After a stunned pause, the security guard finally pulled out a dedicated identity verifier—a tablet linked solely to the private network—and handed it over.
“Huh. Didn’t expect you to know the rules. Go ahead, enter the password yourself.”
He watched Zhou Jiuyu with a cold, mocking smirk. *No way this kid’s actually pulling one over on me,* he thought. *Even if he fakes it, it’s probably just a temporary code. Staying in the Sanctum a day or two still doesn’t outrank a guard like me.*
“Alright… OK, done. What next? Confirm here? Check it…”
Zhou Jiuyu typed the familiar "10086" into the tablet, tapped confirm, and a new screen appeared.
The guard took it back suspiciously—then froze. Damn… verification succeeded.
Reluctance flickered across his face as he read the display. “Confirming identities… Young Master Zhou, Miss Nan?”
“Mm.”
“Please…” He forced a stiff, reluctant smile. “Honored guests, kindly register your fingerprints and facial data for entry.”
“Sure.”
Zhou Jiuyu and Nan Mengling placed their fingers on the scanner. All fingerprints registered in one smooth pass.
Next: facial capture.
Just as the guard reached for the machine, Zhou Jiuyu cut in. “Wait… hold on a sec.”
He lightly brushed Nan Mengling’s cheek, then his own. In an instant, the disguises melted away, revealing their true faces.
The guard’s expression shifted—stunned, then utterly shocked.
Because without the disguise, their looks damn well skyrocketed.
That unremarkable “Young Master Zhou” was now strikingly handsome—so captivating you’d do a double-take.
And Miss Nan… even among the elegantly dressed heiresses and elite socialites at high-society galas he’d attended, she’d stand out as breathtakingly beautiful.
Disguised, she’d seemed quietly reserved; now, an ethereal, otherworldly grace surrounded her—like a celestial maiden stepped from a painting.
A woman like this? Extraordinary. And the way they stood close—anyone could see they were a couple.
*Damn… he actually pulled it off!*
“Please proceed with facial registration,” the guard said, voice now genuinely respectful. He no longer dared mock them.
They completed the scan swiftly. Identity registration: finalized.
Two magnetic cards ejected. The guard picked them up, glanced—and his calm shattered completely.
“These are your access cards. From now on, you may enter and exit the Sanctum freely, use any training room, and browse the treasure vault—via card, fingerprint, or facial recognition.”
Bowing slightly, he handed them over with heightened deference.
“Mm.” Zhou Jiuyu took the cards and led Nan Mengling toward the elevator.
Leaving the guard shaken. He sank into his chair, muttering, “Long-term residency… just who *are* these people?”
On the wall-mounted TV, the midday news channel flickered to life.
“Breaking news: Two days ago at dusk, the mayor of City Four was killed. We issue a wanted bulletin for the fugitives. Codename ‘Young Master Zhou’—identity unknown, male, bounty: ten million. Mysterious Ninth Tier powerhouse Nan Mengling—female, bounty: one hundred million…”
Hearing the names, the guard froze mid-step. His eyes locked on the grainy security stills:
A girl in a blood-stained white dress, sword in hand. A boy leaning casually with a faint, calm smile.
Those faces… not just similar—they *were* the same people.
But what stunned him wasn’t the bounty. Anyone granted Sanctum residency? Authorities wouldn’t seriously expect capture.
Ten million? One hundred million? A laughable sum—who’d risk their life for that?
“Ninth Tier… *she’s* Ninth Tier?” He stared toward the elevator, swallowing hard.
That quiet, obedient girl following the boy… a Ninth Tier powerhouse?
Long-term residency meant nothing now. Ninth Tier demanded reverence. *He* should’ve been greeted by Sanctum executives rushing down from the penthouse to bow.
Suddenly, his earlier smugness felt clownish.
…
The elevator opened to their residential floor—luxury surpassing any five-star hotel.
Zhou Jiuyu found his room. Nan Mengling followed in naturally, dropped her bag, and stayed. She had her own room but chose this one.
Zhou Jiuyu didn’t mind. Honestly? He enjoyed the perk. Besides, it was this little tease who grew restless nightly—tormenting herself.
Later, he showed her the “Gravity Grove” and the “Insight Stele.”
The “Gravity Grove” was, as named, a high-tech gravity chamber—up to 500x normal pressure.
The “Insight Stele” was truly mystical. Within its eight influenced meditation chambers, the mind grew instantly clear and serene, thoughts emptying—a tangible aid for enlightenment.
With these training-enhancing spaces and Nan Mengling’s talent, becoming a master swordsman soon wasn’t impossible.
“From here on, it’s up to you, silly maid,” Zhou Jiuyu said with a faint smile, ruffling her hair.
“I understand, Young Master. I’ll work hard,” Nan Mengling replied, fists clenched. She knew: the carefree days ended today.
Those past days had gifted her joy and novelty she’d never known—so relaxed, unlike the monotonous sword-training on Sword God Mountain.
But ease was over. Time to train.
To avenge her parents.
And… after settling everything, to have the Young Master serve *her* as a maid on Sword God Mountain!
Mm!
