Chapter 30

Only after Xiao Wenjian and his companion had walked far away did the people in the courtyard heave a sigh of relief, with several young girls so nervous that cold sweat trickled down their backs.

The pressure brought by "Sword of Absolute" Xiao Wenjian was truly terrifying.

"Is this the peerless genius ranked second on the Great Qian Heroes List?" Shen Dachui's tone was filled with reluctance, but more so with admiration.

"Grandpa, are you okay?" Shen Xiaowan came to his side, asking with concern.

"Girl, we owe a great debt of gratitude to the Fragrant Flower Palace this time." Shen Dachui patted his granddaughter's head, "Thanks to Palace Master Lin's divine sword skills and the precious elixir from Brother Zhong Wen, otherwise, we would have met our end here today."

"Old Shen, your Sun and Moon Divine Sword is now incomplete with the loss of the Sun Sword. Why not just sell the Moon Sword as well?" Zhong Wen, with a thick face, leered at Shen Dachui's treasure.

"Zhong Wen, don't talk nonsense." Lin Zhiyun, unable to bear it, glared at him and handed the Moon Sword to Shen Xiaowan, "Senior Shen, don't worry. There might be a chance to reclaim the Sun Sword in the future."

"To protect this so-called treasure of the sect, we almost lost our lives, and even endangered the girl's life." Shen Dachui shook his head, "I've come to terms with it. Having treasures is not enough; one must also have the ability to protect them. Thanks to the righteous assistance of the Fragrant Flower Palace, I will gift this Moon Sword to Palace Master Lin."

"How can I accept that? It's too precious, I can't take it." Lin Zhiyun shook her head, firmly refusing, "I merely couldn't stand the bullying. I have no intention of coveting the divine sword."

"Palace Master Lin, I know your noble character." Shen Dachui said firmly, "But the best weapon needs a worthy wielder. Your sword skills are unparalleled, and I can't think of anyone else in the world who deserves this Moon Sword more than you. If you refuse, I will have to drop it into the lake and leave it for a worthy person."

"Palace Master, Old Shen means well. Don't refuse." Zhong Wen urged, "Today's battle has made us comrades-in-arms. If Xiao Wenjian comes again, only you with the Moon Sword can match him."

"Right, sister, you look so beautiful wielding the Moon Sword, like a fairy, much prettier than grandpa!" Shen Xiaowan chimed in.

Shen Dachui: "......"

This granddaughter is indeed my own.

"This..." Lin Zhiyun hesitated for a long time, then reluctantly said, "I'll keep the Moon Sword for now. If the Divine Forging Sect needs it in the future, you can come to me anytime."

Shen Dachui and Zhong Wen said in unison, "That's perfect."

"Palace Master Lin." Shangguan Junyi suddenly spoke up, "I have a request, and I hope you will agree."

"Please speak, Sister Shangguan. As long as it's within my power, I will not refuse."

Shangguan Junyi had helped the Fragrant Flower Palace through difficult times twice, even risking her life once, and Lin Zhiyun held her in high regard.

"Junyi has wandered the world for many years and is now weary. After this injury, I have seen through the world and no longer wish to drift. I only want to find a quiet place to settle down and focus on cultivation. I wonder if Palace Master Lin can take me in?" Shangguan Junyi spoke sincerely, her eyes glancing at Zhong Wen.

"Sister Shangguan, you mean..." Lin Zhiyun was surprised.

"Junyi wishes to join the Fragrant Flower Palace and hopes for your approval." Shangguan Junyi knelt and bowed respectfully.

"Aunt!" Shangguan Mingyue's face changed, about to speak to dissuade her.

"Yue'er." Shangguan Junyi stopped her with a look, "Don't try to persuade me. My mind is made up."

"Sister Shangguan, having a Heaven Wheel expert like you join us is a great honor, but..." Lin Zhiyun had a good impression of Shangguan Junyi and did not object to her staying, but she didn't know what position to give her.

Shangguan Junyi's strength surpassed her, so she couldn't be her disciple.

"Palace Master, how about appointing Sister Shangguan as an elder of the Fragrant Flower Palace?" Zhong Wen suggested.

Elder?

Lin Zhiyun was taken aback. The Fragrant Flower Palace had only a few people and no such position as elder.

"Palace Master, as the leader of the Fragrant Flower Palace, you have the authority to establish the position of elder." Zhong Wen reminded her.

Lin Zhiyun suddenly understood, "What do you think, Sister Shangguan?"

"Exactly what I wanted." Shangguan Junyi smiled and nodded, "From now on, please take care of me, Palace Master."

