The memories of all humanity are awakening, except for mine.

"We've only met by chance, no need to ask any questions."

He pushed off with a bamboo pole, and the raft drifted downstream, disappearing into the distance in the blink of an eye, leaving only a single sentence floating in the wind.

"The journey through life is long, take care..."

Outside Sishui Pass, the river flows mightily.

A bamboo raft drifts downstream, and the swordsman Zhao Xin stands with his sword in his arms, his blue robe fluttering in the wind.

He squinted at the gradually blurring outline of the pass in the distance, a cold smile playing on his lips.

"Brother Zhao, you have such refined tastes! You go boating all by yourself without even inviting your younger brother!"

A clear voice came from the shore. Zhao Xin didn't turn his head, but simply tapped his fingers lightly on the scabbard.

"Ta, ta, ta."

Dressed in fiery red, Chu Yang waded across the water and landed steadily on the other side of the bamboo raft in a few leaps.

He had an ancient longsword hanging at his waist and a wine gourd in his hand, his clothes fluttering as he exuded a dashing charm.

"Your wine gourd looks familiar."

Zhao Xin finally turned around, his gaze sharp as a knife.

Chu Yang tilted his head back and took a swig. The wine slid down his chin, but he didn't wipe it away. He just smiled.

"I swiped it from you last year, what, you want it back?"

"The wine gourd is worthless."

Zhao Xin suddenly reached out.

"But you owe me ten thousand taels of gold, and that's time to pay it back."

The bamboo raft suddenly sank.

Chu Yang's smile froze on his face, and he blinked.

"What gold? Brother Zhao, are you sure you're not mistaken?"

“Last December, you said you wanted to buy intelligence to save your lover, and you borrowed ten thousand taels of gold from me.”

Zhao Xin spoke slowly and deliberately.

"A written agreement was drawn up, and a signature was made."

The river wind suddenly picked up, and the bamboo raft rocked violently in the waves.

Chu Yang's red clothes fluttered in the wind, and he scratched his head.

"Really? I don't remember that..."

"Chong-"

Zhao Xin's sword tip was already three inches from Chu Yang's throat.

"Either pay me back, or..."

Zhao Xin's gaze shifted downwards, landing on Chu Yang's waist.

"Use your Dragon Abyss Sword to pay off the debt."

"fart!"

Chu Yang instantly jumped three zhang away, causing the bamboo raft to tilt violently and almost capsize.

He clutched the long sword at his waist, his eyes wide with fury.

"Zhao Xin, are you crazy? Longyuan was taught to me by my master!"

Zhao Xin sheathed his sword, his face expressionless.

"Then pay me back."

"I…"

Chu Yang's momentum faltered, and he approached with a grin.

"Brother Zhao, what kind of relationship do we have? Talking about money will only hurt our feelings. How about this, I'll tell you a secret..."

"Do not listen."

"About Chen Shouren!"

Zhao Xin raised his eyelids slightly.

Upon seeing this, Chu Yang immediately perked up and plopped down on the edge of the bamboo raft.

"That old bastard couldn't hold his temper and insisted on a one-on-one duel with Song Zhiwen on the battlefield. Isn't that ridiculous?"

"It's truly laughable."

Zhao Xin said calmly.

Instead of arranging their troops, the two generals imitated martial arts practitioners.

"that is!"

Chu Yang slapped his thigh.

"I wanted to help, but this is a contest between them, and if I interfered..."

"It doesn't matter whether you intervene or not."

Zhao Xin interrupted him.

"With your abilities, you'd only cause trouble if you went."

Chu Yang stared wide-eyed.

"Zhao Xin!"

"Just telling the truth."

Zhao Xin picked up the fishing rod from the stern of the raft and cast the line into the water.

“If Chen Shouren really can’t hold out, he can ask the Crown Prince for help. Sishui Pass is the last line of defense for Zhengdu, and the Crown Prince will not stand idly by.”

Chu Yang remained silent for a moment, then sighed.

"In these seven kingdoms today, there are no more righteous wars. It's all about self-interest..."

The fishing line suddenly tightened, and with a flick of Zhao Xin's wrist, a golden carp burst out of the water.

He took the fish and threw it to Chu Yang.

"Go and clean it up. Make soup with half of it and braise the other half."

"I?"

Chu Yang pointed to his own nose.

