"Do you want my help in your duel against...against..." Tianyi paused, trying to remember the name. Tianyi snapped his fingers. "Right, against Yan Nie!"
After the shock Sect Master Yun received from learning Tianyi's current cultivation realm, it was decided that Tianyi should leave before agitating Sect Master Yun anymore. Right now, Tianyi, Daoyi, Pan Lanyue, and a disciple, whose name Tianyi already forgot, grouped around a table.
Pan Lanyue's hand that was pouring tea froze slightly before resuming them. To be honest, when she recalled that actions she took so daringly, she felt ashamed for her younger self. Did she really need to shame her ex-fiancee like that?
No, but her past self had been venting her bottled up emotions. She was a proud daughter of heaven, born as the first princess of the Pan Kingdom. It had been fine when Yan Nie had still been a genius. Her child-like heart even imagined how handsome Yan Nie had been. But that all changed when Yan Nie lost the ability to cultivate. A lofty princess was going to marry a cripple because of an agreement.
Pan Lanyue hadn't thought anything of it at first, thinking that she could take care of both of them if her future prince consort couldn't cultivate. But she was a child, and she was most sensitive to the adults' attitude around her. No one said anything overt, but the eyes of mockery and pity were too much for a child like her to resist.
So what little goodwill Pan Lanyue had developed for Yan Nie before then all turned into loathing. Not hatred, just loathing.
Even if she regretted it, it was too late. Both her and Yan Nie's pride would never allow them to admit any weakness. But with the troubles assaulting the sect, Lanyue had almost forgotten about the duel.
"Thank you, brother Xi." Lanyue's tone was polite and distant. "I'm confident in my victory."
The little kid that had followed her around in the past had also changed. That little kid had grown up and even became a lofty Nascent Soul Grandmaster. Furthermore, he was actually the child of The Sword Empress. When Lanyue recalled her self confidence back then in comparison, she felt the past her was laughable.
Lanyue observed the handsome face of Tianyi, especially those black eyes of his. In his eyes contained the cosmos. That was what Lanyue honestly felt. If she looked anymore, she was afraid she might get sucked in.
There was a sense of distance that Lanyue couldn't enclose. Back then, it had been fine when the difference between them was still that of a Qi Gathering Pupil and a Foundation Establishment Disciple. But now the difference was as vast as heaven and earth. And that was ignoring Tianyi's lineage.
Should she be happy that Tianyi still remembered her and offered her aid? Pan Lanyue felt that she should, but her self esteem wouldn't allow it. Did Tianyi think that just because she was from a third-rate region that a nameless nobody like Yan Nie could defeat her?
Tianyi asked again, but Lanyue rejected once more. Seeing that she didn't want his aid, Tianyi felt slightly down but still accepted Lanyue's resolution.
"Sister Pan, when you fight Yan Nie, you should do so thinking him as a pseudo Core Formation Master," Tianyi advised sincerely.
"Yan Nie already reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm?" Lanyue asked in surprise.
Tianyi shook his head. "Probably not. He should be in the Foundation Establishment Realm, but his prowess should be above his realm."
"You heard about Yan Nie?" Pan Lanyue asked. The Fleeting Sect no longer had any manpower or time to waste searching for Yan Nie.
Tianyi shook his head. "Just a hunch."
"If he isn't at the very least at the Foundation Establishment Realm, I would be quite disappointed. But brother Xi, don't underestimate me just because I'm not from a first-rate sect like the Buzhou Immortal Sect." Lanyue said proudly. The more concern Tianyi felt concerning the duel, the more irritated her heart felt.
"Then, I'll give you an early congratulations for your victory." Daoyi felt her the edge of her mouth twitch. Didn't Tianyi know he was raising flags?
"When is the duel, though?" Tianyi asked, realizing he didn't know the exact date.
"It should be in three days," Lanyue said as she counted using her fingers.
"That fast? It seemed that I made it just in time." Tianyi said. Luckily they had used an unconventional method to come. Otherwise, he wasn't sure he would have been able to make it even with his mother operating the immortal boat.
