## Chapter 399: Senior Brother, Long Ling Sent a Letter
Ye Anping’s deep purple eyes slowly scanned every word on the letter. Even though he wasn’t versed in calligraphy, he could discern the power within the writer’s bones.
“His force penetrated the paper, like iron strokes and silver hooks.”
It was precisely because of the handwriting style that his brow furrowed, pondering the underlying intention behind Tong Zilan’s letter. On the surface, it was merely a request to look after A’ting, and for Xiao Yunluo to put in a good word for Si Xuanji. But in reality…
A somewhat playful,娇 tender voice drifted into his ear.
“Phoenix landing in the plains, unwilling to yield, or perhaps compensation for their daughter?”
Si Xuanji, standing on tiptoe and leaning on Ye Anping’s shoulder, read the letter and then surveyed Liang A’ting and Ye Anping with her yin-yang eyes, saying with a smile.
“Mm, I think it’s the latter…”
Ye Anping shrugged slightly, sighing with a hint of distress.
After Nancheng City’s fall, the Demon Race had claimed all twenty-odd cities of the Imperial Sect. The original Alchemist Division and Armament Division of the Imperial Sect were scattered, and now only the Xing Tian Division remained.
In other words, Tong Zilan intended to leave the Xing Tian Division for A’ting. This way, no matter what A’ting wanted to do in the future, whether it was to establish her own sect or simply be a Hundred Lotus Sect disciple, the Xing Tian Division would be there to back her. After all, A’ting’s veins carried the blood of Nancheng City, the Emperor of the Central Domain.
“What does Young Master Ye think?”
Ye Anping pondered for a moment. If he could help, extending a hand and owing a favor wouldn’t be a bad thing. However, the incident at the Donghuang Great Wall had already revealed the vast disparity in combat power between the Xing Tian Division and the Demonic Cultivators, a difference as great as heaven and earth. It was not something that he and Feng Yu Die alone could turn the tide against. The Demonic Cultivators encountered at the Donghuang Great Wall this time were the Sect Master of the Ghost Spirit Sect, dozens of Deity Transformation cultivators, Nascent Soul cultivators, and countless Core Formation and Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators.
Ye Anping propped his chin, recalling the ending of the Donghuang Great Wall storyline in the game. The Pavilion Master of the Xing Tian Division, Fu Xuan, a mid-Deity Transformation cultivator, to delay the demonic cultivators and buy time for other cultivators in the division to escape, was besieged by three Deity Transformation demonic cultivators. He then encountered the Sect Master of the Ghost Spirit Sect, one of the Six Demonic Sects, and perished at Donghuang. The Commander-in-Chief of the Xing Tian Division, Yue Mingxuan, a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator, while leading the remaining disciples to escape, encountered several Nascent Soul demonic cultivators and died. The two Deputy Commanders of the Xing Tian Division, both early Nascent Soul cultivators, also died defending the younger disciples, being surrounded and attacked by demonic cultivators. However, even with such sacrifices, none of the Xing Tian Division survived in the end. Even Feng Yu Die, who rushed to help, was severely injured after encountering Gu Mingxin. If she hadn’t possessed the Nine Dragon Heavenly Seal, she would have died at Gu Mingxin’s hands. In the end, Xiao Yunluo carried her on her back and fled back to the Western Regions in a desperate escape amidst the relentless pursuit of the demonic cultivators.
Thinking of this, Ye Anping shook his head slightly and replied, “I am also powerless.”
Si Xuanji narrowed her eyes slightly and smiled, “Is that so? Young Master Ye believes he is powerless?”
“Mm…”
“The Xing Tian Division also sent a letter to my mother for aid half a month ago, but my mother declined due to concerns about the scrutiny of other Immortal Family sects.”
Ye Anping shrugged helplessly, but he also understood. The Xuan Xing Sect’s involvement in this matter was indeed difficult, as it could easily lead to suspicions from the Taibai Sect and others that their Dan Yue sect was involved in Nancheng City’s demise. If that were to happen, it would cause even greater chaos.
“I understand.”
Seeing Ye Anping’s nonchalant reply, Si Xuanji paused, then worriedly squeezed his shoulder, reminding him, “Don’t act rashly out of misplaced enthusiasm.”
