"Yes! It's her!" Mu Xuechuang nodded heavily, reaching into his robes and pulling out... a small cloth bundle.

"What did she have you bring? Why didn't I know? Why didn't you tell me sooner!" Xiao Han suddenly erupted in fury, glaring at Mu Xuechuang, his fists clenched so tightly that his eyes instantly bloodshot.

"Hmph, who are you to me? What is your status? And what is hers? Does she need to inform you of her every move? Truly laughable!" Mu Xuechuang gave him a look of utter disdain.

"Give it to me!" Xiao Han flickered forward, lunging out a hand to snatch it. Mu Xuechuang, swift as lightning, tucked the bundle back into his robes. With a whoosh, the two blurred into two pale, misty shadows, blue Profound Qi light flashing to form a faint circle around them. The sounds of punches, kicks, and clashing vital energy constantly erupted. The turbulent energy stirred up fierce winds that stung the face.

What astonishing speed. Even with Jun Wu Yi's cultivation realm, having reached the Celestial Profound (Tian Xuan) stage, he could only barely distinguish between the two figures. This wasn't to say Jun Wu Yi's innate strength was far inferior to theirs; quite the opposite, Jun Wu Yi's decade of ascetic practice, coupled with the infusion of medicinal power from the five-hundred-year Vermillion Scripture Lotus, meant his Profound Qi cultivation was actually higher than both of them. The reason he couldn't decipher their movements was because he had only just stabilized at the Celestial Profound realm and required a period of relative consolidation!

As for Jun Mo Xie, because his true body's strength had once reached the level of these two, even though his current cultivation was far inferior, his eyesight remained. He could clearly discern who held the upper hand. After just two glances, he knew that although Xiao Han had also reached the Earthly Profound realm, his actual strength was more than a notch below Mu Xuechuang’s. If Mu Xuechuang hadn't been hesitant and refrained from unleashing a killing move, Xiao Han's life would already be over!

Even so—

"Bang!" Xiao Han let out a piercing shriek as he launched himself backward, flying out. In mid-air, he coughed, spitting out a mouthful of blood. He leaped a few times like a great bird before vanishing through the doorway, his voice echoing back from the distance filled with resentment: "Mu Xuechuang! I will remember today's events. I will certainly demand repayment another day! Jun Wu Yi, I will kill you!"

The dust settled. Mu Xuechuang, his white robes as pristine as snow, stood motionless in the center of the arena, his eyes fixed strangely upon Jun Mo Xie, before suddenly laughing. "Wu Yi, this nephew of yours is truly remarkable; he actually managed to injure Xiao Han with that strike just now, cutting at least twenty percent of his combat strength. Otherwise, I wouldn't have won so easily today! If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, it would be hard to believe that a brat who hasn't even reached Silver Profound (Yin Xuan) could injure a genuine Celestial Profound expert!"

Jun Mo Xie smiled faintly and replied, "I believe any man, if that particular place is injured, will lose far more than twenty percent of his combat strength. That was just a lucky graze. Given the gap in strength between him and me, that situation shouldn't have occurred. Below Ninth Grade, all are but ants, but what if an ant carries a potent poison?!"

Mu Xuechuang laughed. "That might be the logic, but in the long time I was entangled with him, I never managed to hit him there. We've fought for nearly fifteen years, and it never happened once. Yet you, on the very first day we meet, managed it? That's quite a coincidence, isn't it?"

Jun Mo Xie chuckled, neither confirming nor denying. "That's because he never underestimated you, but he never believed an ant could injure him."

Mu Xuechuang looked at him deeply, speaking solemnly. "Yes, that is indeed true. But now I know that even an ant can be fearsome, so I will absolutely not underestimate you!"

Jun Mo Xie chuckled dismissively. "Senior... uh, my Third Uncle has been waiting quite anxiously."

Mu Xuechuang burst into laughter, took the small cloth bundle from his robes again, and handed it to Jun Wu Yi.

