Deep in the Myriad Swords Mountain Range of the Profound Heaven Sword Sect.
At the summit of a peak shrouded in clouds and mist, in an elegant and refined guest courtyard, Chen Ping was half-reclining in a warm jade pool, eyes closed in repose.
The spiritual liquid in the pool emitted a pale cyan spiritual qi that permeated the air, seeping strand by strand into his skin and easing the fatigue from days of travel.
This was the “dust-washing banquet” specially arranged for him by Ling Yuanzi. A medicinal bath brewed primarily from thousand-year spiritual milk, supplemented by dozens of rare spiritual herbs. It was greatly beneficial for repairing hidden injuries and consolidating one’s foundation.
“Senior Chen, is this pressure acceptable?”
At the pool’s edge, two sword sect female disciples of clear and beautiful appearance were cautiously massaging his shoulders.
Their technique was quite professional, fingertips carrying a faint sword qi that could unblock meridians without causing discomfort.
“Hm, passable.”
Chen Ping responded lazily, though inwardly he felt a mix of amusement and helplessness.
He had come merely as a guest, yet Ling Yuanzi treated him as an honoured visitor, providing meticulous hospitality in every detail, even arranging attendants to serve him.
This made someone accustomed to travelling alone like him rather ill at ease, but out of courtesy, he could not very well refuse.
“That old fellow Ling Yuanzi certainly knows how to conduct himself.”
Chen Ping mused to himself. “However, the more attentive he is, the greater his ambitions likely are. The matter of Soul Devouring Venerable, and the truth about the expert behind me, he must be racking his brains to uncover.”
Just as Chen Ping was pondering how to handle Ling Yuanzi’s subsequent probing, a crisp yet clearly dissatisfied feminine rebuke suddenly came from outside the courtyard gate.
“Who is inside? What arrogance! To actually occupy the Sword Washing Pool and have inner sect disciples attend to you?”
The voice grew nearer, accompanied by light and hurried footsteps.
Immediately after, the courtyard gate creaked open, and a fiery red figure burst in impetuously.
The newcomer was a woman of about twenty years, dressed in a fiery red gown. She was tall, with snow-white skin and features as delicate as a porcelain doll. Especially her pair of almond eyes, bright and lively, though now burning with evident anger.
At her waist hung a long sword in a crimson sheath, its sword tassel swaying gently with her movements. The whole person resembled a blazing flame, intense and dazzling.
As soon as she entered, her gaze locked onto Chen Ping in the pool and the two female disciples attending at the side. Frost instantly covered her pretty face.
“Elder Sister Ling Shuang!”
The two female disciples, upon seeing the arrival, hurriedly stood and bowed, their expressions somewhat tense.
The red-gowned woman called Ling Shuang paid them no attention. She strode directly to the pool’s edge, looking down condescendingly at Chen Ping, her eyes filled with disdain and contempt.
“Human Immortal realm seventh grade? Hmph. I thought it was some extraordinary figure! Who gave you the audacity to use my Profound Heaven Sword Sect’s Sword Washing Pool? And to order inner sect disciples to serve you?”
Ling Shuang questioned Chen Ping directly.
Chen Ping slowly opened his eyes, his gaze calmly sweeping over this uninvited guest.
From her attire, demeanour, and the reaction of the two female disciples, this woman’s status in the Profound Heaven Sword Sect was undoubtedly high.
However, since when did Chen Ping need to care about the mood of some little girl?
“Young lady, who might you be?”
Chen Ping’s tone was mild, even carrying a hint of languor, as if the furious woman before him was merely an irrelevant scenery.
“This young lady is Ling Shuang!”
The red-gowned woman’s willow brows arched in fury. She was even more displeased with Chen Ping’s attitude. “The sect master of the Profound Heaven Sword Sect, Ling Yuanzi, is my father! This Sword Washing Pool is normally used only by core disciples after achieving great merit. You, an outsider, on what basis?”
So she was Ling Yuanzi’s daughter.
Chen Ping understood at once. No wonder she was so wilful.
He smiled faintly. “So it is the young miss of Sect Master Ling. Chen’s use of this pool was personally arranged by Sect Master Ling. If the young lady has objections, feel free to discuss them with your esteemed father.”
“You!”
Ling Shuang was choked by Chen Ping’s neither warm nor cold attitude, growing even angrier. “Don’t use my father to pressure me! You must have sweet-talked and deceived my father! A mere Human Immortal seventh grade, worthy of such courtesy from my Profound Heaven Sword Sect? What a joke!”
The more she spoke, the angrier she became. She actually reached for the sword hilt at her waist, a sharp sword qi faintly emanating. “Get out of there right now! Otherwise, do not blame this young lady for being impolite!”
