The Two Meet, the Thirteenth Spiritual Dagger

Jianghai City.

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

During this time, the world underwent tremendous changes.

Countless people underwent martial talent testing, with those possessing strong talents being recruited by the Martial Arts Department.

Those with weaker talents joined various civilian martial organizations.

Among them, the Sword Holding Department of the Martial Arts Department became widely known.

This was because, over the past month, demonic creatures had been invading multiple locations, as if aware that humanity was preparing for a society-wide martial awakening. The monsters emerged from the shadows into the light.

In response, the Martial Alliance established underground safe zones. Once an invasion occurred, ordinary civilians would be evacuated by martial artists.

After the invasion of the Giant Rock Golem, the once-bustling city center of Jianghai lay in ruins.

Skyscrapers collapsed, and the ground caved in.

Human homes were destroyed, and countless people were relocated to temporary shelters set up by the authorities.

This abrupt transformation left many psychologically unprepared.

The initial excitement and enthusiasm for martial arts gradually waned as demonic invasions became more frequent.

Everyone came to realize that while the world of martial artists was wondrous and extraordinary, it also came with endless dangers.

Fortunately, the emergence of the Sword Holders provided a brief respite for those who had yet to grow stronger.

Among them, Leng Qingqiu, the head of the Sword Holding Department, was hailed by all as the "Strongest of Humanity."

Every time she took action, it was a one-hit kill!

No demonic creature could withstand a single strike from Leng Qingqiu!

Yet, despite her power, the number of monsters was vast, and there was only one Director Leng.

Still, everyone knew that as long as Director Leng arrived, any crisis—no matter how dire—would be resolved!

Even if the enemy was the Night King!

Speaking of Director Leng Qingqiu, people inevitably thought of another figure—the young master of the Gu Family, Gu Yan!

Since the Gu Family's annual gathering, most had learned that the Gu Family was a martial lineage.

And Gu Yan himself was a born martial artist!

Moreover, he controlled Jianghai's largest civilian martial organization.

Many believed that while there was a vast gap in strength between Gu Yan and Leng Qingqiu, their pairing was fitting—a perfect match of talent and beauty!

However, some argued that Director Leng was ruthless in battle, aloof in demeanor, and icy toward everyone. They speculated that Gu Yan might not have an easy time at home.

But the truth remained unclear.

News about Gu Yan and Leng Qingqiu had been scarce online. The only updates were reports of Leng Qingqiu single-handedly slaying demonic creatures.

......

......

At that moment.

Beneath the Sword Holding Department building in Jianghai.

A long line stretched before a talent testing site.

To ensure public safety, every testing station was set up near the Sword Holding Department.

Sword Holders maintained order and security on-site.

At the front of the line, the testing area.

"Wow! Aren’t you that Dragon King Leng Ling'er from the internet? The one whose talent shattered the testing device, shaking the heavens! And you’re Director Leng’s younger sister! The Dragon King, leader of the Dragon King Palace!"

"Gasp! It really is her! Our tester is actually Leng Ling'er!"

"Yeah, she broke through to the innate martial realm during battle—absolutely awe-inspiring!"

"Ling'er-jie! Please give me your autograph T^T I finally get to meet you in person!"

Now an innate-level martial artist dressed in the white uniform of a Sword Holder, Leng Ling'er basked in the attention as she signed autographs. "Ah, ah, such flattery! One at a time, and don’t forget to like and follow my videos later!"

But this scene had already repeated several times.

Those further back in line, unfamiliar with Leng Ling'er, grew impatient. "Hey! Are you guys testing or not? We’ve been waiting half an hour!"

"Yeah! Who cares about some 'Cold Arrogance'? Wasn’t she just a delinquent before?"

Gasp!

Delinquent?!

Leng Ling'er's expression froze, and she sucked in a sharp breath.

No, no, don’t get angry, don’t get angry. Big Sis said I’m an adult now.

I can’t lose my temper over something like this.

Just then, a light chuckle sounded.

"Kid, what are you doing playing slave labor?"

Kid?! Slave labor?!

I don’t even want to be here, okay?! Big Sis forced me to make an appearance!

And who dares to call me—call me...

Leng Ling'er looked up, ready to confront the speaker, but froze on the spot.

