Mortal: Fifteenth Realm Sword Cultivator

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Star Palace Temple.

Compared to her first visit here, the stone steps before her still seemed towering and insurmountable to Zi Ling.

However, compared to the first time he was forcibly summoned, his heart was much calmer.

This time, she took the initiative to request an audience, and she had weighed her request in her mind countless times.

In the center of the main hall, Jin Kui stood silently. Even though Zi Ling was now a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, his pressure was still like a mountain pressing down on her, making her feel as insignificant as an ant, no different from when she first came.

"Greetings, Grand Elder!"

She bowed deeply, clasping her hands in a gesture of respect.

Jin Kui slowly turned around and descended the steps.

"Over the years, the Miaoyin Sect has managed to stabilize its situation somewhat under your control. Tell me, what kind of help do you need?"

Zi Ling took a deep breath and maintained her bowing posture. "Reporting to the Grand Elder, Zi Ling has already made arrangements and plans. I have come here only to seek a way out. If things do not go as planned, I hope that the Grand Elder can provide protection for the entire Miaoyin Sect."

Jin Kui slowly walked up to him. Although he had cultivated for hundreds of years and was used to seeing beautiful women, he couldn't help but be secretly amazed at this moment.

Brother Wang, Brother Wang, you've certainly raised a fine daughter...

"How can you be so sure that person will come?"

Zi Ling's voice was calm and composed, without the slightest hint of panic, as she clearly replied, "The old story of the Hidden Fiend Sect's betrayal of Extreme Yin Island is known to very few, and outsiders simply listen to it as a tale of grudges and feuds. But once the 'Remnant Map of the Void Heaven' is involved, its significance changes entirely."

Jin Kui sighed, "Back then, I only gave you a little guidance, but I didn't expect you to be able to find out even the key points. You have indeed made great progress over the years."

He changed the subject, asking, "However, how can you be so sure that what's coming isn't the Extreme Yin, but the Ugly Crow?"

Upon hearing the names "Wu Chou" and "Ji Yin," a barely suppressed hatred flashed in Zi Ling's eyes. Her voice was low as she said, "The old monster Ji Yin has been in seclusion for many years and has not been seen for a long time. Now, Wu Chou is in charge of everything on Ji Yin Island."

Jin Kui let out a soft, ambiguous laugh.

Ultimately, it's still a gamble.

Zi Ling raised her head and slowly said, "Zhao Zheng has now realized that the situation is not good. If he cannot take control of Miaoyin Sect as soon as possible, he himself will likely face dire consequences. Once this matter comes to light, he will definitely inform Jiyin Island and use Jiyin Island to eliminate dissidents, thus avoiding any criticism."

"My plans serve two purposes: first, to avenge my parents' death; and second, to relieve the burden on the Grand Elder. Zhao Zheng is a treacherous man, a major hidden danger to the Star Palace. In other words, eliminating this villain is also a way to cleanse our internal affairs. Furthermore, the actions of Jiyin Island over the years have been contrary to the interests of the Star Palace. Although Zi Ling's actions are to avenge my parents, they are also to relieve the Grand Elder's worries."

Jin Kui did not speak immediately, but simply stood there.

The invisible pressure emanating from her forced Zi Ling to lower her waist even further, making it difficult for her to breathe.

After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke, his voice playful: "What a brilliant two-birds-with-one-stone strategy, what a way to resolve troubles. You, girl, have managed to entangle personal grudges with public justice; your courage and shrewdness are even more impressive than your father's."

Zi Ling didn't speak, but simply lowered her head deeply.

Jin Kui said calmly, "Go ahead and do it, but as I said before, whether you succeed or not, I'll only cover for you. And... don't forget your previous vow."

The implied meaning.

You can handle the killing of Wu Chou and Zhao Zheng yourself.

Regardless of the outcome.

From now on, the Miaoyin Sect, including yourself, will completely submit to me, Jin Kui.

Upon hearing this, the latter's two fair arms trembled slightly.

"Zi Ling understands."

Jin Kui nodded slightly.

"Go."

After leaving the Star Palace Temple, Zi Ling did not return to the Wonderful Sound Sect immediately. Instead, as if guided by some unseen force, she went to the fiftieth floor.

She did not approach or enter; instead, she stood on a cliff, gazing into the distance at the cave hidden in the clouds.

She found a clean blue stone, pursed her lips, bent her knees and sat down, staring blankly into the distance.

After much internal struggle, I wanted to take another step closer.

How much time has passed?

A soft sigh escaped her lips, and a faint melancholy inexplicably settled in her eyes as she murmured to herself.

"Will cleverness ultimately backfire? But how can one exact revenge without utilizing forces that don't belong to them?"

The wind swept across the cliff edge, lifting a few strands of her hair, brushing against her slender wrists, and gently pressing against her neck.

The road ahead is uncertain, and grudges are as high as mountains; what one can rely on is already pitifully few...

A clear sound of a foot landing rang out, as if deliberately announcing its presence.

"Most things in this world come at a price. How can you truly empathize with someone if you haven't experienced that suffering yourself? Unless that suffering has truly befallen you."

Zi Ling reacted extremely quickly, immediately standing up, her left hand behind her back, her fingertips pinching up spiritual light.

At the same time, his right hand subconsciously reached towards his cheek and touched the thin veil, which slightly eased his tense nerves.

