A familiar figure with ice-blue hair—cold, aloof, giving off an air of "don't come near"—slowly appeared in Starskiff Haven. Bailu felt an instant sense of familiarity. After a moment of thought, she realized: Isn't this the woman who came to see me for a consultation a few months ago? Back then, just by taking her pulse, she could tell that this person was unnaturally cold, her energy chaotic—nothing like a normal person. And every time she saw her, she felt as if she had known her long ago, yet no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't recall.
Nearby, Lingsha also sensed something, quietly stepping back and keeping her distance from Bailu. For some reason, ever since she lost those few months of memories, she instinctively stayed away from anyone of renown, as if something had left a lingering shadow.
Qingque and Fu Xuan stared wide-eyed at Jingliu from afar. "Grand Diviner, is that the legendary figure?"
"Quiet! Just watch. She's a guest specially invited by Madam Herta."
"Oh."
Yanqing held his breath, carefully observing this ice-blue-haired existence—mysterious, eerie, utterly transcendent. Ever since their encounter at Stargazer Navalia, he held this terrifying woman in nine parts respect and one part fear.
"General Jing Yuan, the sword technique I used that day was taught by this master. She's incredibly strong—one casual strike can annihilate hundreds or thousands of Abundance abominations. But compared to Grandmaster Jingliu, she should be slightly inferior, don't you think?"
Jing Yuan smiled helplessly and rapped Yanqing on the head.
"General?! Why—"
Yanqing clutched his head, bewildered.
Jing Yuan coughed to cover his composure, his smile lingering. "Today, you must address me as your master."
"Ah?! Why today?"
Jing Yuan produced several recently purchased spirit swords and handed them to Yanqing. "These are for you."
Yanqing's eyes lit up with joy. "Thank you, General Jin—no, Master!"
Jing Yuan crossed his arms, nodding with satisfaction.
Jingliu had silently arrived before them, her tone ice-cold and emotionless. "Little one, it's a pity these spirit swords haven't yet developed their own sword spirits."
Yanqing looked up at her. "Teacher, I admit you are very strong, but these swords were given to me by my master, so I naturally treasure them. And as for my affairs, you should not—"
Jing Yuan quickly covered Yanqing's mouth and gave an apologetic smile. "Swordmaster Jingliu, you have returned to the Luofu today at the invitation of Madam Herta and Madam Ruan Mei. Please, let us move to the Ruomu Pavilion."
Jingliu crossed her arms coldly. "Jing Yuan, your disciple lacks respect for his elders. Are you also lacking?"
Yanqing's eyes went wide in disbelief, staring at Jingliu and Jing Yuan. "General Jing Yuan—no, Master Jing Yuan—this is... Grandmaster?!"
Jing Yuan nodded silently. The shock on Yanqing's face did not fade.
Jingliu had already walked over to Bailu and Lingsha, gently stroking Bailu's head. "Little Bailu, it's been a while. You've gotten chubbier."
Bailu smiled faintly. "The Great Demon Lord Herta has been covering all my meal expenses lately. I eat six meals a day, all different. Too bad my weight goes up but my height doesn't. Can't figure out why."
At Bailu's natural, unguarded laughter, even the unmoving ice of Jingliu's face cracked into a faint smile—gone in an instant. "Madam Herta has shown you kindness, hasn't she?"
Bailu took a sip of Immortal's Delight. "The meal expenses I earned myself through a promise with her. But she did help me deal with the Dragonfang Taoran, so it's not wrong to say she's been good to me. I heard she invited you to teach her and Madam Ruan Mei how to make the phoenix crown and rosy cape?"
From Bailu's words, Jingliu pieced together the situation. "Yes. I will teach them. And perhaps they won't repeat our mistakes."
Bailu saw the wistful sorrow on Jingliu's face and felt a pang in her own heart. She quickly took Jingliu's hand and gently comforted her, "Repeat mistakes? Of course not. Madam Herta and Madam Ruan Mei are incredibly strong—strong enough to destroy a planet on the other side of the universe from here."
At Bailu's childlike words, Jingliu lowered her head in silence. Yes. If she had been strong enough back then—strong enough to cut down Shuhu in a single sword strike—she could have protected Baiheng, protected the High-Cloud Quintet, protected the Xianzhou Luofu. And before that, protected her master and Cangcheng. But this world has no 'what ifs.' Whether at Cangcheng's fall or the battle with Shuhu, she had not been strong enough.
Sensing the somber mood, Jing Yuan quickly brought Yanqing forward to smooth things over. "Master, this is your grand-disciple, Yanqing."
Jingliu snorted dismissively. "Now you call me Master, General Jing Yuan? Why not address me as the Swordmaster of the Luofu, as you did earlier?"
Yanqing quickly spoke for his master. "Grandmaster, your status on the Xianzhou is... complicated. My master has already prepared a banquet to welcome you. Please, let us proceed to the Ruomu Pavilion."
Jingliu glanced at him. "No hurry, little one. How much sword intent have you grasped lately?"
Yanqing scratched his head sheepishly. "Grandmaster, I am still shallow. I have only learned one move: 'Milky Way of Dream Leakage.'"
"Show me."
"Yes, Grandmaster!"
Yanqing leaped into the air, spirit sword in hand, transforming into a beam of sword light.
Jingliu's evaluation was flat. "Mediocre. But at your age, you are already stronger than your master was as a child."
Jing Yuan smiled and said nothing.
Yanqing bowed hastily. "Grandmaster, you flatter me."
Jingliu pressed further. "By the way, after Hoolay escaped, did you not confront him and learn a new sword technique in that desperate situation?"
Yanqing scratched his head awkwardly. "Grandmaster, you may not know this, but Hoolay caught Madam Herta's displeasure. She merely acted casually and crushed him. He's now sealed in ice. Madam Herta said her casual attack would seal him for three thousand years."
Though Jingliu's exterior remained cold and expressionless, she was inwardly shocked. She could easily crush Hoolay, but sealing him for a few centuries had taken a considerable toll on her Path power. Yet this Madam Herta had casually sealed him for three millennia. This woman, she realized, was probably even more powerful than Shuhu, the strongest she had ever encountered. If Madam Herta would take some interest in the Luofu and Bailu, even if Shuhu were to rise again and multiple Lord Ravagers attacked at once, there might still be a chance to resist.