"You made me, a man of great stature..."

Those who owe money have no right to choose their jobs.

Zhao Xin interrupted him.

"Hurry up, we need to get to Luoxia Ferry before dark."

Chu Yang, grumbling, carried the fish to the stern of the raft and pulled a dagger from his boot to begin scaling it.

The blade made a "rustling" sound as it rubbed against the fish scales, and he suddenly looked up.

"Once this fish is cooked, we're even!"

"A fish is worth ten thousand taels of gold?"

Zhao Xin sneered.

"Chu Yang, do you think I'm stupid?"

"Then what else do you want?"

Chu Yang was so angry that he slammed the fish onto the cutting board.

"Do you expect me to be your slave?"

Zhao Xin stared at him for a long time, then suddenly reached out.

"Bring the wine."

Chu Yang cautiously covered the gourd.

"what?"

"thirsty."

"... "

Chu Yang reluctantly handed it over.

Just one bite!

Zhao Xin took the gourd, tilted his head back, and drank it down, spilling the wine all over his clothes.

He wiped his mouth and tossed the gourd back.

"It tastes bad."

"you!"

Chu Yang was so angry he jumped up and down, but he saw that Zhao Xin had already turned his back to continue fishing, so he could only grit his teeth and continue to deal with the unlucky fish.

Zhuang Yan arrived at the Hall of Swordsmanship, her feet glistening with morning dew.

She adjusted her plain white sword robe and raised her hand to knock on the door.

"Come in."

A deep male voice came from inside.

Zhuang Yan pushed open the door and entered. The Sword-Holding Hall was dimly lit, with only a few bronze lamps flickering with a faint light.

The hall master, Xue Xing, sat behind his desk, wiping a long sword that was entirely black.

"My senior brother asked me to pass this on."

Zhuang Yan took a letter from her sleeve and placed it on the table.

Xue Xing did not immediately take it, but instead sheathed the black sword and looked up at her.

"What's been going on with Blood Shadow Tower lately?"

Zhuang Yan shook her head.

"The senior brother only said that they were going to harm the four junior brothers, but did not mention the specifics."

"Ah."

Xue Xing sneered.

"If Blood Shadow Tower dares to mess with the Four Young Masters of the Immortal Sect, they're tired of living."

He picked up the letter, a wisp of blue flame igniting at his fingertips. The envelope turned to ashes in the fire, but the contents were already fully revealed.

Xue Xing's brows relaxed.

"Tell Lu Chen that the Sword-Holding Hall will handle this."

"Yes."

Zhuang Yan bowed and prepared to leave.

"and many more."

Xue Xing suddenly called out to her.

"Junior Sister Zhuang, would you be willing to come to the Sword-Holding Hall? The position of Vice Hall Master is vacant."

Zhuang Yan paused in her steps.

The hall was so quiet that you could hear the crackling of the lamp wick.

She slowly turned around, her expression unchanged.

"Master Xue thinks too highly of me."

"None of the disciples of Judgment Peak are simple."

Xue Xing got up, walked around the table, and stood in front of her.

“Especially you, Zhuang Yan.”

He was half a head taller than Zhuang Yan, casting a shadow over her and creating an invisible sense of oppression.

Zhuang Yan took a half step back without making a sound.

"My senior brother said that my personality is not suitable for the Sword-Holding Hall."

"Lu Chen's words may not all be correct."

Xue Xing chuckled softly.

"I'll think about it. I'll save the spot for you." Zhuang Yan turned and left.

Just as she was about to step out the door, Xue Xing suddenly asked again.

"Dong Xiaowan is still not awake?"

"……No."

Zhuang Yan did not turn around.

"Since the three corpses have not returned, the Eight Trigrams Cauldron can only suppress them, not cure them completely."

Xue Xing remained silent for a moment.

"Lin Xiao and Lu Chen went to the Azure Sword Sect?"

"We set off three days ago."

"understood."

The wooden door closed behind her, and Zhuang Yan breathed a sigh of relief.

She looked up at the sky; the rising sun had climbed to the top of Judgment Peak, turning the sea of ​​clouds golden.

She quickened her pace and headed towards Zuowang Peak.

……

Sitting in Oblivion Peak, Purple Bamboo Grove.

Jiang Chuan sat cross-legged on the bluestone, surrounded by a faint white mist.

