Li Kuanglan?
Qian Ye suddenly recalled the image of Li Kuanglan: ice劍slicing through the air like lightning, his azure garments as illusory as mist—both an enemy and an ally. Yet, Zhao Jundu had already taken upon himself the duel to the death on Qian Ye’s behalf. Why then would Li Kuanglan track him down once more?
In the midst of ongoing war, duels or martial contests were of absolutely no interest to Qian Ye. He’d rather expend such efforts upon the Darkblood races. Hadn’t even Zhang Mansion and Bai Mansion just retreated under the force of the darkness’ massive onslaught?
However, Li Kuanglan was an exception; truly a madman—for the martial path, he would stop at nearly nothing, unpredictable by any conventional means. His martial prowess was formidable, further strengthened by backing from the influential Li family, making him prone to stir up troubles freely.
Still, his coming here directly contradicted his prior agreement with Zhao Jundu. In Zhao Jundu’s place, a fourth master whose personality bore no leniency, he might just mobilize his armies over to the Li’s again simply for discussion.
But having just this concern arise, Qian immediately dismissed it—Zhao’s protection over him had been great, but surely not everything was to be depended upon him?
At this very time, Qian had emerged from bitter combat with Aidan where their lives had battled near death, gaining mastery of martial strategy nearly consummate perfection—it now nearly rivaled even Zhao.
Moreover, the Goldfire Blood had spread fully throughout him since reaching the rank of Bloodline Noble, an ancient rank amongst the Blood tribe—each passing day further enhancing his physical frame.
So, the confrontation with Li Kuanglan stirred a sense of excitement within Qian Ye.
Letting the parchment slip loose from hand, an unfamiliar thought occurred him—Who exactly was that female lieutenant?
While in another section of UndestruCity, Sung Zining strode rapidly inside Lord Zhao’s military encampment toward Jundu’s command pavilion, his countenance stern—producing identification tokens at minor obstructions silenced the questioning.
Though the Seventh Young Lord’s fame hadn’t yet spread beyond the Floating Continents, it surely held great weight—soldiery recognized him within Zhao’s territory, and challenges served more as a matter of bureaucratic duty than genuine skepticism regarding identity verification.
When he reached Jundu’s chamber door, this became his first substantive halt. Yet the 7th Lord, with a graceful flick of folding fan, merely nudged away a female secretary barring his way with delicate technique, placing her beside himself like silk tossed aside before stepping straight into the door.
As this unfolded, Zhao, seated behind writing desk with eyes never having lifted while absorbed within a combat intelligence report said: “What kind of level does bullying mere secretaries represent, and what responsibility do you think you carry by manhandling my staff?”
“To deliver jokes so blunt and flat, really now, your style hasn’t impressed.” Song riposted in disdain.
Zhao raised only slight mirth: “Hmph. Your composure too seems to have declined—unless you refine this self discipline again, such outburst might even cause regress in cultivating abilities within several years.”
Sung Zining, having recognized his haste, drew long breath, seeking calm. “Tell me—how did Kuanglan end up this time again hunting down Qiaye’s doorstep like this?”
“Aren’t you being dramatic again?”
“No pretense. Explain.”
This time Zhao paused scanning, gazed with nonchalance at the impatient fellow before responding calmly: “If anything—that’s how quick you picked up rumor these days.”
“How not dramatic?!—when even one considers he didn’t conceal arrival in secret; what strangeness that I hear news? Are you going to tell me even you hadn’t foreknowledge of this action?”
The expression held aloof indifference; “Naturally known—but even minor disturbances aren’t worthy distraction.”
Zining exploded: “This not significant?!”
“Significance or not—there’s a matter,” he elaborated, still composed, “what I mediated previously was but the challenge of life or death… Not the rest.”
Sung sneered. “Duel? Do pretend you’re not informed just how Li family swordplay functions—he has been ‘dueling’ others for over half a year, yet several opponents died mysteriously during that so-called sparring.”
Jundu now leaned back, gait unreadability, half smile forming: “So? Let their swords decide the outcome; so long not lethal in execution, their quarrel bears consequence lightly considered.”
This time, his smirk widened mischievously: “Though, oddly, it’s you who’s so concerned?”
Silence ensued. After careful scrutiny, realizing futility trying pushing Jundu, Song’s face turned somber: “Well, if consequences result—you’ll excuse me for my action if they erupt.”
“You do act mighty,” Jundu mused coolly, “but can do little against the Li family.”
At this juncture as departing steps neared portal, a final retort halted them cold.
“I possess no great qualities,” Song declared, glacial tone, “Except—I keep grudges.”
A heavy thud sounded as the door slammed behind the abrupt exit.
The four-eyed公子allowed himself but a whisper of mirth, one chilled by icy thoughts.
“He dares slam *my* door. Seems he’s forgotten, I also maintain old scores.”
His call pierced through the chamber: “Mistress Yan.”
At summons, the same female secretary entered quietly:
“Please instruct.”
“Bring me family documentation of unmarried girls residing under each clan branch immediately”
The woman hurriedly bowed and left still lost within confusion: Did the fourth master intend political unions?—he’d scarcely paid interest prior… Yet, today such unusual order emerged…
Back inside Jundu murmured aloud, while idly tapping fingers, suddenly breaking into low laughter: “Should you remain unseemly, better pray I won’t consider sending you marry Rain’s Plum.
