Song Family Mountain City, Reception Hall.
"Wenlong greets Miss Yuhua!"
A slender young man involuntarily trembled at the sight of the girl before him. His expression froze in a daze.
She wore a flowing green gauze dress, her figure graceful and slim, with jet-black hair cascading down her back.
Her delicate features and elegant temperament exuded an intellectual beauty.
At first glance, she left a lasting impression.
"Second Master Song, it seems our brat has truly fallen for Yuhua. It's the first time since he was a child that I've seen him this happy."
Behind Xie Wenlong, Xie Hui wore a falsely sincere smile as he remarked to Song Zhi, "Wenlong and Yuhua really are a perfect match. A union made in heaven!"
Song Zhi gave an awkward smile and remained silent.
Both Song Shidao and Song Yuzhi scoffed in disdain.
True feelings?
It was probably just lust.
They knew exactly what kind of person Xie Wenlong was.
That kind of man was not worthy of being compared to their elder sister.
But recently, even they found Yuhua harder to understand.
"Greetings, Young Master Jie."
Faced with the overjoyed Xie Wenlong, Song Yuhua remained completely indifferent and responded coldly and blandly.
"Miss Yuhua, I… I…"
Seeing Xie Wenlong's embarrassing display, Xie Hui quickly interrupted him and turned to face Song Yuhua.
"Niece Yuhua, Wenlong has come to the Song family today to propose marriage. From now on, you will be the future mistress of the Sole Venerable Fortress."
"The Song family and the Sole Venerable Fortress will be joined in marriage and stand together through thick and thin."
"No need."
Without even thinking, Song Yuhua shook her head.
"My heart already belongs to someone else. There is no room for another."
"In the future, if it's not urgent, the two of you need not come looking for me again."
After speaking coldly, Song Yuhua turned and prepared to return to her courtyard.
Xie Wenlong felt as though his soul had left his body.
He had fallen for Song Yuhua the moment he laid eyes on her.
Though he had initially been unhappy about the arrangement, now he was overjoyed.
Such a perfect woman was about to become his wife.
But before he could even gather his thoughts, a thunderbolt crashed down on him.
It left him completely stunned.
"Niece Yuhua, this is no joke."
"Are you trying to humiliate me and my son? To disgrace the Sole Venerable Fortress?"
Xie Hui's expression instantly turned cold.
He glared at Song Yuhua with hostility, eyes filled with murderous intent.
"Sigh."
Song Yuhua simply let out a quiet sigh.
Yet that single sigh echoed like thunder in everyone's ears.
Xie Hui's pupils shrank violently, his face turning pale.
This was…
Wasn't Miss Yuhua supposed to be untrained in martial arts?
Just then, the Hidden Dragon Ranking in the sky refreshed once more.
[Hidden Dragon Ranking – Rank 27]
[Song Yuzhi]
[Identity: Third Young Miss of the Song Family, Sui Dynasty]
[Cultivation: Middle Innate Realm]
[Technique: Song Family Heart Method, Three Styles of the Ethereal Sword Art]
[Reward: Earth-Grade Low-Tier Spiritual Herb – Three-leaf Sword Grass, increases sword intent comprehension speed.]
"Yuzhi!"
"It's Yuzhi! Yuzhi made the ranking!"
The entire Song Family Mountain City erupted in excitement.
Shock was written on everyone's faces.
Even Song Zhi and Xie Hui were stunned.
They had never thought Song Yuzhi's talent was particularly impressive.
Though she was only in the Innate Realm, only ten such people were listed on the Hidden Dragon Ranking across the Nine Provinces. That alone showed how difficult it was.
"Big Sister, I made it onto the Hidden Dragon Ranking!"
"The three sword moves you taught me actually got me ranked!"
Song Yuzhi was equally astonished.
"Hurry, Yuzhi, check what effects the Heavenly Rewarded Sword Grass has."
Song Zhi urged her quickly, now completely ignoring Xie Hui and his son.
"Alright!"
Song Yuzhi immediately swallowed the Three-leaf Sword Grass.
She calmed herself, focusing on its effects.
Moments later, her face lit up with excitement.
"Second Uncle, after taking the Sword Grass, my understanding of swordsmanship has deepened significantly."
"What was once just a basic grasp of the three sword moves has now reached a minor level of mastery."
"Give me a bit more time, and I will definitely master them."
"Also, my sword intent has risen."
"I feel that with a single sword strike, I could easily defeat someone at the peak of the Innate Realm."
"Good, good, good!"
Song Zhi was so excited that he said "good" three times in a row.
At that moment, a figure suddenly appeared.
It was Song Que.
He looked at Song Yuhua with a surprised expression.
He had heard everything Yuzhi just said.
It seemed he had been neglecting his eldest daughter all this time.
Now, even he could no longer see through her.
"Yuzhi, strike me with your strongest sword technique. Don't hold back."
"Huh? Father, I…"
"Just attack."
Song Que's expression remained calm.
"Alright."
Nodding firmly, Song Yuzhi drew her sword and poured her inner power into it.
A formless wave of sword energy surged toward Song Que.
This sword strike was extraordinary.
Even Xie Hui and Song Zhi were taken aback.
They actually felt a sense of danger.
Its power was nothing to scoff at.
An ordinary Innate Realm martial artist would not survive such a strike.
The sword energy struck Song Que's body.
Even he trembled slightly.
Then, he took a small step back.
"Father!"
"This can't be!"
Song Que's calm expression finally broke.
He, a Great Grandmaster, had actually been forced back by a single sword strike.
And Yuzhi was only at the Middle Innate Realm.
"Hahaha! Good, good!"
For the first time, Song Que laughed heartily in front of his children.
Yuzhi was startled by the unexpected praise.
With only three sword techniques, Yuzhi had made such impressive progress.
Then what about Yuhua?
How deep and unfathomable must she be?
That Xie Wenlong was nowhere near qualified to marry his daughter.
Song Que's heart filled with scorn.
———
Ming Dynasty Imperial Palace, Imperial Garden.
Zhu Houzhao was also stunned when he saw the updated ranking.
Song Yuzhi?
The Ethereal Sword Art?
How did she know it?
Could it have been taught by Yuhua?
A gentle figure surfaced in his mind, and Zhu Houzhao's face softened into a warm smile.
She was a woman who stirred both sympathy and comfort in others.
After all these years, she must have gained the power to take control of her own fate.