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In the martial arts that Zhou Heng had already mastered, none could compare with the Sword Technique of Conviction in terms of mystical effects.

Not a single one.

Even the fragment of the Purple Thunder Blade Skill, which was a third-rank heavenly skill, was merely an extremely powerful attack technique that did not truly touch upon the deep, fundamental principles of the Great Dao.

The Overturning Heaven Three Palms was in a similar situation.

Although this peerless skill was the foundation for the ‘Overturning Sky Seal’ with tremendous power, capable of even shattering heaven and earth at the highest levels of mastery, it was ultimately just a method of attack.

The strength of the Sword Technique of Conviction lay not only in its being a supreme sword technique but also in its supreme mystical utility; it involved the Dao of Time, inscrutable and profound, and could be called the peak of Absolute Fourth-Rank techniques.

Zhou Heng eagerly began to delve into the Sword Technique of Conviction.

“You are attempting to comprehend the martial art ‘Sword Technique of Conviction\'[Absolute Fourth Rank]. Due to your foundation in a low-level similar martial art, the difficulty of comprehension is reduced. You feel as though you are on the verge of an epiphany, yet you also find its mysteries elusive and hard to understand, unable to grasp its essence, gaining no proficiency.”

…

“Congratulations! Through continuous contemplation of the ‘Sword Technique of Conviction\'[Absolute Fourth Rank], you have triggered the ‘Heaven rewards the diligent’ bonus. You have finally achieved a breakthrough in understanding, proficiency +0.00000000001.”

…

After seeing the first prompt of reward proficiency, Zhou Heng stopped trying to comprehend the Sword Technique of Conviction.

It was quite clear that with his current cultivation realm, it was impossible to learn this peerless skill through normal means unless he could have another epiphany.

Moreover, Cheng Jianjian had already emerged from the Purple Tenuity Palace by this time.

Having just become a Star Officer of the Big Dipper, she was full of spirit; her beautiful and radiant face was filled with joy and laughter. Seeing Zhou Heng waiting there, she felt even happier.

“Junior Uncle, I’ve kept you waiting,” Cheng Jianjian said with a sweet smile, coming to Zhou Heng’s side, and continued, “I heard from the senior members within the Five Emperors that you were resting at home before this and have made a special trip here?”

“Yes, I received a message from the seniors within the Five Emperors,” Zhou Heng replied with a gentle nod and a smile.

“I heard that a martial arts school authorized by the Pure Yang Palace was established there too,” Cheng Jianjian said with a smile, “May I accompany you back and have a look?”

“Of course, you can,” Zhou Heng replied with a smile, “If we have ‘Jade Clouds Celestial’ herself, ranked third on the Earthly Rankings, grace the school with a visit, I’m sure it will be overwhelmed with people.”

“Junior Uncle, you are also ranked sixth on the Earthly Rankings now,” said Cheng Jianjian as she ate a piece of candy and offered one to Zhou Heng, “Junior Uncle, would you like some?”

“It’s very sweet,” Zhou Heng said, taking the candy and putting it in his mouth, “By the way, there is something I need to tell you about. There will be a Solar Divine Wine Gathering at the Imperial City in Zhongzhou on the second day of February…”

He then told Cheng Jianjian about some details of the Solar Divine Wine Gathering and Yan Shouyi’s message, and mentioned that he had already secured an invitation.

“The Solar Divine Wine Gathering, young masters of Taixu Viewpoint, that sounds very interesting to me!” Cheng Jianjian’s eyes sparkled with fighting spirit as she nodded and said, “I will definitely participate. It is undoubtedly a great opportunity to break through the bottleneck of the Peak of Seventh Rank.”

“Indeed,” Zhou Heng nodded in agreement, smiling, “I have the same intention, to see if I can use the battle at the Solar Divine Wine Gathering as a stepping stone to breakthrough into the Innate Realm and advance to Secret Sixth Rank.”

…

Early this morning.

Yun Xiu awoke from her sleep, her expression slightly dazed.

