Fairy, I am truly a virtuous gentleman!

Zhongzhou.

Luoyang, the Imperial Preceptor's Residence.

Ning Yuan exhaled a deep breath, his eyes glazed over, and he sighed with a mixture of exhaustion and disbelief.

"A thousand-year dream, who knows when I wake up? Only today do I realize who I am."

He took out a piece of jade from his pocket, stroking its smooth and warm surface, and murmured, "After all, who could have imagined that this inconspicuous piece of jade could bring me back to this era? To turn back time and recreate the universe, even immortals and ancestral immortals couldn't do that..."

Ning Yuan was originally the powerful and influential Grand Preceptor of the Great Li Immortal Dynasty, and the son of Ning Muxian.

However, his father was plotted against by several major immortal sects and perished under the siege of multiple forces.

The older sister sacrificed herself to protect him.

The sects and their masters were purged.

He endured humiliation and hardship, and diligently cultivated himself, yet he still suffered a shameful defeat and death.

Fortunately, at the crucial moment, the mysterious jade piece on his body actually brought him back to the time before everything happened.

"Young master."

A soft, melodious voice came from outside the house.

"What is it?"

"The Taiyi Sword Sect people are here again. What should we do?"

"Taiyi Sword Sect?"

Ning Yuan's eyes were briefly filled with confusion.

Then memories flooded back like a tidal wave…

Ning Yuan was exceptionally intelligent from a young age, but he was also spoiled and dissolute. His mother died early, and he lacked discipline. Under his father's protection, it was inevitable that he developed many extravagant and dissolute habits.

Just recently, he saw a woman with stunning looks, extraordinary temperament, and otherworldly charm, so he sent people to abduct her on the street.

Even after learning that the woman was actually the chief disciple of the Taiyi Sword Sect, one of the seven great Xuanmen Immortal Sects that came to participate in the Grand Gathering of Myriad Laws, they did not immediately release her.

Instead, under the aggressive questioning from his sect, he became enraged and tore off the mask of civility, driving them all out of his residence. He even boasted that unless the Sword Sect leader came to his door in person, no one else was qualified to see him.

"Oh, how foolish."

Ning Yuan sighed, but his eyes were utterly cold.

If it was solely his own mistake, then he should bear all the consequences himself, which is perfectly reasonable.

However, he now already knew the whole story, including his own willful actions and the machinations of others.

"Hmph! So smug after being used! Why did you have to strike in public, leaving your hands and feet exposed? A feigned ambush would have been the right thing to do!"

Ning Yuan scolded him with a hint of disappointment, but there was nothing he could do. Back then, he had been too well protected, and his thinking and methods were far too immature.

Back then, because of this incident, he not only offended the Taiyi Sword Sect and made enemies with that outstanding young woman who would later achieve great things, but more importantly, he not only took the blame but also gained nothing.

Afterwards, Ning Yuan composed himself, pondered for a moment, and then sneered, having already made his plan.

He leisurely got out of bed and pushed open the door.

A woman of unparalleled beauty, dressed as a maid, was quietly waiting in the courtyard.

She crossed her arms and placed them against her abdomen. She wore a light blue palace-style feather dress, her appearance was beautiful and her beauty was indescribable. Her black hair, which cascaded down like a waterfall, was tied into an elegant and grand flying fairy bun at the back of her head. The dark hair color contrasted with her white skin, which was as white as mutton fat, making her look stunning.

Her shoulders were like those of a sculpted figure, her waist slender and graceful, her jade-like neck elegant and her skin fair and radiant. Her features seemed to have been sculpted by nature, and her eyes were as clear as autumn water. She was otherworldly, like a fairy, ethereal and sacred.

Such a beauty, if seen by an uninformed bystander, would probably be mistaken for a true disciple of some sacred land or a daughter of a noble family.

In fact, this woman's name is Qiao Shuang. She is Ning Muxian's disciple and also Ning Yuan's maid and one of his top henchmen.

Ning Yuan looked at Qiao Shuang and couldn't help but feel a little dazed.

"Da Qiao".

"What are your orders, young master?"

Qiao Shuang slightly raised her eyelids, her eyes bright and captivating, her movements gentle and graceful, every gesture full of charm, exuding an ethereal aura.

She was called Da Qiao because of Ning Yuan's affection for her.

She also has a younger sister, who is also Ning Yuan's maid.

Ning Yuan's expression was emotional, without any attempt to hide it.

Qiao Shuang naturally noticed this.

Regret, grief?

