She had a focused and profound look of contemplation on her face. Along with her elegance and charming persona, she had a very fit yet attractive body that showed off her full and soft perky mounds. Her current state made her even more uniquely stunning than she already was.

A sinister glare flashed across the young lad’s eyes as there were hints of insane burning lust within his eyes as his gaze was fixated on a particular area on Gu Xi’s body. However, it was very well hidden. He said, “Based on my status, the realm I’m currently in, my Sword’s Way and Blade’s Menace, I don’t think I would even be remotely capable of doing so, right? The instant Lady Gu can ever so gracefully release this seal, I swear I will heavily repay your everlasting mercy in future!”

That lad’s tone was firm and weighted, but it seemed that this lad truly meant what he said.

“Besides, even without the use of the said artifact, Lord Gu’s strength and powers have massively recovered, and Lady Gu’s powers were undeniably powerful. In addition to me being mortally wounded, I am not confident that I’ll even be a match for all of you. Also, it’s uncertain if Lady Gu’s artifact was only able to be used once. If that was the only artifact in Lady Gu’s possession in unfavorable situations like these, think for a second Lady Gu, what could possibly prompt me to attack?”

That lad was seemingly able to sense the hesitation in Gu Xi’s mind. Hence, he immediately made such a statement.

It seemed that this man’s tongue was as sweet as a blooming lotus flower. He had a talent in spinning words. With a couple of statements, he was able to make himself appear the least threatening, thus, causing everyone to drop their guards.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Gu Xi nodded and said, “Indeed, the words you’ve spoken do hold some truths. Alright, I shall release you after you’ve answered some of my questions.”

Upon hearing Gu Xi’s reply, the young lad grew increasingly impatient. However, he forced himself to muster every ounce of will to appear patient. “What would you like to know then?” said the lad softly.

Gu Xi replied, “Who are you? You are not local to the City of Heavenly Prophecies I presumed, so tell me, where are you from?”

“I hail from the Yang family, so I am, in fact, local to the City of Heavenly Prophecies. Regarding my name, though, please grace me the mercy of not forcing me into a corner, my Lady.”

The dissatisfaction the young lad felt finally showed on his face.

“Lies. You are not from the Yang family. Are you from the Zhou family that was local to Cang Lan City? Do you intend to capture my father and to force him to be made into the raw training materials for the ‘Blade’s Heart’? Did you mean to capture me as well, so that I can be made into a spiritual Cauldron?”

Gu Xi was incredibly calm as she made those statements.

The instant those statements were made, that man’s entire expression changed drastically. However, he was still able to force a smile. The young lad said, “What… Spiritual Cauldron of the Zhou family? I do not quite understand what my Lady meant, perhaps there are some misunderstandings?”

Gu Xi scoffed and said, “It seems that you will not admit to my accusations, right? So be it, but do tell me one thing, when I went out before all of this… just last night, while I was out, there was a man who I murdered and was in fact in a similar situation just as you. That man used the Yang family’s name to gather information.”

Upon hearing Gu Xi’s reply, the lad’s face morphed into a horrified look, the look of pure terror and fear. He said, “You, you are actually the heiress of the Frosted Blade, Gu Xi? You, you, you… good, since I’ve run into you now, then, I… I have…”

The very instant this lad spoke the word ‘have,’ his entire face turned into a purplish as if he was voided of life.

Gu Xi’s glare changed as if with an instant, a fierce ray of Blade’s Essence had been unleashed, and it morphed into a single beam of chilling ice as she had no intention of sealing away this man’s fleeting life.

His sinister grim and wolf-like gaze dimmed, and his eyes rolled back instantly. As the lad’s face became a dark tone of purple, the edge of his mouth cracked open into a sinister evil grin. Both his eyes were inhumanly lifeless and pale. Similar to dead fish, his eyes were inflated and popped out of their sockets.

