The sunlight at the Wei Hour was exceptionally bright. Even though the season had already entered early winter, it still carried a piercing glare.
The youth walked forward, leaving footprints in the thin layer of snow. His steps were somewhat stiff and heavy. His junior sister’s words earlier had torn open the future he had been avoiding, unconsciously pulling him back to the promise he had personally made in the past.
“When Junior Sister reaches the age of eighteen, this disciple shall become Dao companions with Yu’er! I will never abandon her in this life!”
Yun Hao recalled the scene. When he had spoken those words, the gratified and joyful expression on Elder Lin’s face still seemed to appear before his eyes.
At that time, the old man still had some vitality and could walk normally alongside him and his junior sister.
Now, Elder Lin had already passed away, leaving only his junior sister entrusted to him.
A bitter taste rose in Yun Hao’s mouth. With a thought, a vermilion-red paper filled with elegant black characters appeared in his hand.
This was the betrothal document Elder Lin had written for him and his junior sister. One copy for each of them. These two documents carried an immortal path vow. On the day they married, burning them together would allow them to tie their hair as husband and wife under the witness of the immortal path.
Never to part in this lifetime.
………….
Yun Hao sat dazed on a nearby rock. He had once considered whether he should simply spend the rest of his life with his junior sister.
That thought had arisen after the biggest conflict he and Senior Sister had ever had. He had tried to accept his junior sister and gradually withdraw the admiration he felt for Senior Sister… After all, the gap between them was so vast.
But he had failed. He couldn’t do it.
Because Senior Sister still treated him extremely well. The Foundation Establishment Pill he had used when breaking through had been obtained by Senior Sister after she ventured outside. During his breakthrough, she had silently guarded him from not far away until he safely reached Foundation Establishment.
She had taught him Solitary Swan and patiently explained his cultivation doubts to him. Like an elder sister, she tirelessly guided him, giving him care akin to a mother’s love…
Senior Sister was like a proud plum blossom blooming in the snow—aloof and cold, yet impossible not to want to approach and stay beside.
“Huu…”
Yun Hao took a deep breath and pulled himself together. He put the betrothal document back into his qi sea and stopped thinking about it.
He had no intention of breaking the promise he had made to Elder Lin. The old man had treated him like a half-grandson and successor, nurturing him with kindness as heavy as a mountain during those short two months.
Even on his deathbed, he had entrusted his junior sister to him. He could not betray Elder Lin’s trust. Moreover, he already knew that his junior sister liked him. His conscience would not allow him to hurt her.
But he truly could not let go of Senior Sister either. He wanted to stay by her side. He could not lie to himself. He wanted to find a way—a future where both could coexist.
………….
Carrying countless thoughts, Yun Hao returned to Sect Master Peak.
He had no plans to tell Senior Sister about his upcoming marriage to his junior sister yet. Past experiences had taught him that Senior Sister always reacted strangely to these matters. If he told her, he couldn’t predict the consequences. He didn’t want to trouble or worry her.
The youth composed his expression, hiding the faint melancholy in his eyes. He steadied himself and walked toward the distant osmanthus tree.
However, as he drew closer, he discovered that Senior Sister—who was usually always sitting beneath the tree—was nowhere to be seen. This left him momentarily puzzled.
(Didn’t Senior Sister say she wouldn’t be going out during this period?)
Yun Hao scratched the back of his head, feeling confused. But he didn’t dwell on it. No one could predict the future, and sudden changes were normal. He summoned the Cloud Abyss Sword and began practicing Solitary Swan once again.
He still wanted to further increase the power of Solitary Swan in preparation for something in the future.
………….
Proud Sword Sect, Back Mountain.
A tall figure in a white dress stood quietly waiting. Amid the mountain cliff covered in a thin layer of snow, this figure resembled a proud plum blossom—sacred and icy, inspiring awe and fear.
Jiang Shu’er emerged from the hidden cave residence. She took out a tea set and beckoned to Luo Shuiling, who was standing respectfully, signaling her to come sit.
Hearing her master’s call, Luo Shuiling walked over lightly. After bowing to Jiang Shu’er, she sat down facing her.
Steam slowly rose from the spout of the dark green teapot, especially noticeable in the winter air. Jiang Shu’er lifted her jade-like arms and poured a cup of clear tea for her disciple.
