Liuyun King City.
We've arrived.
"The Wei family's Fish Dragon Banquet is still a few days away. While we have this time, we can have a good look around the King City! It's my first time here. I've heard people say there are many novelties to experience in the King City, as well as many styles of beautiful clothes and accessories, not to mention top-grade rouge and powder!"
As Jin Yuyao spoke, her pretty face was glowing.
She appeared full of vitality and anticipation.
It seemed that no matter how strong a cultivation genius a woman was, she couldn't escape the allure of beautiful clothes and accessories.
Jiang Yong and the others were mesmerized.
A few of them were practically drooling.
Jin Yuyao seemed oblivious to their admiring gazes.
She turned to Ling Fan and said, "There are still quite a few past geniuses from our Xichuan Province who have stayed in the King City. Although those people weren't chosen by the hidden sects, their strength is extraordinary. Therefore, they've been recruited by the Wei, Pei, and Qiu families, and even the royal family of Liuyun. We plan to visit them tomorrow to seek guidance and inquire about things."
"Young Master Ling, you should come with us."
Jin Yuyao enthusiastically invited Ling Fan.
Her gaze was fiery.
She was truly a woman as passionate and unrestrained as a sunflower.
She seemed poised to pester him relentlessly if Ling Fan didn't agree.
After a moment's thought, Ling Fan nodded his assent.
Since he was new to the city, he indeed needed to gather information about Liuyun King City.
Those past geniuses from Xichuan Province had been in the King City for quite some time, and they had joined the top three prestigious families—Wei, Pei, and Qiu. The information they possessed should be quite comprehensive.
"Then it's settled!"
Jin Yuyao said with a giggle.
The group found an inn to temporarily settle down.
As they were all well-off, they each rented a private courtyard.
Ling Fan was cultivating in his courtyard, digesting the gains from hunting demonic beasts and collecting their cores over the past few days.
*Knock, knock, knock.*
The courtyard gate was knocked.
Ling Fan unleashed his divine sense and, upon realizing who it was, slightly raised his eyelids.
It was her.
Jin Yuyao.
Ling Fan lightly flicked his sleeve.
The heavy courtyard gate creaked open to both sides.
Jin Yuyao peered curiously into the courtyard.
Her beautiful eyes fixed on Ling Fan.
She teased, "You really know how to endure loneliness. They've already gone out to have fun several times, and you, staying behind your doors, made people think you were a maiden."
Ling Fan smiled faintly.
He asked, "Do you need something?"
Jin Yuyao pondered for a moment, then directly asked, "Young Master Ling, I've admired martial arts powerhouses since childhood, especially martial arts grandmasters who are like divine dragons in the sky. Therefore... I have a humble request: I'd like you to introduce me to that expert who slew the snake."
"I don't ask for anything more. I'll be content just to meet him!"
"It would also be an opportunity to thank him for saving my life. If he hadn't killed that terrifying Horned Snake King, I would have already met my end in its jaws."
As Jin Yuyao's mind flashed back to that fleeting glimpse of his elegant figure, her face flushed slightly, and her heart skipped a beat.
Ling Fan raised his eyebrows and said, "Am I not right before your eyes? If you want to thank me, you can do it now."
"Don't joke! I'm serious!"
Jin Yuyao said with a hint of annoyance.
"When have I ever lied to you?"
Ling Fan stated calmly.
"It was really you?"
Jin Yuyao stared at him with disbelief.
She re-examined Ling Fan from head to toe.
Her gaze was filled with doubt and uncertainty.
After a long while, she shook her head repeatedly.
She still couldn't believe that Ling Fan was the powerful expert who had slain the snake.
This was because Ling Fan's strength was too weak.
Merely at the early stage of the Profound Gang Realm.
Not even as strong as her.
She, after all, was at the peak of the middle stage of the Profound Gang Realm!
Therefore, no matter what Ling Fan said, she couldn't accept this assertion.
Her eyes suddenly darted around.
She said to Ling Fan, "Young Master Ling, let's not talk about this. I've loved practicing the sword since I was young, and I believe I've achieved something in swordsmanship. I wonder if you could offer me some guidance."
After speaking, she stared intently at Ling Fan.
How could Ling Fan not know?
This was Jin Yuyao testing his true capabilities to verify if he was indeed the grandmaster who had slain the snake.
Ling Fan had no intention of hiding anything.
Since she sought his guidance, and considering their interactions over the past few days, Ling Fan didn't mind offering her some pointers.
"Demonstrate your swordsmanship."
Jin Yuyao nodded.
The moment she drew her sword, her demeanor instantly changed. From a passionate and unrestrained young woman, she transformed into a heroic and cold, yet stunning swordswoman.
*Swish!*
Her sword light unfurled like a waterfall, controlled by Jin Yuyao within the confines of the courtyard.
As the sword light crisscrossed, it didn't even harm the flowers and plants in the courtyard, demonstrating her exceptional control.
It could be described as meticulous.
On the level of swordsmanship, she had achieved a point of perfection that was impeccable for her cultivation realm.
Ling Fan nodded slightly.
But that was all.
While her swordsmanship appeared brilliant, it was, in reality, superficial. She was still a long way from truly grasping the essence of the sword.
After completing her swordsmanship display, Jin Yuyao's delicate face was slightly beaded with sweat.
A few drops of sweat trickled down her fair, slender neck and into her clothes.
A warm aura emanated from her,
making her skin appear even more delicate and smooth.
It glowed with a radiant white.
She sheathed her sword and looked at Ling Fan with great anticipation.
To her disappointment, Ling Fan's eyes held little admiration or praise.
They were like a bottomless abyss,
as calm as an ancient well.
"Passable."
Ling Fan gave this moderate evaluation.
Jin Yuyao let out a hmph, somewhat indignantly tossing her sword over. "I'd like to see Young Master Ling's superior swordsmanship."
She had been doted upon by her family since childhood.
Due to her outstanding cultivation talent, she had cultivated to this day, accompanied by countless praises and accolades, and had received immense admiration.
She was hailed as the most exceptional prodigy of Xichuan Province.
She possessed her own pride.
How could she tolerate being looked down upon by someone whose cultivation was inferior to hers?
Ling Fan took the sword.
He didn't even get up.
His fingers brushed over the sword's body. It was a Yellow-grade top-tier spiritual sword, with twenty-seven golden artifact patterns.
Furthermore, it was imbued with light and agile artifact patterns, focusing on enhancing speed and dexterity, making it very suitable for female swordsmen like Jin Yuyao.
Ling Fan flicked his finger.
Instantly, the spiritual sword emitted a faint hum.
"The way of the sword is not merely in form, but in intent. Without divine intent, sword intent cannot be achieved. How can one speak of entering the path?"
Ling Fan sighed softly.
Upon hearing these words,
Jin Yuyao's delicate body trembled.
She stared at Ling Fan with surprise.
Although these words were simple, upon careful consideration, they seemed to contain profound truths of swordsmanship.
Could it be that this Ling Fan was truly a master swordsman?
Was it really him who had killed the Golden Scaled Horned Snake King?
Jin Yuyao's heart suddenly filled with anticipation.
Under her intense gaze, Ling Fan held the sword in one hand and casually swung it.
This sword stroke had no discernible form.
It was entirely like a child wildly brandishing a sword.
However, an invisible wave quietly spread, like a gentle breeze sweeping over a mountain ridge, passing over a rockery in the courtyard.
Jin Yuyao also sensed something.
She stared intently at the rockery.