Post-haste from encampment, upon entering personal offices, he called close confidants.
After brief private council, trusted aides dispatched themselves immediately to set his personal information network into urgent motions. Gathering intelligence upon Kuanglan’s sudden movement.
Though born of prestige from his status as 7th son under Song authority, he had since established an individual force—having matured fully beyond the “young elite.”
Even so, the day where Song Zining and Zhao Jundu commanded independent regions had begun taking shape.
Though Qian Ye’s status remained comparatively restrained still, none could doubt him: having once dispatched nobleman Jade outright upon battlefield. Command as a General was entirely befitting despite yet lower level in martial cultivation ranking compared to peerages.
By strong contrast younger nobilities such as Song Zicheng were still bound beneath ancestral titles.
The moment Song dispatched full resources however—no one foretold how rapidly Kuanglan would appear.
By dusk horizon shimmered under long, glistening form of glider ship cutting swiftly into distance.
Upon this vessel’s bridge stood Li Kuanglan standing firm hand behind back, motionless—eyes fixed upon encroaching Unbreaking City.
To his immediate rear, an enchanting petite lady-in-waiting in curiosity spoke:
“Why come thus far across the sea? Even setting aside urgent tasks at hand…?”
Kuanglan solemnly replies: “You wouldn’t comprehend… I must come.”
Scoffed girl pouting: “Though statesmanship escape me, I can grasp what’s trivial or serious… Likely mischief again stirred by those tiresome fellows!”
The lord softly grinned: “They played minor role, however I myself came seeking a particular man’s return”
“Intrigued me even more—Who could be that rare?”
“You shall know—eventually,” he stated dryly, “Though his presence could be… both annoying… and amusing.”
Eyes twinkled at comment. “Wait! Never known such a sentiment from your lips… Gotta meet the character!”
Before laughter concluded, face transformed—expressionless mask emerged.
“Wishing for your tomb, aren’t you…”
Fearless giggling filled his grimness.
Sky vessels accelerated forward, flying unchallenged above city. F-ship patrols of Zhao estate once hovered nearby but recognized symbols upon the vessel, and abandoned course alteration to let this strange ship hover right at center Unbreaking City’s skyline.
Suddenly Kuanglan senses something; He leaped off skyship diving head first plummeting earthward.
“Ahhh… Eeew—Lord, wait!!” the servant cried out, but to chase his plunge, she, too, soared behind him—glidding gracefully amidst airborne descent amidst city below.
Within courtyard beneath, Qian Ye, restlessly unable achieving tranquil cultivation, dared not activate too much profound artistry, especially not that mysterious martial law from past nigh, which had once rebelled violently—memories chilling like cold water still haunting thoughts.
Words once uttered by Zining came: Floating Earth surrounded by numerous hidden masters now warping fate laws constantly—it rendered prediction via destiny divination nearly obsolete, to such levels that martial adepts lost early danger perceptions or became prey to uncontrolled emotions.
Yet such weakness applied less so upon individuals such Qian Ye or Lord Jundu—even formidable figures like Zhao Yuying and Wei Patian could remain steady amidst such disturbances—resilient heart never waver.
Yet, Qian could never find clarity why uneasiness clung so closely lately—his very spiritual force unstable, disrupting cultivation rhythm.
His numerous practice tries failed entirely; frustrated stepping from chamber, his irritation renewed again.
Beyond war’s imminent demands—the rapid expansion of his blood vitality dangerously exceeding daylight-force levels now called forth a desperate need for restoration and harmony. When most critical to stability, this disruption made everything far more unbearable.
Frustration peaking—return back into his room, Qian retrieved some fate-divining slips at impulse, following Zining teachings on the side—martial energy channeled briefly with meditative calm, let the slips fall across wood tabletop—expectation non-existent. If not mere idle boredom relief, no results meant absolutely nil importance to bother.
But this time slips had arranged forming an oddly distinct pattern.
Shock coursed through Qian’s mind momentarily before realization struck—who would suspect a novice could ever divine clearly like this… had hidden potential always lied there?
Examining it however turned his calm gaze instantly pallid—
Significance carried the dire omen—TIAN JIANG HENG HUO.
Skyfall Calamity.
No sooner had the slip array registered its meaning did his heart darken with unease; but suddenly—an external thunderclap erupted within courtyard. Tremors shook ground, followed by a violent blast shock wave which slammed his chamber entrance doors and shoving windows wide—howling wind and dust filled chamber immediately.
Instinct took over as Qian Ye’s aura activated surrounding area; dust and pressure harmlessly kept back, a circular safe-zone maintained by sheer cultivation strength.
Once settled slightly, amidst thickening clouds within that dust filled view, Qian perceived an elegant slender figure within—standing firmly within the courtyard crater made by violent landing, posture tall—garbs azure like unsheathed steel. One needed scarce more confirmation.
“It’s really you…”
Li Kuanglan heard without context, momentarily startled expression until he glimpsed across slips arrayed upon table adjacent.
Instant recognition dawned.
“You considered my approach—an omen?”
Thus greeted.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage