Li Zhexian, Huo Wushuang, and Huo Wu turned toward the sound.
At the far end of the long street, two figures wrapped in violent wind-attributed Spirit Power came hurtling toward Fragrant Pavilion like twin tornado dragons.
The winds howled madly, whipping up clouds of dust that blotted out the sun.
Pedestrians cried out and scattered in panic, retreating to the sides of the avenue.
In the blink of an eye, the two figures had traversed the hundreds of meters separating them from the pavilion.
"Brother Zhexian!" ×2
Their twin shouts pierced the rushing wind, carrying unrestrained excitement.
Their speed only increased.
Moments later, the storm arrived before the pavilion doors.
The watching crowd staggered backward under the force of the wind, exclaiming in awe.
"Hahahahaha!"
As laughter rang out, the wind-attribute Spirit Power dissipated, dispersing into a refreshing breeze.
Two young men landed side by side and threw their arms around Li Zhexian in a fierce embrace.
"Brother Zhexian, five years have passed!"
"Brother Zhexian, I missed you terribly these past five years!"
A warmth surged through Li Zhexian's chest. Exhaling softly, he smiled.
"Brother Xiaotian, Brother Wuyu—five years apart, and I've missed you both as well!"
They stepped back. Eyes met—each rimmed faintly red.
Back then, they had been barely more than youths.
Five years… to them, it had felt an age.
But now—
At first sight of reunion, that brotherhood still burned bright, undiminished.
"Brother Wushuang, Junior Sister Huo Wu—five years gone, yet you both look well!"
Feng Wuyu and Feng Xiaotian turned to greet the Blazing team with broad smiles.
Just then—
"Even from afar, I could hear Brother Wuyu and Brother Xiaotian's laughter. Your Spirit Power has clearly advanced—congratulations!"
Yu Tianheng and the Heaven Dou Battle Team strode forward, every step firm and confident.
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling quickened their pace, coming up to Li Zhexian.
"Why didn't you tell us sooner?" Dugu Yan scolded lightly.
"We could have come earlier to help!"
Looking at the bright, youthful faces before him, full of vigor and warmth, Li Zhexian's smile deepened.
"No need for help. Today I host the banquet — you are all my honored guests."
In moments, the space before Fragrant Pavilion was filled with an assembly of dazzling young geniuses.
Passersby couldn't help but stop and stare, whispering in amazement at the legendary Lord Sword Wine's popularity.
In a shadowed corner of the street—
"Zhexian…"
"So elegant—white robes, sword at his side, radiant as ever."
Chen Xin stood with hands clasped behind his back, his sharp eyes softening with a faint, almost imperceptible admiration.
"Brother Zhexian is always like this…"
Ning Rongrong clutched a small clay sword in her hand, gazing dazedly at the white-robed youth surrounded by friends. Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Chen Xin's white brows furrowed slightly.
"Rongrong, go ahead."
"Grandpa Sword, I…"
Chen Xin said gently,
"Even if he once said you would go your separate ways, you still stood beside him in the battle at the Pope's Palace."
"No matter what, that makes you friends. Zhexian is not one to bear grudges."
Ning Rongrong's delicate face turned pale.
"I…"
"Go."
Chen Xin flicked his sleeve lightly.
A soft, invisible current of energy swept her from the alley corner.
Her feet landed upon a wisp of unseen sword qi—
and in the blink of an eye, she stood before Fragrant Pavilion.
"Hm?"
"What's this…?"
The cheerful laughter of Huo Wushuang, Feng Wuyu, and the others fell silent at her sudden appearance.
Their gazes turned subtle—then all, almost in unison, glanced toward Li Zhexian.
They knew well enough the story between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's precious daughter and Brother Zhexian.
Li Zhexian sensed the faint trace of sword qi still lingering in the air and looked toward the alley.
When he saw the white-robed swordsman there, he bowed deeply from afar.
"Sharp sword sense… you're but one step from the Fifth Realm of Sword Dao." Chen Xin nodded slightly,
then his form dissolved into a wisp of sword qi, fading into the air.
Li Zhexian withdrew his gaze and turned to face Ning Rongrong.
After five years apart, she seemed colder, more poised — yet the trace of nervous hesitation in her eyes remained.
He sighed inwardly.
