One peaceful day, while Xuan Yi was immersed in his closed-door cultivation, a group of distinguished guests arrived at the Gui family estate. Among them were Gui Xinmeng's master, her master's close friend, and the three disciples of this friend.
Earlier, Gui Xinmeng's master had separated from her and the others after they arrived in the Tianfeng Kingdom, intent on meeting up with her long-time companion.
"My name is Fan Yin, and I am the master of Gui Xinmeng," announced a woman dressed in a flowing white gown as she stood in the family's main hall. Her voice, though soft, carried an unmistakable chill that seemed to push others away. There was an air of command in her presence.
Fan Yin was the one who had forcibly taken Gui Xinmeng from her family three years ago. A master of the eighth step of Soul Condensation, she was a figure who commanded both respect and fear.
However, to Fan Yin, the Gui family was nothing more than a small, insignificant power in a border city. If it weren't for Gui Xinmeng, she would have never even set foot here.
"This junior, Gui Tiancheng, greets Senior Fan Yin," Gui Tiancheng said with a warm smile as he clasped his hands and bowed deeply, his demeanor one of exuberant enthusiasm.
Fan Yin nodded briefly, her face as unyielding and cold as always, giving no sign of warmth or acknowledgment in return.
"This is my good friend Kong Miao. These three are her disciples," Fan Yin continued, motioning toward the woman standing beside her.
Kong Miao appeared to be in her thirties, her appearance somewhat ordinary, and she seemed a touch younger than Fan Yin. But her presence was no less formidable. Behind Kong Miao, three individuals stood—two men and one woman—each carrying an air of arrogance. They were all Kong Miao's disciples, their demeanor self-assured and proud.
Gui Tiancheng, after learning more about the situation, soon realized just how extraordinary Kong Miao truly was.
Although she appeared younger than Fan Yin, Kong Miao's strength surpassed even Fan Yin's! In fact, Kong Miao was a true Nascent Soul expert. She had broken through to the Nascent Soul realm only half a year ago, making her an expert of the same caliber as Gui Yiyi's master.
No wonder her disciples carried themselves with such confidence. Having a Nascent Soul master as their mentor was enough to make anyone arrogant.
Gui Tiancheng was only aware that Xuan Yi was a Nascent Soul cultivator, but he did not know the true depth of his strength. In his mind, Kong Miao and Xuan Yi were on the same level.
Yet, he was gravely mistaken. Kong Miao, still in the early stages of Nascent Soul, had yet to stabilize her cultivation. Xuan Yi, on the other hand, had reached the third level of Nascent Soul, and even among his peers, he was akin to a peak fifth-level Nascent Soul expert.
The disparity between the two was like the difference between a stream and a vast river.
Within a short time, Fan Yin, Kong Miao, and her disciples settled into the Gui family estate. Plans were quickly made for their departure to the Purple Moon Secret Realm in two days' time.
In the quiet monastery of the Gui family, a group of younger disciples gathered, eager to meet the visitors. Naturally, the three disciples of Kong Miao, with their prestigious background, quickly became the center of attention.
The Gui family disciples watched in awe as Kong Miao's disciples—imbued with their master's power—glowed with an aura of superiority. Among them was Peng Zu, the most striking of the trio, who seemed to relish the attention.
"Little sister Yiyi, I see you have a sword with you. You must be a sword cultivator as well?" Peng Zu asked, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. He was an ambitious young man, recently taken under Kong Miao's wing. Though he wasn't the strongest of the group, his potential was undeniable. From the moment he laid eyes on Gui Yiyi, he couldn't help but be taken by her ethereal beauty.
His voice was smooth, dripping with a mixture of admiration and desire. "Why don't you and I spar? I'd love to see what your sword techniques are like. Perhaps I could offer some guidance?" His words were wrapped in the conceit of one who believed his own brilliance could never go unnoticed.
Gui Yiyi, however, only glanced at him briefly. Her response was cold, and she merely nodded, offering no more than the bare minimum of acknowledgement before turning her attention away.
The room fell silent as everyone absorbed the scene. Gui Yiyi was known throughout the Gui family for her extraordinary swordsmanship. She had once displayed a technique so powerful in a clan assessment that it was said she could kill anyone below the Qi Foundation realm with a single strike. Even an expert of the second level of Qi Foundation wouldn't stand a chance.
Peng Zu, on the other hand, was a self-proclaimed prodigy, reaching the seventh level of Qi Condensation at a young age. His talent surpassed even that of Duan Li, but despite his exceptional abilities, he was, in truth, far outmatched by Gui Yiyi.
The disciples of the Gui family exchanged looks of disbelief, recalling the rumors of Yiyi's legendary sword strike. They knew better than to entertain the thought of Peng Zu challenging her.
At that moment, the arrogance in Peng Zu's voice faltered as the weight of his words sank in. Could it be that his confidence was misplaced?
The disciples silently speculated among themselves. They understood that while it was natural for someone like Peng Zu to feel invincible, Gui Yiyi was not someone who could be easily bested. The idea of him guiding her was laughable to everyone present, though none dared to voice their thoughts aloud.
Peng Zu, oblivious to the silent judgment, continued his attempt at charm, but it was clear that his confidence was beginning to crack.
He had underestimated her.