Leizhou.
Deep within the Yanshan Mountains.
Two figures practiced swordplay before a wooden cabin, their movements flowing with tender affection like the sun and moon reflecting each other's brilliance. This coordinated sword technique required perfect harmony between partners to unleash its astonishing power - its dreamlike beauty concealed lethal intent.
After a while, Jiang Baishan and Lin Ruhua sheathed their swords. Lin Ruhua's eyes sparkled with happiness:
"Baishan, your comprehension truly surpasses all under heaven. When we wield this Sun-Moon Sword Art together, we could challenge even Origin Core Realm experts."
Her heart swelled with pride and admiration for her talented lover.
Jiang Baishan smiled faintly before responding:
"My meager understanding pales in comparison to true genius. If you knew of Xiao Jiu's accomplishments, you'd never say such things."
Lin Ruhua's curiosity stirred. Jiang Baishan rarely spoke of Ning Qi. Her only impression came from their encounter during the Zhenwu Peach Blossom Festival, when Ning Qi had gifted them matching mandarin duck jade pendants that still hung at their waists.
Even then, she'd noticed Ning Qi's extraordinary status from others' attitudes. It puzzled her how such a prodigious Zhenwu Mountain disciple remained virtually unknown. She'd never pressed for details until now.
"Tell me about Ninth Junior Brother's wonders," she urged.
Jiang Baishan chuckled, gently touching Lin Ruhua's belly as memories surfaced of Ning Qi's early training days:
"By my count, Xiao Jiu should be over eleven now. But do you know how long he's practiced martial arts?"
"Eight years?"
Lin Ruhua's eyes widened. That would mean Ning Qi began his martial path at age three - unheard of in their world.
Jiang Baishan continued:
"Even then, his monstrous talent showed immediately. You know I train in the Suanni Stance, one of Zhenwu's Nine Stances. It took me three years to reach Divine Intent Perfection. Guess how long Xiao Jiu needed?"
"A... year?" Lin Ruhua ventured hesitantly, already considering this impossibly fast.
Jiang Baishan shook his head with a rueful smile:
"One day. Perhaps less."
Lin Ruhua stood frozen. Mastering an advanced stance in a single day defied belief - were it not her husband speaking, she'd never accept such claims.
"After that," Jiang Baishan admitted, "we stopped tracking his progress. Even among fellow disciples, we avoid the topic. We all suspect Xiao Jiu has long surpassed us in silence."
"At merely eleven, his future knows no bounds. Becoming the world's strongest is inevitable. If our child inherits even half his talent..." His voice trailed off wistfully.
Lin Ruhua nodded instinctively. Every mother believes her child exceptional, but hearing of Ning Qi's gifts, she genuinely hoped their baby might approach such heights. She caressed her belly lovingly as Jiang Baishan joined her, his large hand resting protectively over hers, their shared hopes shining bright amidst gathering darkness.
Suddenly, both tensed and turned as one, swords drawn. Powerful auras approached openly, accompanied by a mocking laugh:
"How touching! To think the daughter of our Sacred Sect's deputy leader would debase herself with a Zhenwu Sect disciple, betraying her heritage to breed bastard spawn!"
The laughter carried unmistakable fury. Lin Ruhua paled - all hope of concealment lost.
"A Demonic Sect elder," she whispered urgently. "Heaven-Man Realm veteran, though not ranked on the Heaven-Man List. Still formidable."
"Baishan, listen - I'll hold them off while you escape. My mother's position protects me, but they'll use you against Master and senior brothers!"
Jiang Baishan's expression hardened. "I'd rather die than abandon wife and child. Besides, they've prepared thoroughly - even ignoring the elder, the dozen Qi Origin Realm experts leave no escape."
He knew they might spare Lin Ruhua, but their unborn child stood no chance. Resolve steeled his heart.
Their joyous future had shattered in moments. Lin Ruhua's eyes brimmed with guilt:
"If only I hadn't ventured out last month..."
Jiang Baishan squeezed her hand firmly. "We share one fate. Even our unborn child would face this bravely."
Their gazes met - no words needed. If death came, they'd meet it together.
