Chapter 108: The Royal Family

“Can I say it was just a feeling?” Sword Ghost blinked his eyes as he spoke.

Yin Tianfang was momentarily at a loss for words. Yet, hearing Sword Ghost say that, he found it difficult to press further. Settling into a cross-legged position, Yin Tianfang closed his eyes and began meditating to heal the wounds within his body. Having been saved twice by Sword Ghost, Yin Tianfang understood that Sword Ghost bore him no ill will.

Therefore, he felt assured entrusting Sword Ghost to protect him. As the spiritual energy of heaven and earth converged, the once withered white lotus in his dantian gradually revived with the influx of this power.

The next morning, as Yin Tianfang opened his eyes, Sword Ghost lounged lazily against a tree trunk as usual. Seeing Yin Tianfang awake, Sword Ghost asked, “When do we set off?”

“Set off? Where to?” Yin Tianfang asked, puzzled.

“Naturally, to find the person you long to see,” Sword Ghost replied. “The young lady you seek is no longer in the Qing Shui Kingdom. From here, it will take several days of travel to reach her.”

“Not in the Qing Shui Kingdom?” Yin Tianfang frowned slightly. He had not expected Nuolan to be elsewhere. What surprised him even more was that Sword Ghost could locate Nuolan.

After a moment’s contemplation, Yin Tianfang looked at Sword Ghost and said, “I cannot go to find her just yet. I am not strong enough, and there are too many enemies. If I were to seek her now, it would only bring her trouble.”

Though he longed deeply for Nuolan, recalling what had happened before allowed him to suppress the impulse within. The Qing Yun Sect still stood, and the Yang family’s patriarch remained alive. Now, against cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Realm, he had no chance of victory. To rashly pursue Nuolan would risk terrible consequences if these foes discovered it.

He wished to see Nuolan but did not wish for her to suffer even the slightest harm.

“Sword Ghost, I have a favor to ask of you,” Yin Tianfang said solemnly. “Please protect Nuolan and keep her from harm. Once I am strong enough and my worries are settled, I will surely go to find her.”

Having spoken, Yin Tianfang bowed deeply to Sword Ghost. Sword Ghost quickly steadied him and said, “It’s nothing, no need to be so formal.”

“Take this. When you are free, summon it and it will guide you to me,” Sword Ghost said, removing the sword tassel from the hilt and handing it to Yin Tianfang before transforming into a streak of light and rushing into the horizon.

“Be careful. Don’t let yourself fall into danger again,” Sword Ghost’s voice came from afar before fading away.

Watching Sword Ghost vanish, Yin Tianfang’s eyes flickered. In his heart, he was deeply grateful. Sword Ghost had saved his life twice and even helped him find Nuolan. Now that he was unable to leave, Sword Ghost had unhesitatingly agreed to his request. Yin Tianfang would remember all of this forever.

“I, Yin Tianfang, will repay this kindness,” he vowed silently, then turned and walked into the forest.

“I must break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm as soon as possible.” Returning to the place where he first secluded himself, Yin Tianfang entered the cave behind the waterfall. With a thought, countless fragments of rock flew up to seal the entrance. Sitting cross-legged, he began his meditation.

Time flew swiftly, and three years passed in the blink of an eye. Since the Xuandao Sect was conquered by the Qing Yun Sect, the situation in the Qing Shui Kingdom had become somewhat delicate.

After the Qing Yun Sect destroyed the Xuandao Sect, it showed signs of becoming the kingdom’s dominant power.

Amidst the rolling mountains and lush greenery, a troop hurried along a broad road. Mounted on horses, armored soldiers radiated a cold aura. At the center of the procession was a luxurious carriage.

Clearly, the group was escorting those inside the carriage to a destination with great urgency.

These were no ordinary horses but Jiaolong steeds, each exuding a faint demonic aura, their speed swift as fleeting light. The riders were cultivators, no mere mortals.

“Speed up! We must reach Tianyun City before nightfall!” a middle-aged man at the front ordered sternly, his expression grave.

“Why so urgent, General Qin?” A figure stood quietly in the middle of the road ahead, watching the approaching troop. His voice was calm but carried like thunder through the mountains.

The figure was an elderly man, his face deeply lined with wrinkles, but his eyes shone brightly.

“Don’t stop! Charge through!” General Qin’s face turned icy as he shouted without looking back, urging his horse to surge forward faster.

The elder remained calm, lightly tapping the ground. Suddenly, countless spikes erupted from beneath, piercing the bellies of the Jiaolong steeds.

In an instant, horses and riders tumbled, neighs filling the air.

Blood flowed, the scent of iron thickened the atmosphere, and figures leapt from atop the fallen mounts.

“The vanguard, engage the enemy! The rest escort the Second Prince away!” General Qin hollered fiercely, leading a squad toward the elder.

“You won’t leave today!” A sharp command rang out as numerous figures emerged from the nearby forest, surrounding the group.

“Don’t think that by destroying the Xuandao Sect you can dominate the Qing Shui Kingdom! The royal family will eventually crush the gates of the Qing Yun Sect!” the middle-aged commander roared.

A blade flashed like lightning, slashing toward the elder.

“Even if the entire Qing Shui Kingdom falls, the Qingshan Sect will endure. This kingdom will one day belong to us; what is the royal family but a nuisance?” the elder sneered, dismissing the commander’s words.

With a wave of his sleeve, a streak of light shot out, shattering the blade with ease and pressing forward toward the commander.

The cold gleam of the flying sword was like a bolt of lightning. The commander roared in anger, slashing wildly with his longsword.

“Clang!”

The sword rebounded, and the commander staggered back several steps before regaining his footing, his hand trembling as he gripped the blade. Blood poured from a split in his palm, yet he seemed oblivious, his eyes fixed resolutely on the elder, his expression grave.

“The one you want to kill is me. Why make things difficult for them? Let them go; I will deal with you,” a calm voice came from the carriage. A young man stepped down gracefully.

Barely in his twenties, his sharp brows framed intelligent eyes that shone with wisdom. His gentle features were comforting to behold.

Even in the face of danger, no hint of panic showed on his face.