Liu Zixuan’s question plunged the beautiful master into silence.

After a long while, the beautiful master looked up, gazing into Liu Zixuan’s eyes and solemnly asked, "What do you think the ancestor truly means?"

Liu Zixuan grinned slightly, "The unification of the Martial Realm implies the emergence of a leader, commonly known as the Martial Arts Alliance Leader. At that time, a situation where all Martial Artists submit to one supreme being will arise."

"Master, what do you think he truly means?"

At the side, Liu Ruyan suddenly walked up and said, "Do you mean the ancestor wants to become that Martial Arts Alliance Leader?"

"I don’t know whether he wants to or not, but someone is sure to do it. Otherwise, how would it be managed once unified?" Liu Zixuan shrugged, "But I, Liu Zixuan, will never submit to anyone." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"The path of a Martial Artist is to defy heaven; following one’s heart is the true path. If they were to submit under the management of one person, wouldn’t it become akin to the ancient imperial system? By then, Martial Artists would lose their freedom and stray from the true path of following their heart to a path arranged by others."

These words were not hard to understand, and the beautiful master, Liu Ruyan, and Bai Jingjing all understood them. They suddenly realized this might not be a good thing.

At least, for someone like Liu Zixuan, who doesn’t conform to anything, it would definitely not be a good thing.

"But..." The beautiful master hesitated for a moment and then said, "I feel that the ancestor isn’t that kind of person; perhaps he has other intentions."

"Hopefully, let’s hope it doesn’t come to that."

Liu Zixuan smiled faintly, but his heart was stirred. He held great respect for the ancestor of the Willow Association, as the ancestor had helped them a lot earlier at the Dragon Vein Seven-Star Tomb. Besides, he was also the elder of Ruyan and the others.

But if what Liu Zixuan described truly happened, their relationship might change by then.

If the ancestor of the Willow Association really became the Martial Arts Alliance Leader, he would certainly try to make Liu Zixuan submit to him, for no emperor-like existence would allow an opposing existence. By then, if Liu Zixuan refused to join, there would definitely be a great battle!

Neither Liu Zixuan nor the beautiful master wanted this situation to occur.

"By the way, where is Qingning?" Liu Zixuan asked.

"Recently, the ancestor has been teaching them cultivation techniques, and Qingning has reached a bottleneck. The ancestor asked Liu Qianyun to take her elsewhere to break through." The beautiful master explained.

Liu Zixuan took a bracelet from his pocket and handed it to Liu Ruyan, "Give this to her when she returns."

"Alright. I’ll put it in her room."

"I’ll go with you."

With that, Liu Ruyan and Bai Jingjing headed inside.

The back mountain of Willow Manor.

Liu Zixuan and the beautiful master slowly strolled there, then sat down by the pond.

The beautiful master grabbed a handful of fish food and scattered it into the pond. Watching the golden fishes swiftly swim up to snatch the food, a contented smile appeared on her face.

Liu Zixuan took out the whip he bought from the Ghost Market from his pocket, "It’s for you."

"This... this is the Phoenix Dance of Nine Heavens?" the beautiful master exclaimed with surprise upon a closer look.

"You recognize its name?" Liu Zixuan curiously asked.

"I saw it once by chance before. To be honest, I’ve wanted it for a while," the beautiful master said with a smile, "Thank you."

"No need for thanks with me." Liu Zixuan said nonchalantly, pulling the beautiful master into his arms.

"Just came back and you’re being a rogue," the beautiful master rolled her eyes at him with mock annoyance but didn’t resist. After facing so many dangers in the Witch Country and the Land of the Far North, she needed to give Liu Zixuan some encouragement.

In terms of wealth or cultivation, the beautiful master couldn’t compare with Liu Zixuan anymore; the only thing she could give him was a hug.

Leaning on Liu Zixuan’s shoulder, she asked, "The New Year is approaching, what are your plans?"

"Going back to the north," Liu Zixuan straightforwardly replied, "I’ll set off tomorrow, first returning to the Celestial Capital to chat with Third Sister An and the others, and then head to Ghost Wood City after a few days."

"Leaving in such a hurry?" the beautiful master frowned slightly, "Is it because of what the ancestor said today?"

"Not entirely," Liu Zixuan shook his head, "I have a premonition that the martial arts tournament might be a grand event in the Martial Realm, but I feel it’s more like the beginning of something. The Martial Realm is about to be turbulent, and I must strive to enhance my strength before danger arrives. I aim to break through to the Emperor Realm by the martial arts tournament, or at least reach the Half-Step Emperor Realm."

"I have the same premonition. Whether from the news from our sect or from the messages from the ancestor recently, it truly seems that the Martial Realm is going to be turbulent." The beautiful master sighed, "Actually, you don’t have to harbor too much hostility towards the ancestor."

"Why?" Liu Zixuan asked.

The beautiful master paused, recalling the conversation she had with the ancestor that day, and then said, "Before, the ancestor told me that his time is almost up. According to the days, perhaps he will truly pass away on a certain day next year, or even after the martial arts tournament."

"Time’s up..." Liu Zixuan raised an eyebrow and smiled, "I certainly don’t want us to become enemies, but who can say what will happen in the future?"

"Let’s not talk about this topic anymore." The beautiful master pulled away from Liu Zixuan’s embrace and seriously said, "I might not be able to spend the New Year with you all."

"Why?" Liu Zixuan felt a bit displeased. Every past New Year, he had the company of his master, and suddenly this year he couldn’t, it was hard for him to adjust.

The beautiful master held Liu Zixuan’s hand, interlocking their fingers, and smiled warmly, "The sect has asked me to return long ago, but because you hadn’t returned from the Witch Country, I was worried and delayed. Now that you’re back, I naturally have to go back and take a look; it has been so many years, it’s about time I visited Master too."

"Can’t I go with you after the New Year?" Liu Zixuan asked.

"Don’t throw a childish tantrum," the beautiful master said sternly, "It’s just a New Year, and I’ll come find you after a few days. As for the sect, it’s best if you go there when you reach the Emperor Realm. That way, I can be proud too."

Liu Zixuan knew his previous words were indeed a bit childish. Over the years, he had always shown immense strength in front of others, but in front of the beautiful master, he would shed all facades, becoming truly like a young man in his early twenties.

Since the beautiful master said so, Liu Zixuan naturally couldn’t say much more.

Reluctantly, he nodded, "Alright."

"By the way, before you leave, go see Ripple. She is also alone, and though she’s to follow me to the sect, she remains without support there too. Here, you are her only friend, so you should at least go see her and chat a bit." The beautiful master suggested.