The tal platform, shimring in shades of azure and gold, was bathed in the city lights of the night. Located dozens of ters above ground, it was a place beyond the reach of ordinary people. Occasionally, Hover Cars zipped through the air nearby.
Adorned in predominantly black, exquisite garnts, the wide sleeves fluttered in the evening breeze, outlining delicate wrists, the back of a fair hand, and the Silver Snow Blade being held.
This was the erging city of 'Qian Liu' in the North Fifth District. Since the environnt of the North Fifth District was restored, this city had swiftly beco its focal point. It was now the most renowned city in the district, attracting nurous large corporations to venture into new business opportunities. Many residents of the North also ca to work and settle here, with the population burgeoning to 600,000 in just half a year—and it was far from reaching its peak.
The Eastern-style hair, with strands tied at the sides using blue Swallow Grass ribbons, ford twin tails that danced with the main body of black hair behind, resembling a kind of twin ponytail. The flying strands also revealed the girl's delicate neck in the hazy light of the night market, exhibiting a breathtaking beauty.
Grasping the sword's hilt, Tilan savored the evening wind that brushed past her. The Sword Edge swept slowly through the air, like a ribbon in water, seamlessly rging with the wind without any resistance, becoming one with it.
A hundred ters opposite her stood a man cloaked in a black long cape, wearing a dark gold mask. He held the Sword Scabbard in one hand and rested the other on the hilt, standing unmoving in the wind, as solid and stable as a black stele.
Then, Tilan took off with a push of her feet, leaning slightly forward as her body raced rapidly across the azure-gold tal platform, closing the distance to the man opposite her. The Sword Edge in her hand traced thin currents of air in the wind.
Just as the girl was re ters away, the man in the black cape abruptly drew his sword. In a brief mont, a pitch-black crescent appeared sharply—so fierce that rely looking at it gave one the illusion of being cut.
The edges of their swords collided, sparking off fragnts of steel and sparks. The girl's Silver Snow Blade was repelled and flipped backward, then swiftly revolved back to her hand, smoothly and rapidly, like a swallow turning over. Then, dense crisscrossing shadows of sword strikes appeared between them, with sparks from their clashing scattering around. In just ten seconds, the number of sword strikes they exchanged was uncountable, until at last, the Silver Snow Blade burst open like a blooming lotus, its brilliant spiraling tip shattered the rigid, straight edge of the man's Black Sword. The shards were flung aside as the broken sword fell, embedding itself in the tal floor nearby.
After her victory, the girl did not pursue her advantage. The silver blade drew a large arc in the night sky before she gathered it in front of her. The blade was dotted with pits and scars but then glimred as these damaged notches magically nded, leaving the blade once again pristine and glistening with silver snow.
Taking a step back, she sheathed the sword at her side. Tilan bowed in thanks, then twisted her fingers, calling the distant Black Sword back into her palm. Soon after, the other fragnts also flew back, reassembling on the blade. As her fingers slowly caressed it, the Black Sword too was restored to its original state.
The man accepted the restored Black Sword with both hands and sheathed it.
"You have far surpassed already, Tilan," said the man as he looked at the familiar girl before him, his voice filled with emotion.
Twenty years ago, she resembled the girl before him, both possessing exceptional Talent. But the current girl had surpassed her mother, achieving even greater heights.
"Uncle is also very powerful," the girl humbly responded. Although she indeed was stronger than Gu Qianlou now, the man before her was unquestionably a sword master. However, constrained by many things in the past, he had not managed to advance further and break through to the master realm of Sequence 7.
After their sword practice, they stood on the platform, looking down upon the nightti vistas of the city. Despite being a modern tropolis, the architecture within the city had retained many Eastern elents, such as the upward-curling eaves, the red lanterns hanging between buildings, and the rolling pavilions and galleries beside the river.
On the streets below, the crowd was thick with people, many from other regions dressed in Jade Skirts, visiting to experience the exotic Eastern charm. The commotion of various performances, street food, elegantly styled robes, fans, Longswords, and even handicrafts were all around.
"Four years have flown by as if in another lifeti," Gu Qianlou remarked, looking at the scenery before him.
"I want to say my thanks, but I don't know where to begin. You have changed so many things, Tilan."
Had the girl beside him been a re prodigy, he might not have been so sparing with his praise. But her achievents had now vastly exceeded his expectations. Even he no longer felt qualified to evaluate or comnd her. Holding on to an ancient style and habits, were it not for the fact that he was her relative and elder, he might have had to offer a grand gesture to express the respect and admiration he felt.
"Thank you for the praise, uncle," Tilan responded, unusually girlish and slightly coquettish.
"However, there will be many things I'll need to ask uncle for help with in the future."
"Speak," Gu Qianlou said seriously, knowing that if Tilan approached him with such a request, it wouldn't be a trivial matter that could be easily handled.
"I have received the legacy of the Azure Bird, one of the five phoenixes within the Divine Sword. I'm obligated to pass down the Cultivation System and swordsmanship, but as you know, uncle, I might not have much ti to do this, and I'm not in the habit of interacting with many strangers. Or you could say I am a bit lazy," she blinked playfully.
"So I want to ask uncle to take on this task," Tilan hinted with a twinkle in her eyes.
"Of course, that's what I should do. In fact, it was you who got inadvertently involved. You shouldn't have to bear such a heavy burden," he agreed.
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