Astonished

Outside the Li Family Manor, a procession of carriages wound its way along the mountain road, coming to a slow halt before the manor gates.

“Master,” several of the manor’s stewards had already come out to greet them, helping a middle-aged man clad in a brocade robe down from his carriage. This was the master of the Li Family Manor, his face adorned with a kindly smile.

“Don’t mind me for now—let’s welcome Miss Xue first,” the manor master said, raising his hand to gesture at the carriage behind him.

All eyes turned expectantly as the ornate curtain was lifted, revealing a face radiant as dawn and jade, her demeanor tranquil and composed.

“Miss Xue…” At the sight of this woman, a hush of excitement rippled through the stewards and attendants of the Li Family Manor; among the younger ones at the back, eyes sparkled with awe.

Xue Lingxue had been famed since her youth and boasted countless admirers. To behold her in person today was an event worthy of years of retelling.

“Hello, everyone.”

The woman who alighted from the carriage, though her bearing carried a trace of reserve, nonetheless offered a courteous smile and greeted those who had come to receive her.

For an inner disciple of the Southern Melody Pavilion, whose every step outside the sect was accompanied by the adoration of thousands, these courtesies were the most basic form of cultivation—never would she falter in them.

She wore a form-fitting azure gown accentuated by a jade-belted waist, her tall, graceful figure swaying with the breeze. Her skin was pale as snow, flawless as jade, almost translucent beneath the sunlight—a living embodiment of the phrase, “frosted skin and bones of jade.”

Strings of frost descend, snow covers the South.

The Southern Melody Pavilion’s most gifted young musician was as stunning in beauty as in talent, enough to leave onlookers breathless. The moment she appeared, it seemed as though a gentle chill swept through the air, dimming the sunlight around her.

From the carriages behind her, several young men and women descended, each attired differently—some carrying instrument cases, others with travel bundles. These were outer disciples of the Southern Melody Pavilion who had chosen to serve as attendants to an inner disciple, assisting with performances or errands and sharing in any benefits their charge received.

For now, these few formed Xue Lingxue’s retinue.

When all had disembarked, the manor master warmly beckoned, “Miss Xue, esteemed musicians of the Southern Melody Pavilion, please come inside and rest. Once you are settled, we shall host a banquet in your honor.”

“No trouble at all, Master Li.” Such pleasantries were left to the musicians by Xue Lingxue’s side, who stepped forward to follow the manor master as he led the way.

Thus, a grand procession swept into the manor.

“Our Li Family Manor is nestled between mountain and water, blessed with beautiful scenery and the harmony of heaven, earth, and men,” the manor master said with a cheerful laugh as they walked. “Miss Xue, by choosing to collaborate with us, you’ve made the perfect choice.”

One of the musicians from the Southern Melody Pavilion spoke up, “We heard there was some trouble with a monster here recently. Has that been dealt with? It would be quite unfortunate if Senior Sister Xue’s rest were disturbed.”

“Rest assured,” the manor master declared, thumping his chest. “As for that so-called monster—nothing but a rival’s underhanded tricks, sending people to play ghosts and demons. We called in a cultivator from the Shushan Sect. The matter was resolved long ago. Miss Xue may stay here with peace of mind. We’ve even prepared some entertainment for your welcome. I, Li, pledge on my life—no more monsters will…”

He hadn’t finished when a thunderous crash erupted nearby. Amid the rumbling, a colossal shadow burst forth—a giant creature with a black, shell-like carapace as tall as a building, resembling an enormous tortoise. Such size, surely the result of centuries of cultivation, and so brazenly displaying its true form in a place teeming with mortals—an exceedingly rare sight.

In an instant, the air was thick with demonic energy.

Xue Lingxue’s brow furrowed as she lightly pinched her fingers together. The musicians at her side immediately fanned out, forming a subtle protective ring around her. They were no fragile artists; besides their mastery of music, they were cultivators in their own right.

The manor master, meanwhile, was struck dumb, instinctively rubbing his neck, worry flickering in his eyes.

While all reeled from the sudden appearance of the giant tortoise, another fierce presence surged forth.

The tortoise raised its head to the sky, dark light gathering in its maw, readying a fearsome attack. But in that instant, a dazzling sword aura streaked across the heavens, flanked by a frosty dragon and a blazing fire dragon, its might overwhelming.

“Is this…?” “A battle between a cultivator and a monster?” “Such clashes are rare—who would have thought to witness one here, upon arrival?” “What a powerful sword aura…”

Listening to the murmurs of the Southern Melody Pavilion disciples, the manor master’s face shifted rapidly, mingling fear with embarrassment. He hurriedly summoned Steward Cui. “Old Cui? What’s going on? I thought the monsters were taken care of?”

“The previous one was, but this must be a new one…” Steward Cui replied, just as bewildered.

“Some welcome we’ve prepared…” the manor master muttered bitterly.

They had time for this exchange only because they were surrounded by formidable cultivators—and because the battle was over almost as soon as it began.

Though the tortoise was terrifying, the sword aura was unstoppable, breaking through its shell in a heartbeat, shattering it from within and without.

All watched from afar as the ice and fire dragons reduced the creature’s head to ash.

“Is that…?” All present were inwardly stunned.

“That’s the Shushan Sect’s Talisman Sword Art,” Xue Lingxue said coolly. “Though it’s only the basic twin ice-and-fire talisman swords, the true energy is extremely powerful. Its might is immense—likely the work of a peak fifth-realm or even sixth-realm cultivator. I wonder… which esteemed master from Shushan is here?”

As she spoke, she turned slightly to the manor master and Steward Cui, a hint of inquiry in her gaze.

For a high-ranking Shushan elder to appear in a humble place like Li Family Manor was strange indeed, thus her curiosity.

The manor master, equally perplexed, turned to Steward Cui.

“No, that’s not it…” Steward Cui replied. “The ones who came from Shushan were two young heroes—barely more than boys. One is Chu Liang, the other Lin Bei. They are hardly Miss Xue’s seniors.”

“Young disciples?” Only now did surprise flicker across Xue Lingxue’s face. She looked up again at the sky, where the remnants of sword energy still stirred. “Who could it be…”

Cultivators of their generation were well acquainted with one another—especially the core disciples of each sect. Even though the Southern Melody Pavilion differed from the rest, they always kept track.

This generation of Shushan had only two somewhat famous disciples: Xu Ziyang and Jiang Yuebai. But even they were only at the fourth realm—not likely to unleash such a devastating sword aura.

Could it be that another prodigious talent had emerged?

That would be momentous news.

Such paragons might not yet shape the world of cultivation, but everyone knew that in time, they would. Which is why attention always followed them from youth.

While Xue Lingxue was pondering, half in shock and half in doubt, Steward Cui spoke up: “It was Young Master Chu fighting the monster. Because Young Master Lin heard that Miss Xue had arrived, he insisted on joining the welcoming party with me—he was eager to catch a glimpse of your famed beauty… He’s the one at the back, with the thick brows and large eyes.”