The help from others deserves a word of thanks.
The Three Masters sized him up with a smile and said, "It was nothing, Young Marquis needn't be so polite."
Chen Yi raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze meeting the other's head-on.
The phrase "Young Marquis" took him by surprise for a moment.
Coming from the likes of Chu Ming and others, it was a term of respect, indicating they believed Chen Yi to be above them in terms of status and strength.
But coming from one of the Three Masters of the Kyoto Academy, it wasn't that simple.
After all, the status and strength of the Three Masters were above Chen Yi.
Thus, this manner of address seemed to have a deeper meaning.
Was it an endorsement or a probe?
Chen Yi could not tell.
After all, the wisdom and depth of such a Confucian Saint like the Three Masters were not something ordinary people could match.
He certainly didn't believe the latter spoke such words simply as a "teacher from the Sacred Grounds of the Academy."
Thinking this, Chen Yi smiled and pretended not to understand his implication.
The smile on the face of the Three Masters faltered for a moment, and then he too ceased to speak, looking around instead.
However, his heart was filled with incessant mutterings.
"This 'Young Marquis' truly is an interesting man."
"Besides his exceptional talents, his strength far surpasses his peers, and even his temperament is extraordinary."
And yet such a Heavenly Pride comes from a noble Marquis background...
The Three Masters shook his head covertly, hoping that the nobility, family clans, and civil servants of Kyoto Prefecture would keep their eyes peeled.
If they took Chen Yi to be "another Zhou Guanwu"...
Then there would be quite a spectacle!
After all, this "Little Sword Immortal" Chen Yi is someone who has slain several hundred thousand Barbarians.
Among Sword Cultivators, such proficiency in slaughter is rare, to say nothing of other Martial Arts Cultivators.
What he didn't know was that at this moment, Chen Yi was honing his sword fiercely.
He not only remembered the Pillars of the Demon Court like Lu Chen, but he also took note of those Hidden Dragons, the Yuhua Immortal Sect, Bai Shen Sect, and others involved in the Surrounding Kill of the Grand Void Sect.
"A bunch of scum, their deaths are not to be mourned!"
Shortly after, Chen Yi and co. all entered South-Garrison Pass.
Following discussions, some decided to set off immediately, like Chu Ming and other descendants of noble families.
However, Chen Yi and others chose to rest within the fort, waiting for the Southern Barbarian issue to be fully resolved before returning.
Only Gu Tiangang and Sun Daofu, once assured the South-Garrison Pass was secure, took the head of Pang Kuan back to the Grand Void Sect.
In fact, after upheaval struck the Southern Barbarian Land, many families and Sect Holy Lands had arranged for people to wait at the South-Garrison Pass.
Chu Ming and Chu Waner quickly left with the carriage.
Watching the South-Garrison Pass return to calm, the two exchanged a sigh.
Their gains from this journey into the secret realm were indeed significant, but compared to the hardships along the way, and the pain of the death of two younger siblings, they were rather insignificant.
Their greatest regret was not seeing Chen Yi and co. again when they left South-Garrison Pass.
Chu Waner leaned against the carriage, the rocking of the carriage not disturbing her poised figure—her eyes downcast, void of spirit for a long while.
"Second Brother, do you think we'll meet the Young Marquis again?"
Chu Ming pursed his lips, silent for a moment before shaking his head: "No, we probably won't."
Chu Ming gave a bitter smile: "Differences in status, talent, and strength, being able to see him from a distance is already the limit."
Chu Waner's gaze lingered on the gradually distant South-Garrison Pass.
Some people are born extraordinary, and she feared she could spend her entire life unable to surmount the trials to reach him.
Not to mention getting close, even catching a glimpse of his silhouette would be an exceedingly difficult task.
Chu Waner's thoughts were in turmoil; she couldn't help but envy Xiao Xuanzhen and Fairy Hua.
If only she had gone to the Grand Void Sect to seek apprenticeship back then...
Chen Yi, of course, was unaware of all these.
Even knowing Chu Waner's thoughts, he would only say that "a young girl yearning for love" is quite normal, and then put it out of his mind.
After the departure of the various descendants of noble families and Sect disciples, Chen Yi and others went to rest in the mansion prepared for the commanding officers.
Traveling all this way, everyone was somewhat exhausted.
Not only physically tired but also mentally drained, leaving no one in the mood to chat.
Even Chen Yi, after entering the prepared chamber, fell into a deep sleep.
Hua Xianzi, after confirming he was sound asleep, went with Xiao Xuanzhen into another chamber.
"Sister," Xiao Xuanzhen settled the bedding and looked at Hua Xianzi, whose demeanor was gentle:
"You don't mind sharing the bed with me, do you?"
Hua Xianzi hesitated before nodding, feeling the suggestion was somewhat odd when spoken out loud.
Although they had often shared a room since descending the mountain, sharing the same bed like today was a first.
"That's good, I was worried you might not be comfortable with it."
Xiao Xuanzhen stripped off her outer clothing, wearing only a pink chemise and lay down in the blankets, sighing contentedly.
"If I had known I would face all this after descending the mountain, I would never have agreed to father's arrangements."
"Demons, Barbarians and the like, not to mention their hideous looks, they're also fierce and sinister."
"Fortunately, Junior Brother Chen's cultivation has advanced, otherwise we would all have perished at their hands."
"Being killed would be one thing, but being eaten would be dreadful."
As she spoke, she saw Hua Xianzi still standing by the bed and quickly waved her over: "Come and rest, Sister."
Hua Xianzi hesitated for a moment, then took off her clothes and under the dim candlelight, her figure cast a hazy and graceful silhouette.
Then she lay down next to Xiao Xuanzhen in another quilt, still feeling odd inside.
After a moment of silence.
Xiao Xuanzhen, lying on her side and looking at her, said: "Sister, what do you think Senior Sister Ling was thinking when she died?"
For some reason, after the surroundings quieted down, she suddenly thought of the deceased Ling Yinrong.