Miss Lily glanced at David Harris, who had just spoken, seeming somewhat displeased with his attempt to dissuade her: “Of course I know this place is extremely dangerous. Otherwise, why would I have you two follow me?”

Julia Baker’s expression darkened slightly: “Miss Lily, we’re only doing this for your safety. The Red River Forest is said to be so perilous that even innate-level experts could perish here if they’re not careful. I…”

As they moved forward, Lily Carter’s steps paused slightly. Her jade-like forehead creased, and her tone now carried a clear note of displeasure: “Julia Baker, your responsibility is to protect me and help me find the Purple Wind Mink. As for unnecessary words, if you can avoid saying them, no one will think you’re mute!”

“You…”

Julia Baker wanted to say more, but David Harris shook his head at her, signaling her to stay silent.

“That’s better. Our Tianqi Prefecture single-handedly supported your scattered Luo Sword Sect in establishing itself in our Qiyun Nation, helping you grow from a tiny sect of just a few people into a strong one. Now that we need your help, you should naturally do your duty. As for what should or shouldn’t be said, you ought to know your place, lest you embarrass us outside Qiyun Nation.”

“Hmph, Miss Lily, that’s not right. Master is the only sword master in Great Qi, his cultivation has reached the pinnacle of the innate realm. When he decided to found a sect, followers gathered naturally. Where do you get this talk of your Prefecture’s support?”

“Sword master?” Miss Lily curled her lips disdainfully. “So what if he’s a sword master? Innate is still just innate. No matter how great your achievements in the innate realm, in the eyes of ordinary experts, you’re just a bit more capable. Even if you perfect your swordsmanship in the innate realm, if you don’t one day refine true qi, you’re still just an ordinary person. How could you compare to those top experts who have condensed true qi and can ignore blades and arrows?”

Julia Baker was still unwilling to give up, but David Harris gently pressed her down and shook his head at her again.

“All right, enough talk. The Purple Wind Mink we need to capture this time is meant as a birthday gift for my mother’s fiftieth birthday. If anything goes wrong, not only you, but even your master won’t be able to bear the responsibility.”

Julia Baker had no choice but to mutter discontentedly under her breath, “Master is at least a renowned sword master in Qiyun Nation, a person of great status. Your Tianqi Prefecture only became so arrogant after your young lady entered the Sword-Resolving Manor and became the sword-carrying disciple of Grandmaster Xuanhong. In the past…”

“All right, junior sister, don’t complain. Miss Lily is right. True qi experts really are beyond our reach. Even if I can contend with innate experts and have earned the title of legendary swordsman, I have no chance against someone at the true qi level.”

“Senior brother… with your talent, if you hadn’t been injured in your heart and lungs, causing your qi and blood to stagnate and your internal metal energy to weaken, leaving you unhealed for so long, you’d probably have already entered the innate realm, maybe even the true qi realm, becoming a top expert famous in the region. You wouldn’t be reduced to serving others and watching their faces…”

“True qi… that’s the real mark of a true expert. It’s not so easy to achieve. Every year, countless talented youths emerge in our Qiyun Nation, some even more gifted than me, but only a few ever reach the innate realm, let alone refine true qi and step into the true qi stage.”

“But I believe you can do it, senior brother.”

David Harris shook his head wordlessly, let out a small laugh, and said, “If it weren’t for my heart and lung injuries, knowing I have no hope of reaching the innate realm, how could I have calmed down and followed Master to comprehend the true meaning of our scattered Luo Sword Sect’s ‘Great Profound Light Sword Qi’? A blessing in disguise, as they say!”

Julia Baker watched her senior brother’s forced, carefree laughter, knowing deep down he must be suffering! Yet, she truly couldn’t think of any way to comfort this senior brother she respected so much.

Just as Julia Baker was sighing inwardly, David Harris, who was walking ahead, suddenly let out an “Eh?” and then squatted down at a certain spot.

Seeing this, Lily Carter, who was walking in front flanked by two maids, immediately called out in delight, “David Harris, did you find something? Is there a trace of the Purple Wind Mink?”

David Harris shook his head gravely.

“No? Then why did you say ‘eh’? Making a fuss over nothing!”

“There are signs of human activity here. Someone’s been nearby.”

“Someone?”

Lily Carter was slightly taken aback, then immediately became intensely interested: “Someone? You mean there’s someone here? This is the Red River Forest, extremely dangerous, said to be home to ferocious monsters and spirit beasts. Someone actually lives nearby? Could it be a legendary hidden master?”

“Miss Carter, we don’t know this person’s identity, but anyone able to live in the remote Red River Forest must be a top expert. We’d best not disturb them rashly, lest we incur the displeasure of this hermit.”