Chapter Seven: The Maiden

The next morning, as the sun rose high, Zhou Tian was already out of bed. And what was he up to? Naturally, he was going to nurture his relationships.

With the help of maids, he dressed himself. Although Zhou Tian deeply despised such feudal customs, he had to admit that the clothing design was so intricate that he would have spent a long time struggling with it alone. Thus, he had no choice but to endure this outdated tradition.

Once dressed, he followed a servant who led him toward the place where Tian Ling was staying.

The residence of the King of Qin was vast and magnificently decorated. Everywhere, rare and extraordinary flowers emitted a faint azure glow, their crystalline petals smooth and lustrous, clearly not of this mundane world.

The servant led the way ahead, Zhou Tian following behind. Yet, Zhou Tian seemed somewhat distracted; upon closer inspection, his whole body appeared to blur slightly.

If one were to slow time a thousandfold, it would become apparent that Zhou Tian, who seemed to be walking step by step, was in fact vanishing and reappearing each instant. The intervals were so brief and his speed so swift that to an observer, he appeared to be walking normally.

He was practicing his proficiency with “Blink.” Though he possessed this miraculous ability, it did not appear so miraculous on him. A powerful cultivator could react in a single thought, but for now, Zhou Tian was just an ordinary man, lacking such instantaneous reflexes. Thus, he could only practice; mastery comes from repetition. If only he could make this into a reflex.

What drove him to work so hard was none other than his cheat: the Immortality System.

The system’s explanation was clear: each resurrection consumed a vast amount of some unknown energy. Therefore, the host was strictly forbidden from dying by suicide under any circumstances. Deaths caused by suicide were not counted in the resurrection tally, and the system reserved the right to define what constituted suicide.

Furthermore, the Immortality System could only resurrect him once every twenty-four hours. If he died a second time in a single day, he would not truly die, but would remain dead until the resurrection count reset the next day—during which time he would be in a state of death, devoid of consciousness.

These limitations had left him frustrated yesterday. It was called the Immortality System, so why all these restrictions?

Hence, Zhou Tian felt the need to practice “Blink.” Now that he had someone special, he needed to present himself well in all respects. From the fragmented memories of his predecessor, he knew that the imperial city was far from peaceful. Although he was the son of the King of Qin, one could easily find someone on the street connected to several influential figures.

If he happened to encounter some troublemaking noble’s son on the street and failed to keep up his act, he would be the one embarrassed.

As these thoughts occupied his mind, the servant in front stopped, turned, and said respectfully, “Young Master, we have arrived at Clover Garden.”

Zhou Tian looked up. Before him was a large courtyard. On the purple plaque above the entrance were three gilded characters: Clover Garden, written in a bold and imposing style. It was said that the King of Qin himself had inscribed them, infusing the plaque with his supreme martial aura. Unfortunately, no matter how hard Zhou Tian tried, he couldn’t perceive anything unusual.

This was the reception area for honored guests at the King of Qin’s residence. Elder Li alone was not important enough to warrant such hospitality. Although King Zhou Yi outwardly praised him as an esteemed elder of the Futian State, in truth, while Elder Li was indeed old, “esteemed elder” was an exaggeration. It was only for Tian Ling’s sake—after all, she was Zhou Tian’s future wife, which carried considerable weight.

“You may leave,” Zhou Tian instructed the servant, who bowed and withdrew.

Zhou Tian let out a breath, stepped forward, and knocked on the door.

After a moment, the door opened. It was Tian Ling, wearing a new azure dress that radiated youthful energy.

Seeing Zhou Tian at the door, she was momentarily taken aback, a faint blush appearing on her gentle, jade-like face.

“Uh… why are you opening the door yourself? Where are the servants?” Zhou Tian asked, easing the awkward atmosphere.

“We’re both from the sect,” Tian Ling replied softly, her cherry lips parting slightly, her voice gentle and pleasant. “Elder Li and I aren’t used to having others serve us, not even when dressing, so we sent them away.”

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she hurriedly added, “I didn’t mean to say that having servants help dress is wrong. We’re just not used to it, that’s all.” Her words came faster now, as if afraid Zhou Tian might misunderstand, knowing that all noble families lived this way.

Zhou Tian couldn’t help but laugh at her flustered manner. After their conversation yesterday, he had thought her so mature—yet now, she seemed very much a young girl. After all, having grown up in the Supreme Heaven Sect as the sect master’s direct disciple, she had little experience with intrigue and rarely overthought things.

“I understand. Aren’t you going to invite me in?” he asked.

Tian Ling stepped aside shyly and whispered, “Please come in…”

He didn’t tease her further and stepped inside. Tian Ling closed the door behind him and followed, head lowered, her gaze fixed on Zhou Tian’s shadow on the floor, lost in thought.

“Your Highness, what an honor to receive you!” Elder Li was seated at the table, sipping tea. The tea served to guests in the King of Qin’s residence, while not as fine as Zhou Tian’s own, was still extraordinary, and Elder Li had enjoyed much of it during his stay. Seeing Zhou Tian enter, he rose and greeted him.

Zhou Tian smiled and returned the courtesy. “Sorry to trouble you, Elder Li.”

Elder Li, pleased by his politeness, laughed. “Your Highness is too kind. This is the King of Qin’s residence; if anything, we are the ones imposing.”

After a pause, he continued, “May I ask what brings Your Highness here today? Surely it’s not merely for pleasantries with an old man like me.” He glanced at Tian Ling as he spoke.

“I came mainly to invite Miss Tian Ling out for a walk,” Zhou Tian replied. “I’ve heard that she has lived in the Supreme Heaven Sect all her life and never ventured down the mountain. Now that she’s come to the imperial city, it would be a shame not to show her around.”