The topic afterward veered away from the duel as the four people chatted. Or rather three people chatted, the nameless disciple could only keep himself together by nodding.
He was just a nameless Qi Gathering disciple, in front of a real Nascent Soul Grandmaster, the psychological pressure upon him could even be considered an attack. He had never even spoken to the Fleeting Mist Sect Master before.
"Sister Pan, what sort of place is the Pan Kingdom? Besides the country I was born in and the Buzhou Immortal Sect, I have never visited another place besides here." Daoyi asked.
"Sister Jiang, this may be biased, but I feel the Pan Kingdom is one of the most prosperous countries in the whole northern region. Recently my father has reached the Core Formation Realm. He's the only king to reach the Core Formation Realm!" Pan Lanyue's voice was filled with admiration and pride. She was truly prideful of her family.
"That's amazing!" Daoyi played along and complimented, showing her admiration. She didn't plan to tell Lanyue that her Jiang Family's old master was also a Core Formation Master for over a hundred years. In order to cultivate a relationship, you shouldn't tear down another's stage.
Tianyi just sipped his tea. He wasn't as tactless as to praise Pan Lanyue's father. If he, the son of an immortal and prodigy of a generation from Buzhou Immortal Sect, overly praised, then it would seem more like a mockery.
"Senior brother, have you visited the capital before?" Daoyi said, turning the conversation towards Tianyi.
"I have, but it was only so that sister Pan could greet her family before we left," Tianyi said. Although he wanted to show off, he only knew about Jinyang City.
"Sister Jiang, brother Xi, why don't I take you to stroll the streets of the Pan Capital?" Pan Lanyue suddenly said with brightened eyes.
Daoyi looked at Tianyi. Tianyi smiled. "Sure, last time I was regretful that I wasn't able to explore sister Pan's birthplace. Now I can make up that regret."
"Sister Pan, you can't!" At this time, the silent disciple suddenly spoke up. "The enemies of the sect are everywhere. You could be ambushed!"
"Brother Xiao, you don't have to worry. The enemies haven't reached the point of being able to stick their hands inside my Pan Kingdom's capital." Lanyue said. "Besides, with brother Xi here, nothing will happen. He is a legendary Nascent Soul Grandmaster."
"Calling me legendary makes me feel embarrassed," Tianyi said as he held his chin in his hands. "I haven't reached that point yet. But unless an immortal comes, I should be able to protect sister Pan. Even if an immortal comes, I can still stall and escape."
This wasn't a baseless boast. Now that his mother had returned. Tianyi's stock of talisman had naturally returned and even increased! If an average True Immortal wasn't careful, they could be killed by Tianyi's talismans.
Unsurprisingly, the three were given permission. Mengfei had always allowed her son to do as he wished, as long as it was not overtly seeking death. No matter how ridiculous Tianyi's request could be. Once when he was young, he had wasted a staggering amount of precious resources to satisfy his curiosity. It was only after Tianyi discovered how precious the resources that he stopped.
From this point of view, Mengfei was a failure as a mother. Not reigning Tianyi in or teaching him morals and standards. If Tianyi didn't already have memories of his past life, chances are he would have completely become a wastrel. But that would still be better than becoming like Xi Longyi.
Sect Master Yun felt that Tianyi should be more powerful than him. Although ten years had already passed, he was still in the early Nascent Soul Realm. By his estimations, Tianyi should at least have a Four-Colored Nascent Soul. Meaning Tianyi was superior to him in power but not experience.
The journey to the Pan Capital didn't take long, but the day was already late. So the three set out the next on Tianyi's immortal boat. Along them were two Foundation Establishment guards dispatched by Sect Master Yun.
Trusting Tianyi's capabilities and carelessness were two completely different matters.
Tianyi and Daoyi accompanied Lanyue to visit her family. It could be seen that Lanyue had her family at heart, and this wasn't the first time she visited them. Before, her master did not allow her to visit her family in the face of the sect's current affairs. She was sincerely grateful to Tianyi for allowing her to see her father and brother, who she hadn't seen in months.
