Yun Ruoyan knew that she was still far from the peak of cultivation. After all, Li Mo had told her that there were nine ranks along the progression of a sword saint, just as there were for a blademaster. This implied that she still had seven more ranks to go.

Whats the peak of cultivation like? Yun Ruoyan asked.

No one knows, because as far as Im aware, no one has ever reached that peak.

Not even those cultivators on the Jiyuan continent? Yun Ruoyan pressed.

Allegedly, there were such legends in the past, but none that Ive met with my own eyes. The demonic dragon forefather reminisced about his past glory. A thousand years ago, before my mortal body perished, I was a peak eighth-rank sword saint. I had thought myself able to continue breaking through to ninth-rank, but the silver dragons treachery!

Yun Ruoyan could understand his fury and anger.

In that case, how advanced is the silver dragon elders cultivation? It seemed as though he couldnt even beat your spirit, Yun Ruoyan asked.

A thousand years ago, he had just become one of the elders of the silver dragon clan, and he had just broken through to a fifth-rank sword saint. However, after trading blows with him back on the Mingyuan continent, I found that he was only a seventh-rank sword saint, even after a thousand years! Clearly, hes been so obsessed with making holy water that his cultivation has fallen by the wayside.

A seventh-rank sword saint Yun Ruoyan murmured. Li Mos cultivation is the highest among the three of us, but hes only a third-rank sword saint. Im barely a second-rank sword saint myself, and my brother isnt even a first-rank sword saint. Even if we work together, theres no way we could beat the silver dragon elder by ourselves.

Thats why you cant simply confront the silver dragons. Given your strength, however, your group can easily hide on the Jiyuan continent and search for opportunities to get close to the silver dragon elder and slowly achieve your goal, the elder replied. And dont forget about Qiuqiu. Once it breaks through the silver bracelets seal, itll have the highest cultivation among all of you.

Right, Mistress, dont forget about me! Qiuqiu chirped.

Alright. In that case, if we work together, Im sure well be able to deal with the silver dragon elder, retrieve some holy water, and revive my mother! Yun Ruoyan cheered herself on.

Li Mo and Yun Moxiao didnt dare disturb Yun Ruoyan even though the spiritual energy surrounding her had vanished, because she was as still as a statue. However, when those words suddenly burst out of her lips, they both began to laughespecially Yun Moxiao, whose raucous laughter echoed throughout the chamber and even spread outside. Su Nan couldnt resist the temptation to open the door and poke his head in to see what was going on.

When he saw his master, his masters consort, and General Yun all filled with jubilation, he instantly understood that the closed cultivation had been a success. He immediately stepped outside to report to Li Luo that everything was well; over the past ten days, she had stopped by to visit at least four or five times a day.

Theyre all safe and sound, Su Nan told Li Luo.

Li Luo stuffed a lunchbox into Su Nans hands, then headed into the underground chamber. Before she stepped inside, she could already hear the laughter and snatches of conversation emanating from within, Yun Moxiaos loudest among them. Li Luo sighed in relief, her hand on her chest.

Sister, now that youre a second-rank sword saint, how will I ever catch up to you? Yun Moxiao sighed theatrically.

Yun Ruoyan was holding hands with Li Mo, celebrating her recent breakthrough.

Dont be so modest, Brother, Yun Ruoyan replied. After all, a ninth-rank blademaster is already a peak existence on the Chenyuan continent.

But Im nothing compared to you and Li Mo! I hope I wont drag the two of you down on this trip, Yun Moxiao sighed, somewhat deflated. His intention for accompanying them was to protect Yun Ruoyan, but she didnt seem to need his protection at all. Yun Moxiao was happy for her, of course, but he couldnt help feeling like he should have been able to do more.

Brother, dont be like this. When Li Mo met me, he was still a ninth-rank blademaster, and it was only right before entering the otherworld that he was able to break through to become a sword saint. His cultivation has advanced rapidly since then because of the resources available to us on the Mingyuan continent. Well definitely help you break through to the realm of a sword saint on the Jiyuan continent.

I heard that sword saints live longer than blademasters. Is that true? Yun Moxiao asked.

There were no publicly known sword saints on the Chenyuan continent, so information about the higher echelons of cultivation was limited. Yun Ruoyan and Li Mo both glanced at each other, having heard about the fact but not knowing precise information about it.

All three of them turned to the demonic dragon forefather.

Ninth-rank blademasters are able to consume spiritual energy as nourishment, and those cultivators who do so will notice a marked increase in their lifespan. If their cultivation progresses no further, theyll live about a hundred and fifty years, the demonic dragon forefather explained. Once they break through to the realm of a sword saint, their lifespan will double, and every additional rank doubles ones lifespan once more.

In that case, Ill live to a hundred and fifty? Yun Moxiao marvelled.

