"Master, your disciple has returned."
In the Sword Palace, Lin Jichen stood nervously in the grand hall.
Leng Feiyan, sitting in the Sect Master's seat, was as stunningly beautiful as ever.
She leaned against the back of her chair, her flawless jade hand supporting her delicate chin.
A strand of black hair hung loosely, adding to her natural elegance.
She resembled a proud snow lotus, or perhaps a pristine water lily.
But at this moment, Leng Feiyan's face was expressionless as she looked at Lin Jichen.
"You still remember to come back? Why do I feel like your attachment to the mortal world is a hundred times stronger than your dedication to the sect?"
Leng Feiyan spoke coldly, her tone unfriendly.
There was an indescribable quality to her voice, like... the resentment and jealousy of a beautiful woman who had waited alone for too long, towards a husband who stayed out all night.
Lin Jichen hurried to explain; if he didn't, he wouldn't have a good day ahead.
"Cough, cough, Master, you've misunderstood. Your disciple has no attachment to the mortal world. Besides running a shop to earn money for gifts for you, I've been diligently cultivating."
"Is that true?" Leng Feiyan's expression softened a bit.
"Of course, when I left the sect, I was only at the early Foundation Establishment stage. Now, I'm already at the later stage."
Leng Feiyan glanced at him, nodding in approval. "Your cultivation has indeed progressed rapidly. It seems you have been working hard during this time."
Lin Jichen sighed with some regret. "I've always remembered your words to cultivate diligently, so I haven't dared to slack off for a moment. I intended to follow your orders and go to the Thunder Marsh, but..."
"But what?" Leng Feiyan asked curiously.
"But I missed you too much, Master, so I couldn't help but come back," Lin Jichen said sheepishly.
Leng Feiyan was caught off guard, her beautiful cheeks flushing with a hint of red. She said, half-jokingly, "Should I believe such sweet talk?"
"How could you not believe me, Master? I've always remembered our date in Everwinter City. I've been looking forward to it every day," Lin Jichen said urgently.
Leng Feiyan's face turned even redder, and she quickly corrected him, "What date? Nonsense! I asked you to take me there to understand the Dao Heart."
Lin Jichen chuckled, "Yes, yes, to understand the Dao Heart, to understand the Dao Heart!"
Leng Feiyan finally looked satisfied, her previous coldness and frustration dissipating.
Lin Jichen laughed inwardly. He had discovered that the higher his affection level with Leng Feiyan, the easier it was to appease her.
In the beginning, it was so hard to make her happy, but now, a few words would do the trick.
Although Leng Feiyan was a Feather Transformation Realm expert, likely over a thousand years old, with unparalleled talent and experience in cultivation, she was quite naive when it came to matters of the heart.
"Master, when are we going to Everwinter City?" Lin Jichen began to look forward to their date.
He hoped to use this opportunity to increase his affection level with her.
"No rush. Since you are about to head to the Thunder Marsh, I can't give you a Soul Talisman for protection, but I can help you improve your strength. Follow me," Leng Feiyan said, rising and flying out of the hall.
Lin Jichen hurried to follow. They stood opposite each other in a sword training field.
Leng Feiyan picked up a dry branch and said to Lin Jichen, "Use your Dark Night Sword and attack me with all your might."
"What? How can I do that? How can a disciple do such a disrespectful thing to his master?" Lin Jichen quickly refused.
Damn, how could he not refuse? Sparring with a Feather Transformation Realm expert? Wasn't that asking for trouble? If Leng Feiyan accidentally killed him, he'd have nowhere to cry.
Leng Feiyan couldn't help but laugh. "I just want to test your strength. How is that disrespectful? Go ahead and attack."
"No, no, I respect my master too much to do such a thing!" Lin Jichen shook his head repeatedly.
Leng Feiyan found his words strange but had no choice but to offer a bait.
"How about this: if you can touch even a corner of my clothes, you win, and I'll reward you with two gifts. Even if you lose, you'll still get one gift."
[Ding! Opportunity triggered: Leng Feiyan's personal test! Do you accept?]
Lin Jichen perked up at the mention of gifts.
After all, anything Leng Feiyan offered was extraordinary.
From the Phoenix Feather to the Dark Night Sword, each was Lin Jichen's strongest asset.
"Alright then, can I use any method?" Lin Jichen asked.
Leng Feiyan nodded, "Of course. No matter what method you use, as long as you touch my clothes, you win. I will only use the power of the Foundation Establishment Realm and no skills. You can use anything you want."
Damn! She was underestimating him!
Lin Jichen's competitive spirit was ignited.
"Alright! Then I won't hold back. Master, if you lose, you can't go back on your word or get angry."
Leng Feiyan smiled, "Do you think I'm that petty? Besides, your chances of winning are zero."
Damn! Such a confident and domineering master! Love it!
Lin Jichen got serious.
He summoned the Dark Night Sword, standing opposite Leng Feiyan, his aura blending seamlessly with the environment and resonating with his sword.
Leng Feiyan's eyes showed more approval and surprise.
She hadn't expected Lin Jichen's progress to be so rapid. She could see at a glance that his swordsmanship had improved significantly, just like his cultivation.
After a moment of contemplation, Lin Jichen stepped forward and suddenly moved!
His entire figure shot forward like a bolt of lightning, closing in on Leng Feiyan in an instant, his sword gleaming!
Leng Feiyan's approval deepened, but her figure vanished like a fleeting shadow under Lin Jichen's sword.
Without thinking, Lin Jichen immediately used Phantom Step.
Just as he left his original spot, a branch struck where he had been standing.
Lin Jichen felt lucky. If he hadn't moved in time, he would've been hit.
Just as he relaxed slightly, something poked his back.
He flew out, crashing to the ground in an embarrassing heap.
Lin Jichen looked up to see Leng Feiyan holding the branch, smiling at him. "Disciple, you let your guard down too soon."
Blushing, Lin Jichen got up and said defiantly, "Again!"
"Come at me," Leng Feiyan taunted.
This completely ignited Lin Jichen's competitive spirit.
He no longer held back, launching a frenzied assault on Leng Feiyan, using all his sword techniques and skills.
But to his despair, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't touch Leng Feiyan.
All his attacks were effortlessly dodged or deflected by her with the branch.
Even though Leng Feiyan was using only 1% of her strength, just a touch from her would cost Lin Jichen thousands of health points.
Lin Jichen ended up battered and bruised, covered in injuries.