Luo Shuiling also rose slightly to accept the tea her master offered. The two sat like this, savoring the tea in silence until half a stick of incense had burned.
“How are your preparations for the sect grand competition a few months from now?”
Luo Shuiling’s expression became slightly unnatural, but she tightened her fingers discreetly and lowered her head to reply softly.
“I have roughly sixty percent confidence…”
“…Sigh.”
A helpless sigh sounded. Jiang Shu’er did not directly address Luo Shuiling’s answer and instead spoke of other matters.
“I’m not too worried about Zhou Yuan from Wang E’s side. He is still only at the mid Dao Integration stage.”
“Li Chun’s disciple Qin Yong has only just reached the mid Dao Integration stage as well, so there’s no issue there. However…”
As she detailed the situations of the other three elders’ disciples, Jiang Shu’er furrowed her beautiful brows with worry.
“Yue Qiu’s precious disciple had a fortunate encounter outside and obtained an immortal opportunity… and has now reached the late Dao Integration stage.”
“There are faint signs that the disciple may soon break through to the Soul Division Realm…”
After finishing in one breath, Jiang Shu’er looked at Luo Shuiling with deep, unrelenting concern.
“Ling’er, tell me honestly—how confident are you right now?”
Silence spread between them. Luo Shuiling’s expression was complicated. Her immortal foundation had yet to be fully repaired, and she couldn’t even fight at full strength. She had no way to answer her master’s question.
Seeing her disciple remain silent, Jiang Shu’er lowered her eyes as well. Over the past two years, her disciple had been unable to break through to Soul Division. Her cultivation had stagnated, allowing the disciples of the elders who had previously lagged behind to gradually catch up.
Luo Shuiling’s advantage in cultivation had completely vanished. Yet this could not truly be blamed on her. The step from Dao Integration to Soul Division was a major watershed for cultivators. Without sufficient immortal opportunity, it usually required many years of comprehending the heavens and earth before there was any hope of breaking through.
Moreover, Luo Shuiling had damaged her immortal foundation. Forcing a breakthrough could lead to unpredictable consequences. The best outcome would be a regression in cultivation. In more serious cases, it could result in death and the destruction of her Dao…
Jiang Shu’er felt a headache coming on.
Privately, Jiang Shu’er would rather Luo Shuiling gave up the Holy Maiden position than force her to take such risks. After many years together, she had long since come to treat her as her own daughter.
But in reality, she could not. She was the Sect Master, and Luo Shuiling was her personal disciple. She had to bear the responsibility that came with being the Sect Master’s heir.
She could not allow the efforts of generations of Sect Masters to go to waste, nor could she let this lineage end in her hands…
Jiang Shu’er sighed helplessly and spoke again.
“Why don’t we postpone the sect grand competition for a while? I’ll go search for more spiritual treasures to see if we can repair your immortal foundation a bit more.”
Luo Shuiling gripped her fingers tightly, pain surging in her heart… It was the same again. Ever since she had been injured, her master had spared no effort to help her, time after time.
She had sacrificed portions of her own authority again and again to buy her more time… Her master also had to face three Great Vehicle Realm elders. The pressure on her was enormous! She needed to recover as quickly as possible to ease that burden.
She calmed herself and took a deep breath. Her expression was no longer lost. Her voice was firm.
“There’s no need, Master… I have a way!”
“…Ling’er, don’t lie to your master. As long as it buys you enough time, no sacrifice is too great.”
Jiang Shu’er still didn’t fully believe her. She felt Luo Shuiling was only saying this to put her mind at ease and actually had no confidence.
Hearing her master’s words, Luo Shuiling still shook her head and refused.
The date for the grand competition had already been set five years ago. They had already fought for the maximum amount of time possible back then. If they asked for another postponement now, what her master might have to sacrifice could very well be her very position as Sect Master.
This was something Luo Shuiling could not compromise on. If her master were forced to give up the position of Sect Master because of her, she would truly become the sinner of this entire lineage. She could not accept that.
Seeing her disciple so resolute, Jiang Shu’er could only sigh softly and say no more.
Luo Shuiling quietly sensed her nearly solidified immortal foundation. Recalling the youth’s handsome face, a faint worry rose in her heart.
This time… it would probably be the most difficult challenge yet.