Wu Ruotian came today to inquire about the news, and this large hotel where the nobles often gather is an excellent place for that purpose.

Here he has already heard a lot of news, although he is not clear about the truth, he has a general understanding.

"I estimate that the people from the branch have already been monitored. If we go to find them now, we may be discovered by someone."

Waruo Tian's face was not very good, but he was very excited in his heart. Being forced into such a situation is a first in his life.

After drinking the remaining wine in the glass, he casually left two gold coins. One was for payment, and the other was a reward for the waiter. After completing this series of actions, he stood up and left.

The waiter, filled with surprise, held the gold coins and tremblingly shouted, "Safe travels, welcome back anytime."

Hmpf, let's just reward this kid a bit, no one will pay him for his journey home anyway!

Waruo Tian solemnly pulled down his hood, and a young martial arts disciple from the Wu family drinking at the entrance of the hotel glanced at Waruo Tian, furrowed his brows, and watched his departing figure while murmuring to himself.

"That figure seems familiar... Have I seen it before? Is it just my imagination?"

As he walked out of the shop, Waruo Tian decided to go back to the branch family first to find out what was going on. He hoped the situation was not as bad as he imagined.

He didn't walk fast, the buzz from the shot of liquor was just kicking in, so he activated his Chi a bit. The medicinal effect of the Qingbi wine was indeed not bad, a mild effect moisturizing his body, although it didn't have much effect on increasing his strength, it did have some bone-strengthening effects.

On his way back, he happened to see an ironware shop on the street, which piqued his interest.

"I don't have a suitable weapon right now. I might as well take a look inside."

The door of the weapon shop was half-closed, and the sound of iron forging could be heard faintly inside. Waruo Tian pushed open the door and saw an old man with white hair and beard reclining in a rocking chair, half asleep, while the sound of weapon forging was heard next to him.

"Young man, what kind of weapon do you need?"

Seeing Waruo Tian enter the shop, the old man slowly stood up from the rocking chair, smiling as he spoke.

Waruo Tian nodded slightly, without speaking. His face was covered by the hood, making his expression unclear. However, his eyes, hidden under his long hair, brightened when he saw the various weapons displayed on the wall.

The old man, seeing him calmly looking at the weapons, took down a well-made short sword from the wall and said, "This sword is called Autumn Edge, made of spirit stones worth a hundred gold coins, extremely sharp. It is also one of the best weapons in my shop. You might as well give it a try."

Waruo Tian nodded slightly, took the sword, and felt the sharpness of the blade with his fingers, his eyes lighting up.

"It's a really good sword."

Swinging the Green Edge Sword, the sharpness of the blade was truly revealed.

The old man saw that Waruo Tian's skill with the sword was quite impressive, somewhat surprised by his proficiency. Every movement he made was smooth and graceful, showing the mark of someone who had practiced swordsmanship for years.

"Hehe... show me what you've got!"

...

Outside the window, starlight shimmered like water as a young man and a young woman sat on the windowsill eating supper. There were several exquisite pastries, two cups of light green tea, and a plate of jerky, tasting good enough that they were too absorbed to speak.

"Mmm, these taste really good!"

With a moment to spare for conversation, Tinger recalled the carriage she saw at the old city gate earlier and couldn't resist her curiosity any longer, asking as she ate the pastries, "Yuanhui, do you have any grudges with the people from the Immortal Palace?"

"Hmm?"

Yuanhui knew that curiosity was hard to contain and was prepared for her question.

"Oh, it's just a little misunderstanding. They seem to think I look too much like someone else and that's why they picked a fight with me."

"I see. Have they found the real suspect yet?"

"Hmm, not yet, at least as far as I know."

After a couple of casual remarks, Yuanhui was ready to play along. Given his status as the beloved younger brother of the princess, it wouldn't be too difficult to deceive her.

But just as there was no moonlight tonight, the starlight was too beautiful to ignore. Tinger didn't pay much attention, but when she noticed Yuanhui's prolonged silence, she opened her eyes wide with curiosity, staring at him intensely, trying out various possibilities, including family feuds and past life grievances. However, she never thought about her family's issues.

Yuanhui admired her imagination but didn't know how to respond. Feeling at a loss, he simply drank his tea in silence.

"Why so serious? Even I can't read minds. But... hehe!"

"What is it?"

