Lin Tian kept a portion of his spiritual qi within Ya Fei’s flying sword.

With his latest plan in mind, he would now attempt to rescue An Xiao.

His determination grew even stronger after the sect mission required him to do so.

Lin Tian realized that sooner or later, he would have to save An Xiao.

Ya Fei knew what she needed to do. She clasped her hands together and lowered her head obediently.

Stepping onto the qi sword, she flew away from Gui City, leaving Lin Tian standing alone before the city gates.

Lin Tian’s attention remained fixed on the sky, watching as Ya Fei gradually departed and disappeared into the clouds.

He then turned in another direction, his gaze sharp as it focused on the east.

That was where the Shuzhou Sect stood upon its foundation.

With Lin Tian’s strength, simply bringing An Xiao home should not be difficult.

He flew away from Gui City at incredible speed, piercing through the sky and splitting the clouds apart.

A trail of white spiritual qi stretched across the heavens, drawing the attention of many people below.

The mortals watched in awe and amazement, while ordinary cultivators felt chills run down their spines.

It was not the spiritual qi light that frightened them, but the overwhelming qi aura radiating from the cultivator.

It was extremely rare to see a Nascent Soul Master flying freely across the sky and displaying such dominance.

Normally, a Nascent Soul Master would be occupied with sect affairs.

Lin Tian was different.

He had already entrusted the sect’s affairs to An Yue, confident that she could manage everything while he was away.

He flew over forests, cities, and several small sects before finally slowing down.

His attention fixed on the sight ahead.

A sect stood atop an island in the middle of a vast lake.

The Shuzhou Sect.

Clearly a water-element sect.

"Stop right there!" someone shouted from the island.

Lin Tian halted in midair and stood upon the sky itself.

Three men in light blue robes approached and stared at him sharply.

They narrowed their eyes and examined him closely. Lin Tian’s face was unfamiliar, as was his white-gray robe.

None of them recognized which sect he came from.

Realizing that Lin Tian’s cultivation was far above theirs, they immediately clasped their hands and lowered their heads respectfully.

"This junior greets Senior," they said.

"This is the territory of the Shuzhou Sect. Those without business here are required by sect rules to leave," one of them stated.

Lin Tian remained silent for a moment before stepping forward and appearing before them in a flash.

The powerful momentum of his qi aura both shocked and terrified them.

"The Shuzhou Sect is renowned for its impressive water-element techniques, the finest producer of alchemists on the continent, and a pillar of alchemy among all sects," Lin Tian praised.

"Thank you for your praise, Senior," they replied.

"I came here to bring An Xiao home."

"Elder An?"

"You kidnapped her from the Lingxian Sect and married her off to one of your sect elders without An Xiao’s consent," Lin Tian said.

"I could make this a serious issue. However, since you refer to her as an elder, it seems you have genuinely treated her well."

The three men could not deny it.

An Xiao had indeed become part of the Shuzhou Sect after Elder Xiao Ding brought her away from the Lingxian Sect.

What they had never expected was that a small sect like Lingxian would possess a Nascent Soul Master as powerful as Lin Tian.

"So, what is your answer?" Lin Tian asked.

"Please forgive our disrespect, Senior. This is not something we can decide ourselves," one of the men replied.

Lin Tian’s eyes sharpened as he released a wave of cultivation pressure.

The three Core Formation cultivators immediately dropped to their knees atop their flying swords.

"If that’s the case..."

"I’ll take An Xiao back by force!"

"W-We... will bring you to meet our Sect Leader," the man stammered.

"She will make the decision."

After glaring at them coldly, Lin Tian flicked his sleeve and withdrew the pressure.

The three men recovered and stood upright once more.

Extending their hands respectfully, they escorted Lin Tian into the territory of the Shuzhou Sect.

The formation barrier opened.

The illusion outside dissolved, revealing a sect filled with numerous buildings within. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

It reminded Lin Tian of the Hongtian Sect.

Several inner disciples looked up at the sky, watching the three outer sect elders escort a handsome black-haired young man dressed in a white-gray robe.

"Look! Who is that cultivator?"

"Don’t speak so loudly. His cultivation is on par with the Sect Leader."

"I’m sure he must be from a major sect."

Lin Tian landed in the main courtyard and followed the three outer elders toward the largest building in the sect.

The Shuzhou Sect Main Hall.

The doors opened, and they entered with Lin Tian following behind them.

Inside sat a woman meditating alone upon the throne of the grand hall, dressed in a light blue robe.

Her face was beautiful and youthful. Her black hair was neatly arranged, and an elegant crown rested atop her head.

The three elders entered and immediately clasped their hands respectfully.

"Greetings, Sect Leader Yun."

The woman named Yun Xi opened her eyes and looked forward.

Her attention immediately settled on Lin Tian rather than the three elders.

"You may leave. I’ll speak with him myself," Yun Xi said.

The elders exchanged glances before nodding in unison.

They departed from the main hall, leaving Lin Tian alone with Yun Xi.

Yun Xi stopped cultivating and walked toward him.

A small smile appeared on her face. Her demeanor was graceful and calm, embodying the principles of water itself.

"Your robe reminds me of my sister-in-law," Yun Xi said.

"So An Xiao is here?" Lin Tian asked.

"Yes. She is my younger brother’s wife."

"Did you expect me to come and bring her home?"

"That’s right."

"I already suspected as much," Yun Xi replied.

She walked to the side while continuing the conversation.

"I warned him that kidnapping another sect’s disciple would eventually lead to consequences. It seems that day has finally arrived."

"So what is your decision, Sect Leader of Shuzhou?" Lin Tian asked.

Yun Xi remained silent for a moment before giving him a faint smile.

She invited Lin Tian to meet An Xiao.

At the moment, An Xiao was still within the sect.

Together, Lin Tian and Yun Xi left the main hall and flew toward the residence of Yun Xi’s younger brother, Yun Zhao.

When they arrived, they stood in the sky above the residence.

Yun Zhao was not home.

But Lin Tian saw An Xiao.

The dark red-haired woman sat peacefully within a pavilion beside a pond, meditating and cultivating.

Her cultivation had reached Peak Foundation Establishment.

So this is An Xiao?

Yun Xi descended from the sky and landed in the garden behind the residence near the pond.

Lin Tian followed, standing beside Yun Xi while continuing to look ahead.

"Xiao’er?" Yun Xi called.

An Xiao stopped cultivating.

She paused the flow of spiritual qi and opened her eyes.

Looking ahead, she saw Yun Xi standing by the pond beside a man wearing a sect robe that felt strangely familiar.

"Sect Leader Yun? And who is he?" An Xiao asked.

Before Yun Xi could answer, Lin Tian stepped forward and introduced himself.

"I am Lin Tian, Sect Leader of the Lingxian Sect."

"I came to take you home, An Xiao."