I was actually fortunate enough to have sparred with Elder Su. After the initial defeat, I still felt somewhat unreconciled, but after seeing Su Bei battle those at Peak Refining Void, then Half-Step into Dao Integration, then Lin Duo... Those seemingly unattainable masters in my eyes were also defeated by his sword, and the slight crack in my Dao heart naturally healed. Comparing oneself with Elder Su? Isn’t that just asking for trouble?
And next to Saintess Yao Yan, aside from the Gilt Plaque, another plaque had appeared. This was a grand plaque, unheard of before, engraved with several bold characters. It was not as imposing as the plaque of the ’Number One Sect Under Heaven’, but the few characters on it struck straight to the heart:
"Half-Step into Dao Integration."
In the eastern part of Wu City, there is a small Willow Forest. It’s not large; one can see across it at a glance. When a breeze rustles through, the willows sway gently, like dancers. Then, a faint rustling sound seemed to come from within.
Su Bei was sleeping sweetly. He dreamt he was blindfolded, playing hide-and-seek with one hundred and eight Immortal sisters. Having finally caught one, he was about to make his move when it seemed he felt a beautiful jade foot stepping on his face.
Su Bei opened his eyes and saw Dan Wulan looking down at him. Compared to yesterday, her complexion was significantly better.
Su Bei grabbed her slender toes, trying to pull her into his embrace, but Dan Wulan struggled free. Then, beside Su Bei, she began to dress in her silk stockings, belly band, and silk trousers.
Watching Dan Wulan dress herself, Su Bei glanced at the sun overhead. He thought for a moment and felt he should still be on time. He looked at Dan Wulan, who seemed even more anxious than he was, and chuckled, "What’s the rush? Don’t you remember who kept saying ’slower, slower’ just a few hours ago?"
Dan Wulan’s cool eyes instantly filled with shyness, her cheeks turning crimson. She stepped forward and kicked at Su Bei.
"Taking advantage of someone’s predicament!"
"From now on... don’t even think of laying a finger on me!"
Su Bei responded with a perfunctory smile, casually pulled her into an embrace, and lightly kissed her lips.
The two then walked together in the direction of Azure Cloud Mountain.
As the time drew near, everyone at the Sword Sect’s residence craned their necks in anticipation, waiting for that familiar figure carrying the Sword Box to step onto the Ascension Platform.
Wenren Pingxin had a puzzled look in his eyes as he walked over to several of his disciples. Looking at them in confusion, he asked, "Where is your master?"
Could he be scared? Knowing he couldn’t defeat Tong Xiu, so... He wasn’t sure what feeling was rising in his heart. There was a hint of relief, yet also a hint of regret.
"Hmm, didn’t you rest well? Why the heavy dark circles?"
Hearing Wenren Pingxin’s question, the disciples shook their heads; they had waited in the courtyard for Su Bei all night. They didn’t know where he had gone, and he still hadn’t arrived. Panic was already showing in their expressions. Could something have happened to their master!?
On the Ascension Platform, Tong Xiu stood with his hands behind his back. His appearance was lean, his demeanor refined, and he exuded the aura of a great Dao Sect luminary. He lifted his head and looked indifferently towards the entrance of the Ascension Platform, waiting for the man to appear.
He had long been itching to face Su Bei, a man who could battle fiercely against cultivators at the Peak of Half-Step into Dao Integration despite only being in the Late Stage Refining Void.
Time passed, minute by minute, yet Tong Xiu showed no impatience. He kept his eyes half-closed, resting and gathering his spirit, while various discussions echoed around him:
"Where has Elder Su gone? Why hasn’t he arrived yet?"
"Could it be that he knows he’s no match... and decided not to come!?"
"Impossible, he even came for the fight against Lin Duo last time..." Googlᴇ search 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵※𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮※𝓷𝓮𝓽
A fervent fan of Su Bei tightly clutched an Ibei Emblem in their hands, their face full of longing as they said, "Elder Su must be diligently looking for Elder Tong’s weaknesses. He will come!"
"Yes, he must have been delayed by something important..."
Atop the high platform, Key Smoke narrowed her eyes slightly, lightly tapping the armrest of her reclining chair. Her gaze nonchalantly drifted towards the empty chair beside her where Eastern Emperor should have been sitting.
Suddenly, South Emperor’s genial voice came from beside her, full of mirth, "I wonder where Eastern Emperor has gone, to miss such an important event."
Key Smoke’s eyelids twitched violently, and for some reason, a sense of panic began to rise in her heart. Eastern Emperor went to Danzhu Gorge that day, and all contact was lost afterward. Where on earth could she have gone!?
Just as she was pondering, a sudden uproar filled the entirety of Azure Cloud Mountain.
All the cultivators looked towards the white-robed figure embroidered with begonias. He walked with determined steps, supporting the purple-clad woman beside him as they approached the Ascension Platform.
"Elder Su has arrived!!"