The tasteless pastry she had eaten made Tinger look at Yuanhui in puzzlement and annoyance, teasing him.

"If I find out that you're seeing some unsavory women around town, I'll add them to my 'collection'!"

"Huh?"

Yuanhui was genuinely taken aback by her terrifying remark, thinking she must have been put off by the unpleasant pastries, so he shook his head and sighed.

"I knew they were too sour and bitter, hard to eat and bad for digestion."

After swallowing the pastry, there was no sign of him being affected by the sourness. On the contrary, it had a creamy sweetness... But just watching Tinger suffer made him wonder.

"Sis Tinger, are you... jealous?"

Yuanhui was taken aback by the unexpected jealousy in Tinger's tone. He had never seen her like this before.

"Say what? Shall we go back to sleep?"

Not knowing what to say, Yuanhui decided to dismiss the topic and suggested to Tinger, "I have some business tomorrow, so I'll come by later..."

"Tomorrow?!"

Suddenly, Prince Luo intercepted Yuanhui at the entrance of the courtyard, leaving no room for escape, not even for a mosquito.

"Hehe, the princess seems to be interested in you. You should show some restraint, don't you think?"

Yuanhui felt a bit nervous and sat back down uneasily, asking, "Sis Tinger, are you upset?"

While Tinger didn't show any signs of anger, there was some hint of impatience in her expression.

"Did you do something today to upset me?"

When Tinger spoke, she was clearly irritated, her expression subtly changing.

Yuanhui thought earnestly and realized he hadn't done anything to displease her. At Tinger's birthday banquet, although he had been a bit too exaggerated and not as well-behaved as usual, Tinger had said it was fine.

After all, Yuanhui was thinking for Tinger's future, not for any other reason.

"...Then why did Sis Tinger call me here?"

Whereas Yuanhui thought he had made a casual remark, it had somehow hurt Tinger, something he was unaware of.

If he did say it casually, he could sincerely apologize.

"..."

"Hehe, this Baiji tea is quite rare. It won't grow in the Bai Cao Yuan in less than fifty years!"

Yuanhui wanted to leave, but everything around him made him feel a bit disoriented.

"How about it, want to enjoy the starlight tonight?"

Since Tinger had insisted on Yuanhui staying, he felt compelled to accept. If the same thing happened as before, he couldn't bear it.

"Well, ever since I reached the Reverse Grade, there hasn't been any significant improvement. No, there seems to have been no progress whatsoever!"

"...”

Sweat dripped down Yuanhui's face, a sense of inexplicable crisis rising within him.

"Ah, if things continue like this, it won't be sustainable... Teacher?!"

"Not good," Wu Xian's reaction suddenly became very serious and cautious, "the support of this Linghai must be reaching its limit. If he continues to be arrogant... sigh, I'm afraid it will be difficult for him."

"...What do you mean?" Yuanhui asked anxiously.

"Well... It's most likely that you've been exposed. The people from Wutong who they've been looking for will probably come knocking soon."

Returning to the dormitory building from the wall behind the academy gate, Yuanhui immediately started packing up his things, taking out many daily items from his bracelet, withdrawing the last few fragments of the Meteor Sword from his waist and sitting on the bed to meditate, not practicing Chi, but waiting for someone to arrive.

"Alas, it seems I am doomed!"

...

The stars of the night scattered on the ground, and Tinger, standing mysteriously from her seat, made her way to Yuanhui with a slight hint of anger.

"Alright, now you should tell me the truth, right?"

"Hehe, I have no idea what you mean by saying 'the truth,' Tinger. I don't understand, so... can I go now?"

"Hmph..."

"Hehe, since Tinger isn't saying anything, should I take that as your tacit approval? I'll take my leave!"

At first, Yuanhui hoped to intimidate her to prevent her from causing trouble openly, but when he saw the area encircled by the Golden Armor Regiment of the Holy Army, he had little hope left.

In the current continent, even the once unrivaled Northern Domain Overlord had to respect the Wu family's reputation. He was not afraid of the Godrealm's former Son of Heaven, Wuduantian, nor of the current ruthless Wuyanze.

"The combat power that has sustained the Wu family to this day, each member is a top-notch expert above the Nine Hearts and Boundless level. And with their flawless cooperation, it is said that even empires like the Star Empire must fear this nearly ten-thousand-strong army. After all..."

"Yes, the Wu family has changed since my father took over."