Night fell softly upon the Spirit Lake Courtyard. Within their serene chamber, under the faint silver glow of moonlight, Li Chen lay on the large jade bed, both Su Lingxue and Yu Qingci nestled gently in his arms.
His eyes were fixed on the jade-carved ceiling above, lost in silent contemplation. His thoughts swirled with the upcoming Tournament of Ascension, and the uncertainty of what lay ahead.
Noticing his distraction, Yu Qingci and Su Lingxue exchanged a quiet glance.
Yu Qingci softly called, "Husband…"
Li Chen blinked and returned to the moment. "Hmm?"
Su Lingxue shifted slightly and asked, "Are you still thinking about the tournament?"
Li Chen didn't reply immediately. His gaze remained distant, reflecting the weight on his mind.
Lingxue slowly climbed up and pressed her lips gently against his, hoping to stir his heart back to ease. "You don't have to risk your life for this," she whispered. "Perhaps someone will sell those herbs after the tournament ends."
Returning her kiss, Li Chen murmured, "Xue'er, you don't understand. The first three rounds are where most participants go all out. That's when they fully tap into their strength—not to win, but to survive. The upper realm powers are watching. The chances that someone holds back and then sells those herbs… are nearly zero."
He turned to Yu Qingci, draping his arm around her delicate shoulders. "Cici, what level of cultivation did the previous participants have?"
Yu Qingci traced her lips over his chest as she answered softly, "The cultivator who ranked 1000th last time was at the Golden Core second level. The champion, Lu Min, reached Half-Step Void Transformation by the end—but before the tournament began, he was only at the Nascent Soul fourth level."
Su Lingxue nodded and added, "Then let me go in your place. My cultivation has just broken through to Nascent Soul third level. I'm confident I can at least make it past the second round."
Yu Qingci looked at Li Chen too, her silent gaze filled with unspoken determination—as if she were ready to step onto the battlefield alongside him.
Li Chen looked at them both, his heart tightening with affection and concern. He didn't deny them outright but instead asked, "Cici, when does the tournament begin?"
Yu Qingci replied, "Six to seven months from now. The exact date hasn't been officially announced, but it's soon."
Li Chen chuckled softly, his fingers caressing both their abdomens with tender warmth. "By then… both of your bellies will be showing. I don't want either of you fighting while carrying our children. Just focus on nourishing and protecting them."
His words were gentle yet firm, filled with the love of a father and the resolve of a husband. Both women blushed faintly, resting their hands over their wombs overlapping Li Chen's hands, feeling the lives quietly forming within.
That night, Li Chen did not act like a beast ruled by lust. He did not seek their bodies in frantic desire. Instead, he held them close, treasuring their warmth, letting their heartbeats calm his own.
He knew that what lay ahead would not be easy. The Tournament of Ascension would test not only strength but destiny.
He closed his eyes and whispered, "From tomorrow onward… we'll train together. I must be ready."
Wrapped in his arms, Su Lingxue and Yu Qingci drifted into sleep, their hearts steady and bound by love.
Morning.
Li Chen stood in the center of the courtyard, holding his sword with both hands. His breath was calm. His eyes shut. He focused his entire being on sensing the sword energy flowing within him.
Moments later—slash!—a sharp, clean cut tore through the air.
This sword technique was clearly different from the Soaring Starfall Slash. The structure, the rhythm, even the force—it was new. Yet, at its core, it still held a trace of the fundamentals.
From the stone bench nearby, Yu Qingci had been quietly watching him.
Suddenly, she rose to her feet, her voice serious.
"Darling… would you slash that same technique again, please?"
Li Chen didn't ask why. He simply nodded and raised his sword once more.
Swish—!
Yu Qingci's gaze sharpened. "One more time," she said, her tone even more intense than before.
Li Chen inhaled and slashed again.
The sword arc cut through the air cleanly, and this time—it carried a faint pressure.
Yu Qingci's eyes glowed slightly. "Husband, congratulations. You've touched the threshold of Sword Intent. Though it's faint, it's definitely there… this shows you're truly talented in the sword path."