“Hehe, do I look like that kind of person?” Ye Anping smiled. He had actually planned not to get involved in this matter long ago. Enemies of that magnitude were not something he could deal with through mere schemes or cleverness.
Si Xuanji examined Ye Anping’s expression and felt he was a sensible person, so she didn’t say anything further.
However, Liang A’ting, who had been listening to their conversation, felt like she had encountered two riddlers.
“Uncle, what are you guys talking about? What daughter? What powerlessness? Did Auntie get pregnant? Am I going to have nephews and nieces soon?”
“…”
Ye Anping looked at Liang A’ting speechlessly and tapped her forehead, saying, “Why are you here? Aren’t you participating in the Sect Selection?”
“Ah… the written test is over, and I was about to go for the sword test, but I got lost~ Hehe.”
“I’ll take you. The sword test is at Tianyun Peak.”
Saying that, Ye Anping summoned his flying sword, stepped on it, and then cupped his hands in greeting to Si Xuanji: “Miss Xuanji, I will take my leave for now.”
“Mm.”
“A’ting, come up!”
“Okay!”
Ye Anping reached out and pulled Liang A’ting from the ground onto his flying sword. Then, with a sword finger gesture, he beckoned the flying sword that Liang A’ting had been standing on in the pond back to him. He then took her and flew towards Tianyun Peak.
Si Xuanji watched them fly away, then sighed silently and sat back by the water’s edge, lifting her skirt and dipping her feet back into the water, splashing ripples. However, shortly after Ye Anping left, she began to feel bored and lost interest in playing with the water.
“Speaking of which, it’s already been several months, sigh…” Si Xuanji pouted, feeling inexplicably uneasy. Several months had passed like a fleeting moment for her. But after only a few months, why did her little tiger feel like eating meat again?
“I’ll wait a few more months. He’s getting more and more presumptuous now, even daring to lie on my lap and tease me. If it’s too frequent, who knows how far that boy will go…” Her voice sounded fierce, but Si Xuanji didn’t realize she was smiling as she said it.
… …
————
On the Sword Testing Stage at the summit of Tianyun Peak, the “clack-clack” of wooden swords colliding echoed incessantly. The new disciples who had finished their written tests had gathered here, awaiting the disciples responsible for recording to call their names before stepping onto the stage to spar with Xuan Xing Sect disciples.
Ye Anping landed with A’ting on his sword near the back door reserved for Inner disciples beside the Sword Testing Stage. Upon seeing Ye Anping, the two guarding disciples of Tianyun Peak quickly stepped forward and politely cupped their hands, asking, “Senior Brother Ye, what brings you here?”
Ye Anping nodded to them, gesturing with his eyes to the somewhat shy Liang A’ting beside him, “She’s here for the Sect Selection and got lost earlier, she met me. The main entrance to the Sword Testing Stage is too crowded, I’m bringing her in through here, is that okay?”
“Of course. Senior Brother Ye, please proceed.”
Although it was slightly against the rules, the two disciples didn’t say much and quickly made way for Ye Anping. However, after walking past them, Liang A’ting inexplicably pursed her lips and giggled, hugging Ye Anping’s arm and saying shyly, as if acting spoiled, “Uncle is getting more and more handsome.”
Ye Anping glanced at her expressionlessly and nodded in agreement, “Mm, indeed.”
“Will Uncle be the one testing my sword skills later? Can you go easy on me? A’ting will give Uncle a massage later, okay?”
This girl… Ye Anping shook his head slightly and said, “For the sword test, dozens of disciples are drawn from each peak of the Xuan Xing Sect, with each person being responsible for dozens of new disciples’ sword tests. It’s not under my jurisdiction.”
“Then can Uncle put in a good word? Mainly, don’t be too serious. A’ting is afraid of pain.”
“Most Inner disciples go easy on their opponents, so don’t worry. For you, passing shouldn’t be difficult.”
Chatting casually, the two passed through the corridor behind the Sword Testing Stage and arrived above a high platform in the square. Liang A’ting released Ye Anping’s hand and ran to the railing, leaning on it and standing on tiptoe to look down. Below, on eight Sword Testing Stages, new disciples were currently undergoing their sword tests.
