Yun Jin didn't feel anything was wrong. She simply gave Qin Ping a bright, open smile.
Qin Ping found it a little amusing. This girl was quite different from Yu Liangping, who had just pissed himself in fear. She was... interesting.
It wasn't surprising that Qin Ping had stepped forward to speak on behalf of Yun Jin and Yu Songnian.
The main reason was Yun Jin's astonishing display of sword talent earlier.
To Qin Ping, it didn't matter whether Feng Linglong managed to break the Sword Domain or not. In fact, it would be better if Ma Yuanwu failed as well.
The more sword talents present, the better.
Who knew? One of them might just outshine Ma Yuanwu.
Mu Lan had also seen through Qin Ping's intentions and swept a cold glance toward Yun Jin. He had witnessed her destroying the Sword Trial Stone with a single strike.
It had been impressive, no doubt, but if Ma Yuanwu went all out, he might be able to do the same.
Mu Lan's eyes lingered on Yun Jin's Tai'a Sword. Besides, Yun Jin was only at the Golden Core stage. Destroying the Sword Trial Stone must have relied on the sharpness of her weapon.
But the Sword Domain was different.
The Sword Domain didn't care how sharp your weapon was.
What it tested was sword talent—nothing else.
If she thought she could gain an edge by relying on external tools, that was just a joke.
"Yu Lin," Mu Lan said flatly, glancing at him, "it's almost time for the Sword Tomb to open. We can't waste time. Since these two are here to challenge the Sword Domain, let them try. Everything else can be settled after it's broken. Agreed?"
Though he said "agreed," his tone left Yu Lin no room to refuse.
Yu Lin dared not disobey. He quickly replied, "We'll follow the Elder's command."
He waved his hand, signaling the Yu family disciples to fall back.
Then he cast a gloomy glance at Yu Songnian.
Fine, he wouldn't delay the timing.
Let him live a few more hours.
Once the Sword Domain was broken...
Not even Qin Ping would be able to interfere in their family's internal matters.
The killing intent in Yu Lin's eyes was unmistakable.
Yun Jin and Yu Songnian, however, acted as if they hadn't seen it. Calm and composed, they followed Qin Ping and Feng Linglong into the Yu residence.
Yu Songnian glanced at the current state of the Yu family, unsure how to feel.
So many years had passed.
Back then, he'd fled like a stray dog.
He had once believed that the day he returned would be the day Yu Lin and the others paid the price. But real life wasn't a storybook. He had left as a cripple, and returned still a cripple.
Yu Songnian didn't dwell on it. All he cared about now was keeping a close eye on his junior sister. He would not allow anything to happen to her.
As the group of sword cultivators made their way toward the Sword Domain, Yun Jin moved to walk beside Feng Linglong. "Big Sister Linglong, your outfit is so beautiful."
Feng Linglong wasn't used to someone being this friendly right off the bat and froze a little.
Yun Jin continued talking on her own. "Well, it's not just the outfit. It's really that you're the one wearing it. If anyone else tried, it wouldn't have the same effect."
Feng Linglong grew a little uncomfortable at the compliment and murmured softly, "Thank you."
"No need to thank me. I only speak the truth." Yun Jin suddenly pulled out a design sketch. "But the style's a little dated. Look at this design. It's red too—do you like it?"
Yun Jin was so enthusiastic that Feng Linglong couldn't help but glance at the sketch. After all, she was a young woman. The moment she saw the unique red outfit on the drawing, her eyes lit up.
This design was, of course, from Yue Zhao's Nixia Pavilion.
Yun Jin chuckled. "If you like it, I'll send you a set later."
Feng Linglong quickly waved her hands. "There's no need. As long as it's wearable, that's enough."
"Your Master helped me out earlier. This is my way of returning the favor. You absolutely can't refuse," Yun Jin said as she passed over a message token. "Here, take my message token. I'll deliver the outfit later."
Feng Linglong: "..."
Wait, what?
Giving out message tokens on the first meeting?
In the cultivation world, message tokens were a one-to-one communication item. One token could only be used to communicate with one person.
They were also expensive. People with only passing relationships rarely gifted them.
"Big Sister, do you have one too? Can you give me yours, so we can stay in touch?" Yun Jin asked hopefully.
Feng Linglong did have one…
But still.
This Yun Jin was way too forward!
Feng Linglong shot a pleading look at Qin Ping.
Qin Ping pretended not to see anything. He had no intention of meddling in such trivial matters.
Left with no choice, Feng Linglong reluctantly exchanged tokens with her.
Yun Jin accepted hers with delight.
Her Senior Brother was building a business empire, and she needed to help him out. Feng Linglong was well-known in the Canglan Kingdom. Wearing Nixia Pavilion clothing would be excellent promotion.
More importantly—
Yun Jin had already set her sights on this Master-Disciple pair.
Friends, what did Tianxing Sect lack in its journey toward becoming a Holy Land?
People.
And not just any people—talented ones.
But why would such people join a small sect like Tianxing Sect?
That required planning.
In today's cultivation world, although both Imperial and sect cultivators followed the path of immortality, they weren't exactly the same.
Imperial cultivators, because of the incense and worship from the people, tended to have higher Luck. But they lacked quality cultivation methods. So, they were eager to join better sects to gain resources.
However—
Since these cultivators remained loyal to their nations over sects, most sects imposed stricter requirements on accepting them. Many were outright rejected.
But Yun Jin didn't mind that at all. To her, caring about the people and one's homeland was not wrong. Cultivators trained themselves, yes. But if they had the power to help the world, what was wrong with that?
So—
If she could offer refined and powerful cultivation methods, there was a real chance of attracting Imperial cultivators.
Qin Ping and Feng Linglong could be the starting point.
She could slowly draw them in, let them contribute to Tianxing Sect's rise to Holy Land status.
After all, the Holy Land Yun Jin envisioned had never been one that cut off emotions and isolated itself above others. If it could protect the people, then why not?
From that perspective, Imperial cultivators actually aligned with her beliefs. With the intent of building a closer relationship, Yun Jin continued chatting with Feng Linglong on the way.
Though Feng Linglong looked like a composed and graceful older sister type, Yun Jin quickly discovered she was rather socially anxious…
For every ten things Yun Jin said, she might get a single reply, and even then, Feng Linglong couldn't hold her gaze.
Yun Jin found this contrast incredibly interesting, which only made her more eager to shower Feng Linglong with compliments. By the time they reached the gate of the Sword Tomb, Feng Linglong felt as if she had finally been set free.