Ye Xiu nodded, holding Heng Chen before his eyes. He hadn't expected that the sword he always found awkward to use would only reveal its true, immense power when wielded in conjunction with the Myriad Sword Art. Was that why he always felt Heng Chen was so heavy? And that single strike he unleashed against the Myriad Sword Azure Dragon—now he finally understood the true essence of the Heng Chen sword. Heng Chen was the embodiment of the Myriad Swords, possessing the very soul of ten thousand blades. Thus, every swing was equivalent to wielding thousands of swords simultaneously. Heng Chen possessed no ordinary attacks because every kill was achieved by legions of swords; combined with the killing moves of the Myriad Sword Art, it was truly peerless under heaven.

“That’s enough practice for today,” Chen Ying declared, feeling a touch bored. The summit of Myriad Sword Peak was, in truth, a vast, open expanse, upon which rested a small lake. This clearing held everything found in the forests of the lower realms, and even more delightfully, it hosted wild roses. “It’s been ages since we admired the flowers. Could you accompany me to see those little blossoms by the lake?”

Ye Xiu smiled, tossing Heng Chen onto the ground, and took Chen Ying’s hand as they walked toward the nearby woods. Such a life was happiness for anyone, yet people often failed to cherish this seemingly mundane bliss.

“This lake is quite large. How wonderful it would be if there were a pavilion in the center of the water,” Chen Ying leaned against Ye Xiu’s shoulder, beaming like a child. “Do you find this place beautiful?”

Ye Xiu was actually growing weary of these sights. He knew he was the typical person whose enthusiasm waned quickly—a concept that perhaps applied to people and matters alike—yet when it came to his aspirations, he remained steadfast. “What beauty is there in these landscapes? As long as you are here, everywhere is the same. Perhaps within the span of three swords, we can find a place even lovelier than this.”

“Hmph, you’re just being glib,” Chen Ying laughed. A man skilled in light banter wasn’t necessarily a bad thing; at least it meant they wouldn't feel stifled together, and there would be new surprises every day. “If you feel the time is right, I will accompany you down the mountain. I am your wife; I will heed your every word.”

Ye Xiu felt a surge of emotion. He felt he should treat Chen Ying better, even if it meant staying here just one more day. But he had to admit his own ambition, and the wild, untamed spirit inherent in his Sagittarius nature. “Chen Ying, would you close your eyes for a moment?”

Chen Ying was slightly surprised but gave no thought to doubting him, closing her eyes instantly because she trusted the man before her completely.

Ye Xiu lowered his head. He had noticed the white rose blooming near his foot long ago. There had once been a woman as pure and resilient as that rose. Whether out of duty or affection, that woman had sacrificed her life for him. He felt this was a debt in matters of the heart that he would owe for a lifetime, one he could never fully repay to any single person. Therefore, the only thing he could do was to treat every woman by his side a little better, even if it was just to bring them one more day of happiness.

“Alright, you can open your eyes now,” Ye Xiu’s voice was soft, like the gentle breeze brushing over the lakeside, utterly without impurity.

“Ah!” As Chen Ying opened her eyes, she let out a small start. At that moment, Ye Xiu was kneeling on one knee before her, holding a delicate, pale ornament in his hand. “What... what is this?”

Ye Xiu’s eyes crinkled into a smile as he gently slipped the object onto Chen Ying’s finger. It turned out to be nothing less than a ring Ye Xiu had fashioned from rose leaves. “Where I come from, there is a custom where a man, when proposing to a woman, must ask this of the woman he deeply loves: Will you marry me? If the woman consents, the man places a ring symbolizing their love upon her finger.”

“I...” Chen Ying didn’t know what her words should be. All she could do was weep, letting the tears trace paths down her face—tears of happiness she would gladly shed for a lifetime.

Ye Xiu waited for no further hesitation; he gently took Chen Ying’s hand and asked, “Will you marry me, Myriad Sword Chen Ying?”

“...” Chen Ying remained silent. Though she was clearly smiling, tears still clung to her eyes. She looked down at Ye Xiu, her slightly exposed little rabbit teeth beneath her lips utterly captivating.

“Silence implies consent,” Ye Xiu slowly stood up and delicately placed the ring onto Chen Ying’s finger. “Since you won’t speak, I will answer for you. I, Myriad Sword Chen Ying, say yes. I am willing to become Ye Xiu’s wife.”

“Hee hee.” At that moment, nothing felt more natural than pulling him into an embrace. In this life, she had no regrets whatsoever.

Inside the Myriad Sword Pavilion, Wan Jian Xuan Hu sat upright, regulating the flow of his Qi and meridians. The power of the Kuang Meridian was truly astonishing; in just a few days, he had broken through to the Ninth Level of the Myriad Sword, a realm of truly supreme power.

“Reporting to the City Lord.” No one entered, yet the mournful sound of the Night Wind echoed throughout the grand hall. “The Beast Clan and the Wing Clan have made no moves for some time. Moreover, Elder Xie met secretly with the Abyssal Heavenly One last night. Your subordinate investigated cautiously but could not ascertain the subject of their discussion.”

“Go. I understand,” Xuan Hu waved the Night Wind away without turning. A cold shock ran through his heart. Elder Xie was profoundly cunning, and the Abyssal Heavenly One willing to lower his status for a meeting suggested a plot between those two factions.

“Men!” Xuan Hu roared, summoning Zuo Wen Cheng into the hall. “Have the envoys sent to negotiate with the Water Clan Elders returned? What is the Water Clan’s current stance?”

Zuo Wen Cheng shook his head and replied sharply, “The people were dispatched several days ago. By all accounts, they should have returned long ago. They were likely ambushed and killed halfway by some party.”

“Damn it! Then dispatch more men!” Xuan Hu was furious. He hadn't expected the Beast Clan’s defenses around Myriad Sword City to be so stringent. Did they intend to trap every human cultivator within the city walls? “What is the status of the city defenses these past few days?”

“No changes. The Beast Clan armies remain encamped by the Gloomy River with no movement, and the Wing Clan personnel stationed at Senlong Peak are also holding their positions,” Zuo Wen Cheng was thoroughly prepared, answering fluently. “We don't know the City Lord’s deployment, but if this standoff continues, I fear the citizens will all flee.”

“Flee? Why would the citizens flee?” Xuan Hu was greatly astonished.

Zuo Wen Cheng explained, “The two clans have besieged the city for many days. Most of the citizens’ fertile fields lie near the banks of the Gloomy River. If we don't send troops soon to reclaim the land, any harvest will only benefit the Beast Clan. The populace is murmuring with discontent and anger; that is the first reason. Secondly, Myriad Sword City always hosted many merchants. Now, without trade with the other three clans, prices within the city have spiked beyond the reach of common folk, leading to thoughts of escape. Furthermore, our human soldiers are natives of Myriad Sword City; among those who flee will be their own parents and relatives. If this continues, it will negatively affect the morale of the entire army, therefore…”

“Enough, I understand. Open the national treasury to provide relief and stabilize the people’s morale. Such trivial matters—go ahead and handle them, Zuo Wen Cheng. I find dealing with the populace tiresome; even listening to a single sentence feels exhausting. Leave everything to your discretion. I need to concentrate and absorb my recent gains; no one is to disturb me during this period.”