It was at this moment that a scream of “Ah—!!” came from the Sword Testing Stage in the southeast. The new disciple participating in the sword test was directly struck by the examiner from the stage, sent flying seven or eight feet into the air, and then fell heavily to the ground. He was then carried away on a stretcher by the Inner disciples of the Xuan Xing Sect waiting nearby.
The examiner, with his black hair tied into a ponytail, twirled his wooden sword in a flourish, letting it hang by his right hand. He then slowly exhaled and turned to the disciple recording the results, nodding in acknowledgment. “Mm.”
“Uh…” The recording disciple’s face was filled with sweat. He quickly lowered his head to the roster, cleared his throat, and called out, “Next, Liang A’ting, Tianyun Peak Sword Testing Stage, please step up!!”
Hearing this, Liang A’ting quickly raised her hand, “Here!!!”
The examiner froze when he heard the name, but quickly reacted and turned to look towards Liang A’ting. Since it was only a side profile earlier, A’ting hadn’t recognized him at first. Now, with the examiner turned around, she recognized him – it was her Aunt!
A’ting’s smiling face turned pale at a visible speed. Her raised right hand slowly retracted…
“Ah…” A’ting swallowed, and thinking of Ye Anping, she quickly looked behind her, hoping for Ye Anping to help, but…
“Uncle!!!”
?
However, Ye Anping, who had brought her in, had disappeared at some point. A’ting looked around in a daze, then bolted to run away quickly, but after only two steps, a hand grabbed her shoulder.
“A’ting? Why are you participating in the Xuan Xing Sect selection?”
… …
Pei Lianxue gently patted her head, her face full of doting affection, and said, “It just so happens that I’m responsible for your sword test. Let’s see if you’ve been slacking off in the years I’ve been away.”
“Ah…” A’ting turned and gave an awkward smile before struggling out of Pei Lianxue’s grasp and continuing to run wildly, but she was still caught by Pei Lianxue.
“Nooo!! Waaahhhh— Uncle, help me!!”
Seeing that A’ting didn’t seem to like her very much, Pei Lianxue pouted indifferently, but she still dragged A’ting onto the Sword Testing Stage of Tianyun Peak as if she were dragging a corpse. However, seeing A’ting crying and making a fuss, she saw her former self in A’ting, and a hint of nostalgia arose in her eyes.
“A’ting, don’t be afraid. Although Elder Qin told me to be strict with the sword test, you used to practice with me. Your results should be better than the others just now.”
“Wuu… A’ting doesn’t want the Sect Selection anymore!! A’ting wants to go back to the Hundred Lotus Sect… A’ting won’t be a Xuan Xing Sect disciple anymore!”
“A’ting, be good…”
… …
————
The sun sets on the western mountains. Dusk illuminates the forest, dyeing the entire bamboo forest with a golden hue. In the open space paved with bamboo leaves in front of the pavilion in the forest, Ye Anping held a wooden sword, practicing the Nine Heavens Sword Art taught to him by Feng Yu Die over the past few months, as usual.
*Swoosh- swoosh—*
The wooden sword cut through the air, creating faint whistling sounds. His movements were agile and light, his wooden sword like a white snake flicking its tongue, Hissing as it broke through the wind. At first glance, it seemed he had achieved some success, but Ye Anping knew very well that his Nine Heavens Sword Art, in terms of sword momentum and power, was less than one-tenth of Feng Yu Die’s. It was even inferior to the Inquiring Sword Art and the Leaf Shadow Sword Art he had learned with his junior sister.
But this was unavoidable. In just a few months, if he could achieve Feng Yu Die’s level of mastery, breaking through all things with spirit, Feng Yu Die wouldn’t be destined for greatness. However, after all, by understanding Feng Yu Die’s sword path, when they cooperated in the future, although he couldn’t achieve the same unity of swords as he and his junior sister, he wouldn’t be at a complete loss.
*Rustle- rustle—*
Two sets of footsteps approached from behind. Ye Anping lowered the wooden sword he had raised, turned around, and looked. Feng Yu Die, with a helpless expression, walked along the small path to the pavilion. It seemed she hadn’t sold anything today, but upon seeing Ye Anping had arrived early, her eyes lit up again.
“Young Master Ye, you’re here so early today?”
