Zhao Xuanji Opens His Palace

After leaving Blazing Fire Manor, Ye An crossed the hills in southwestern Cangwu Prefecture. After traveling for most of the day, he watched the rolling terrain gradually give way to flat wetlands.

The Blackwater Sect stood amid a cluster of lakes. The most famous of them was Blackwater Lake, from which the sect took its name.

The lake stretched wide as the sea, its pale blue-green waters glimmering with countless tiny ripples beneath the April sky.

Ye An soon spotted the Blackwater Sect's entrance.

Unlike the Four Symbols Sect, the Blackwater Sect had built no towering gate. Instead, a winding stone walkway over the water served as its entrance.

Two disciples stood guard at the walkway. Both paused when they saw Ye An approach, and one stepped forward, recognizing him.

"Are you Champion Ye?"

After Ye An confirmed it, the disciple hurriedly said, "Please wait a moment, Champion Ye. I'll go—"

Before he could finish, a woman's voice sounded.

"No need to trouble yourself."

A figure in white emerged from the far end of the stone walkway.

Meng Qingyun stopped before Ye An and dipped her head slightly, offering the thanks she had not given him before. "Thank you for saving my life in Crosswater Town, Champion Ye."

"You've come to cultivate in the Cold Pool Spirit Grotto, haven't you? This way, please."

They followed the walkway through the outer buildings of the Blackwater Sect, heading toward the center of the lake.

Disciples passed them now and then. At the sight of the blue-and-white figure beside Meng Qingyun, curious glances turned their way.

Word of the Cangwu Grand Competition's champion had spread across Cangwu Prefecture more than half a year ago. Now that the younger disciples saw him in person, they could not help looking twice, wondering how someone their