Lanyue's only complaint was if only her brother could hide his starstruck gaze at seeing Daoyi. But seeing as that her primary role was to show the capital to Tianyi and Daoyi, Lanyue bid farewell to her father.
As for her brother?
He unceremoniously brought himself along. Lanyue saw Tianyi's lips twitch for a moment before it was hidden.
"Hmm?" Tianyi stopped in the middle of the streets. "Yi Auction House? It seems it's pretty busy today."
"Senior brother Xi, there's a reason for it!" Pan Lanri said without missing a beat. "I heard that there might be even an egg of a Divine Beast on auction!"
Tianyi snorted. Divine Beast egg? Even the Buzhou Immortal Sect didn't have such a thing. Or maybe they did. Perhaps it had hatched and was being hidden by the sect. "No need, probably just baseless rumors."
The group continued on their way, exploring the many secret spots of the capital known only to the locals.
"Don't go too far!"
Tianyi stopped as his ears picked up a commotion in the distance. His heart beat in excitement at the thought of a free show, so he led the group towards the commotion. A fair amount of people had already gathered, but just the pressure released by the guards allowed them a front-row seat.
On one side was what seemed to be a scion of the noble clan wearing dark blue clothing. Behind him stood several armored guards, and he was showing an extremely dark face. On the other side, a gentleman wearing a white robe who looked as if he had been carved for jade. It was undoubtedly a face that many maidens would fall in love at first sight for.
But what Tianyi's attention was the woman the white-robed man was standing protectively in front of. He tilted his head as he found the woman extremely familiar.
"Yi Dongli, are you prepared to go against the Zeng Clan for that poisonous woman!" The blue-robed man angrily said, all his good lucks wasted upon his twisted expression.
"Young Master Zeng, don't you think accusing a weak woman is beyond appalling?" Yu Dongli said, his stance clear.
"Appalling?" The young master of the Zeng Clan, a high ranking clan of the Pan Kingdom, derisively laughed. "Don't tell me the young master of the Yi Clan actually fell for that wrenches' guile? She snuck into my clan and stole treasure from the Zeng Ancestral Tomb. Tell me Yi Dongli, if I can swallow, do I even have the qualification to be surnamed Zeng!?"
Tianyi tsked, gradually learning of the crux of the matter.
"You Zeng Clan has a long history. A Foundation Establishment Disciple like miss Jiang here could never break into. You are just spouting nonsense." Yi Dongli said.
"I wouldn't have believed either, but that woman fatally injured my father with a concealed weapon! She not only took treasures from us, but she has many secrets to her!" Zeng young master said as he glared hatefully at the woman behind Yi Dongli.
"Hmpf, this is just one-sided arguments from your side. What proof do you have?" Yi Dongli countered.
"We'll know the truth once she reveals the contents of her spatial pouch!" Zeng Young Master said.
"That is true, exposing it in front of spectators isn't good. How about we go to the Yi Auction House and do so?" Yi Dongli said.
"Do you think I would trust your Yi Auction House after you brazenly sided with her! We should have her royal highness, Lanyue Princess be the judge!" Zeng young master said as he looked at Pan Lanyue.
Lanyue finally discovered the feeling of lying down but being shot by arrows that Tianyi felt all those years ago.
"Your highness," Yi Dongli said as he gave a slight bow that was neither arrogant nor humble, giving people a good impression.
Lanyue sighed. "Young master Yi, scion Zeng. If both of you trust the Pan Royal Family, allow me to preside over this matter."
Before the Zeng young master could agree, the woman behind Yi Dongli stepped forward and gave a smile to Tianyi and Daoyi.
"Long time no see." The woman said.
Tianyi blinked, and before he could control his actions, his mouth already spoke. "Who are you?"
The woman's face stiffened.
"Long time no see, second sister." It was at this moment that Daoyi stepped forward and spoke. Tianyi finally realized who this familiar woman was.
