47: Reencounter with Zhang Bufan

"This lady!"

Zhang Bufan's jade-like face showed a hint of excitement as he stepped forward, somewhat losing his composure.

"Is there something you need?"

Di Yan's brows furrowed, radiating a coldness that warned strangers to keep away.

She had already recognized this person; he was Zhang Bufan, the Saint of the Lietian Sword Sect, whom she had met once before at the Myriad Sword Pool.

Because the young woman's face was covered by a veil, Zhang Bufan couldn't be certain if the person before him was the object of his dreams and affections for many years. He pursed his lips and closely observed her features, finding them more and more similar the longer he looked.

"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Zhang Bufan, the Saint of the new generation of the Lietian Sword Sect, with a cultivation of the second level of the Golden Core Realm. Seeing that you resemble an old acquaintance, I took the liberty of approaching. Please do not take offense!" Zhang Bufan said softly and politely.

The female Cultivators following behind him stared with wide eyes and slightly parted lips, as if they had seen a ghost.

One must know that their Junior Brother was usually cold and aloof, disliking contact with strangers. Within the School, no one had ever heard of him acting out of turn with any female Cultivator, yet today he was so proactive toward a strange woman.

"I am the Green Lotus Swordsman. Young Master, I'm afraid you have the wrong person!" Di Yan's brows furrowed even deeper, while also revealing an inexplicable hostility.

She remembered that for her Awakening, her Revered Master had started a great war with the Lietian Sword Sect, forcibly exhausting the foundations of the Myriad Sword Pool. If she were truly recognized by this person, it would likely bring trouble.

Zhang Bufan seemed not to notice the distance and hostility in the young woman's tone.

Instead, he took another step forward and said excitedly, "Lady, would it be convenient for you to remove your veil and allow me to behold your beautiful face?"

In truth, he couldn't help but lose his composure.

A first meeting in the Myriad Sword Pool; one encounter with Di Yan had marked him for life.

Perhaps it was because he was at the age of youthful innocence and first love, or perhaps it was the shyness of seeing her in wet clothes with a glimpse of her beauty, or more likely, it was a fated encounter arranged by heaven.

That passing glance had firmly etched the young woman's figure and face into his mind.

For the past three years, he had lost his appetite and sleep, and would even get distracted while practicing his sword because of her, for which he had received many scoldings from his Revered Master.

"Get lost!"

Di Yan's cold eyes were sharp as she spoke those words, then turned and walked toward the depths of the manor.

Hearing this, Zhang Bufan was not angry but instead trembled with excitement.

That word "Get lost" was identical to the scolding he heard at the Myriad Sword Pool years ago.

It was definitely her, no doubt about it!

"Lady, don't go, lady..."

Zhang Bufan jogged after her, looking exactly like a total simp.

For so many years, he had never considered the matter of a dual cultivation dao companion because of Di Yan's existence.

Having seen the vast ocean, one finds other waters unworthy; except for the clouds of Mount Wu, no other clouds are real!

Seeing Zhang Bufan being so proactive that he was practically throwing himself at her, the Senior Sisters of the Sword Sect following him could no longer sit still.

The youth's appearance, talent, and background were all top-tier.

To truly become his dual cultivation dao companion was something countless female Cultivators in the Sword Sect dreamed of.

A hot-tempered, short-haired Senior Sister stepped forward first, her movement elegant as she blocked Di Yan's path. Suppressing her fire of jealousy, she held her jade sword across her front.

"Where did this uncouth woman come from? How dare you speak to our Sword Sect Saint like that! Apologize! Otherwise, I'll make you regret it today!"

Di Yan didn't even look at her, quickly bypassing her and continuing forward.

"Senior Sister Chu, do not be rude!" Zhang Bufan called out softly.

These words immediately made Chu Min explode with rage.

She had simped for Zhang Bufan for three years and had never been treated so gently!

"A rat hiding its head and tail, watch my sword!"

The jade sword left its scabbard, heading straight for the back of Di Yan's head.

"Don't!"

Zhang Bufan panicked.

Yet Di Yan never turned her head. She simply extended a slender finger and steadily caught the sharp sword. No matter how much force Chu Min applied, she couldn't move it an inch.

Clang!

With a casual flick of her finger.

Chu Min's thumb web split open, the jade sword flew away, and a terrifying force surged like a tide, making her spit out a mouthful of blood as she was thrown back miserably, collapsing on the ground.

Di Yan acted as if nothing had happened, walking with her hands behind her back and disappearing from everyone's sight.

Chu Min's eyes were filled with horror, and her whole body felt cold.

She was a Cultivator at the ninth level of the Golden Core Realm and was somewhat famous within the Sword Sect, yet she couldn't even withstand one move from that mysterious young woman.

What exactly was the other party's background?

So young, yet with such power and Realm.

Terrifying!

Zhang Bufan did not chase after her. He watched the young woman leave, his eyes sparkling.

It is a man's nature to admire and submit to the strong.

Even though he had been a brilliant Prodigy since childhood, growing up by sweeping aside all obstacles and considering himself invincible among his peers, he still felt a stir in his heart facing the unfathomable strength the young woman displayed.

"I just wonder what Lady Di Yan is doing at the Sword Forging Manor?" he murmured to himself.

If he remembered correctly, Lady Di Yan's Revered Master, the Burial Heaven Demon Lord, was a great Devil Head whose name made everyone in the cultivation world pale with fear. Thinking of the blood feud between the Demon Lord and the Sword Sect...

He couldn't help but feel a headache.

His Revered Master would likely never agree to his feelings for Lady Di Yan!

Unless... as if thinking of something, his pure eyes suddenly turned dark, flickering with a strange light.

Having been trained by Sword Absolute Dust since childhood, if one truly took him to be as harmless as his appearance, it would be a fatal mistake!

...Unknowingly, the sky grew dark.

By the Green Lotus Pool in the center of the manor, layers of candlelight were lit.

On the corridor built around the lake filled with green lotuses, tables and chairs were arranged according to specific seats and rules. Many Cultivators were already seated.

Among them, the stronger the strength and the more noble the status, the further forward they sat.

Cultivators like Di Yan, who had no invitation and were just there for the excitement, could only sit at the outermost edge.

Di Yan didn't care at all. She found a table for herself and drank wine while watching the situation in the arena.

Suddenly, over a thousand jade swords flew out from the lake.

They arranged themselves into a Formation in the sky, releasing a majestic Sword Qi and clear, loud sword cries, causing many inexperienced Cultivators to gasp in surprise.

At the same time, an old laugh was heard.

"Hahaha, Fellow Daoists have traveled thousands of miles to attend this Old Woman's hundredth birthday. It truly brings glory to the Sword Forging Manor!"

"Is it not a delight to have friends come from afar!"

Hearing this voice, Di Yan lost control of her emotions, crushed the wine cup in her hand, and suddenly stood up.

It's her, it's definitely her!

She would never forget that blood-stained night; the beast who humiliated her father laughed in the exact same way as Bai Moyu today.

Fortunately, through her Revered Master's constant massage and guidance over the years, she managed to control her emotions in time.

Seeing that no one around noticed her, she sat back down. But this time, instead of reaching for the wine cup, she placed her hand on her sword hilt, her eyes narrowed, observing the woman's neck, heart, and other vital areas.

Like a dormant venomous snake, ready to deliver a fatal strike at any moment!

...