Not long ago. Central Spirit Domain, Yongli City.

Night had fallen, but the city remained alive. Lanterns blazed along the thoroughfares, illuminating a river of pedestrians weaving through the bustling streets.

In a tavern on a street corner, the noise was deafening. The main hall was packed to the rafters, the air thick with the smell of warm wine and roasted meat. Cultivators gathered in small groups, clinking cups and shouting over the din, their inhibitions loosened by alcohol.

Amidst the flushed faces and boisterous laughter, a drunkard slammed his cup onto the table with a heavy thud.

“Hey! Have you guys heard the big news from the Abyssal Sanctuary outside the city?” he slurred loudly.

“Big news?” A nosy drinker at the same table leaned in, eyes lighting up. “Brother Yuan, your younger brother is an Outer Sect Disciple at the Abyssal Sanctuary, right? Your sources are always solid. Come on, tell us! Let us brothers broaden our horizons.”

The other companions nodded eagerly. “Don’t leave us hanging! Spit it out!”

The commotion drew the attention of nearby tables. Dozens of curious eyes turned toward the man named Yuan.

Enjoying the spotlight, Brother Yuan chuckled smugly, wiping wine from his lips.

“The Abyssal Sanctuary’s Jade Maiden Sword Immortal, Qin Lingxue… you know her? Not only is she a once-in-a-millennium sword prodigy, but her beauty is said to be capable of toppling cities and kingdoms. They say she’s on par with the Exquisite Holy Maiden herself!”

A wave of groans and jeers erupted immediately.

“Pfft! I thought you had something fresh,” one man scoffed. “Who doesn’t know that? You’re just drunk and spouting nonsense.”

Brother Yuan didn’t get angry. Instead, he lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper, his expression turning mysterious.

“But do you know that this heaven-favored daughter… actually had a childhood sweetheart fiancé?”

The jeers died down instantly.

“And,” Yuan continued, savoring the silence, “two days ago, that fiancé suddenly showed up at the Abyssal Sanctuary. He slapped a divorce letter on the table and demanded to annul the engagement!”

Boom.

The hall exploded into an uproar. Shock was written on every face.

“No way!”

“Is he insane? What kind of background does he have to dare dump Fairy Qin?”

“If I had a fiancée like that, I’d wake up laughing every day! I’d trade fifty years of my lifespan just to hold her hand. Did a donkey kick that kid in the head?”

Seeing the crowd hanging on his every word, Brother Yuan grew even more excited. He threw his head back, downed another cup, and slammed it down. Spittle flew as he shouted:

“My brother said the kid is a nobody! Born in a small family, pseudo-spiritual root—complete trash aptitude! He knew he wasn’t worthy of Fairy Qin, so he took the initiative to break it off. He wanted to save his own skin.”

“Ah…” The crowd nodded in sudden realization.

“Smart kid. He has self-awareness.”

“Indeed. ‘A man possessing a treasure invites disaster.’ If he didn’t back out, Fairy Qin’s legion of admirers would have minced him into meat paste.”

“Compared to staying alive, dignity is worth a fart!”

Brother Yuan grinned. “It gets better. The higher-ups at the Abyssal Sanctuary were very satisfied with his tact. The Sword Master personally approved his request and granted him a reward: one entry into the Sword Abyss.”

“The Sword Abyss holds countless ancient flying swords. The rules say if a sword chooses you, you can take it unconditionally, no matter who you are…”

Just then, a voice cut through the noise.

“What is the name of the person you mentioned?”

It was a female voice—clear, melodious, and chillingly calm.

The atmosphere in the tavern froze instantly. The noise died as if strangled.

Everyone turned to look. Not far away, a stunning woman in a purple dress sat alone at a table. Her phoenix eyes were slightly narrowed, staring directly at Brother Yuan.

She was merely sitting there, yet her presence had been completely erased from their senses until she spoke. It was as if she had blended perfectly into the shadows and wood of the tavern.

A collective shiver ran through the crowd. Terror dawned in their eyes.