When the other person's figure appeared from the edge of the cliff and walked slowly towards her, the wariness on her face instantly disappeared, replaced by a clear look of surprise.

"Is it you?"

She blurted it out, her voice tinged with surprise, but then she remembered her earlier whisper and her delicate brows furrowed slightly.

"Were you eavesdropping on me?"

Lu Jianghe was dressed in a black robe, exuding an aura of tranquility.

"On my way back to my cave, I happened to hear a noise over here, so I landed to check it out."

Zi Ling subconsciously glanced around at the fiftieth floor, where the spiritual energy was most concentrated, before her gaze returned to Lu Jianghe.

"You live here too?"

She vividly remembered that their last encounter was on the tenth floor, right?

Lu Jianghe nodded slightly, tacitly acknowledging her guess.

"We only met once, and parted in a hurry. I even forgot to ask your name. I never imagined that our second meeting would be here..."

Lu Jianghe didn't reply, but instead asked, "Are you waiting for someone, young lady? Or are you preparing to pay a visit?"

Zi Ling chuckled softly, "Senior has not yet told me my name."

Lu Jianghe smiled. "Before asking someone's name, shouldn't you introduce yourself first?"

Zi Ling smiled and narrowed her eyes.

To outsiders at this moment, she was just a pretty girl in a yellow dress.

But in Lu Jianghe's eyes, that disguise was meaningless.

A flowing purple dress accentuated her exquisite figure, and although her face was covered by a veil, it could not conceal her unparalleled beauty. Every smile and frown was truly captivating.

"Then I'd better not ask."

Zi Ling's voice was light and cheerful, with a touch of playfulness.

The sense of familiarity she felt towards the other person did not stem from their previous encounter.

It's as if we had crossed paths in the distant past.

This feeling left Zi Ling both confused and inexplicably excited.

Therefore, she was unwilling to make up a fake name to deceive the other party, feeling that it would not be sincere enough.

However, since neither party knew the other's background, she dared not easily reveal "Zi Ling," let alone her real name "Wang Ning."

I simply won't answer.

This surprised Lu Jianghe somewhat.

He thought the other party would just give a fake name to get by, but he didn't expect the girl to choose to keep quiet so decisively.

My surname is Lu.

Upon hearing this reply, Zi Ling said softly, "I didn't expect you to be so straightforward, senior. It makes me seem rather narrow-minded."

Lu Jianghe remained noncommittal, asking instead, "Since you're already here, why not go over?"

Upon hearing this, Zi Ling remained composed, though her voice carried a hint of loneliness.

"Peach leaves do not bloom, and many things that are hard to let go of may, in the end, be nothing more than a laugh."

Lu Jianghe nodded slightly, "What you said makes a lot of sense."

At this moment, Zi Ling suddenly said, "I don't know why, but I feel like I've seen you somewhere before, senior."

Lu Jianghe laughed and said, "We met once decades ago. Back then, you were still in the Qi Refining stage, in the tenth-floor market of Tianxing City."

Zi Ling unconsciously stomped her foot lightly.

"Senior is really pretending to be ignorant. I'm referring to a long time ago, whether we had a chance encounter."

Lu Jianghe changed the subject, saying, "The weather is nice today."

Zi Ling chuckled in exasperation, letting out a soft laugh: "I thought you were a straightforward and generous person, but it turns out you're not much different from me."

For some reason, she felt completely at ease around this person, able to speak freely and say whatever came to mind, without ever suspecting that this would offend him.

This feeling is incredible.

Lu Jianghe didn't reply, but instead said, "When I passed by just now, I heard the young lady muttering to herself. It seemed she was facing some difficulties?"

Zi Ling clasped her hands together in front of her abdomen, her gaze first falling on the distant cave that had once troubled her, then looking up at the higher place, at the temple that floated in the void, symbolizing the supreme power of the Star Palace.

"All things in this world are nothing more than fame and fortune. Although cultivators may consider themselves to be outsiders, they are not immune to this cage. Once greed arises, they become blinded by profit. Even if they know that there is a trap ahead, they will most likely be unable to resist jumping in."

Her slightly raised chin, paired with her slender neck, exuded a noble and aloof beauty, like a flower on a high mountain, with a refined and elegant demeanor that made people dare not easily defile her.

These words were both a response to Lu Jianghe and a form of self-deprecation.

They were talking about Zhao Zheng and Wu Chou, who, deep down, also foresaw that they themselves would eventually fall into Jin Kui's hands.

Lu Jianghe didn't look at her or explain anything. He simply said, "Only by preparing for the worst can we have the right to expect the best outcome."

Zi Ling glanced back at the other person, her eyes shifting with a series of emotions before finally settling into a faint smile.

"Senior, were you just questioning me because you intend to intervene and lend me a hand?"

Lu Jianghe smiled and said, "When you ask someone for a favor, you have to ask. Whether it's worth it for them to help you is another matter."

Upon hearing this, Zi Ling's interest intensified; she hadn't expected the other party to respond in this way.

"Then, Zi Ling will dare to ask Senior for another helping hand? However..."

She changed the subject, her tone becoming somewhat teasing.

"Cultivators at the Core Formation stage, especially those in the early and middle stages, will probably not be of much use in the upcoming turmoil."

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