Take care of yourself!"

Zu Hao nodded in satisfaction and cupped his hands toward Yang Yaoqin again. "Miss Yang, I leave them in your care. It would not be convenient for me to stay long, so I shall take my leave."

As Yang Yaoqin watched Zu Hao's departing back, she unexpectedly felt a trace of loss. Yet her nature was cold and reserved, and in the end she said nothing more. She merely watched his figure disappear at the entrance to the secluded valley.

Only then did she say to Zhou Zhiruo and Yin Li, "Junior Sisters, follow me into the ancient tomb. From now on, this will be your home."

Elsewhere.

Zu Hao took Zhang Wuji eastward until they reached the foot of Wudang Mountain.

Looking at the cloud-shrouded peaks, Zu Hao stopped and said to Zhang Wuji, "Wuji, this is as far as I will take you. The Wudang Sect is a righteous and prestigious school, and Master Zhang is a great figure of this age. Here, you will surely receive proper guidance and grow up safely. I will not go up the mountain to visit Master Zhang, lest it lead to further complications."

Though Zhang Wuji was young, he understood that they were about to part. His eyes reddened. "Brother Zu, thank you for taking care of me along the way. When will we meet again?"

Zu Hao patted his shoulder. After pondering for a moment, he lowered his voice. "Wuji, you are kind by nature. That is a virtue, but the martial world is dangerous, and human hearts are difficult to fathom. You must be cautious."

"After going up the mountain, you must especially guard against your senior brother, Song Qingshu."

"He appears upright, but in truth, he is narrow-minded and deeply jealous. If you perform too outstandingly, you may provoke his resentment. You must know when to conceal your abilities. Keep your distance when dealing with him, and do not easily give him your trust."

Zhang Wuji nodded seriously. "Wuji will remember."

Zu Hao continued, "There is one more matter, concerning your godfather Xie Xun's great enemy."

"The chief culprit who harmed your godfather, Cheng Kun, has now sought refuge at Shaolin Temple and become a disciple of the eminent monk Kong Jian. His Dharma name is 'Yuanzhen.'"

"But his wicked nature has not changed. In secret, he still serves the Prince of Ruyang's Residence under the Yuan Court. He is plotting to use the court's power to sow discord among the six major sects and destroy the Ming Cult. His schemes run deep, so you must remember this well."

As he spoke, Zu Hao took a sealed letter from his robes and handed it to Zhang Wuji.

"This is the last letter of Yang Dingtian, the Ming Cult's leader. It exposes some of Cheng Kun's schemes. Keep it safe; it may prove useful in the future. After reaching Wudang, find a suitable opportunity to tell your grandmaster what it contains. He will know how to decide."

Zhang Wuji accepted Yang Dingtian's letter and clutched it tightly in his hand. "Thank you for telling me, Brother Zu!"

Seeing that he had explained everything, Zu Hao took out a small amount of potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn and gave them to Zhang Wuji, telling him to find a place to plant them.

Then he parted ways with Zhang Wuji and found a secluded, uninhabited mountain hollow. After looking around and confirming that no one was nearby, he silently thought, Transmigrate.

In an instant, a gentle white light emerged from around him and completely enveloped him.

The light swirled, and even space itself seemed to distort slightly.

The next moment, the white light abruptly withdrew, leaving no one behind, as though no one had ever been there.

Zu Hao had already returned to the mysterious Dimensional Transit Station.