Most of the patrons here were rogue cultivators who lived by licking blood from their blades. Their instincts were sharp. Yet, none of them had noticed a dazzling beauty sitting right next to them. If she had wanted to kill them, their heads would have rolled before they even knew they were dead.

Brother Yuan sobered up instantly. Cold sweat drenched his back. He hurriedly stood up, cupped his hands, and bowed low.

“Senior… that person’s name seems to be Qi… right! Qi Yuan. He’s called Qi Yuan. Same name as the new Holy Scion of the Supreme Mystery Sanctuary!”

Qi Yuan?

Could it be him?

Ji Chan’er’s delicate brows furrowed slightly.

Her investigation into the Qi family massacre in Azure Cloud Town had hit a dead end after she found the grave. Her only remaining lead was Qin Lingxue.

She suspected the murderer was one of Qin Lingxue’s jealous suitors who, unable to find Qi Yuan, had slaughtered his family to vent their rage.

Ji Chan’er was a True Disciple of a Demonic Sect. She was bold, radical, and unafraid of danger. She had recently purchased a Nine-Refined Phantom Spirit Pill from The Saint Sect, allowing her to perfect her Thousand Illusions Heavenly Demon Body.

With her cultivation skyrocketing and her ability to change her appearance and aura at will, she was confident. Even in the heart of the Abyssal Sanctuary’s territory, she could retreat safely, even against Qin Lingxue’s legendary Abyssal Frost Sword.

The priority is to confirm if this ‘Qi Yuan’ at the Abyssal Sanctuary is the real target or an impostor…

Without another word, Ji Chan’er’s figure blurred. She dissolved into a mist-like, icy smoke and drifted out of the tavern, vanishing into the night.

Meanwhile. Exquisite Sanctuary, Main Hall.

Sect Leader Shao Xuanji sat on her wide throne, her beautiful face frosty with rage.

“What kind of bewitching soup did that brat Qi Yuan feed Ancestor Feihuang?!” she slammed her hand on the armrest. “For the Ancestor to protect him to this extent… appointing a man as a Supreme Guest Elder? Giving him authority to command our disciples? It is simply preposterous!”

Standing below the dais, the Exquisite Holy Maiden, Xiao Yuening, looked distressed. Her slender fingers twisted the hem of her skirt, her face flushed with embarrassment.

“Master…” she bit her vermilion lip. “Ancestor Feihuang even personally said… she wanted me to be Fellow Daoist Qi’s woman. As a disciple, how can I disobey the Ancestor’s decree? But… but this is too shameful!”

“Master, what should I do? Do I really have to…”

“Absurd!” Shao Xuanji snapped, her expression turning livid.

“This entire matter reeks of conspiracy. Ancestor Feihuang has always been wise, impartial, and beyond reproach. She is a deity to us! I suspect that animal Qi Yuan used some dirty trick to blind her judgment. Otherwise, how could the Ancestor make such a muddle-headed decision?”

Xiao Yuening looked up, worry etched on her jade-like features. “Master, are you suggesting I defy the order?”

“Yuening.”

Shao Xuanji fell silent. After a long moment, she sighed deeply, her shoulders slumping.

“No. Ancestor Feihuang saved this sect from destruction. We cannot disobey her command for our own selfish dignity. If we did, how could we face our hundred thousand disciples?”

Xiao Yuening’s face turned scarlet. Her voice dropped to a mosquito’s hum.

“So… you mean… I should yield to him?”

Shao Xuanji rubbed her temples, a headache throbbing behind her eyes.

“Until the Ancestor changes her mind, I’m afraid you will have to endure this grievance.”

She straightened up, her expression turning sharp and serious.

“However, disciple, listen closely. This matter concerns the very foundation of the Exquisite Sanctuary. You must use this opportunity to get close to him. Find out exactly what he did to the Ancestor.”

“Of course, it is merely a performance. You must absolutely not let him take advantage of you.”

Shao Xuanji narrowed her eyes confidently.

“Your cultivation is at the Peak of the Nascent Soul realm. He is only at the Mid-stage. As long as you are cautious, that little beast won’t be able to touch a hair on your head without your permission…”