Jun Wu Yi's whole body trembled slightly. His hands gripped the armrests of his wheelchair tightly, causing the high-grade purple sandalwood to crackle audibly in several places. After a long pause, he slowly extended his hand to receive the small cloth bundle.

It was as if he were accepting something weighing a thousand pounds, or perhaps a priceless, fragile treasure, handled with extreme caution.

Gazing intently at Jun Wu Yi, Mu Xuechuang murmured softly, word by word, "...Miss has been waiting for you!"

Jun Wu Yi looked up sharply. "What? Could it be that she—"

Mu Xuechuang nodded deeply. "Miss has resisted with her life, until this very moment!"

Jun Wu Yi was instantly agitated, his usually fierce eyes suddenly shimmering with moisture. His trembling hand slowly opened the cloth bundle. Layer after layer was peeled back, the movements meticulous and cautious, fearful of disturbing the arrangement.

The cloth bundle slowly unfolded, revealing a handkerchief. Lying quietly upon it was a single lock of fine, black hair.

On the other corner of the handkerchief, several lines were delicately embroidered: Ten years without tying my crown, my long hair I kept for you; Night after night I gaze toward the heavenly fragrance, this life I will not turn back!

Jun Wu Yi trembled uncontrollably, like a leaf in the wind. Trembling, he bent down, slowly pressing his face against the handkerchief with his right hand, slowly pressing against that lock of dark silk. He remained motionless for a very long time...

Mu Xuechuang let out a long sigh. "Miss... she is currently attempting to break through to the Divine Profound (Shen Xuan) realm..." Jun Wu Yi shuddered violently! But he still did not raise his head, as if this handkerchief, this single strand of black hair, had, in that instant, become his entire world, the sole focus of his heart and spirit.

Mu Xuechuang stood silently. After a long while, he said, "Brother Wu Yi, my mission here is accomplished, and I shall take my leave now. I implore Brother Wu Yi to understand Miss's heart; eventually, there will be a day when bitterness gives way to sweetness! Do not speak of giving up lightly." With that, he bowed slightly and turned to leave.

Jun Wu Yi still did not look up. Only when Mu Xuechuang had walked several yards away did he speak in a hoarse voice, "I apologize for my lack of composure. My emotions were stirred today, making it inconvenient to keep you, Brother Mu. I shall call upon you to beg forgiveness another day. Brother Mu, as you depart, please convey my regards to Miss Shao Qian." Shao Qian was Mu Xuechuang's former lover.

Mu Xuechuang paused but did not turn back, offering a lighthearted laugh. "Shao Qian is now your sister-in-law, Brother. I will bring her to visit you next time."

Jun Wu Yi spoke sincerely, "Congratulations!"

Mu Xuechuang laughed heartily. A flash of sky-blue light appeared, and his body lifted with the cool breeze, resembling a falling leaf carried upward into the heavens, vanishing without a trace in an instant.

Twilight quietly descended, shrouding the world in a soft haze.

Jun Wu Yi sat alone in his wheelchair, his face still pressed against the handkerchief, against that strand of dark silk, unmoving. His desolate shadow seemed to merge into the endless night, slowly becoming indistinct...

Jun Mo Xie stood quietly to the side, not making a sound; silently keeping him company. Uncle and nephew—one standing, one sitting—each lost in thought, each nursing their own feelings.

The bright moon slowly traversed the heavens, the stars twinkling brightly, before Jun Wu Yi finally roused himself from his immersion in the memories of the past. Through hoarse recounting, the bitterness accumulated over ten years, the torment of ten years, was finally laid bare before Jun Mo Xie.

Twelve years ago, the Jun Family was at its zenith, enjoying unparalleled glory. Old Master Jun Zhantian reigned supreme, invincible and unconquerable. Nations trembled merely at the mention of his name; none dared challenge his might!

The Three Heroes of the Jun Family: the eldest, Jun Wuhui, known as the "White-Robed Marshal," who could annihilate strong enemies with a casual remark and command the winds and clouds with a wave of his hand! He was the leading figure of the younger generation in the Jun Faction of the Tian Xiang Empire!