Daoyi's second sister, Jiang Chunye
"Do you want my help in your duel against...against..." Tianyi paused, trying to remember the name. Tianyi snapped his fingers. "Right, against Yan Nie!"
After the shock Sect Master Yun received from learning Tianyi's current cultivation realm, it was decided that Tianyi should leave before agitating Sect Master Yun anymore. Right now, Tianyi, Daoyi, Pan Lanyue, and a disciple, whose name Tianyi already forgot, grouped around a table.
Pan Lanyue's hand that was pouring tea froze slightly before resuming them. To be honest, when she recalled that actions she took so daringly, she felt ashamed for her younger self. Did she really need to shame her ex-fiancee like that?
No, but her past self had been venting her bottled up emotions. She was a proud daughter of heaven, born as the first princess of the Pan Kingdom. It had been fine when Yan Nie had still been a genius. Her child-like heart even imagined how handsome Yan Nie had been. But that all changed when Yan Nie lost the ability to cultivate. A lofty princess was going to marry a cripple because of an agreement.
Pan Lanyue hadn't thought anything of it at first, thinking that she could take care of both of them if her future prince consort couldn't cultivate. But she was a child, and she was most sensitive to the adults' attitude around her. No one said anything overt, but the eyes of mockery and pity were too much for a child like her to resist.
So what little goodwill Pan Lanyue had developed for Yan Nie before then all turned into loathing. Not hatred, just loathing.
Even if she regretted it, it was too late. Both her and Yan Nie's pride would never allow them to admit any weakness. But with the troubles assaulting the sect, Lanyue had almost forgotten about the duel.
"Thank you, brother Xi." Lanyue's tone was polite and distant. "I'm confident in my victory."
The little kid that had followed her around in the past had also changed. That little kid had grown up and even became a lofty Nascent Soul Grandmaster. Furthermore, he was actually the child of The Sword Empress. When Lanyue recalled her self confidence back then in comparison, she felt the past her was laughable.
Lanyue observed the handsome face of Tianyi, especially those black eyes of his. In his eyes contained the cosmos. That was what Lanyue honestly felt. If she looked anymore, she was afraid she might get sucked in.
There was a sense of distance that Lanyue couldn't enclose. Back then, it had been fine when the difference between them was still that of a Qi Gathering Pupil and a Foundation Establishment Disciple. But now the difference was as vast as heaven and earth. And that was ignoring Tianyi's lineage.
Should she be happy that Tianyi still remembered her and offered her aid? Pan Lanyue felt that she should, but her self esteem wouldn't allow it. Did Tianyi think that just because she was from a third-rate region that a nameless nobody like Yan Nie could defeat her?
Tianyi asked again, but Lanyue rejected once more. Seeing that she didn't want his aid, Tianyi felt slightly down but still accepted Lanyue's resolution.
"Sister Pan, when you fight Yan Nie, you should do so thinking him as a pseudo Core Formation Master," Tianyi advised sincerely.
"Yan Nie already reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm?" Lanyue asked in surprise.
Tianyi shook his head. "Probably not. He should be in the Foundation Establishment Realm, but his prowess should be above his realm."
"You heard about Yan Nie?" Pan Lanyue asked. The Fleeting Sect no longer had any manpower or time to waste searching for Yan Nie.
Tianyi shook his head. "Just a hunch."
"If he isn't at the very least at the Foundation Establishment Realm, I would be quite disappointed. But brother Xi, don't underestimate me just because I'm not from a first-rate sect like the Buzhou Immortal Sect." Lanyue said proudly. The more concern Tianyi felt concerning the duel, the more irritated her heart felt.
"Then, I'll give you an early congratulations for your victory." Daoyi felt her the edge of her mouth twitch. Didn't Tianyi know he was raising flags?
"When is the duel, though?" Tianyi asked, realizing he didn't know the exact date.
"It should be in three days," Lanyue said as she counted using her fingers.
"That fast? It seemed that I made it just in time." Tianyi said. Luckily they had used an unconventional method to come. Otherwise, he wasn't sure he would have been able to make it even with his mother operating the immortal boat.