A nascent sword blank floated before him, trembling slightly with the rhythm of his breathing.

"noob!"

A clear female voice broke the silence of the bamboo forest.

Pei Guoguo came skipping and hopping over, carrying a food box, her pink skirt fluttering like a butterfly.

"I told you not to call me that."

Jiang Chuan had no choice but to stop his practice, and the sword embryo fell into his palm.

Pei Guoguo stuck out her tongue.

"You're used to calling me that! Look what I brought you!"

She opened the food box as if presenting a treasure.

"Osmanthus cake! Freshly baked!"

A sweet fragrance filled the air, and Jiang Chuan shook his head.

"I am fasting."

"Oh, what's wrong with breaking the rules once in a while!"

Pei Guoguo directly picked up a piece and stuffed it into his mouth.

"Try it! It's made by Granny Wang down the mountain, it's delicious!"

Jiang Chuan was forced to chew, and the sweet taste spread in his mouth.

He frowned, but seeing the girl's bright eyes looking at him, he had no choice but to swallow.

"……It is too sweet."

“I don’t know how to appreciate it!”

Pei Guoguo pouted and grabbed a piece of food to chew on.

"By the way, I heard that Senior Sister Zhuang is back?"

Jiang Chuan nodded.

"I went to the Sword-Holding Hall early this morning."

"Xue Xing's ice-cold face..."

Pei Guoguo made a face.

"Every time I see him, I feel a chill."

Jiang Chuan didn't reply, but instead gazed into the depths of the bamboo forest. There, a large yellow dog was chasing a butterfly, its fur gleaming golden in the sunlight.

"Transformation Pill..."

He muttered to himself.

Pei Guoguo followed his gaze and suddenly clapped her hands.

"Oh right! Senior Brother Lin brought back the Transformation Grass. Uncle Tao said it needs to be paired with nine kinds of rare and precious herbs before it can be used to open the furnace. What's still missing?"

"Millennial snow lotus, fire essence jujube."

Jiang Chuan replied.

"Uncle Tao went to Beiming last month and should be back soon."

"I hope Senior Sister Xiaowan can hold on until then..."

Pei Guoguo's mood suddenly dropped, and the osmanthus cake in her hand no longer smelled good.

Jiang Chuan reached out and ruffled the top of her hair.

"Will be fine."

The moonlight, like a ribbon, spilled across the purple bamboo forest of Zuowang Peak.

The bamboo shadows swayed and rustled, as if whispering some ancient sword technique.

Zhuang Yan rode the air, her white dress fluttering gently in the night breeze.

She intended to return directly to her cave, but as she passed through the bamboo grove, she caught a glimpse of the dim yellow light shining through the window of the villa.

The light appeared exceptionally warm, yet also exceptionally lonely, in the pitch-black night.

"Still studying sword manuals so late..."

Zhuang Yan sighed softly, touched the bamboo tip with her toes, and gracefully turned around.

She shouldn't have stayed there, but some inexplicable emotion drove her to change direction.

The bamboo grove was shrouded in mist, carrying the coolness of the night dew.

As Zhuang Yan walked through the layers of bamboo shadows and arrived at the gate of the villa, she happened to see Jiang Chuan walking out of the bathhouse wearing only a single garment.

His dark hair was wet and clung to his neck, with water droplets sliding down his collarbone and into his clothes, shimmering faintly in the moonlight.

"If you don't dry your hair, you'll get headaches."

Zhuang Yan spoke unconsciously, her voice softer than she had imagined.

Jiang Chuan looked up at the sound, somewhat surprised, then smiled.

"Why are you here, senior sister? I'm perfectly healthy, what's a little cold water to me?"

He casually swept his wet hair back, splashing water droplets everywhere, some even landing on Zhuang Yan's sleeve.

Zhuang Yan frowned slightly, but saw Jiang Chuan already smilingly stepping aside to open the door.

"Since you're here, Senior Sister, why don't you come in and have a seat? I happen to have some sword principles that I haven't quite grasped yet."

The candlelight flickered inside the room, and three sword manuals lay open on the table.

The diagrams in "Thousand Edges Sword Collection" are sharp and incisive, the annotations in "Midnight Heavenly Flowing Sword" are dense and complex, and "Nine Chapters Sword Classic" turns to the page on the mutual generation of the five elements.

The ink in the inkstone was not yet completely dry, indicating that the owner had just been making annotations.

