"What is this haste? What kind of decorum is this!"
The third elder reprimanded with a stern face.
The strong individual, still shaken, replied, "Reporting to the family head and all elders, the Ninth Elder... is dead!"
As soon as these words fell, the Pei family's high-ranking officials were all shocked.
"How could this be? Even at his worst, the Ninth was at the late Heavenly Origin realm. How many people in this vast King City could kill him!"
"Was it the Wei family, or the Qiu family, or perhaps... the royal family!"
A Pei family elder asked with a grave expression.
"None of them!"
The Pei family strongman kneeling on the ground stated, "It was Pei Nanwei... she killed the Ninth Elder!"
"How is that possible!"
The Pei family powerhouses were shocked once more.
"How could her strength have increased so rapidly? She was only at the peak of the Profound Gang realm. How could she possibly kill the Ninth, who was at the late Heavenly Origin realm!"
"Could her sword body have awakened again?"
Everyone was filled with doubt.
Pei Ming waved his hand and said, "This is not the time to discuss this. The urgent matter is to capture her. We must not let her escape our control, otherwise our plan will be ruined!"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
...
Just as the Pei family's high-ranking powerhouses were suppressing that fierce sword in the Pei family's forbidden grounds.
Two young figures, a man and a woman, were walking step by step towards the Pei family.
The young man's appearance could only be described as delicate.
He wasn't particularly handsome.
But he possessed an indescribable and unique aura.
One felt that this person was always unhurried, calm, and composed to the extreme.
The woman's appearance was much more outstanding.
Her figure was the most eye-catching.
It was almost bursting forth.
She held a sword in her arms, her expression a little blank.
Instantly, she attracted the attention of many passersby.
"Brother, are you guys also going to the Pei family?"
A young man ran over enthusiastically to greet them.
Although his mouth was directed at Ling Fan, his eyes were glued to Pei Nanwei the entire time, unable to move away, as if he were about to drool.
Ling Fan nodded faintly.
The young man said proudly, "I knew it! You're going to participate in the Pei family's sword disciple assessment, right? So am I! How about we travel together?"
Ling Fan and Pei Nanwei remained indifferent, ignoring the man.
The young man acted as if they were old acquaintances, sticking to the two of them like a stubborn stain.
He even beckoned his companions to join them.
The moment his companions saw Pei Nanwei, their eyes immediately went blank.
"Wow."
"She's so hot!"
"Such a face, such a figure, truly captivating, even more perfect than their imagined dream lover."
The young man introduced himself, "My surname is Xu, and my name is Xu Cangying. Everyone calls me Brother Cangying. I'm from the Xu family in the King City. My family has a certain standing in this King City. As for myself, my talent is not bad. I've been specially invited by the Pei family to participate in their sword disciple assessment."
"Actually, such an assessment is just a formality for my strength. It's a sure thing!"
Xu Cangying boasted with great enthusiasm.
His eyes kept glancing at Pei Nanwei, trying to gauge her reaction.
"My dear brother, and this beautiful lady, our meeting is fate. If you need any help later, please don't hesitate to ask me. I, Xu, still have some influence and know several geniuses from the Pei family, all of whom are my brothers. It's easier to get things done with connections!"
Xu Cangying spoke animatedly, his throat growing a little dry.
Yet, he hadn't even managed to find out Ling Fan and Pei Nanwei's names.
However, he didn't seem too bothered.
Instead, he became even more energetic.
"I say, brother, you're here to accompany this lady for the assessment, aren't you?"
Xu Cangying tried to get closer to Ling Fan.
"Your cultivation is still a bit lacking, at the early Profound Gang realm. It might be a bit difficult to enter the Pei family as a sword disciple!"
"But don't worry, your matter is on Brother Cangying's shoulders. It's just..."
Xu Cangying pulled Ling Fan aside and lowered his voice, "Brother, what's your relationship with this beauty? She's not your girlfriend, is she? If she is, I won't waste my effort. Although Brother Cangying loves beautiful women, I never snatch what belongs to others!"
Ling Fan found this Xu Cangying rather interesting.
He smiled and shook his head.
Xu Cangying's eyes lit up.