Even to such an extent, this young lad was not dead yet. His stares were still focused on Gu Xi. He said, “The spiritual cauldron that my master handpicked has never once slipped away. There is nothing in this world my master can’t get. What is it that you’ll do even if I’ve told you everything? Heheheh…”

The young lad let out a bizarre, coarse laugh, and his voice sounded like a broken gong. However, everyone present was still able to clearly hear what he said.

The instant he finished that statement, the man’s head snapped into an angular position as it fell to the very ground beneath his feet. Cracks appeared on the lad’s body in segments, as each of these cracks resembled tiny, tadpole-like, dark flakes of a Blade’s Core while emanating a rancid smell.

This essence alone had seemingly polluted and tainted the pure, snow-white Blade’s Essence of Pure Frost. Judging from how it looked, it was undeniably sinister and odd in nature.

As Gu Xi witnessed this scene, she lightly sighed in slight disappointment, as she was unable to gather any information from this man, especially in front of her brother, Zhou Yan. She was also dissatisfied as she was unable to perform better than usual.

However, she had only paid attention to half of what that man had said.

To survive in this world, trouble would often come for everyone. If one was troubled and affected by the spoken words of the opponent, one could be unworthy of becoming a scholar of the Sword’s Way.

The only word that caught her attention was the word ‘Master’ spoken by that man.

…

Zhou Yan was unable to control his laughter upon witnessing Gu Xi’s confused look.

“Are you laughing at me, brother Zhou Yan?” replied Gu Xi in a coquettish and slightly playful manner.

If her father was not present at this moment, she would have flirted with Zhou Yan already.

However, this act would usually be shown to the people closest to her. Thus, she had actually allowed Zhou Yan to enjoy this side of her. He was unable to pinpoint the exact reason, but this young lass who was known for her cold disposition to be flirting with him sparked some very intense flames of lust in his heart.

It seemed that in terms of romantic feelings, he was already unable to resist this temptation.

‘Could this possibly be the result of the body’s changes during puberty?’ questioned Zhou Yan to himself.

“No, no, nothing like that. Who dares to laugh at you? As your brother, I will teach these people a lesson of respect!” replied Zhou Yan in a serious yet joking manner.

“Indeed. Who would dare to laugh at my daughter? It seemed that these people were bored with life already.” Gu Yan replied with a teasing look on his face.

“You guys… aren’t you guys admitting to laughing at me now? You guys are awful!” replied Gu Xi as she stomped her feet.

…

The greenish ale was poured into a white ceramic cup. It was symbolic of a teasing heart of jade.

Two crescent moons seemingly decorated with jade hung at the edge of the sky, emanating a soft, gentle, and comforting radiant light.

Under the shroud of night and beside the pavilion, Gu Xi was blushing as her father seemingly nagged her. However, nothing was getting through to her.

The waters in the clear springs were flowing as the cool breeze blew, causing a tiny wave on the surface of the water beside the pavilion.

“Sigh… Lil’ Yan was merely spectating your sword skill and even pointed out the flaws in your sword skill. Weren’t you saying how you wanted to show off that Blade’s Essence of Pure Frost? Look at how drunk you are right now, and you still want to show him? Look at you. You’ve managed to embarrass yourself, right?” teased Gu Yan.

“Oh, you dare to speak to me, father! It was your fault to insist I drink more than my share! Are you happy now, watching your own daughter embarrass herself?”

The flushed red cheeks on Gu Xi’s face had not faded away. Instead, it was now a lot redder. Her face was as red as a ripe apple.

“A girl should only sometimes act foolishly in front of a boy, alright? Most men are not attracted to strong and independent women, you, only you never exactly had put in much effort in such a field . However, that alone was also your best quality.” Said Gu Yan compassionately.

“Father… all I wanted to do was to stop pretending to be someone I’m not. I just wanted brother Zhou Yan to worry less about me. A woman would fail to be one if she was unable to provide any form of reassurance to her man.”

Gu Xi was persistent.