The topic afterward veered away from the duel as the four people chatted. Or rather three people chatted, the nameless disciple could only keep himself together by nodding.
He was just a nameless Qi Gathering disciple, in front of a real Nascent Soul Grandmaster, the psychological pressure upon him could even be considered an attack. He had never even spoken to the Fleeting Mist Sect Master before.
"Sister Pan, what sort of place is the Pan Kingdom? Besides the country I was born in and the Buzhou Immortal Sect, I have never visited another place besides here." Daoyi asked.
"Sister Jiang, this may be biased, but I feel the Pan Kingdom is one of the most prosperous countries in the whole northern region. Recently my father has reached the Core Formation Realm. He's the only king to reach the Core Formation Realm!" Pan Lanyue's voice was filled with admiration and pride. She was truly prideful of her family.
"That's amazing!" Daoyi played along and complimented, showing her admiration. She didn't plan to tell Lanyue that her Jiang Family's old master was also a Core Formation Master for over a hundred years. In order to cultivate a relationship, you shouldn't tear down another's stage.
Tianyi just sipped his tea. He wasn't as tactless as to praise Pan Lanyue's father. If he, the son of an immortal and prodigy of a generation from Buzhou Immortal Sect, overly praised, then it would seem more like a mockery.
"Senior brother, have you visited the capital before?" Daoyi said, turning the conversation towards Tianyi.
"I have, but it was only so that sister Pan could greet her family before we left," Tianyi said. Although he wanted to show off, he only knew about Jinyang City.
"Sister Jiang, brother Xi, why don't I take you to stroll the streets of the Pan Capital?" Pan Lanyue suddenly said with brightened eyes.
Daoyi looked at Tianyi. Tianyi smiled. "Sure, last time I was regretful that I wasn't able to explore sister Pan's birthplace. Now I can make up that regret."
"Sister Pan, you can't!" At this time, the silent disciple suddenly spoke up. "The enemies of the sect are everywhere. You could be ambushed!"
"Brother Xiao, you don't have to worry. The enemies haven't reached the point of being able to stick their hands inside my Pan Kingdom's capital." Lanyue said. "Besides, with brother Xi here, nothing will happen. He is a legendary Nascent Soul Grandmaster."
"Calling me legendary makes me feel embarrassed," Tianyi said as he held his chin in his hands. "I haven't reached that point yet. But unless an immortal comes, I should be able to protect sister Pan. Even if an immortal comes, I can still stall and escape."
This wasn't a baseless boast. Now that his mother had returned. Tianyi's stock of talisman had naturally returned and even increased! If an average True Immortal wasn't careful, they could be killed by Tianyi's talismans.
Unsurprisingly, the three were given permission. Mengfei had always allowed her son to do as he wished, as long as it was not overtly seeking death. No matter how ridiculous Tianyi's request could be. Once when he was young, he had wasted a staggering amount of precious resources to satisfy his curiosity. It was only after Tianyi discovered how precious the resources that he stopped.
From this point of view, Mengfei was a failure as a mother. Not reigning Tianyi in or teaching him morals and standards. If Tianyi didn't already have memories of his past life, chances are he would have completely become a wastrel. But that would still be better than becoming like Xi Longyi.
Sect Master Yun felt that Tianyi should be more powerful than him. Although ten years had already passed, he was still in the early Nascent Soul Realm. By his estimations, Tianyi should at least have a Four-Colored Nascent Soul. Meaning Tianyi was superior to him in power but not experience.
The journey to the Pan Capital didn't take long, but the day was already late. So the three set out the next on Tianyi's immortal boat. Along them were two Foundation Establishment guards dispatched by Sect Master Yun.
Trusting Tianyi's capabilities and carelessness were two completely different matters.
Tianyi and Daoyi accompanied Lanyue to visit her family. It could be seen that Lanyue had her family at heart, and this wasn't the first time she visited them. Before, her master did not allow her to visit her family in the face of the sect's current affairs. She was sincerely grateful to Tianyi for allowing her to see her father and brother, who she hadn't seen in months.
