Zhao Xiyan drank a few cups of tea and then left. Chen Ming watched her depart, taking the last sip of his tea, savoring the slight bitterness followed by sweetness.

After sitting for a while longer, estimating Zhao Xiyan had gone far away, he returned indoors, extinguished the lamp, changed into nightclothes, and left silently.

On the hurried journey, Chen Ming noticed several others on the same path, exchanging only glances from afar and moving along separate routes, avoiding disturbance.

Half an hour later, he arrived in the northern city.

Outside Prince Zhenhai’s Mansion, everything was quiet. The walls, overgrown with various plants, isolated the mansion abandoned for over two decades.

Dressed in nightclothes, Chen Ming approached the door, reached out, and knocked twice.

Knock knock.

The knocks echoed far in the stillness of the night.

He said, "Elder Shang, it’s me, I’ve come to see you."

He waited a moment, took a deep breath, and pushed his hand against the door.

This Elder Shang was a significant ally he had relied on; without clarity about Elder Shang’s situation, he was always uneasy.

Especially amidst such a complex situation.

The Third Grade from the Qin Family had already been in the city for over a month, yet Elder Shang hadn’t taken action. If trouble was brewing, it was likely before that.

The Prince Zhenhai’s Mansion should be safe now.

Chen Ming thought this but still felt somewhat tense.

"Is it you?"

Just as his hand touched the door, a voice suddenly emerged beside him.

Someone?

Chen Ming felt a chill run down his spine, instinctively gripping the sword hilt. But he quickly realized who the voice belonged to, and he released the sword.

He turned around to see a graceful white-clad woman, face veiled, appearing ethereal in the moonlight like an immortal.

Chen Ming asked in surprise, "Miss Su, why are you here?"

This white-clad woman was a disciple of the Celestial Dao Alliance, convinced by Du Caiyue to protect him for two days three months ago.

The Blood Demon Sect people had been captured and sent to the Capital City long ago; why was she still in Qingfeng City?

The woman’s gaze was piercing, "I should be the one asking you, why are you here?"

Chen Ming’s mind raced, deciding to speak frankly, "I’m here looking for a senior. What about you, Miss?"

"You know Shang Jianfei? But your True Qi isn’t from the Qinghe Sword Sect." The woman seemed somewhat puzzled.

It seemed she not only knew Elder Shang but was aware of his background.

Perhaps Elder Shang’s identity wasn’t a secret among major sects.

Being from a major sect had its perks.

Chen Ming, feeling envious, said, "Miss, are you also here to see Elder Shang? Let’s go together then."

With this Celestial Dao Alliance disciple around, the safety factor increased significantly.

Not only because of her strength, but the Celestial Dao Alliance was known for protecting their own. Hurting someone within might summon formidable retribution.

If you somehow defeated them too, congratulations, soon a sword from the heavens would obliterate you.

As Chen Ming spoke, he forcefully pushed the door, hearing a creak as it slowly opened.

The white-clad woman gazed at the now opened door, silently for two seconds, "You actually... managed to open it?"

Seeing her peculiar reaction, Chen Ming couldn’t help but swallow, glancing at the eerily quiet courtyard, wryly laughed, "I barely used any force..."

From her reaction, it seemed the door shouldn’t have opened.

Now that it did, what did it signify?

The white-clad woman also realized this, suddenly darted inside, swiftly moving forward.

Without hesitation, Chen Ming followed her inside.

With her leading the way, what was there to fear?

...

Inside Prince Zhenhai’s Mansion was a deathly silence, devoid of life, instilling a sense of eeriness.

Chen Ming sensed something amiss; though visiting many times before, he never experienced such feelings.

"Something must have happened here."

The further they went, the thicker the sense of deathly stillness grew.

The white-clad woman, as if knowing the place, strode toward the courtyard where Elder Shang resided.

Before long, they arrived outside the courtyard, stopping simultaneously.

At the courtyard’s entrance, a white and blue Gang Qi intertwined, obstructing their path.

Upon reaching Third Grade, one’s True Qi becomes True Gang, unstoppable and immensely powerful.

"Two Gang Qi! Surely there’s an enemy present."

Seeing this, Chen Ming first exhaled with relief, proving Elder Shang was alive. Then his heart tightened, suddenly realizing who the other Gang Qi’s owner was...

So Miss Su wasn’t here to see Elder Shang. She was here for her mentor, the owner of the other Gang Qi.

The strong figure tangled with Elder Shang was from the Celestial Dao Alliance!

Chen Ming sighed internally, the Celestial Dao Alliance members were indeed as rumored, meddling in affairs. Clearly here for the Blood Demon Sect, yet they arrived at Prince Zhenhai’s Mansion.

I just don’t understand why this strong figure from the Celestial Dao Alliance cares about Elder Shang’s business.

