Three weeks passed in the blink of an eye.
During that time, Zhao Mei personally selected a suitable location for the Fang family’s new home within the Flying Crane Sect’s territory.
The site sat atop a mountain rich in spiritual qi, surrounded by natural formations that made it easy to defend and difficult to approach unnoticed.
She had even offered to gather experts to help transport the spatial nods and its coordinates to the new location.
However, Fang Yuan politely declined.
He alone was capable of relocating the spatial tear, so there was no need to trouble the sect.
Although a little disappointed that she could not lend a hand, Zhao Mei was already more than satisfied with what the Flying Crane Sect had gained.
With the protection agreement in place, the future of the sect had become brighter than ever.
Meanwhile, thanks to her Invincibility System, the Flying Crane Sect’s territory had already expanded at an astonishing pace.
The sect’s lands had already stretched across an area comparable to a small kingdom.
As long as the Spirit Seeds were planted within her territory, Zhao Mei had complete confidence in protecting them.
Even if a Great emperor Realm expert appeared, she dared to declare that they would never leave her territory alive.
With everything finally settled, Fang Yuan informed his family that he would be entering secluded cultivation.
He had already reached the peak of the Hollow Spirit Realm.
Now, with a Peak Heaven-Grade Realm Breakthrough Pill in hand, his chances of stepping into the Spirit Severing Realm had never been higher.
Meanwhile, on one of the Flying Crane Sect’s martial platforms, a large crowd had already gathered.
At the center of the arena, Fang Lian and the sect’s greatest genius, Zhu Xian, stood facing each other.
A gentle breeze swept across the platform.
Fang Lian’s eyes lingered on the black silk blindfold covering Zhu Xian’s eyes.
"Take off your blindfold," she said calmly. "I know you can see perfectly well."
Zhu Xian smiled faintly and shook her head.
"Fellow Daoist, if I remove this blindfold..." She lightly touched the black cloth covering her eyes. "...this will no longer be a simple spar."
"I insist."
Fang Lian’s voice remained gentle, yet unwavering.
"If you’re worried about hurting me, don’t be. I’m strong."
A confident smile appeared on her face.
The spectators, however, did not share her confidence.
"Senior Sister, teach her a lesson!"
"She actually told Senior Sister to remove her blindfold!"
"She doesn’t know who she’s challenging!"
"Senior Sister Zhu has never needed her eyes to defeat anyone!"
"Beat that arrogance out of her!"
The disciples cheered one after another, convinced the outsider had grossly underestimated the strongest genius of the Flying Crane Sect.
The disciples of the Flying Crane Sect were in no mood to welcome the newcomers.
Ever since the Fang Clan had settled within the sect’s territory, peace had become a distant memory.
Only two weeks earlier, several members of the clan had arrived at the martial platforms with a single request.
They wanted to challenge Zhu Xian.
The news had spread through the sect like wildfire.
"How dare they challenge Senior Sister?"
"Do they not know their place?"
At first, everyone dismissed them as attention seekers.
After all, who in the Flying Crane Sect hadn’t seen the colossal Nine-Tailed Fox carrying them through the sky?
Who didn’t know that an entire clan had established itself beneath the sect’s protection?
But they were later stunned by the strength this newcomers showed.
Weren’t these people supposed to have only recently entered the Higher Realm after the spatial tear in their homeland had stabilized?
Then how could they possibly possess such terrifying strength?
Since Zhu Xian was injured, the other geniuses naturally stepped forward ready to take the spotlight.
Gu Yuzhong.
Shan Mingkong.
Both had confidently declared they would defend the honor of the Flying Crane Sect and teach these outsiders a lesson.
Instead, they became the lesson.
Neither of them could even defeat the weakest member sent forward by the Fang Clan.
Mu Qing alone had swept through every challenger with an overwhelming victory.
The most frustrating part was that everyone involved was at the peak of the Hollow Spirit Realm.
There was no advantage in cultivation.
Only an absurd gap in talent.
The disciples still remembered the crushing silence that followed each defeat.
"...Monsters."
Someone had whispered those words after Mu Qing defeated the last challenger.
No one disagreed.
To the disciples of the Flying Crane Sect, every member of the Fang Clan possessed strength that defied common sense.
And today, at long last...
The Flying Crane Sect’s greatest genius had finally recovered from her injuries.
The moment Zhu Xian stepped onto the martial platform, the confidence that had been beaten out of the disciples returned in full.
Originally, everyone had expected the Fang Clan to weaken her by having Mu Qing would step forward first and then she would defeat one challenger after another until only Zhu Xian remained.
Instead, before anyone could speak, a beautiful woman in white calmly stepped onto the platform.
"Allow me," she said. "The rest of you are too weak to face her."
The entire arena fell silent.
That was acknowledgment from the strongest person on the Fang family side!
She didn’t even consider anyone besides Zhu Xian worth drawing her sword against.
Shan Mingkong, who had once managed to injure Zhu Xian before her seclusion, clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white.
He had already been defeated by Mu Qing.
Now, in this woman’s eyes...
He wasn’t even qualified to be her opponent.
The humiliation burned far more than his previous defeat.
Returning to the present, Zhu Xian smiled calmly.
"Fellow Daoist," she said, "if you are injured after I remove this blindfold, I will not be held responsible."
"I understand."
Receiving Fang Lian’s answer, Zhu Xian slowly untied the black silk covering her eyes.
The blindfold slipped free.
A pair of clear, tranquil eyes appeared beneath it.
They were like an endless lake beneath the moonlight, serene and without the slightest ripple.
The moment Fang Lian saw Zhu Xian’s face clearly, her eyes lit up.
"So this..."
A radiant smile bloomed across her face.
"...is what love at first sight feels like."
"..."
The martial platform became deathly silent.
Every disciple of the Flying Crane Sect stared blankly at Fang Lian.
The members of the Fang Clan were equally dumbfounded.
Even Zhu Xian blinked once in surprise.
No one had expected those to be the first words spoken after the blindfold came off.
The disciples exchanged bewildered glances.
"...Did... did she just fall in love with Senior Sister Zhu Xian the moment she took out the blindfold?"
No one knew whether to continue watching the duel or congratulate the two of them.
Realizing how easily her words could be misunderstood, Fang Lian hurriedly shook her head.
"Don’t get me wrong."
She pointed gently toward Zhu Xian’s face.
"I’m talking about your eyes."
"..."
The silence somehow became even heavier and the disciples stared at one another.
That... wasn’t helping.
Only Zhu Xian understood.
Her eyes were her greatest weapon.
They could perceive the flow of sword intent, the trajectory of every strike, and the countless possibilities hidden within each exchange.