Li Chen paused, then asked quietly, "What do you mean by sword intent?"
Yu Qingci smiled softly. "Sword Intent is the will embedded in each strike. It's not born from technique, but from user's will, purpose and that very first reason which motivates one to strike the sword."
She stepped closer. "What were you thinking just now, when you slashed your sword?"
Li Chen looked up at the morning sky, then answered honestly.
"Well… I didn't think much. I just wanted to become stronger. Strong enough to protect our family."
Yu Qingci's smile widened. "Then that's it. That's your sword intent. The intent to protect. It's a high-grade sword intent—not the topmost, but one that many strive to reach."
Li Chen frowned slightly. "But it's only high-grade… not top-grade."
He knew—Sword Intent was shaped by purpose. But if used without alignment, its lethality could be diminished. In a real battle, that could mean life or death.
Seeing the flicker of doubt in his eyes, Yu Qingci gently cupped his face and said,
"Husband, don't belittle it. Even if it's only high-grade, Sword Intent varies with its wielder. Its strength grows with clarity and will. If the wielder's heart is firm, its lethality can far surpass expectations."
She looked toward the sky, muttering mostly to herself,
"There's a forbidden theory… that if one merges two different intents, the sword intent might evolve. But no one has ever succeeded. The one who wrote of this path only imagined it—he never dared try."
She leaned close and added, "Besides… your sword intent has high potential. If one day you awaken the Sword Heart, its power will surpass your ranking."
Li Chen didn't ask further. He knew he wasn't ready for concepts like Sword Heart or merged intents. He still had far to go.
But deep down, he also knew—everything was within reach. He only had to grow his family and become stronger.
He asked softly,
"Cici… do you know how to complete sword intent?"
Yu Qingci replied with honesty, "Husband, I don't know about sword intent. But I have my own bow intent. I can share my experience… but the path, you must walk yourself."
She continued, "Even if two people's intents align by coincidence, the result will still differ—because everyone's heart is different. The motivation, the vision… even the pain that gives birth to that intent—all of it shapes it."
Li Chen nodded slowly, processing her words.
"Alright. You share your bow intent. I'll figure out the rest on my own."
Yu Qingci smiled gently, placing a hand on his arm.
"Husband… I know you will."
As she stepped aside after sharing her own experiences of bow intent, Li Chen raised his sword again. He wasn't chasing recognition. Nor was he trying to reach the peak of sword cultivation for glory.
He only wanted one thing—
To protect the people he loved.
He slashed again.
The wind shifted around the courtyard.
Yu Qingci, watching silently, whispered to herself,
"He doesn't even realize it… but he's already walking the sword path. Perhaps… he'll forge a path no one has ever seen."
Just as Li Chen was lowering his sword after another slash, Yu Qingci approached him, her eyes softer now.
She gently tugged at his sleeve and said,
"Husband… I need to go to the Silvercloud Trade Hall today."
Li Chen tilted his head. "Why?"
She gave a small, almost sheepish smile. "It's been a while since I showed myself there in person. And besides… now that both Sister Lingxue and I are pregnant, and you're preparing for the Tournament of Ascension, we can't manage everything around the courtyard ourselves."
She paused, brushing a few strands of hair behind her ear.
"I plan to find a few maids and servants to help. But don't worry—these aren't strangers. They're my personal subordinates. All of them are loyal to the core. I trust them with my life."
Li Chen nodded slowly, then replied, "Alright… but I'll go with you."
Yu Qingci didn't argue. Instead, her eyes gleamed with affection as she leaned into him, slipping her hand around his arm and nestling it between her soft, full breasts.
"Then let's go together, darling," she said warmly.
With that, she turned toward the house. "I'll go inform Sister Lingxue."
But deep within the dense veil of Mirrorleaf Forest, figures cloaked in black silently patrolled the undergrowth.
They were disciples of the Assassination Hall—masters of assassination and concealment.
They were preparing a grand welcome.
A chilling one.