She drew back the curtains to see her parents preparing breakfast outside and smiled warmly to herself.

The feeling of home made her feel cozy.

Under her parents’ meticulous care, she felt as if she had returned to the carefree days of her childhood where there was no need to worry about anything.

It was extremely comfortable.

However, Yun Xiu knew that after breakfast today, she would have to say goodbye to her parents.

In last night’s dream, she had seen her master, He Mengqiu.

Another year had passed, and it was time to begin anew on her cultivation journey.

“Xiu’er, come eat,” Yun Xiu’s mother called from outside.

“Okay, coming!” Yun Xiu replied brightly.

…

Unlike the hurried journey there, Zhou Heng’s return trip with Cheng Jianjian was quite pleasant and leisurely.

Their speed was naturally not fast.

By the time they returned to Huangtong Mansion City, it was already dusk.

On the way, Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian talked about some of the recent events over the past two months, and Cheng Jianjian also shared some details about herself.

She was actually not a native of Da Qi, but came from a small family in Northern Zhou.

She had been frail since birth, often falling ill. Her parents sought medical advice everywhere to no avail. Fortunately, they later managed to connect with Qi Rui, who was then the master of Jade Qiong Peak, and asked Qi Rui to take their daughter as a disciple.

Since then, Cheng Jianjian had never seen her parents again.

She was only five years old at that time.

Gradually, her memory of her parents’ voices and smiles grew blurrier, only remembering how as a sick child being subjected to medicine and injections, the fear and bitterness made her cry. Then, her parents would give her candy.

Sweet, and she would stop crying.

Her “problem” of fearing pain and loving candy seemed to be a remnant of those times.

As for her parents’ current whereabouts or whether she had ever searched for them, Zhou Heng didn’t ask.

2

Because he could feel that Cheng Jianjian was deliberately avoiding these topics.

Perhaps there were other hidden circumstances.

…

The twilight was a dull yellow, and the sky was ablaze with crimson clouds.

It had just snowed today in Huangtong Mansion, and there was snow on both sides of the road. The tall trees were adorned with icicles, glittering under the glow of the evening light.

Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian, both on horseback, were walking slowly against the backdrop of the setting sun.

It was an enviable sight.

“Jianjian, where would you like to stay?” Zhou Heng asked, glancing at the sky and speaking to the fairy beside him, “On one hand is the rental property you visited before, and on the other is the large mansion the prefectural government provided for me to live in, but it hasn’t been tidied up yet.”

Through their joint battle in the Demon Spirit World and the conversations along the way, the two had grown much more familiar with one another, and his address for her naturally shifted from “Miss Cheng” to “Jianjian.”

“Let’s stick to the rental property,” Cheng Jianjian said with a smile, “I’m more familiar with it there.”

Zhou Heng had already discussed the matter of the large mansion with her before.

There were likely still people from the Illusory Law Sect or the Solar Divine Palace watching over that place. Living there might not necessarily pose a danger, but it was obviously not a very good choice.

Zhou Heng’s suggestion was actually just to avoid the possibility that there were people monitoring their conversations in Huangtong Mansion City—that was the real smoke screen.

In fact, on their way here, they had already agreed on where to stay.

Both were at the Peak of the Seventh Rank and could substitute sleep with meditation. All they needed was a place to shelter from the wind and rain.

Even if they stayed in the same room, it wouldn’t be awkward.

“Hey, Zhou Heng! I was wondering why you weren’t at home!”

At that moment, a familiar voice suddenly called out from behind them, laughing, “Turns out you’ve gone riding with Miss Xiu’er.”

Before the voice finished, the person had already caught up from behind and circled to the front. It was Yu He.

Yu He was about to speak, but upon seeing Cheng Jianjian, the words stuck in his throat.

He looked at Zhou Heng with a mixture of surprise and disbelief, lowering his voice, “Damn, that’s not Miss Xiu’er, who is this?”

He had never met Cheng Jianjian before.

“Miss Xiu’er?” Cheng Jianjian turned to look at Zhou Heng upon hearing this.