"Hahahaha... The shattering star sword truly lives up to its reputation. To think that I laid low for three hundred years and exhausted my energy for the Corpse King, only to fail at the last step," the man said, already drenched in blood under Elder Xu Xu's sword, his eyes filled with resentment. "I cultivated to the Soul Emergence Stage, yet in the end, I was defeated by a Little Girl in the Qi Refining Stage. But you probably don't know..."

Before the man could finish his sentence, the wanghen blade pierced through the back of his neck and into his throat. He was instantly silenced; he opened his mouth, but only blood gushed out as his eyes widened involuntarily.

His suspicion that Yun Nian was raising a member of the Demon Race was never spoken, forever sealed within his body.

Yun Nian's eyes were bloodshot. After pulling the wanghen blade from the man's throat, she flicked the tip of the blade to retrieve the Bone Whistle from his person.

Yun Nian landed on the ground, her eyes downcast to hide the dark glint within. She slowly raised the Bone Whistle and said weakly, "He was stalling for time, wanting to use this object to command the horde of Zombies in the city."

The man's remaining left eye suddenly became bloodshot, staring fixedly at Yun Nian as if he wanted to tear her limb from limb. To think that at the end of his life, he had been tricked by this little wench once again!

His life force dissipated, and the body of the Soul Emergence Stage Demon Cultivator plummeted.

Elder Xu Xu's eyes flickered slightly as he sheathed his sword and walked toward the Little Girl who was slumped on the ground, covered in wounds.

A warm hand suddenly landed on her head, gently stroking her hair. Yun Nian's body trembled slightly.

"Little Radish Head, are you hungry?"

One month later.

In the Su Mansion, Su Wuxue propped up his head with one hand. As he listened to the reports from outside, his drowsiness vanished, and the corners of his lips curled upward.

"I originally thought that since Yun Nian took away his chance to become Elder Xu Xu's Direct Disciple, these two would naturally be mortal enemies. I didn't expect that after Yun Nian ran into trouble, he would actually go to Huan Yuan Valley and even gain the blessing of comprehending Sword Intent through that disaster," Su Wuxue said as he took the spiritual tea handed to him by a servant. "However, that traitor from the Corpse Refining Sect three hundred years ago is quite interesting."

"To lie low in the City of the Dead for three hundred years, such composure is indeed rare," Steward Su couldn't help but say. "To be so obsessed with corpse refining to the point of madness, deluding himself into thinking he could create the legendary Corpse King—it's truly laughable. Even if he had collected all the Heavenly Treasuress, there is no body in this world that could withstand that much corpse qi."

"So why did he choose Yun Nian instead of someone else?" Su Wuxue narrowed his eyes slightly. "In my view, the constitution of the Xi Family's Young Master is much better than Yun Nian's."

"Who knows what someone who has already gone mad is thinking," Steward Su sighed. "It's just a pity for that city; it has now been turned into ruins under the shattering star sword. I didn't expect that the Zixiao Sword Immortal would value his disciple so highly."

Hearing this, Su Wuxue chuckled. "How strange, how strange. Regardless, there's no harm in befriending Yun Nian. By the way, how are the preparations for the Clear Snow Gathering going?"

"It's almost ready. Yesterday, it was calculated that the day of the first snow will be in half a month. The invitations have been sent out one after another," Steward Su said seriously.

"What about the invitation for the Yun Family?"

"Sent."

Su Wuxue's eyes flickered. "Remember to send two copies: one to the Yun Family and another to Wanyue Peak."

"Does the Young Master mean..."

"Previously, Elder Xu Xu sent people to the Yun Family multiple times, which I found a bit suspicious. It seems Yun Nian's relationship with the Yun Family isn't good; otherwise, how could Yun Yue'e not worry about her sister at all?" Su Wuxue said slowly. "I must invite Yun Nian to this Clear Snow Gathering. Oh, when you send someone to deliver the invitation, bring the Jade-Charming Exquisite Sparrow along as well."

Upon hearing this, Steward Su looked shocked. "Isn't that the rare Spirit Beast the Family Head previously prepared to give to the Eldest Young Miss of the Yun Family to build a good relationship?!"

"The better the item, the more it should be given to someone worthy," Su Wuxue chuckled.

"But the Eldest Young Miss of the Yun Family is the daughter of destiny with a phoenix fate, and her performance in recent years has become increasingly outstanding. Her future prospects are naturally limitless. The Family Head rarely notices juniors from second-rate families, let alone one that has just climbed up from an ordinary family," Steward Su paused and then added, "Moreover, when we prepared the Jade-Charming Exquisite Sparrow, the news had already been spread. Changing it to someone else so suddenly, wouldn't that make things awkward for the Yun Family?"

"Is Yun Nian not also a member of the Yun Family? If it's awkward, that's their own family's internal affair not being handled well," Su Wuxue narrowed his eyes. "Ultimately, they are a second-rate family without a Foundation. Relying solely on one Yun Yue'e, no matter how high they climb, how far can they really go?"

"Then, regarding the Family Head's side..." Steward Su hesitated.

"I will speak to my father myself," Su Wuxue said calmly.

Xi Mansion

"Cough, cough, cough..."

Xi Mo had been lying in bed for an entire month. During this time, Medical Cultivators had been entering and leaving the Xi Mansion every day. Reconstructing bones was no easy task, but fortunately, the Xi Family was powerful. They found hundreds of talented Medical Cultivators and many rare treasures. Now, he was finally able to walk on the ground.

Even though his body was still in constant pain, Xi Mo was in a rare good mood.

Looking at Xi Mo, who couldn't stop coughing, Lady Ding frowned deeply.

"I wasn't paying attention for a moment, and you actually ran off to a place like Huan Yuan Valley. Tell me, what does that Yun Nian have to do with you? If something happens to her, the Sword Immortal will naturally handle it. Your going there was nothing but a nuisance, and you even ended up in this state!" Lady Ding scolded as she supported Xi Mo.

"Mother," Xi Mo's tone softened unusually, "didn't I also gain a blessing in disguise this time? I originally thought that I might not be able to comprehend Sword Intent in this lifetime."

"How can Sword Intent be more important than my son's life!" Lady Ding's attitude remained firm. "Fortunately, your grandfather refined that Talisman for you earlier, which saved your life."

"Let me see, what kind of Sword Intent has my dear grandson comprehended!"

Speak of the devil, a voice that was old yet still vigorous rang out. A white-haired, white-bearded old man walked over with a beaming smile.

When it came to things related to swords, Xi Mo became a bit more spirited. He said, "The situation was critical at the time, so I didn't pay much attention to the characteristics of the Sword Intent around me. I still need to meditate and comprehend it further."

"Good, good," Xi Tianlu nodded repeatedly. "My dear grandson can now be called a Sword Cultivator!"

Hearing this, a reserved smile appeared on the corners of Xi Mo's mouth.

Xi Tianlu's expression suddenly turned serious again. He spoke slowly, "However, that the wanghen blade actually recognized the Little Girl taken in by the Sword Immortal as its master was indeed something I did not expect."

Upon hearing those words, Xi Mo was stunned for a moment. He suddenly recalled something Yun Nian had once said and said slowly, "Perhaps... this is Fate."