Black-clad warriors materialized around the cabin - fifteen Qi Origin Realm experts including several Origin Core cultivators. Then the jujube-faced elder descended from the sky, his oppressive aura pinning them down.
"Miss Lin," he sneered, "how your standards have fallen! Rejecting our sacred heirs for this White Mist Realm trash?"
Lin Ruhua understood. As Lin Xueshuang's daughter, she'd been a political pawn. This Elder Ye supported candidate Ye Qin after Qin Yun's downfall.
Masking her fury, she bargained calmly:
"Spare him, Elder Ye, and I'll return willingly - even marry Ye Qin."
The elder laughed scornfully. "You spoiled goods think to wed my Ye Qin now? The bastard dies today, your womb gets emptied, and you'll face the Grand Elder's judgment!"
Lin Ruhua's eyes turned icy:
"Does Elder Ye wish to drive my mother fully into Jiang Tianlong's faction?"
The elder only chuckled darkly. "You'll understand our sect's new reality soon enough."
Lin Ruhua's heart sank - something had happened to her mother. As she pretended to negotiate, her fingers traced escape plans on Jiang Baishan's palm.
Suddenly, they struck as one. Twin sword auras merged into a dazzling sun-moon brilliance, instantly slaying the eastern guard as they broke through.
Elder Ye watched approvingly before gesturing his men forward. More ambushers cut off their escape.
Jiang Baishan swallowed a Blood Ignition Pill without hesitation, activating a secret technique derived from Ning Qi's Virtual Sword Core Detonation Method.
"KILL!"
His enhanced aura combined with Lin Ruhua's skills briefly held off superior numbers through sheer desperation. But wounds accumulated - deep gashes bled freely as tears blurred Lin Ruhua's vision.
Blood dripped onto their jade pendants unnoticed.
"Useless!" Elder Ye spat, rising impatiently. The disparity between Heaven-Man and Qi Origin Realms was insurmountable.
His palm strike generated a crushing pressure that shattered Jiang Baishan's defenses. Hair whipping wildly, the young man roared defiance:
"Ye old dog! Survive today, and I'll slaughter your entire line!"
Elder Ye shuddered at the deadly promise in those eyes before sneering: "You'll die shattered today!"
The crushing palm descended slowly, savoring their despair. Just as death seemed certain -
"Hummm!"
A resonant vibration filled the air. Elder Ye barely dodged as Jiang Baishan's pendant shattered, releasing devastating sword energy that annihilated surrounding enemies. The elder screamed, his severed arm disintegrating midair.
Dumbfounded, the couple stared at the pendant fragments.
"Xiao Jiu's gift... did this?" Jiang Baishan whispered in awe.
Lin Ruhua checked her intact pendant, equally stunned. This miraculous salvation left them weeping with joy before urgency returned.
"Baishan, we must flee before Ye regroups!" she urged, helping him up.
As they vanished into the wilderness, Jiang Baishan pondered the familiar sword energy:
"Didn't that feel like Heavenly Sword Elder's aura?"
Lin Ruhua gasped. "Exactly like his stele's presence!"
They exchanged incredulous looks. What connection could Ning Qi possibly have with the legendary swordsman?
Meanwhile, the furious elder finally suppressed residual sword intent. "Heavenly Sword Elder's doing!" he snarled, nursing his stump. "One pendant remains - I'll be ready!"
Tracking their blood trail, he soon cornered them again.
"Run, little rats!" he thundered, flattening trees with Heaven-Man power.
Jiang Baishan taunted through bloodied lips: "How's the one-armed life, old dog?"
Elder Ye's face purpled with rage. "You'll beg for death soon!"
Lin Ruhua flashed her pendant threateningly, making him flinch. They exploited this fear repeatedly, buying distance until -
"NOW!" she cried, tossing a decoy fragment as Jiang Baishan unleashed the real attack from his position.
Sword energy sheared through Elder Ye's defenses, carving off half his torso. As he crashed down, the couple turned to flee -
"INTERVENE NOW! YOU'LL ANSWER FOR THEIR ESCAPE!"
A white-haired youth emerged from the forest, his cold gaze sealing their doom.