“Alright then, perhaps father had been overthinking… your natural gifts, Lil’ Yan was undeniably incredible. That sword skill you’ve demonstrated earlier while being thoroughly intoxicated, from how I see it, was exceedingly powerful. However, with a single glance, Lil’ Yan, you were able to point out eight significant flaws in her sword skill, which means, you are in a state of complete enlightenment… this natural gift is truly amazing!

“Lil’ Xi, father, would still nag you about the same thing. If you genuinely desire something, you will need to depend on your hard work and your freedom. You’ve told me about the circumstances that Lil’ Yan was facing, and I am very aware of how much this young lad has to shoulder, so you should be an understanding woman and give him all the support.”

“Father, I have never once forgotten about the dire state our family had gone through. If it wasn’t for Uncle Wangchen, I would have never been the way I am now. Hence, I will support him!” replied Gu Xi with a serious tone.

“Indeed. You knowing that is what reassures me. I am glad indeed,”

Gu Yan gave a satisfied nod.

…

The hidden chambers of the forbidden grounds.

Their return to the hidden chambers once again was not due to Gu Yan’s injuries resurfacing. It was, on the other hand, because Zhou Yan was able to clearly point out the major flaws of Gu Xi’s sword skill as she attempted to teach Zhou Yan the top tier sword skill of the frost while still drunk.

Hence, Zhou Yan felt that this sword skill was able to be incorporated within the Sword Art of The Formless, Dragon’s Blade.

With this single thought, Zhou Yan was able to enter a state of pure enlightenment.

However, this time, the young lad was unhappy. Being enlightened would once again bestow incredible waves of energy to his body. By absorbing such vast volumes of energy, it would result in another mutation to his Qi Column, thus progressing further into the next realm.

Nonetheless, before the young lad awakened his Blade’s Menace, he was unwilling to progress further.

Hence, the mutations other folks desperately hoped for was instead not just unwilling, but he would very much love to abandon this incredibly fast progress.

Both Gu Xi and Gu Yan noticed the young lad’s expression, and in that very instant, they lamented, as if it had taken a massive blow to their morale…

As he recovered, the young lad calmed his heart and proceeded to contemplate the skill that was bestowed by the ancient sage, capable of spatial destruction itself… the first form of the Art of The Formless Fist…The Form of The Dragon.

‘Since time immemorial, I have transcended the limitations of my soul, and through that, I’ve gained complete mastery over my pure form.

‘The true form shows when a dragon takes flight. As the dragon soars through the skies, it morphs into the cries of blades in the air…

‘Silver Frost, could you tell me what exactly would the Blade’s Menace be? Was it the forging of one’s will, or was it the power of one’s soul?’ mumbled Zhou Yan to himself.

After a long while, his frustration forced him out of the puzzling thoughts. Hence, the young lad stopped contemplating the Sword’s Way and proceeded to ask Silver Frost about it.

The instant Silver Frost heard Zhou Yan’s voice, a swift buzzing sound echoed as the blade flew out.

It flew around Zhou Yan’s body, spiraling continuously and finally morphed into a specter that resembled Feng Lingqing. However, this specter was significantly smaller than her.

Although Zhou Yan was unable to perceive the spectral form, he was able to sense its presence.

This was an odd feeling for the young lad.

“Brother Zhou Yan, Lil’ Frost do not know what this ‘Blade’s Menace’ is, but I can show it to you.”

The Blade’s Specter of Silver Frost resembled a thirteen to a fourteen-year-old young girl. Her eyes were huge, and she looked extremely adorable.

Zhou Yan’s heart quivered as the thought of nine out of ten Blade’s Specter was made by the purest souls of young lassies crossed his mind the instant he sensed the appearance of this Blade’s Specter.

This Lil’ Frost… was possibly made by a kidnapped child’s soul, right?

Zhou Yan was slightly reluctant to ask her about it. Still, the young lad was worried about reminding her of some painful memories… or perhaps after being made into a Blade’s Specter, her life before was entirely forgotten by her?

Zhou Yan, however, dared not remind her of those sad and painful memories of her past.