Zhuang Yan glanced at the precious books and said softly.

"How is your comprehension of the Five Elements Sword Manual coming along?"

Jiang Chuan sat cross-legged on the futon, picked up a green jujube and took a bite.

"We are still perfecting the sword formation. The principle of mutual generation and restraint of the five elements seems simple, but there are always obstacles in actual operation."

He pointed to a diagram in the Nine Chapters Sword Manual.

"Especially in the section on the harmony of water and fire, the circulation of spiritual energy is always a little less smooth."

"You can ask your second senior brother."

Zhuang Yan lightly tapped the table with her fingertips.

"Lin Xiao once defeated seven cultivators of the same level with the Five Elements Sword Formation, demonstrating his profound mastery of this technique."

Jiang Chuan's smile faded slightly.

"Second Senior Brother, he..."

The words were on the tip of his tongue, but then he changed his mind.

"Alright, I'll ask for your advice tomorrow."

A moment of silence fell over the room. The night wind swept through the room, and the candlelight flickered.

Looking at Jiang Chuan's profile, which was divided by light and shadow, Zhuang Yan suddenly realized that this junior brother she had watched grow up had lost his childishness at some point.

"If Senior Sister has nothing else to say..."

Just as Zhuang Yan was about to take her leave, Jiang Chuan suddenly looked up.

"Senior Sister Zhuang."

His voice was very soft, but it made Zhuang Yan pause in her steps.

“I’m no longer the child who needed your protection.”

Zhuang Yan turned around and saw the candlelight flickering in Jiang Chuan's eyes, like two inextinguishable flames.

"If it weren't for the delay in the Kunlun Secret Realm, I would have undergone the tribulation of lightning and condensed the golden core a month ago."

Jiang Chuan's calm words sent a jolt through Zhuang Yan's heart.

The Four Realms Supreme! Zhuang Yan's pupils contracted slightly. On the path of cultivation, each realm is a new heaven.

The difference between the Purple Mansion and the Golden Core may seem like just one step, but in reality, it's an insurmountable chasm.
The young genius's path ended there, never to advance further in his life. But this young man before me, at the tender age of twenty…

In a daze, Zhuang Yan seemed to see Jiang Chuan's figure overlap with another person as tall and straight as a sword—Xue Xing, the leader of the Sword-Holding Hall.

Back then, Xue Xing was also around the same age when he broke through to the Golden Core stage, which shocked the entire Cloud Sea Immortal Sect.

"This is……"

Zhuang Yan's thoughts were interrupted by Jiang Chuan's actions. She saw him take out a small jade bottle from his sleeve and gently push it in front of her.

"Snow Soul Pill, for healing injuries."

Jiang Chuan's gaze fell on Zhuang Yan's right shoulder.

"Does your old injury flare up every time it's rainy?"

Zhuang Yan never mentioned the hidden injuries left by the fierce battle three years ago to anyone.

How did Jiang Chuan...?

Before she could ask a question, Jiang Chuan had already stood up, turned his back to her, and looked out at the moonlight.

"The number one genius of Zuowang Peak?"

He smiled to himself.

"It's just that I'm a bit luckier than others. But don't worry, Senior Sister, I will become stronger."

When he turned around, his eyes seemed to sparkle with stars.

"So strong... that you no longer need to worry about me."

Zhuang Yan gripped the jade bottle tightly, and the pills inside collided, producing a crisp sound.

She suddenly didn't know what to say, and just whispered.

"...Don't push yourself too hard."

As Zhuang Yan left the bamboo grove, she looked back. The lights in the villa were still bright, and Jiang Chuan's figure, writing furiously with a pen, was reflected on the window paper.

She suddenly remembered that rainy night ten years ago, when the blood-covered boy was brought back to the mountain gate by his master.

Who could have imagined that the child who was on the verge of death would become who he is today...?

"Jiangchuan."

Zhuang Yan silently uttered her real name, which only a very few people knew, and her figure disappeared into the vast night.

——·——

The next morning, Qi Yunfeng was in an uproar.

"Why should only the Four Young Masters of the Immortal Sect be allowed to accept this? Am I, Chen Feng, not worthy?"

Qi Yunfeng's core disciple, Chen Feng, glared at the chubby little boy before him, his longsword already drawn three inches from its sheath. (End of Chapter)