"That's good! Haha! Brother, let's make a deal. This beauty is too cold. Can you introduce me? In exchange, I'll take care of your matter of becoming a Pei family sword disciple. What do you say?"
Ling Fan asked with a half-smile, "Are you sure you want to pursue her?"
Xu Cangying confidently replied, "A beautiful woman is sought by a gentleman! It would be a waste of heaven's gift if such a beautiful girl wasn't pursued. If I don't, who will!"
He had an air of heroic determination.
"Her name is Pei Nanwei."
Ling Fan said.
Xu Cangying froze on the spot.
Then, he shook his head vigorously, completely disbelieving. "Brother, you're joking too much. Pei Nanwei is the esteemed first sword genius of the Pei family, a true proud daughter of heaven. How could it be her? You should think before you brag."
"If she were truly Pei Nanwei, wouldn't she be surrounded by attendants and followed by a crowd? How would you have a chance to approach her and walk with her?!"
"Let alone you, even Brother Cangying is not worthy of walking with Pei Nanwei."
"She's a true goddess."
Someone nearby suddenly remembered something.
He said, "Brother Cangying, I heard that yesterday at Luoyan Tower, that goddess Pei Nanwei actually took in a trashy maid, and even killed Pei Jingguang, a genius of the Pei family, and Wei Liu Ping, the young master of the Wei family!"
"I heard this rumor too, but I don't know if it's true."
"I think it's fake. This rumor is too outrageous. How could Pei Nanwei, such a peerless prodigy, be so arrogant and proud that she would recognize someone as her master!"
Everyone chattered.
Suddenly, someone looked at Ling Fan mockingly and sneered, "You kid said that beauty is Pei Nanwei, are you the one who made Pei Nanwei recognize you as her master?!"
Everyone burst into laughter.
Ling Fan smiled faintly.
He said nothing.
With his temperament, it was naturally impossible for him to lower his status to argue with these ordinary martial artists.
Just like that.
The grand gates of the Pei family soon appeared before everyone.
Two rows of strong guards stood on either side.
Guarding the Pei family.
Xu Cangying immediately stepped forward.
He wanted to show off his connections and abilities in front of this beautiful woman.
"Brother, I am Xu Cangying of the Xu family, here to participate in your Pei family's sword disciple assessment. Please inform them and let us in."
Xu Cangying said with a fawning demeanor.
"Sword disciple assessment? Heh heh."
The Pei family strongman's eyes flashed with disdain.
Sword disciples were merely the lowest-ranking existences in the Pei family.
To put it bluntly.
They were recruited by the Pei family as cannon fodder.
Therefore, this Pei family strongman looked down on Xu Cangying so much.
"You can't go through the main gate. Look there, there's a dog hole. If you want to get in, crawl through that hole, otherwise, get lost."
The Pei family strongmen looked at Xu Cangying mockingly.
Xu Cangying's face turned so red it was almost bleeding.
No matter how he pleaded in a low voice, the Pei family strongman, intent on toying with him, refused to budge.
Suddenly.
The Pei family strongman's gaze swept over a figure behind them.
He instantly trembled.
"Miss Nanwei...!"
He blurted out.
"She actually returned on her own!"
He was incredibly shocked.
But before he could call out, he saw the gray-haired youth in front of Pei Nanwei step forward.
At the same time, he loudly declared, "Where is the Pei family head? I, Ling, have come to settle the score for my maid!"
Rumble!
This voice exploded like a thunderclap over the entire Pei family.
Instantly.
Deep within the Pei family, powerful auras erupted one after another, and all the Pei family powerhouses were alarmed.
And outside the Pei family gates.
Xu Cangying and the others were stunned into silence.
They looked at Pei Nanwei in disbelief.
Then they looked at Ling Fan.
It felt like they were dreaming.
"Holy cow!"
"This beauty is actually Pei Nanwei!"
"And..."
"Looking at the situation, the rumors are true. The proud daughter of heaven, the first sword genius of the Pei family, has actually become someone's sword servant..."
"That young man is Pei Nanwei's master!"
"This is too incredible."
"And this young man is too arrogant."
"Doesn't he know that the Pei family wishes they could tear him to shreds right now?"
"He actually dares to walk into a trap!"