Indeed, the demonic dragon forefather replied. By my best estimation, your inherent aptitude for cultivation isnt as strong as your sisters or Li Mos, but breaking through to the realm of a sword saint should still be no problem for you.

Yun Moxiao murmured to himself, I need to find some spiritual pills for Li Luo.

If he were to break through to the realm of a sword saint, then he would be able to live for three centuries. On the other hand, Li Luo was still an eighth-rank blademaster, and she would only be able to live for about a century. Yun Moxiao firmly decided that he would hand whatever spiritual herbs and pills he received on this expedition to Li Luo.

Li Luo stood outside the door to the chamber. Since she could hear voices from within, she decided not to enter, worried about disturbing their conversation. When she heard Yun Moxiao murmuring to himself, she couldnt help but feel touched by his gesture.

When Yun Ruoyan and the others finally walked out of the chamber, they found Su Nan and Li Luo waiting for them.

Li Luos eyes were slightly red, clearly just having cried.

Yun Moxiao tugged on her hand. Arent I alright? Why are you crying?

Li Luo raised her head and looked at Yun Moxiaos handsome face. Thinking about his devotion to her all these years, his murmured words, and their impending separation, she again began to cry. She wasnt someone who enjoyed crying, but her emotions threatened to burst out of her.

Love made one gentle: this was true of Yun Ruoyan, and also true of Li Luo.

Ah, youre crying again? I cant bear to leave you in such a state, Li Luo. Yun Moxiao wiped at her tears with his hand. How about I stay home with you, rather than head to the Jiyuan continent?

Li Luo blinked. It took her quite some time to realize that Yun Moxiao was trying to tease her, and she smiled. Alright, alright. Stop speaking nonsense. Youre all hungry, arent you? Let me get you some dinner.

They looked at each other. Except for Su Nan and Li Luo herself, everyone present could already consume spiritual energy in place of food, and they would never know hunger again.

Alright! Yun Ruoyan exclaimed. Li Luo is an excellent chef, and shes particularly good at making side dishes. How lucky my brother is to have married her!

After consuming Li Luos dinner and resting for the night, they immediately started the next phase of their plan. Yun Ruoyan again entered closed cultivation in order to help Qiuqiu break the bracelets seal. Yun Moxiao prepared to return to the barracks and to delegate his responsibilities to his successor. The demonic dragon forefather remained in the underground chamber, using his soul divination technique to identify Rong Yueshans whereabouts.

Li Mo continued staying by Yun Ruoyans side, guarding her as she cultivated.

Over the last ten days, Rong Yueshan had been quite confused as to Yun Ruoyans whereabouts. She would frequently see Yun Ruoyan and Yun Moxiao while disguised outside the Yun manor and the Slaughtering Kings manor, but Yun Ruoyan had vanished without a trace for the last ten days. Rong Yueshan even wandered outside the Lin manor, but she still found no sign of Yun Ruoyan.

Didthey already leave for the Jiyuan continent?Perhaps they had done it secretly so as to paralyze her! In that case, she could act immediately. Her portrait had been pasted all over the capital, and the Mo guards were searching all over for her. Although she was always able to escape in time, she had had enough of living like a street rat.

The silver dragon elder had promised that, as long as Rong Yueshan could capture Li Yan, he would bring them both to the Jiyuan continent. There, she would be able to search for Yun Ruoyan to exact her revenge. With the silver dragon elders help, she didnt have to worry about being unable to kill Yun Ruoyan.

As such, Rong Yueshan immediately used her talisman to contact the silver dragon elder.

Are you certain theyve already arrived on the Jiyuan continent? the silver dragon elder asked.

Elder, Ive been keeping track of Yun Ruoyans whereabouts all this time, but she seems to have vanished entirely. I cant think of any other reason why she would do so unless shes already headed to the Jiyuan continent. Her groups sly and crafty, and Im sure they were worried that I would inform you beforehand. Rong Yueshan thought her argument foolproof.

The silver dragon elder chuckled. Without the demonic dragon forefather guarding them, these cultivators are nothing to me. However, with the heaven-transcending mirror destroyed, itll be somewhat annoying to handle their all-seeing mirror. At any rate, your priority now is to capture Yun Ruoyan and Li Mos baby. Do you understand? This is your final chance!

Yes, Elder! Rong Yueshan replied firmly.

At the same time, in the underground chamber of the Slaughtering Kings manor, the demonic dragon forefather slowly opened his eyes. Through his divination technique, he had fully captured the conversation that had transpired.

Not only did Rong Yueshan seem to possess a cockroachs tenacity for life, she was dead set on getting revenge on Yun Ruoyan. To ensure Li Yans safety and to put Yun Ruoyan at ease, he would have to kill her no matter the cost!