Lin Zhiyun happily agreed, and Shangguan Junyi greeted the other disciples of the Fragrant Flower Palace one by one. The courtyard was filled with a harmonious atmosphere, except for Shangguan Mingyue, who stood to the side, sulking.

She thought about it and felt that her aunt's decision was somehow related to Zhong Wen, so she wanted to confront him.

Looking around, she saw Zhong Wen slowly walking to the corpse of Old Black, squatting down, and actually starting to search the body of the Heaven Wheel expert.

Shangguan Mingyue couldn't help but shout, "Doctor Zhong, what are you doing?"

Everyone turned to look, and saw Zhong Wen searching the body for a long time but finding nothing, standing up reluctantly and spitting, "Pah, a pauper!"

Everyone was stunned: "..."

Why did I agree to let him stay?

"Qiqi, clean up the courtyard." Lin Zhiyun covered her face, unable to bear the sight of Zhong Wen's desecration of the dead, "Bury these two as well."

"Palace Master." Zhong Wen, unperturbed, as if nothing had happened, "Now that we have a grudge with the Xiao and Dantai families, they will keep causing trouble. Just being on the defensive is not a solution."

"What do you suggest?" Lin Zhiyun knew Zhong Wen was right but still felt annoyed by him.

"The Xiao family is too strong to touch for now, but the Dantai family relies on a single Heaven Wheel ancestor." Zhong Wen spoke confidently, as if he had a plan.

"If this pillar of stability were to have an 'accident'..." he said with a mischievous smile.

Shangguan Mingyue's eyes lit up, "The other three major forces in Cangyun City will not miss the chance to suppress the Dantai family."

"Exactly." Zhong Wen nodded approvingly at Shangguan Mingyue, "When the Dantai family is busy dealing with the other three forces, they won't have the time to bother us."

"How do you plan to do it?" Lin Zhiyun asked.

Unconsciously, Zhong Wen had taken the place of the eldest disciple in her mind as the "military advisor."

Looking at this young man who was planning everything, she felt a strange sense of reassurance.

"What else? Just ask Palace Master or Sister Shangguan to 'spar' with him." Zhong Wen smiled, "After 180 years of cultivation, he's still just a Heaven Wheel. I don't think he's a match for either of you."

What does "just a Heaven Wheel" mean?

Everyone present rolled their eyes, stunned by Zhong Wen's words.

"I'll go." Shangguan Junyi covered her mouth and laughed, volunteering, "I just joined the Fragrant Flower Palace, and this is a good opportunity to make a name for myself."

"Sister Shangguan, please be careful." Lin Zhiyun was worried.

"Palace Master, don't worry. A 180-year-old Heaven Wheel is already in decline. I don't think he's a match for me." Shangguan Junyi stroked her hair, her tone filled with disdain, "If I weren't afraid of alarming the authorities, I could destroy the entire Dantai family with a wave of my hand."

"Brave, Sister Shangguan!" Zhong Wen flattered her with a grin.

"Flatterer." Shangguan Junyi rolled her eyes.

Perhaps feeling better after recovering, her gaze was tender and alluring, making Zhong Wen's heart race and his head spin, almost forgetting where he was.

My aunt is being taken away!

Shangguan Mingyue, watching the exchange between Shangguan Junyi and Zhong Wen, felt a deep sense of loss and pain.

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Dantai Jin sat in his room, frowning deeply.

Xiao Wenjian didn't even look at him when he left, showing how much his status had declined in Xiao Wenjian's eyes.

Now, he had lost his seven top subordinates. Although he still had some hidden cards, in terms of visible strength, he was even inferior to his ten-year-old younger brother.

If the Dantai family's head of the family wavered, his position as the next head of the family might be in jeopardy.

While he was deep in thought, he suddenly heard a soft, melodious female voice, clear and beautiful.

"Long have I heard of the profound cultivation of Dantai Ancestor. I, Shangguan Junyi, come to spar with you. Please do not withhold your guidance!"

The voice was not loud, but it seemed to have a life of its own, directly entering everyone's ears.

"Oh no!" Dantai Jin's face changed, and he rushed out the door, trying to stop his ancestor from acting.

However, in the inner hall, a powerful aura had already risen, and a bald, white-browed old man burst out, leaping toward the direction of the voice.

Dantai Jin, seeing his ancestor rush out, knew it was bad but could do nothing to stop him.

Thinking of Zhong Wen's cunning face, he felt a bitter taste in his heart, his chest tight with frustration.