She secretly released her divine sense to observe carefully, scanning him up and down. She noticed that his expression and the details of his movements were very different from before, and her eyebrows furrowed slightly.

The young master's behavior felt too out of place to her, as if... he had become a completely different person.

Could it be...?

No, the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion is protected day and night by an unparalleled array personally set up by the master. Even if the Dao Venerable were to come in person, it would be impossible to remain silent; it would inevitably trigger an alarm.

So what's going on here...?

While Qiao Shuang was still pondering, Ning Yuan chuckled.

"Alright, let's go. Let's check on those people from the Taiyi Sword Sect. They're probably getting impatient."

...

...

"Hmph! This is outrageous! Ning Yuan is utterly inhuman!"

The sun was blazing overhead, its rays intense and scorching.

A magnificent golden-roofed villa stretches down from the mountain peak for several miles.

In front of the grand and imposing gate of the villa, on a wide jade plaza, a group of people seemed to be waiting for something.

Most of them were dressed in a set of standard Qingyun robes, carrying swords, their aura imposing as they shimmered with spiritual light.

The leader was a burly man with a long beard. He wore a magnificent purple robe, but was unkempt with disheveled hair. Only his pair of fierce, glaring eyes, like copper bells, were particularly sharp, with flashes of sword light and lightning within them.

Lei Yunzi was extremely agitated. His own disciple had been kidnapped, and when he and his men went to demand an explanation, they were driven away instead.

The second time they came, they didn't even get to see him. They were left standing at the door. Although they were cultivators and not afraid of the scorching sun, they felt even more humiliated!

As a sword cultivator, Lei Yunzi felt as if he had a fishbone stuck in his throat, and he couldn't help but want to unleash his natal sword to wreak havoc and turn the world upside down before he would be satisfied.

"Uncle Lei, what are we waiting for? Why don't we just charge in? Senior Sister Chu has been held captive by that scoundrel for a whole day! Who knows what she'll encounter..."

A effeminate young man said indignantly, gritting his teeth.

Before he could finish speaking, a thick, hard slap landed on his head.

The effeminate young man staggered a few steps, then swallowed the rest of his words.

Lei Yunzi angrily retorted, "You brat, what nonsense are you spouting? Your senior sister has a firm Dao heart and high cultivation. Even if she is no match for the enemy's overwhelming force and is forced to be taken away, she will be protected by the spiritual treasure bestowed by the sect leader at the most crucial moment. Protecting herself will not be a problem. If you continue to spout nonsense, believe me, I will tear your tongue out!"

"Uncle-Master, Junior Brother Li is just worried about Senior Sister Chu. Why get so angry? We're all on the same side."

A gentle voice, seemingly offering advice, came through.

Lei Yunzi snorted and said no more.

The effeminate-looking boy hurriedly said, "Master, Uncle-Master, I was wrong!"

At the same time, he cast a grateful glance at the crowd beside him.

A woman in a green robe stood in the center.

Her face was dignified and serene, her demeanor composed and graceful. Her eyes were like stars, her hands like the moon, her beauty exquisite, and her bearing serene and relaxed.

Her plain hair was loosely tied up and casually inserted with a green jade hairpin. The same standard robe she wore stood out on her. Her full figure could not hide her imposing presence. Her curves were amazing, and her slender waist made people feel pity for her and wish they could support her.

Zhu Qixian seemed to sense the boy's gratitude and smiled at Junior Brother Li.

For a fleeting moment, Junior Brother Li seemed to forget Senior Sister Chu's plight, secretly thinking, "Luckily, that thief didn't capture Senior Sister Zhu; otherwise, it would have been such a pity..."

Seeing yet another disciple slowly succumbing to her charm, Zhu Qixian felt quite pleased.

Her performance was impeccable. She turned her gaze to the luxurious villa ahead, a hint of ambiguity and pleasure flickering in her bright eyes.

Chu Lingci, Chu Lingci, you've finally met your match?

It wasn't in vain that I revealed your whereabouts. After this incident, even if you are a genius with a clear sword heart and an unaffected Dao heart, the rumors that follow will inevitably influence the opinions of the sect's senior elders...

Ah!

Boom!

Just then, the gates of the villa slowly opened.

A young man in white, followed closely by a beautiful maid, stepped out first, flanked by two burly, golden-armored guards who stood in the air to block the wide-open door.

The young man was tall and straight, wearing cloud-patterned boots and an amethyst belt. His gorgeous clothes were elegant and flowing. Even though he looked a little effeminate, it could not hide his handsome and refined demeanor, like the bearing of a gentleman.