Lanyue's only complaint was if only her brother could hide his starstruck gaze at seeing Daoyi. But seeing as that her primary role was to show the capital to Tianyi and Daoyi, Lanyue bid farewell to her father.
As for her brother?
He unceremoniously brought himself along. Lanyue saw Tianyi's lips twitch for a moment before it was hidden.
"Hmm?" Tianyi stopped in the middle of the streets. "Yi Auction House? It seems it's pretty busy today."
"Senior brother Xi, there's a reason for it!" Pan Lanri said without missing a beat. "I heard that there might be even an egg of a Divine Beast on auction!"
Tianyi snorted. Divine Beast egg? Even the Buzhou Immortal Sect didn't have such a thing. Or maybe they did. Perhaps it had hatched and was being hidden by the sect. "No need, probably just baseless rumors."
The group continued on their way, exploring the many secret spots of the capital known only to the locals.
"Don't go too far!"
Tianyi stopped as his ears picked up a commotion in the distance. His heart beat in excitement at the thought of a free show, so he led the group towards the commotion. A fair amount of people had already gathered, but just the pressure released by the guards allowed them a front-row seat.
On one side was what seemed to be a scion of the noble clan wearing dark blue clothing. Behind him stood several armored guards, and he was showing an extremely dark face. On the other side, a gentleman wearing a white robe who looked as if he had been carved for jade. It was undoubtedly a face that many maidens would fall in love at first sight for.
But what Tianyi's attention was the woman the white-robed man was standing protectively in front of. He tilted his head as he found the woman extremely familiar.
"Yi Dongli, are you prepared to go against the Zeng Clan for that poisonous woman!" The blue-robed man angrily said, all his good lucks wasted upon his twisted expression.
"Young Master Zeng, don't you think accusing a weak woman is beyond appalling?" Yu Dongli said, his stance clear.
"Appalling?" The young master of the Zeng Clan, a high ranking clan of the Pan Kingdom, derisively laughed. "Don't tell me the young master of the Yi Clan actually fell for that wrenches' guile? She snuck into my clan and stole treasure from the Zeng Ancestral Tomb. Tell me Yi Dongli, if I can swallow, do I even have the qualification to be surnamed Zeng!?"
Tianyi tsked, gradually learning of the crux of the matter.
"You Zeng Clan has a long history. A Foundation Establishment Disciple like miss Jiang here could never break into. You are just spouting nonsense." Yi Dongli said.
"I wouldn't have believed either, but that woman fatally injured my father with a concealed weapon! She not only took treasures from us, but she has many secrets to her!" Zeng young master said as he glared hatefully at the woman behind Yi Dongli.
"Hmpf, this is just one-sided arguments from your side. What proof do you have?" Yi Dongli countered.
"We'll know the truth once she reveals the contents of her spatial pouch!" Zeng Young Master said.
"That is true, exposing it in front of spectators isn't good. How about we go to the Yi Auction House and do so?" Yi Dongli said.
"Do you think I would trust your Yi Auction House after you brazenly sided with her! We should have her royal highness, Lanyue Princess be the judge!" Zeng young master said as he looked at Pan Lanyue.
Lanyue finally discovered the feeling of lying down but being shot by arrows that Tianyi felt all those years ago.
"Your highness," Yi Dongli said as he gave a slight bow that was neither arrogant nor humble, giving people a good impression.
Lanyue sighed. "Young master Yi, scion Zeng. If both of you trust the Pan Royal Family, allow me to preside over this matter."
Before the Zeng young master could agree, the woman behind Yi Dongli stepped forward and gave a smile to Tianyi and Daoyi.
"Long time no see." The woman said.
Tianyi blinked, and before he could control his actions, his mouth already spoke. "Who are you?"
The woman's face stiffened.
"Long time no see, second sister." It was at this moment that Daoyi stepped forward and spoke. Tianyi finally realized who this familiar woman was.
Daoyi's second sister, Jiang Chunye
