"The Heavenly Healing Sacred Pagoda dispute?"
Li Zhexian's eyes narrowed slightly.
The Ye matriarch's voice flowed like a mountain stream gliding over smooth stone.
"The so-called Heavenly Healing Holy Pagoda dispute is the triennial contest between the Nine-Heart Begonia and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, both vying for the title of 'Number One Support-Type Martial Soul on the Continent.'"
"Each clan's current heir selects a battle-type Spirit Master as a partner."
"Victory determines the rightful holder of that title."
Li Zhexian furrowed his brows.
From her tone, it seemed the Heavenly Healing Sacred Pagoda dispute was a highly significant event, watched by the strongest in the realm.
But then why had it never once been mentioned in the original timeline?
He asked directly:
"Both the Nine-Heart Begonia and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda are among the most famous support-type Martial Souls on the continent."
"Why have I never heard of this Heavenly Healing Sacred Pagoda dispute?"
The matriarch's amethyst eyes darkened with a trace of bitterness.
"Because…"
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is backed by that so-called 'Number One Attack-Type Douluo'—Sword Douluo Chen Xin."
"With Chen Xin present, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is undefeatable in the Heavenly Healing Sacred Pagoda dispute."
"And so… this contest has lain dormant for over ten rounds."
"So long that… the world has simply forgotten."
Upon hearing this, Li Zhexian nodded in understanding.
That explained why the original plot never mentioned it.
With Sword Douluo sweeping the battlefield and the other six Shrek Monsters rising behind him, the so-called Heavenly Healing Sacred Pagoda dispute had become little more than a formality.
Even if the Ye Clan forced a revival of the event…
It would only end in humiliation.
"That's hardly fair, isn't it?"
Li Zhexian thought for a moment, then asked in puzzlement:
"If the goal is to determine the best support-type Martial Soul, shouldn't both sides be paired with battle-type Spirit Masters of similar strength?"
The matriarch replied calmly:
"When has true fairness ever existed in this world?"
"Besides, forming bonds with top-tier battle-type Spirit Masters is a mark of a support-type's own strength."
At this point, Li Zhexian fully understood the reason behind her invitation.
"So…"
"The Ye Clan Master invited me…"
"Because you want me to represent the Ye Clan in the next Heavenly Healing Sacred Pagoda dispute?"
The matriarch looked at him.
For the first time, her perpetually cold and aloof expression softened with a trace of earnest hope.
"That's correct."
"But not for the next one in the distant future. The next contest is only a year or so away."
"We don't expect to defeat the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan within a few short years."
"The Ye Clan can wait—for you to grow stronger."
"In you, I see hope for surpassing Chen Xin."
"Your sword… is even sharper than his."
This woman, always poised and coldly elegant, now revealed a nearly obsessive glint in her refined features.
"The Nine-Heart Begonia allows only two to coexist in any generation."
"When a new bud blooms… the old flower must wither."
In her normally composed voice, a tremor of barely contained emotion escaped.
The begonia blossoms in the garden seemed to sense her sorrow, quietly bowing their heads.
Petals drifted down like mournful tears, settling on her shoulders and hair, like a silent elegy.
"I have personally sent off two generations of Nine-Heart Begonia successors…"
"I watched my closest kin wither and die in their prime."
"And yet… no matter how powerful the Nine-Heart Begonia may be—envied even by the heavens—"
"In the hearts of the people, the title of 'Number One Support-Type' still belongs to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."
"As the current head of the Ye Clan, I carry the dreams of countless fallen members."
"I ask for nothing else—only to restore the honor of the Nine-Heart Begonia."
She raised a hand—
And plucked a delicate jade hairpin from her bun.
Three streaks of light emerged from it. Within the misty, multicolored radiance, three Spirit Bones of different shapes hovered silently, exuding a vast, pure energy.
"These are three Spirit Bones from the Ye Clan's personal vault."
With her calm restored, the matriarch said solemnly:
"If you agree to represent the Ye Clan in the future Heavenly Healing Sacred Pagoda dispute—"
"All of these… are yours."