Because...

Though his aura had changed slightly, and his complexion seemed paler, she recognized him instantly.

"Brother-in-law!" she cried out in delight.

She leaped up from her seat, excitedly examining Gu Yan. "Brother-in-law, you’re finally back!!"

"Where have you been this past month? Do you know how much Big Sis misses you?"

"Wait... your skin looks paler? And you’ve gotten even more handsome?"

"Why do you smell so nice?"

"Brother-in-law... while you were gone, I had to eat Big Sis’s cooking. Do you... do you understand my suffering? Wuwuwu..."

Gu Yan watched her antics with amusement, smiling as he reached out to ruffle her hair. "Where’s your sister? I’ll go see her."

Leng Ling'er snapped back to reality and pointed toward the top of the building behind her. "Big Sis is cultivating. She’s the strongest human now!"

"No way you can beat her anymore, Brother-in-law."

Gu Yan retracted his hand and nodded with a smile. "Got it."

With that, he strode toward the Sword Holding Department building.

The crowd at the testing site belatedly realized who he was.

"Gasp! That’s the Gu Family’s young master, Gu Yan?!"

"No way, he looks even more handsome than before!"

"Why does he have this devil-may-care aura, like straight out of a novel?!"

"Oh my god, I just met my idol!"

"Your idol?"

"Yeah, I’m officially a fan of Young Master Gu now!"

"......"

"But they say Director Leng must never be disturbed while cultivating. If anyone interrupts her, they’ll face terrifying consequences!"

"Even if it’s Gu Yan, her fiancé, I doubt..."

"Right... this might turn into a domestic violence scene..."

......

......

At the top floor of the building, inside the cultivation chamber.

Leng Qingqiu hovered midair.

The faint outline of a thirteenth psychic dagger flickered into existence behind her.

She was attempting to condense her thirteenth psychic blade!

But alas...

As time passed, the dagger’s form grew increasingly translucent.

It seemed on the verge of vanishing entirely.

All the time and effort invested would be wasted.

Leng Qingqiu clenched her teeth in frustration.

Damn it. Do I have to start over?

Condensing a psychic dagger required not only a steady stream of mental energy but also an immense amount of time.

After painstakingly forming the rudimentary shape of the thirteenth blade...

Was it all for nothing?

Fine.

Leng Qingqiu sighed inwardly.

Recently, my mind has been unsettled, and this instability has led to repeated failures in condensing the psychic dagger.

Perhaps I should wait until my emotions stabilize before attempting it again.

But now that I think about it...

This state of mine is all because of that bastard!

I’ve tried reaching out to him, but there’s been no response—nothing at all!

He’s been gone for a whole month. What the hell has he been doing?!

Lately, demonic creatures have been running rampant, breaking through barriers one after another.

Could it be... related to him?

Amidst the chaos in her thoughts, the thirteenth psychic dagger behind Leng Qingqiu’s back flickered, on the verge of dissipating.

And then—

A familiar voice reached her ears.

"Qingqiu, this place of yours is quite spacious."

"An entire floor cleared out just for you."

"What, does your cultivation require such a grand stage?"

Huh?!

That voice... that presence...

Gu Yan?!

Leng Qingqiu froze, her heart leaping with joy. Just as she was about to open her eyes—

A scorching heat pressed close to her.

"Mmph!!"

Her eyes flew open, only to see—

The unmistakable life essence she could never mistake had... forcibly kissed her!

She was suspended mid-air, and yet he had flown over and kissed her—right in the middle of her cultivation!

Bastard!!

But—

Buzzzz!!!

A familiar, electrifying sensation surged through her entire body.

Like parched earth soaking up sweet, refreshing water.

The change within her was undeniable.

This is—!

Her perception had sharpened!!!

Leng Qingqiu’s mind reeled. And then, the thirteenth psychic dagger behind her, which had been flickering faintly—

Now...

Solidified in an instant!!

BOOM!

A massive psychic shockwave erupted from the training room, rippling outward.

RUMBLE—!

The entire Sword Holding Department building trembled violently.

But soon, the energy receded, condensing behind Leng Qingqiu once more.

A single dagger hovered at her back.

The thirteenth psychic dagger—successfully manifested!!