Unrivaled Comprehension: From Mortal to Immortal King

The forging of a sword through the tempering of a hundred scriptures—when it was finally complete, Lin Jiufeng emerged from seclusion.

Stepping out of the study, he immediately saw the white fox standing guard at his door.

For the past month, she had been keeping watch, ensuring that no one disturbed his closed-door cultivation.

Now, seeing Lin Jiufeng at last, her eyes lit up. She instinctively wanted to leap into his arms but hesitated at the last moment. Instead, she circled him cautiously, her gaze full of suspicion.

Lin Jiufeng turned around in place, allowing her to scrutinize him. "Is something different?" he asked.

Hearing his familiar voice, the white fox let out a relieved sigh. She finally jumped into his embrace and muttered, "Your aura just now felt really contradictory."

"What do you mean?" Lin Jiufeng asked curiously.

"You carry the thick scent of the mortal world, full of earthly emotions and human desires, but at the same time, there's an air about you that feels like you could ascend at any moment. It's very strange." The white fox twitched her nose and spoke in a hushed voice.

Lin Jiufeng understood immediately. It was the clash between his newly attained late-stage Ninth Ban and his enlightenment of the Mortal Sword.

That explained the fox's confusion.

He gently stroked her fur without offering an explanation and instead asked, "How long was I in seclusion?"

"A month!" the white fox answered instantly. She had been guarding his door for an entire month—of course, she had kept track of the days.

"A month already?" Lin Jiufeng sighed as he walked into the tea room with her in his arms. "No wonder they say that time ceases to exist in cultivation. It felt like just an instant to me."

He skillfully rinsed the tea leaves and began brewing. As he worked, he asked, "Did anything major happen at Yuhua Sect while I was away?"

The white fox swayed her tail. "No big events, but something odd did happen."

Lin Jiufeng didn't even look up. "What was odd?"

"The Wen family came," the white fox said.

Lin Jiufeng's hand paused mid-motion as he frowned. "The Wen family? Here at Yuhua Sect?"

The white fox lifted her tail high and gave a small nod.

"They're not here to fight?" Lin Jiufeng asked.

She shook her tail. "No, they brought gifts, delivered a formal visiting card, and came to apologize. They've been here for half a month."

Lin Jiufeng raised an eyebrow. "The Wen family came to apologize? What's their angle?"

"No idea. I only took a glance from a distance and didn't look into it further. If you're curious, you can check it out yourself." The white fox yawned and curled up in the sunlight streaming through the window. The warmth made her drowsy.

Lin Jiufeng shook his head. "I'm not interested. As long as they don't cause trouble, there's no issue."

As for trouble?

Now that he had reached the late-stage Ninth Ban, paired with his formidable strength, techniques, and swordsmanship, he could confidently claim to be unrivaled within this realm.

The Tenth Ban?

He had never fought one, so he wasn't sure.

But in the current world, his power was enough to safeguard Yuhua Sect. There was no need to fear the so-called hidden noble families.

So whatever the Wen family was plotting, Lin Jiufeng wasn't interested.

But someone else was determined to make sure he found out.

Just as Lin Jiufeng was leisurely pouring tea, Bai Yunfei arrived.

Having been keeping an eye on the Scripture Pavilion daily, he sensed Lin Jiufeng's emergence from seclusion and rushed over immediately.

"Senior Brother, looks like your retreat was quite rewarding," Bai Yunfei teased as he lounged on the tea mat, sipping his tea contentedly.

Lin Jiufeng sat upright, calmly sipping his own tea. Looking at Bai Yunfei's relaxed demeanor, he asked, "I just came out, and you're already here. What's the matter?"

Bai Yunfei sat up straight, his expression turning serious. "The Wen family is here."

Lin Jiufeng nodded. "I just heard."

"This time, it's Wen Yang, the third son of this generation. He came bearing grand gifts, seeking to make amends," Bai Yunfei continued.

"Grand gifts?"

"How grand?" Lin Jiufeng asked casually.

"Three hundred top-tier cultivation manuals. Fifteen magical artifacts usable by Ninth Ban experts. One hundred spirit stone mines. Three hundred rare metal veins. And three unconditional favors from the Wen family—they will assist us whenever needed." Bai Yunfei's voice was heavy.

Lin Jiufeng's hand shook slightly, nearly spilling his tea. He looked stunned. "They're really going all out."

Bai Yunfei nodded. "That's why I'm at a loss. I've rejected them several times, but Wen Yang remains sincere, showing no signs of leaving."

"What's his goal? Is he still trying to take Wen Xinyun back?" Lin Jiufeng frowned.

Bai Yunfei shook his head. "No. He claims he only wants to meet her, speak with her, and whether she returns or not is entirely up to her."

"They're offering such extravagant gifts just for a conversation?" Lin Jiufeng was skeptical.

"Exactly. That's why I haven't made a decision yet. Wen Yang isn't pressuring me either—he simply stays here, takes occasional walks, and does nothing inappropriate."

"Have you asked Wen Xinyun?" Lin Jiufeng asked.

"I haven't. She's focused on practicing her swordsmanship, and I didn't want to disturb her. I planned to wait until you came out of seclusion to discuss it first," Bai Yunfei explained.

Lin Jiufeng thought for a moment. "The Wen family's sincerity is undeniable, and these resources would greatly benefit Yuhua Sect. It would be a shame to turn them down. But in the end, this is Wen Xinyun's decision. If she doesn't want to meet them, reject their offer outright."

Bai Yunfei nodded. "I'll follow your advice."

Lin Jiufeng extended his divine sense and found Wen Xinyun meditating in the sword chamber.

"Come to the Scripture Pavilion," he transmitted to her before withdrawing his sense.

Inside the sword chamber, Wen Xinyun's eyes snapped open in surprise.

"Master-Uncle's voice?"

"He wants me at the Scripture Pavilion?"

Without hesitation, she left the chamber, turned into a streak of light, and swiftly arrived.

"Master-Uncle, Master, is something the matter?" she asked cautiously, surprised to see Bai Yunfei there as well.

Lin Jiufeng poured her a cup of tea and gestured for her to sit.

Bai Yunfei then explained everything.

When Wen Xinyun heard about the Wen family's visit, her brows furrowed. But as she listened, she gradually calmed down.

"So, they're offering all this just to meet me and talk?" She found it hard to believe and asked again for confirmation.

Bai Yunfei nodded.

Lin Jiufeng, on the other hand, said, "It's up to you. If you want to meet them, do it. If not, don't. It's no big deal."

Wen Xinyun suddenly chuckled, her beauty radiant and full of youthful charm. "Why not? That's a lot of resources for Yuhua Sect. It's just a conversation—what can they do, abduct me?"

Bai Yunfei looked at Lin Jiufeng.

Lin Jiufeng smiled reassuringly at Wen Xinyun. "With me here, no one is taking you anywhere."

Feeling completely at ease, Wen Xinyun grinned. "Then let's not waste time, Master. We should meet them before they regret their offer."

Bai Yunfei nodded, preparing to escort her. He turned to Lin Jiufeng. "Senior Brother, do you want to come?"

Lin Jiufeng declined outright. "There's no need. I trust Wen Xinyun can handle this."

Bai Yunfei then led Wen Xinyun away to meet Wen Yang.