The young man was Ning Yuan. With a smile in his eyes, he asked leisurely, "May I ask what brings you all here?"

Previously, another elder led the group to negotiate, while the Sword Sect disciples and Lei Yunzi were seeing the son of the Great Li State Preceptor for the first time. Their eyes lit up and their thoughts raced.

Putting everything else aside, its appearance is quite remarkable...

"Ning Yuan, you scoundrel, you've finally decided to come out! Release Senior Sister Chu immediately! Otherwise..."

Junior Brother Li was the first to jump out.

Before he could finish speaking, Junior Brother Li was pushed behind the crowd by a large hand.

Lei Yunzi strode forward, expressionless, and said in a deep voice, "Young Master Ning, we came to Luodu on behalf of the Sword Sect to participate in the Grand Gathering of Myriad Laws initiated by National Preceptor Ning. If that's the case, why are you detaining my Sword Sect disciple? If you don't quickly return Junior Nephew Chu's freedom, then I will have no choice but to grant your request and report it to the sect so that the Sect Master can handle this matter."

Ning Yuan chuckled and asked with a relaxed air, "What do you mean? Fairy Chu and I hit it off immediately and became kindred spirits, so we agreed to explore the Great Dao together. How could you say I'm being detained? As for my previous arrogant words... haha, they were all just misunderstandings. Everyone, please don't take them to heart."

"A misunderstanding? I've never seen anyone so shameless..."

This time, without Lei Yunzi having to lift a finger, a group of Sword Sect disciples hurriedly reached out and pulled Junior Brother Li down.

Lei Yunzi was clearly playing a game with Ning Yuan; it was no opportunity for this hothead to step forward.

Perhaps because Ning Yuan's attitude wasn't as arrogant as rumored, Lei Yunzi softened his tone considerably.

He didn't delve into the veracity of Ning Yuan's words, but instead asked meaningfully, "The Grand Gathering of Myriad Laws is approaching. I wonder when Junior Nephew Chu will be able to join my Sword Sect so that we can make arrangements as soon as possible."

Ning Yuan pondered for a moment, "That's hard to say. It could be tonight, it could be tomorrow, or perhaps... next spring?"

"you……"

At this moment, even Lei Yunzi almost lost his temper and nearly burst into a tirade.

Taking a deep breath and silently reciting the incantation, Lei Yunzi suppressed his distracting thoughts with his sword intent and asked again, "Please, Young Master Ning, speak frankly!"

Seeing that the sword cultivators' patience had reached its limit, Ning Yuan immediately stopped delaying and began to implement the plan, proclaiming loudly:

"I, Ning Yuan, swear on my own Great Dao that Fairy Chu has not been mistreated in any way in my residence. My respect for Fairy Chu is sincere and heartfelt. However, we talked so happily and deeply that Fairy Chu became so engrossed in the Great Dao that she could not extricate herself. Perhaps, if you send a disciple to persuade her for one night and patiently coax her, Fairy Chu will be able to return to the team unharmed by noon tomorrow."

What do you mean by "having a pleasant conversation and being unable to extricate oneself"? You, a mere Qi Refiner, are discussing the Dao with the chief disciple of my Sword Sect?

I bother!

Lei Yunzi cursed inwardly, then asked hesitantly, "Is what Young Master Ning said true?"

Ning Yuan nodded solemnly, "Really!"

"Okay, in that case, that Li..."

"Wait a minute!"

Ning Yuan suddenly interrupted Lei Yunzi.

"Hmm? Does Young Master Ning intend to back out?"

Lei Yunzi couldn't help but frown.

"Not at all. In fact, Fairy Chu also entrusted me with a request at the last minute. If possible, please invite Fairy Zhu Qixian to the mansion for a chat. Ling Ci expressed that he misses this fairy very much. If she were to offer her words of advice, the effect would be the best."

In the crowd, Zhu Qixian, with her graceful figure and captivating charm, trembled.

Facing the gazes of the crowd, she suppressed her sudden panic and said sternly, "Young Master Ning, let's not talk about such jokes anymore!"

Just kidding, Chu Lingci usually presents himself as pure and aloof as ice to everyone.

It seems that among the thousands of disciples in the Sword Sect, she has the highest status!

Although it is indeed quite similar in fact, that is precisely why he usually does not want to meet with Chu Lingci. Their relationship is superficial, otherwise he would not be able to communicate with him.

Why did the other party specifically name him?

Could it be... that she knows something?