Li Zhexian couldn't help but marvel as he gazed at the three Spirit Bones, enough to drive any Spirit Master mad with desire.
"A single offer… and it's every Spirit Master's dream come true."
"The Ye Clan truly spares no expense."
The matriarch's lips curved ever so slightly, like snow beginning to melt under the spring sun.
She was certain—no one could refuse such a treasure.
However—
"But I'm not interested."
Li Zhexian's voice was calm and flat.
The matriarch's faint smile faded instantly.
"Not enough?"
"So long as you help the Ye Clan defeat the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and claim the title of Number One Support—"
"The Ye Clan's century of accumulation can all be yours."
"Lingling, as the next head of the clan, is duty-bound to support the family."
"At that time, she will assist you in battle… and marry you."
Her voice, cold to the point of madness, had reduced even her own daughter to a bargaining chip.
Li Zhexian looked toward Ye Lingling, who had been silent this entire time.
The girl lowered her head.
Her pale face was veiled in shadow from her lashes, hiding her azure eyes.
She stood quietly, like a marionette with no soul.
Li Zhexian fell silent.
A dead father. An obsessive mother. A fate she couldn't escape—this was the root of Ye Lingling's fragile appearance.
But—
"The Ye Clan Master does not understand me."
Li Zhexian finally spoke, his tone light:
"Wealth and riches mean little to me. Just enough to buy a few pots of rough wine is fine."
"I only seek to live freely."
"One man, one sword, one gourd of wine—that's all I need to wander the world."
"The feud between the Ye Clan and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan doesn't interest me."
He had already cut ties with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan the day he left.
To him, they were now no more than passersby.
No kindness, no grudge.
If he agreed to get involved in this rivalry simply because of past grievances—
That wouldn't be freedom. That would be pettiness. Proof he hadn't let go.
And that ran counter to the clarity and openness of his sword heart.
If, one day, he truly did agree to fight for the Ye Clan in the Heavenly Healing Sacred Pagoda Dispute—
It could only be because the Ye Clan itself had moved him.
Not out of vengeance.
Otherwise, both his sword and his heart would become clouded.
"If there's nothing else, I'll be taking my leave."
Li Zhexian cupped his hands and turned down the path toward the exit.
The shadows of the begonia trees rippled, draping across his plain white robes.
Just as his figure was about to vanish from the Ye mother and daughter's sight, his clear voice drifted back on the wind:
"Ye Clan Master, allow me to offer one last piece of advice…"
"Next time you make a decision that could change someone's life—"
"You might want to ask your daughter if she's willing first."
With that, Li Zhexian began humming a tuneless song as his figure disappeared into the depths of the blooming garden.
Ye Lingling's long-lowered lashes trembled ever so slightly.
Deep within her quiet blue eyes, a ripple of emotion finally stirred.
"Heh…"
The Ye matriarch froze for a brief moment, then murmured softly:
"Geniuses always have their pride. I expected he wouldn't agree so easily."
"Back then, Chen Xin was being hunted when Ning Fengzhi saved his life—he joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan in gratitude."
"Lingling…"
She turned sharply, eyes like blades fixed on her daughter.
"Opportunities are fleeting."
"Li Zhexian is a dragon hidden in the abyss."
"Before he soars into the heavens, you must etch the Ye Clan into his heart!"
"You must remember—hundreds of years of the Ye Clan's glory and disgrace rest on your shoulders!"
Li Zhexian's parting words meant nothing to her.
The full weight of the Ye Clan's century-long legacy—
She unceremoniously dumped it all onto the delicate shoulders of one girl.
Ye Lingling kept her head bowed.
Only after a long time did she softly utter three words:
"I understand."
—
Back at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well—
Li Zhexian put all distractions aside.
He focused entirely on brewing the Ice Flame Immortal Dew.
"All that chaos and nonsense—none of it matters as much as getting stronger."
"Unless I forge the Molten Frost Spirit Vein Body and comprehend the second move of the Qinglian Sword Song, I, Li Zhexian, will not emerge from seclusion."