"What’s happening to our Bijian Peak..."

Master Bi Hai’s remaining words vanished between his shocked lips. He stared dumbfoundedly towards the direction of Huayu Peak midway up the mountain.

The True Monarch Elders present exchanged glances, looking meaningfully at each other, engaging in veiled conversations.

Seeing Master Bi Hai’s expression, it’s likely he’s unaware too.

Everyone knew Huayu Peak was the residence of Master Bi Hai’s youngest daughter.

All were concerned about appearances. Even though they couldn’t bear not to rush straight to Huayu Peak to investigate, they couldn’t bypass Master Bi Hai, the Peak Leader.

Moreover, they were also considerate of Master Hao Yuan’s affection for Master Bi Hai’s daughter.

Tanmu True Monarch cursed silently: "That old scoundrel Bi Hai!"

Bi Hai, that shameless one, his cultivation is lacking, yet he has quite the knack for exploiting his daughter’s allure to bind Master Hao Yuan to his ship.

It’s truly... disgraceful.

In terms of this power, Tanmu True Monarch can’t even compare, not to mention there’s Su Li in front and Su Buyu behind.

Thinking of his disciples who all idolize Su Buyu caused Tanmu True Monarch’s heart to ache bitterly.

He felt he had seen through Bi Hai’s schemes and deceit.

Tanmu True Monarch speculated maliciously about Master Bi Hai; after all, he had suffered too much at Bi Hai’s hands.

"Pretentious," Tanmu True Monarch snorted coldly, took flight, before anyone else could react, riding his flying sword swiftly towards Huayu Peak.

Tanmu True Monarch felt clever today, rushing ahead before everyone else realized.

He was confident; that sneaky Bi Hai must be concealing the emergence of a precious treasure.

The more he pretends to be shocked, the less Tanmu True Monarch believes him.

Flying swiftly, Tanmu True Monarch internally disdained those hypocritical fellows.

Clearly they were anxious, yet insisting on maintaining some semblance of camaraderie—heh, now they’re lagging behind him.

A foggy gorge separated Huayu Peak from the Main Peak, with a high and a low peak divided by a circular band of white mist.

At this moment, looking over, even the mist was tinged with gold, making the mid-mountain peak shine brightly, distinct from the surrounding areas.

It was like a barren land suddenly blooming with a rich flower, attracting attention.

From the Main Peak top to the mid-mountain waist, it took merely half a breath to arrive in a blink.

"Boom..."

Su Li heard a loud noise from outside that sounded painful. She walked out the door, eyes wide, watching a muscular brute fall from a flying sword in a daze.

Like a small mountain, his body collided straight into the sea of flowers, crushing several beautiful flower branches and trunks.

"Pah, pah, pah..." The newcomer disdainfully spat the petals from his mouth, like a puppet controlled by strings, staring blankly, pointing at everything ahead with trembling hands.

This person, Su Li knew well—her father’s sworn enemy, Tanmu True Monarch.

Somewhat puzzled, Su Li thought, has the Nascent Soul True Monarch lost control of even his flying sword?

"... You, you, you..." Tanmu True Monarch’s lips trembled, but he couldn’t articulate a complete sentence.

Su Li: "True Monarch, what would you like to say? Take it slow."

Tanmu True Monarch’s eyes were furious like brass bells; suddenly, he raised his hands and slapped his chest hard a few times.

Su Li was startled, thinking, has Tanmu True Monarch gone mad preparing to perform self-annihilation in front of her?

Trying to frame her? Slander her? Or something else?

"This, this... Master Bi Hai, you truly pamper your daughter..."

"Indeed, the rumors outside are unreliable. Bi Hai, you truly have surprised me..."

.....

From above came a few lingering sighs, as several arcs of light rushed from afar.

The elders and True Monarchs of Sword Sect appeared almost entirely before Su Li’s small Huayu Pavilion.

They realized they’ve stirred up trouble—a misunderstanding.

But it wasn’t entirely wrong; not everything here was a treasure.

No wonder it caused such a stir; some items even made these True Monarchs gasp with envy.

Su Li: "It was Master Hao Yuan who pitied my residence for being too simple, so he had someone decorate it a bit."

Once Master Hao Yuan’s name was mentioned, the True Monarchs’ restless thoughts instantly calmed, joking, "Indeed, Master Hao Yuan knows how to pamper."

The True Monarch speaking couldn’t help but reveal envy and jealousy in his tone.

But having ideas... they wouldn’t dare.

Daring not to have ideas, but he dared to mock.

"Bi Hai, indeed you have foresight..." The True Monarch’s eyes showed resentment, his gaze burning like a knife causing pain and heat.

Master Bi Hai’s face flushed red, emotions stirred. It was hard to tell if he was angry or excited and shocked.

Tanmu True Monarch was furious; protected by Master Hao Yuan, he wouldn’t dare act, but couldn’t he mock the old guy?

As someone led, Tanmu True Monarch became more arrogant, openly mocking Master Bi Hai.

Seeing so many treasures appear in Huayu Pavilion, Master Bi Hai automatically claimed them all for Bijian Peak, feeling quite invigorated.

But then, mocked left and right, the glance he’d prepared to cast gently toward Su Li instantly turned into a sharp sword light.

He exclaimed, "Disgraceful!"

Su Li tilted her head, unable to comprehend Master Bi Hai’s reasoning.

Asking when unsure is a good habit.

"So many good things and yet it’s disgraceful... Do you have Kunwu Divine Wood? Do you have Merfolk Primordial Pearl? Do you have Mermaid Tear Bead? And... what do you have?"

Su Li asked earnestly, each question piercing their hearts like sharp arrows, leaving them riddled with wounds.

All the True Monarchs present gaped silently; inside they shouted repeatedly: "We don’t have, none of it..."

Once they regained awareness, even the gentlest True Monarch glared at Master Bi Hai.

Old Bi Hai, how wicked, to indirectly insult them.

Master Bi Hai: "....."

After a brief silence, Master Bi Hai coolly replied, "Since it was gifted by Master Hao Yuan, keep it well-treasured, why display these things out here?"

Facing her father’s baseless reproach, Su Li felt calm and even somewhat annoyed.

Yet she vaguely sensed something was wrong. After all, they were father and daughter.

From childhood, Master Hao Yuan frequently taught her to respect and admire her parents.

She ought to feel upset, Su Li thought, lowering her head.

Indeed, this world feels weird; Su Li firmly refuses to acknowledge any weirdness in herself.

She’s not odd; then, the world must be strange.

In others’ eyes, Su Li, head lowered, fiddling with the tie at her chest, seemed lonely and pitiful.

Left behind in the crowd, Su Buyu couldn’t help but reveal a schadenfreude-filled smile.