The second, Jun Wumeng, possessed superior martial arts and unparalleled cunning, leading armies that made opposing nations flee in terror! The Jun Family's momentum was not just famous in the Tian Xiang Kingdom, but renowned across the entire Profound Profound Continent!

At that time, Jun Wu Yi was nineteen, in the prime of his youth—handsome, possessing extraordinary innate talent, superior martial arts, and an uncommon aura. His elegant demeanor captivated the hearts of countless daughters from noble families and daughters of officials.

During an auction at the Prosperous Treasure Hall (Sheng Bao Tang), Jun Wu Yi, bored and acting on a youthful whim, wandered in for fun. There, he encountered a girl as lovely as a flower. They conversed happily and felt an immediate connection. A few days later, unable to resist, Jun Wu Yi sought her out again, and the two began touring Tian Xiang City arm-in-arm.

The newly freed Jun Wu Yi and the maiden Han Yanyao often left Tian Xiang City, traveling widely. As the seasons turned, the affection between them deepened.

Eventually, what is bound to happen between two mutually loving partners naturally occurred.

After some more time had passed, numerous mysterious figures suddenly arrived in Tian Xiang City, seeking Jun Wu Yi. At that time, he and Han Yanyao were traveling outside the city. These individuals did not even offer a formal greeting before directly attacking the Jun Family. When the Jun Family was at the peak of its power, they naturally felt no fear.

Who would have expected that after several confrontations, the Jun Family would suffer heavy losses? Every single one of these mysterious people was a contemporary master, and those who took action all possessed at least Earthly Profound (Di Xuan) cultivation, let alone the dozen or so profoundly powerful mysterious experts watching from the sidelines.

When Jun Wu Yi and Han Yanyao returned to find this situation, they were naturally greatly shocked. The maiden Han Yanyao then explained the reason to Jun Wu Yi. It turned out that her origin was the most mysterious place recognized by the world—her family was an exceedingly powerful Hidden Family, or perhaps, the most mysterious organization of all!

Ice chills three thousand li, snow and wind forge the silver city!

The Silver City of Wind and Snow!

This was a place whose very name was enough to strike dread into the hearts of the vast majority of Profound Practitioners in the world! Centuries of accumulation had forged it into a concentrated camp of the most extreme experts!

And the Prosperous Treasure Hall was merely one of the branch forces of the Silver City of Wind and Snow on the mainland. What was known publicly as the Prosperous Treasure Hall was, within the Silver City of Wind and Snow, merely the "Leftover Treasure Hall" (Sheng Bao Tang in a slightly different pronunciation). In other words, only items researched and rejected by the Silver City of Wind and Snow were brought here for auction, and yet these items still fetched astronomical prices!

The Prosperous Treasure Hall, after converting items into massive amounts of wealth, would use that money to acquire strange and rare things, which would then be returned to the Silver City of Wind and Snow. Whether it was a method for an ordinary elder to prolong life, a cultivation technique that could stimulate human potential, rare Profound Beasts or Pills, or items from extremely cold or hot regions—in short, anything rare, seldom seen, or beyond the conventional in this world, the Prosperous Treasure Hall would acquire it at a satisfactory price!

And Han Yanyao was the daughter of Han Zhanmeng, the City Lord of the Silver City of Wind and Snow!

Originally, even if Han Yanyao's background was extraordinary, it wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing. Even if Han Yanyao was the daughter of the City Lord, Jun Wu Yi was still a direct descendant of the Jun Family. While the Jun Family was far inferior to the Silver City of Wind and Snow, they were still considered first-rate in the world.

But the biggest problem was that Han Yanyao had been engaged since childhood to Xiao Han, the son of Xiao Huifeng, the most powerful Elder in charge and the strongest martial artist in the Silver City!

After returning, all resistance proved futile. The Xiao family from the Silver City threatened the lives of every member of the Jun Family. Han Yanyao, helpless, agreed to return to the Silver City. But that departure was the last time she ever came back!