"Master! You’re indeed here."

The woman in white spoke with a bit of excitement in her voice.

Chen Ming thought, so it’s her master, no wonder. I was thinking, why would the Celestial Dao Alliance send such a naive girl to roam the martial world? Turns out, she’s with her master.

Then again, he thought, her master seems unreliable, running off to trouble Elder Shang without even informing the disciple, making her search for months.

As he saw the woman in white listening intently but hearing no sound, he guessed her master was transmitting a message to her.

"Your cultivation has improved faster than I expected."

Suddenly, an aged voice sounded in his ear. It was indeed Elder Shang’s voice, but not as hesitant as last time.

Chen Ming immediately stood up straight, knowing that Elder Shang must have an instruction for him since he was called in.

The woman in white had searched for her master for months and still couldn’t enter Prince Zhenhai’s Mansion even after finding it outside. This shows that Elder Shang was the one who suppressed that strong figure from the Celestial Dao Alliance.

"I want to ask you for a favor."

Chen Ming was shocked. What kind of favor does this elder need from him? But since he had no means to transmit messages back, he glanced at the nodding woman in white and could only nod his assent.

Since the request was made, he could only agree first.

"When you’ve cultivated the ’Fiery Sun Divine Skill’ to the Fourth Grade, come find me and help me with something."

Chen Ming couldn’t help glancing at the woman in white again, wondering if the elder could last until that time.

Shang Jianfei seemed to have seen through his thoughts and transmitted a message, "You don’t need to worry about her. She won’t report this matter back to the Celestial Dao Alliance."

This truly surprised Chen Ming.

What kind of method does Elder Shang have to make her obedient?

Could it be...?

As he was letting his imagination run wild, he suddenly saw a blue and a white light shoot out from the courtyard, hovering in front of him.

Shang Jianfei’s voice sounded again, "This is your reward."

Chen Ming was startled. Reward given before the task; Elder Shang certainly had integrity.

On closer inspection, he noticed two items wrapped in Gang Qi. Within the white Gang Qi was a metal token with the character "Yuan" on it.

Inside the blue Gang Qi was a small sword made of white jade.

He reached out, and as the Gang Qi dissipated, the two items fell naturally into his hands.

"Now, you may leave. Do not return here before reaching the Fourth Grade."

Though Chen Ming didn’t know the purpose of these items, anything gifted by a strong figure above First Grade was certainly extraordinary. He solemnly bowed toward the courtyard, then decisively turned to leave.

...

When Chen Ming exited Prince Zhenhai’s Mansion, he immediately used his body technique to rush towards home.

He just wanted to get home quickly and study what those two items were used for.

After traveling a short distance, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and politely asked, "Why are you following me, Miss Su?"

Elder Shang hadn’t silenced the woman in white.

Truth be told, it wasn’t unexpected; it was clear that the white Gang Qi wrapped token was from that strong figure of the Celestial Dao Alliance.

This detail indicated that the strong figure had reached some kind of cooperation with Elder Shang.

The question then was, why did they cooperate? Weren’t these two adversaries?

Thinking about it sends chills down the spine.

The woman in white stopped about four or five meters away from him, her clear eyes filled with a certain determination. "My master instructed me to stay close to you until you reach the Fourth Grade."

"Miss Su, didn’t you say last time that men and women have differences? You absolutely shouldn’t get too close to a man."

The woman in white said calmly, "This is my master’s order."

Looking at her, Chen Ming suddenly understood why Elder Shang dared to pay him in advance. A person had been sent to stay by his side.

If he dared to go back on his word, he’d likely have to face the treasure sword in this Celestial Dao Alliance disciple’s hand.

He asked persuasively, "Have you ever considered why your master wants you to follow me? What happened between him and Elder Shang?"

The woman’s eyes showed no wavering, she only said, "I do whatever my master tells me to do."

"..."

Chen Ming was impressed, wondering how her master managed to brainwash her so effectively that she followed orders so willingly.

He tried to reason once more, "Following me like this will be very inconvenient."

The woman in white replied, "When there are many people around, I will stay hidden to the side."

Seeing how unyielding she was, Chen Ming felt helpless. He couldn’t defeat her, so he thought, let her follow if she wants to. Having a free bodyguard isn’t bad either.

Thinking this way, he no longer bothered her and turned to continue his journey.

...

When Chen Ming got home, it was already the dead of night.

The woman in white followed him all the way, and when she vaulted over the wall into the Chen Mansion, she hesitated not one bit. She didn’t enter his room, just stayed in the courtyard after watching him enter his house.

Chen Ming, seeing she didn’t come inside, closed the door, didn’t light the lamp, just sat by the bed and took out the two items to examine.

PS: Reached 300,000 words, note this down, asking for monthly passes.