Starting with the divine power of the Great Vajra, he traversed the heavens.

Chapter 259 Sword Testing at the Banquet
The group followed Tan Dong forward, and soon an iron gate appeared ahead, guarded by imposing warriors.

Tan Dong took out the token, which the warrior verified, and then he tightened the gate.

After the crowd passed through, they walked another hundred steps or so, and there was another iron gate guarding the way.

Ren Shaoyang, observing this, couldn't help but chuckle, "The guards at the Dual Cultivation Palace are indeed impenetrable."

"Sword Master Ren, you flatter me." Tan Dong said respectfully. "Over the years, we have been fighting against the Phantom Sword Sect and our enemies beyond the Great Wall. We have to set up layers of defenses to prevent anyone from taking advantage of our weaknesses."

Lie Zhenbei said, "These evil heretics are ruthless, using every means possible, including assassination, poisoning, and turning people against their own side. These elaborate traps can only defend against large-scale attacks, but they cannot stop highly skilled individuals."

Li Ruohai remained silent, head down, and walked forward for a long time before finally reaching the end and sighing, "Ningqing, you've worked hard all these years."

Lie Zhenbei seemed to want to say something, his lips moved, but in the end he only sighed.

As the group turned into an alley, Hongxiu looked around and exclaimed with a grin, "Wow, so many people!"

Ding An blinked, scratched his head, and said, "Where, where is anyone?" As he spoke, he twisted his body, "I'm just feeling a little uncomfortable."

Ren Shaoyang said, "The energy here is like a fully drawn bow, about to be released, filled with killing intent. It's normal that you feel like you have thorns in your back."

The beggar said, "There are quite a few warriors hidden in the passageway, about a hundred paces long. They all glance at you intentionally or unintentionally, their eyes flashing. Aren't they scary?"

Ding An nodded: "My god, that's pretty scary."

Everyone laughed. Then Tan Dong said, "Everyone, we're almost there. The Lord of the Manor is waiting for you." As he spoke, they turned a corner, and a courtyard appeared before their eyes.

The young beggar, Ding An, Feng Xinglie, Gu Qianlian, and several other young people couldn't help but let out a soft "Eh!"

From the outside, the yard looks like it covers at least several dozen acres, and it's all planted with peach trees. Thousands upon thousands of pink blossoms are blooming in the wind, creating a crimson scene in one's eyes.

Two beautiful women dressed in white stood quietly in the woods.

The older woman was stunningly beautiful, her mature charm captivating. The woman beside her had a delicate nose and cherry lips, with refined features and an air of noble elegance.

Hearing voices, they turned around, glanced at them, and came to greet them.

"Brother Li, you've arrived." Her voice preceded her arrival. The mature woman smiled warmly, her beautiful eyes fixed on Li Ruohai.

Ruohai smiled and said, "Ningqing, it's been a long time."

Gu Ningqing smiled slightly and said, "Yes, it's been twenty years." After giving him a deep look, she bowed to Ren Shaoyang and the others, saying, "Greetings, Sword God Ren, Heroine Ren, and Blade Emperor Li!"

Ren Shaoyang returned the greeting, saying, "Greetings, Lord of the Manor." He then looked at the young woman and said, "Greetings, Princess of Dual Cultivation."

Hongxiu exclaimed in surprise, "Wow, the Lord of the Manor is so young! You and my daughter look more like sisters than mother and daughter!"

Ding'an nodded repeatedly: "Me too."

Gu Ningqing covered her mouth and chuckled, "Miss Ren speaks so sweetly." She turned to look at Gu Zixian, "Zixian, you and Miss Ren are about the same age, you should get to know each other better."

Gu Zixian nodded and said, "I know, Mother." As she spoke, she stepped forward and chatted and laughed with Hongxiu and Gu Qianlian. Instantly, their voices were sweet and their faces were full of joy.

Li Ruohai said, "Ningqing, what delicious food have you prepared today? We're starving."

Gu Ningqing blushed and said, "Oh dear, how could I forget? Everyone, let's go into the mansion together."