“Mm. ” In the past few months, he and Feng Yu Die had agreed to meet in the bamboo forest every day at the fourth increment of the Shen hour (around 4 PM) to practice sword fighting and sparring until sunset, and then return to their Three-Bay House to rest. Seeing that Feng Yu Die had also arrived, Ye Anping calmed his sword’s breath, which had been disturbed by his recent sword dance. He then took out another wooden sword and threw it over.
“Let’s start directly.”
Feng Yu Die flicked the wooden sword up with her toe, caught it, and nodded with a smile, “Alright~”
… …
*Tock- tock…*
*Tock…*
Accompanied by the muffled sounds of wooden swords colliding, the twilight filtering through the bamboo leaves onto the two of them gradually dimmed. The red glow in the sky was replaced by an endless starry expanse.
*Plop—*
“Ha… ha…” Ye Anping lay spread-eagled on the ground covered in bamboo leaves, panting heavily, as if he had just fought off hundreds of girls. His face was covered in sweat as he calmed his breathing. Feng Yu Die, though slightly better off, also had her face covered in sweat. She tossed her wooden sword aside, learned from him, and collapsed beside him.
Feng Yu Die let out a long sigh, rolled over, and lay on the bamboo leaves, propping her face with her hands, grinning toothily. “Hee~~”
“… …”
Ye Anping glanced at her, sighed helplessly, and asked, “Where’s Xiao Tian? What’s she doing again?”
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Tian directly emerged from above Feng Yu Die’s head, clinging to her forehead, and said with a smile, “Anping, did you miss me? ~ Hehe.”
“No, I was just asking. I’ve noticed you’ve been coming and going early these past few months.”
“Oh, you and Butterfly have been having secret meetings every day lately, so I felt too embarrassed to interrupt you. Is practicing swords with Butterfly fun? Doesn’t she look beautiful today? She bought a new lipstick the day before yesterday~~”
Ye Anping heard this and glanced at Feng Yu Die’s lips. They did seem a bit pinker than yesterday, but he didn’t pay much attention. He sat up straight, made a sword finger gesture, took out a roasted chicken he had just cooked from his Storage Bag, and threw it onto Feng Yu Die’s stomach.
“I’m going back.”
“Hey? Anping, wait, I haven’t finished talking yet…” Xiao Tian quickly followed, clinging to Ye Anping’s ear and continuing to chatter. Seeing Ye Anping leave, Feng Yu Die pouted her lips, her face blushing, and then sighed with some regret. She simply got up from the ground, shook the bamboo leaves from her hair, and walked away in another direction, holding the roasted chicken. As she walked, she muttered to herself:
“Young Master Ye didn’t notice, and Junior Sister Pei probably won’t either. I should try a different color lipstick next time… Hmm.”
However, it was at this moment that a fiery red streamer streaked across the night sky.
*Ying—*
A phoenix cry echoed from above. The two walking with their backs toward each other suddenly stopped and looked up in unison. The Fire Phoenix spread its wings a hundred feet in the sky, then tucked its wings and dived rapidly towards Ye Anping. It then flapped its wings to slow down and finally landed on Ye Anping’s shoulder.
Ye Anping examined Ah Feng’s imposing fiery eyes and then noticed a Jade Slip tied to its claw. He quickly took it down and examined it with his Spiritual Sense. The message was from Li Longling:
“—The Sect Master of the Moon Shadow Sword Sect, Yun Tianchong, is leading three young ladies and a thousand Moon Shadow Sword Sect disciples across the southern border of the Central Domain. It is rumored they are heading towards the Donghuang Great Wall.”
“… …”
This news, which completely surpassed his expectations, caused Ye Anping’s eyes to widen slightly. The Yun family? Why were they taking their entire clan to the Donghuang Great Wall? Was it a family outing? Or a seven-day battlefield tour…
Ye Anping raised his hand and pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a slight weariness. Seeing his expression, Feng Yu Die quickly walked over, placing her hands behind her back. She leaned her face closer, tilted her head, and asked with anticipation, “Young Master Ye, did something happen?”
?
What is this gesture… Ye Anping involuntarily averted his gaze, closed his eyes, took a deep breath, calmed himself, put on an extremely serious expression, and replied solemnly, “Your Madam, before you had your wings, might be in danger.”
?
Feng Yu Die’s neck recoiled, her rosy lips parting slightly. “…Huh?”
… …
