Xu Yi was immediately pulled out of her focused state when she was drawn into the space.
She only felt her body lighten before arriving in a realm that seemed familiar yet somehow strange.
The reason this place felt both familiar and strange was the salty, fishy scent and the azure seawater, both of which made her feel as though she were still within the Wave-Cutting Space.
However, what was different was that there was no spiritual energy here that she was familiar with.
Before Xu Yi could even take a closer look at this place, she was falling straight down.
As luck would have it, she fell directly above Bei Xinghan.
Bei Xinghan had already sensed something unusual. Thus, with a turn of his body, he smoothly swam away from his original position, showing no intention of catching the incoming person.
*Plop!*
A huge splash erupted on the surface of the water.
Bei Xinghan calmly wiped the seawater from his face, looking at the rippling location with a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
Who could this be now?
Only disciples of the Xuanqing Sect could enter the Wave-Cutting Secret Realm.
Furthermore, to enter this mysterious space, one still needed to meet the threshold set by True Master Batian, such as possessing exceptionally high talent in swordsmanship.
Although the Xuanqing Sect had quite a few excellent sword cultivators among its disciples, Bei Xinghan couldn't immediately match the person falling from the sky with any name in his mind.
That was until he saw a pair of resentful eyes emerging from the seawater.
He froze, hesitating for a moment, "...Xu Yi?"
"Bei Xinghan, you heartless wretch. I traveled thousands of miles to find you, and this is how you treat me," Xu Yi said faintly.
Bei Xinghan, for the first time in a long while, understood what embarrassment felt like.
Who would have thought that the person falling from the sky wouldn't be a fellow disciple, but Xu Yi?
If he had known it was Xu Yi earlier, he wouldn't have run so far.
He definitely would have chosen a closer spot to personally witness Xu Yi's embarrassing fall.
However, he also knew that if he dared to voice this thought, Xu Yi would definitely not let him off.
Therefore, he stated directly, "I didn't know it was you."
Seeing his sincere expression, Xu Yi didn't dwell on it. She casually swept away her water-soaked hair, then smiled and said, "Finally, I found you."
Although Bei Xinghan didn't know why Xu Yi appeared here, he could reasonably assume she came because of him.
He also offered a faint smile, "It's been a long time."
The two looked at each other and smiled.
The commotion of Xu Yi falling into the water naturally couldn't escape the notice of True Master Canghai and True Master Batian on the shore.
True Master Batian was alright, but True Master Canghai frowned slightly, appearing displeased, as if thinking of something.
Seeing Bei Xinghan, Xu Yi's heart finally settled.
She looked around and, upon seeing the man and woman on the shore, her eyebrows rose in surprise.
The middle-aged man should be Bei Xinghan's father, True Master Canghai, but who was the beautiful female cultivator?
She hadn't heard of any other disciples of the Xuanqing Sect disappearing.
Could it be...
Xu Yi's eyes lit up as she looked at Bei Xinghan, "Let's go, we can talk as we go."
Without waiting for Bei Xinghan's reply, Xu Yi eagerly swam towards the shore, the corners of her mouth unable to stop curving upwards.
Bei Xinghan attributed Xu Yi's excitement to her finding him and being unable to contain herself. Thus, he was also deeply moved and complied, swimming towards the shore while recounting his experiences during this period.
Upon learning that the female cultivator was indeed the soul projection left behind by True Master Batian in the space, Xu Yi became invigorated, her eyes beginning to gleam.
True Master Canghai watched as the two of them drew closer to the shore. He let out a light snort, then closed his eyes as if dozing, but his ears subtly perked up, paying attention to every surrounding movement.
After quickly recounting his experiences, Bei Xinghan asked Xu Yi, "How did you get here? And how were you drawn into the secret realm?"
Xu Yi intended to explain, but seeing that they were about to reach the shore, she simply said, "I'll tell you more later."
Xu Yi's clothes were specially made robes that repelled water.
After landing, she merely flicked her clothes lightly, letting the water droplets slide off. She then hurried to True Master Batian and introduced herself, "Greetings, True Master Batian. Junior Xu Yi, I have long admired your great name. Meeting you today, I realize you are even more mighty and imposing than the legends say. You are truly a model for our generation."
When Xu Yi uttered the words "mighty and imposing," both Bei Xinghan, who was a step behind her, and True Master Canghai, who was not far away, twitched their lips subconsciously.
Xu Yi truly could boast without batting an eye.
In what way could the gently beautiful True Master Batian be associated with might and imposition?
However, to their surprise, True Master Batian was quite pleased with Xu Yi's compliment.
For the first time, True Master Batian, who always maintained a stern demeanor in front of them, showed a joyous smile.
"Xu Yi, is it? You have very good judgment. Are you interested in becoming a sword cultivator?"
As soon as these words were spoken, even True Master Canghai, who had been trying to ignore Xu Yi, could no longer remain seated.
He opened his eyes in shock, wanting to speak but hesitating.
He had been trapped here for two hundred years without True Master Batian relenting and allowing him to leave.
Yet, Xu Yi accomplished it with just two sentences. This seemed too unfair.
What's more, the last sentence True Master Batian spoke was "Are you interested in becoming a sword cultivator?" and not "Are you interested in becoming my disciple?".
What did this imply?
It meant that this female cultivator who had suddenly appeared wasn't even a sword cultivator.
He had lost to a female cultivator who wasn't a sword cultivator?
Simply because he couldn't flatter her like she did?
True Master Canghai felt wronged.
Bei Xinghan also found it somewhat absurd at first, but after carefully considering what had happened to Xu Yi, he felt that perhaps it wasn't so strange.
If Xu Yi could agree, they could leave this place. There was nothing wrong with that.
He looked at Xu Yi, awaiting her response.
Xu Yi hadn't expected True Master Batian to be so enthusiastic. She was overwhelmed and repeatedly declined, "Thank you for your favor, True Master Batian. However, I already have my own life-bound magical artifact, and I am not a disciple of your Xuanqing Sect. I would rather give this opportunity to a true Xuanqing Sect disciple."
As Xu Yi refused, True Master Canghai's expression grew even more sullen.
Upon hearing the latter part, True Master Canghai's expression shifted slightly, and his gaze towards Xu Yi was filled with suspicion.
Not one of their Xuanqing Sect?
Then how did she enter this place?
Did True Master Batian not only set up trials within the Wave-Cutting Secret Realm?
Or perhaps not, Bei Xinghan and her seemed to be close, clearly old acquaintances.
Who exactly was she?
Xu Yi thought that her polite refusal would make True Master Batian reconsider.
Who knew that True Master Batian was even more capricious than she imagined? "Who says only those who wield swords can practice sword techniques? And who says only Xuanqing Sect disciples can cultivate with me.
It doesn't matter who you are. As long as you are willing, I can teach you anytime.
So, will you consider it?"
A confident gleam flickered in True Master Batian's eyes, and his tone was undeniably domineering.
One had to admit, Xu Yi was tempted.