"Welcome. Five years apart — have you been well?"
Ning Rongrong froze, then realized he was speaking to her.
Her clear eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she nodded — once, twice, then again, more emphatically, afraid he might think her insincere.
"I… I've been well, Brother Zhexian…"
The faint tension in the air suddenly eased.
Yet before they could speak further—
The air along the long street suddenly turned a few degrees colder.
A group of young women approached, their ice-blue dresses fluttering like lotus petals blooming from a frozen pond.
A group of young women in ice-blue dresses appeared, walking gracefully like lotuses blooming upon a frozen lake.
At their head, the leading girl's eyes trembled slightly when they fell upon the gathering before Fragrant Pavilion—and especially on the white-robed young man standing at its center.
"Shui Bing'er, of the Tianshui Team, here to keep the five-year promise!"
Even as Shui Bing'er maintained her reserved composure, her younger sister Shui Yue'er had already pulled Xue Wu along, laughing as they ran straight into the group around Li Zhexian.
What surprised Li Zhexian most, however, was the arrival of one more unexpected guest.
"Ji… Brother Ji…"
Oscar's voice cracked slightly as he licked his dry lips.
He looked a little worse for wear—out of place among these shining geniuses,
a trace of unease and self-consciousness clouding his face.
Li Zhexian blinked in surprise.
"Oscar? How did you know about the five-year promise?"
"Back in the Northern Regions… Brother Ji, when you spoke with Miss Shui Bing'er and the others—I… I happened to overhear…"
Oscar's gaze flicked briefly to Ning Rongrong standing nearby.
"Brother Ji, as long as you're safe, that's enough for me…"
He bit his lip, turning to leave—
—but Li Zhexian's arm swept around his shoulders, pulling him back into the group with an easy smile.
"If you're here, you're a friend. Just keep calling me Brother Ji."
Oscar's eyes reddened as he nodded fiercely.
Huo Wushuang and Feng Xiaotian exchanged amused looks.
"Brother Zhexian, when did you pick up the name 'Brother Ji'?"
Li Zhexian chuckled.
"A name from the Northern Regions."
"Come, once the wine's poured, I'll tell you all the story properly."
"Hahaha! Looking forward to it!"
Under the envious gazes of the onlookers lining the street, the entire group — young heroes and beauties alike — entered Fragrant Pavilion together in high spirits.
Just as they reached the doorway, Li Zhexian suddenly seemed to recall something.
He patted Yu Tianheng and Feng Wuyu on the shoulder.
"Brothers, entertain everyone for a moment, would you? The dishes need a bit more time. I'll be right back."
With that, he turned and strode quickly back toward the entrance.
At that moment, a stunning young woman with golden hair appeared before him.
Li Zhexian exhaled softly in relief.
"Xue'er — you're finally here."
Qian Renxue's beautiful eyes glimmered with mirth.
"How could I miss your promise?"
"If I didn't come, who would pay for your wine?"
..
Inside Fragrant Pavilion,
Li Zhexian hosted his friends—
the long-awaited five-year promise finally fulfilled.
At the same time—
At the gates of Heaven Dou City,
storytellers and Spirit Masters streamed into the city,
their chatter filled with the same name—Li Zhexian.
Meanwhile, within the Heaven Dou City branch of the Spirit Hall,
amid incense smoke and dim candlelight,
Platinum Bishop Salas slowly opened his clouded eyes.
"Has news of Li Zhexian's return reached the Holy City?"
"Yes, Bishop — carrier birds have brought letters. A sacred decree has been sent."
"Hmm…"
As he unfolded the sealed letter, Salas muttered to himself.
"So, Li Zhexian is hosting a banquet for those rebellious Spirit Masters from five years ago?"
"Heh… the boy still doesn't know the height of the heavens or the depth of the earth."
The seal broke.
Salas lowered his gaze to read — and his murky eyes widened in disbelief.
"By decree of His Holiness the Pope—
Platinum Bishop Salas is to lead the Heaven Dou City branch of the Spirit Hall
and test Li Zhexian's strength."
Salas's head snapped up in alarm.
He looked up in panic.
"Did… did any Elders come with this order?"
"No, Bishop."
The old bishop's gnarled hands trembled.
The letter slipped from his grasp.
"They want me to test Li Zhexian?"
"Me?!"