The Sect Master had no idea that while he had sneaked out with his disciple, things were happening in his sect that would turn everything upside down in a mere decade. Had he known … well, there was nothing he could have done anyway. From the moment Zhong Jing Yi met Wu Min Huan in the Long country’s capital city, the fate of the Yun Zou Sect had been sealed. After all, wherever the Son of Heaven’s reincarnation went a certain dragon king wasn’t far and he was just too good at stirring up trouble along the way.

Currently, Qiu Ling was proudly evaluating his handiwork. Ah, it had been a while since he used his sword for something as basic as destroying a building but it seemed his skill hadn’t diminished in the least. One quick, well-aimed strike and the ugly hut had collapsed in itself like a house of cards. Mn, the technique was the most important. You had to hit the right place, then it wouldn’t be difficult at all. Of course, that was just in theory. Knowing about it and being able to do it were two completely different things. The fact that he had managed to achieve it with just one strike should convince these guys from the Yun Zou Sect that he was special and deserved to meet the Grandmaster, right?

He turned to them with an expectant expression but the two Elders just stared at the remains of the hut in a daze, their thoughts only slowly catching up to them. When Elder Suo finally figured out what he had seen just now, cold sweat broke out on his back. Fuck! What was this boy thinking?! That was Elder Kong’s hut! How dare he! Was he really expecting to become a disciple of the inner sect like this?!

Elder Kong’s thoughts took a moment longer to catch up with him. After all, this had been his home for several decades. Standing before its ruins wasn’t that easy to cope with. But in the end, he just sighed. He was a practitioner, so he felt that he shouldn’t be too attached to things. The sword arts should always be the most important to him.

Before he could get used to the idea of not having a roof above his head anymore and, even worse, of having to go to the Sect Master to request a new dwelling, the two Elders received yet another shock.

A seemingly young man rushed toward them on his sword. It wasn’t the fact that he was flying that shocked them since every practitioner would be able to do that as soon as they attained a high enough level. No, it was rather the fact that this person looked slightly familiar.

He was handsome with a lean built and a chiseled face. His two brows were tightly locked in a frown, lending him a ferocious air that was supported by the way his black hair and the tail of his robe fluttered in the wind. This kind of heroic spirit … The Elders were sure to have seen it somewhere before but they weren’t completely sure. After all, he really only looked slightly familiar. They didn’t dare to assume anything.

Qiu Ling’s eyes lit up when he saw this man though. The other was wearing a white robe, had a pair of strict-looking eyebrows, and frowned. This was obviously the guy from the scroll Fu Min had shown him! "So that’s the Grandmaster!" Heavens! He was so lucky today. The Grandmaster actually appeared right after he demonstrated his might. It seemed his plan was working out wonderfully.

Hearing Qiu Ling mutter next to them, the two Elders finally dared to admit to themselves that they had been right. Yes, this man was indeed none other than their Yun Zou Sect’s Grandmaster Zhangsun who only ever stepped out of his palace and appeared in public when there was some grand occasion.

Even though Qiu Ling’s exclamation had affirmed their guess, they couldn’t help but wonder though. Had they remembered the wrong year? Was it already time for the Gathering of Practitioners that was held every seven years? But it seemed that had only been two years ago? Maybe all three of them had identified the wrong person after all? But no, that was the same perpetual frown they were always treated to when this person emerged. This truly was an enigma!

Zhangsun Xun Yi landed on the ground before they could figure out what was going on. He ignored Elder Suo and Elder Kong and turned to Qiu Ling instead, sizing him up.

He had felt formidable sword energy just now, something that most people would never manage to develop. Could it be … it was this person who had released it? But it didn’t seem like he harbored any ill intentions. He was even holding his sword rather casually.

The Grandmaster glanced at the collapsed hut and took in the clean cuts before he turned back to Qiu Ling. "You. Was this your doing?"

Qiu Ling looked at the hut, then at the shocked expression of the two Elders and finally back to the Grandmaster in front of him. Uh … judging from the expression of the Elders … It seemed he had done something wrong? Then he absolutely couldn’t confess! That guy would never take him in if he did. Qiu Ling raised his chin and blinked his eyes in the hope of looking innocent. "Uh … no. It collapsed all on its own."

Zhangsun Xun Yi frowned even deeper.

Qiu Ling coughed. It seemed his future Master wasn’t satisfied with that answer? "Uh … Maybe I had a teeny-tiny bit to do with it. Actually, those two Elders asked me to demonstrate some sword moves. It might have been that … some … stray … strike somehow lead to … this." He looked in the other direction, just one step away from whistling a tune. It definitely wasn’t him! Don’t look at him like that!

Zhangsun Xun Yi nodded. "How old are you?"

Qiu Ling almost broke out in cold sweat. What was it with that ruthless question? His age was a sensitive issue, alright?!