This woman deeply loved Li Ruohai, and because of their dual cultivation technique, she poured all her love into him. The most absurd thing was that when she was cultivating with him, she couldn't help but call out Li Ruohai's name.
The pain of parting is unbearable, but I cannot express it.

After the group entered the mansion, they saw that the flowers and trees were becoming more and more abundant. Among the red flowers and green trees, several flying eaves were faintly visible. When they arrived at the main hall, a banquet had already been set out.

Gu Ningqing invited Lie Zhenbei and the others to sit in the main seats, while she herself sat in a side seat. She smiled at Ren Shaoyang and said, "Since you are here today, I should entertain you with wine. However, I am not good at drinking. Mr. Zhenbei is my closest friend. How about I have him have a few drinks with you all?"

Ren Shaoyang laughed heartily: "Please do as you please, Madam. Given my friendship with Lao Li, I won't have any complaints!"

"Eat yours!" Li Ruohai shoved a chicken leg into his mouth, sealing his lips.

Everyone laughed, and Gu Ningqing laughed especially happily, unconsciously glancing at Li Ruohai.

Lie Zhenbei chuckled and said, "Pretty face, I've finally found your nemesis."

"What natural enemy?" Li Ruohai sneered.

“You always lose when facing Brother Ren.” Lie Zhenbei took out a wine jar, poured wine for the two of them, and said leisurely, “You always blush when facing Ningqing.”

Li Ruohai tried to defend himself: "I was full of energy!"

Gu Qianlian whispered to Feng Xinglie, "Xinglie, are you as stubborn as your master?"

How could Feng Xinglie dare to speak ill of Li Ruohai? He quickly shook his head: "I'm tough everywhere except for my mouth!"

Gu Qianlian looked him up and down, then smiled and said, "Really?"

"Of course it is!"

"I don't believe it~"

The young couple flirted nearby. Ren Shaoyang took the initiative to speak, "Lord Gu, Lao Li and I came to the Dual Cultivation Mansion for two reasons. First, to seek healing from Brother Lie. Second, to defend the Dual Cultivation Mansion against the invading enemy."

Gu Ningqing raised her glass and smiled, saying, "Sword God Ren is the best in the world, and the 'Three Fiends of the Northern Frontier' are renowned as masters who should never be provoked! With the three of you here, Ningqing is truly at ease!"

As darkness fell, countless lanterns shone brightly, illuminating the vast hall and making Gu Ningqing's smile even more radiant.

"Lord, that's not all!" Gu Qianlian exclaimed like a lark, "In the Yangtze River, Emperor Li Dao single-handedly wiped out the Phantom Sword Sect. His swordsmanship was truly earth-shattering."

Everyone's expression changed. Gu Ningqing stood up abruptly, glared at Gu Qianlian, and said loudly, "Is this true?"

"Absolutely true!" Gu Qianlian exclaimed. "I saw it with my own eyes!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Ningqing and her daughter, as well as Lie Zhenbei, were all astonished. They turned to look at Ding An, only to see him holding a chicken leg in one hand and drinking wine in the other, even trying to steal food from Hongxiu.

He looks like a country bumpkin who just came to the city; he doesn't have the demeanor of a master at all.

Lie Zhenbei sighed, "I never thought that the Phantom Sword Sect, which has been entangled with us for so many years, would just disappear like this."

Gu Ningqing nodded and said, "The three villains are indeed masters of their craft, their divine power is beyond description!" She raised her wine cup and said loudly, "Sword God Ren, Heroine Ren, and Emperor Li, this cup of wine is for you!" After saying that, she drank it all in one gulp.

Ren Shaoyang and the other two laughed and raised their glasses to drink.

The scene immediately became lively. Gu Ningqing's face was flushed after drinking, and she asked Li Ruohai all sorts of questions, telling him what was on her mind all these years.

Li Ruohai was somewhat overwhelmed, and with Lie Zhenbei teasing him from the side, he could only drink to cover up his embarrassment.

