After a night of rest, we left the inn behind and soared into the sky, flying above rolling hills and winding rivers.
I turned to the group. "So, where are we going?"
They all nodded silently.
I squinted at them. "Hey, someone say something!"
Feng Xuan shrugged. "We don't know."
I sighed. "Then let's return to High Heaven Sect. I have some business there."
Yun Sha smiled. "Okay."
---
Eight Days Later...
We finally arrived at the soaring gates of the High Heaven Sect, nestled in the cradle of mist-shrouded mountains.
I gestured ahead. "Yun'er, this is my sect."
Yun Sha looked up at the towering pagodas and floating peaks with wide eyes. "This is my first time entering another sect... Let's go in."
As we walked through the entrance, disciples began whispering excitedly.
"Hey, that's Senior Zhen!"
"He's the one who won the Grand Tournament!"
"He's so handsome!"
"I want to become his wife!"
Yun Sha's eyes narrowed. She leaned in close, her voice cool. "So… you're quite famous here, huh? Don't tell me you've got a few secret lovers hiding in this place."
I raised both hands defensively. "Hey, no, no—nothing like that!"
Then Yang Kai chimed in with a devilish grin, "Father, why are you lying?"
Yun Sha's gaze turned sharp. "Father?"
I turned to glare at the brat. "Hey! Do you want to see your master buried today?!"
Yang Kai just laughed. "I'm kidding, Mistress Yun Sha."
Yun Sha giggled. "I know. Hehehe."
Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed across the courtyard. "Zhen Huan!"
I turned. "Ah, Sect Leader Shen Hong."
In a flash, the Sect Leader appeared before us, eyes studying us closely.
Shen Hong crossed his arms. "Where have you been since the tournament?"
"I... I was in the Eastern Continent," I replied.
His brows furrowed. "For what?"
I cleared my throat. "I went there… to rescue my woman."
Shen Hong's eyes widened. "Your woman?"
Yun Sha stepped forward gracefully. "I am Yun Sha, disciple of the Flower Valley Sect."
Shen Hong stared for a moment, then suddenly laughed and clapped me on the shoulder. "That's my boy! You kidnapped the Yun Family's eldest daughter right from her wedding! Hahaha!"
I scratched my cheek awkwardly. "That wasn't my fault…"
His laughter faded, and his expression turned serious. "All of you—come with me. We need to talk. Now."
---
We followed him into his chambers and sat around a low jade table.
Shen Hong's voice was calm, but firm. "You do know that the Yun Family is the strongest clan in the Eastern Continent?"
I nodded. "Yes."
He looked straight at me. "And you kidnapped their eldest daughter. When their higher elders hear of this, they'll come for blood. The ones you killed there? Mere ants compared to what's coming."
He turned to Yun Sha. "Am I wrong?"
Yun Sha bowed her head. "No, Sect Leader is right. Only my fifth grandfather was present that day. If my second or first grandfather had been there… we wouldn't have made it out alive."
I frowned. "Then tell me—what level are your second and first grandfathers? Even if they're in Soul Transformation, they can't touch me."
Shen Hong slammed his palm lightly on the table. "Brat! Do you think Soul Transformation cultivators are so easy to deal with?!"
I smirked. "Sect Leader, I didn't mean it like that. But… my master gave me something. An item that can kill a Soul Transformation cultivator instantly."
That made Shen Hong pause. "...What?"
I nodded. "A System-Issued Oblivion Token. It kills any target under Soul Transformation instantly. No defense, no resistance."
Shen Hong rubbed his chin.
Yun Sha whispered to herself, "No wonder he walks like he owns the skies…"
Shen Hong stood up. "Listen, Zhen Huan. If you plan to stand against the Yun Family, you must be prepared. That item won't last forever. Once it's used, what will you rely on?"
I met his gaze. "Then I'll get strong enough that I won't need it."
For a long moment, there was silence.
Then Shen Hong smiled. "Good. That's the answer I was hoping for."