Hongxiu and Gu Qianlian chattered away, talking about where to have fun and where to find good food at the Dual Cultivation Mansion.

Feng Xinglie then consulted Ding An about martial arts.

Ren Shaoyang and Gu Zixian were the only ones left unattended, each drinking their own drinks.

After several rounds of drinks, Gu Zixian finally mustered up her courage and stood up to toast Ren Shaoyang.

Ren Shaoyang smiled, clinked glasses with her and drank it all in one gulp, then asked, "What brings you here, Princess?"

Gu Zixian looked at him with her big eyes, and said with her lips slightly parted, "Zixian has long heard that Ren Jianshen's swordsmanship is unparalleled in the world. In terms of power, it is on par with the 'Overturning Rain Sword' and Lang Fanyun, and in terms of beauty and mystery, it is even more incomparable."

The girl was dressed in a tight white outfit, her figure as graceful as a newly sprouted branch. Beneath her dark bangs, her eyes shimmered with a sharp, piercing light.

Ren Shaoyang smiled and said, "Does the princess want to test my sword if she praises me so highly?"

Gu Zixian's eyes lit up as she looked at the man opposite her.

He was dressed in a white robe with wide sleeves, and his demeanor was elegant. His long eyebrows slanted upwards and extended to his temples, exuding a proud and spirited air. His gaze was not sharp, but it penetrated people's hearts. When Gu Zixian met his gaze, her heart pounded wildly.

"Yes!" Gu Zixian mustered her courage and said crisply, "Sword God Ren, I believe that I have been practicing swordsmanship for more than ten years and my swordsmanship is already mastered. Now I want to see what a true master looks like."

"Zixian!" Gu Ningqing shouted sternly, "Don't be rude!"

Gu Zixian is young, but Gu Ningqing is not! How can a peerless swordsman who can blind Pang Ban be treated so rudely?

Gu Zixian was speechless. She turned around and saw that her mother was furious, and even Gu Qianlian looked worried.

Gu Zixian cried out inwardly, "I...I..." But the words were already out of her mouth, and there was no going back. It was too late to make amends.

“Ningqing, there’s no need to worry so much,” Li Ruohai said with a smile. “Shaoyang is not a bloodthirsty person.”

“Pretty face is right,” Lie Zhenbei said. “Brother Ren’s swordsmanship is as harmonious as the world, blending with the spirit of heaven and earth. If he were to instruct Zixian, it would be a rare opportunity for her.”

Hearing their words, Gu Ningqing felt somewhat relieved, but since the person in question hadn't spoken yet, she turned to Ren Shaoyang and asked, "Sword God Ren, what do you think?"

Ren Shaoyang smiled slightly and said loudly, "Princess, you are exceptionally beautiful and talented. I would also like to see for myself."

Upon hearing this, Gu Ningqing breathed a sigh of relief and turned to Gu Zixian, giving her repeated instructions.

Ren and Gu then moved to the garden and stood there.

Gu Zixian looked at Ren Shaoyang, who stood with his hands at his sides, and said with a slight reproach, "Sword God Ren, why don't you show your famous 'Divine Sword', Dragon Capture?"

Ren Shaoyang laughed and said, "Swords have no eyes. I will use my hand as a sword and test my skills against the princess's unparalleled swordsmanship."

Gu Zixian was stunned for a moment, then stamped her foot and exclaimed, "Do you know that my sword is also a rare treasure?"

The girl's gentle, slightly annoyed expression was like moonlight on a lotus pond being caressed by a gentle breeze. It was incredibly captivating, mesmerizing, and utterly enchanting.

Ren Shaoyang laughed heartily: "Don't worry, if the princess can force me to draw my sword, I will teach you a sword technique as encouragement."

"Oh my!" The girl was overjoyed upon hearing this, her face showing an innocent, childlike expression. "Is it the Kunlun Thirteen Swords from the 'Sword God Technique'?"

Ren Shaoyang was taken aback and asked, "What 'Sword God Technique'?"

(End of this chapter)