Meanwhile, in the south, in Nancheng, Yuzhou.
The He Family estate.
An eighteen-year-old girl suddenly bolted upright in bed, drenched in sweat as if terribly frightened.
In a flurry, she lit the lamp, sat before the dressing table, and stared at her reflection in the bronze mirror. Despite her fair skin and smooth, raven hair being somewhat tousled from sleep, they could not hide just how pampered a life this young lady led.
The girl was He Manting, the eldest child of the He Family head and the eldest young miss of the household.
The He Family was a renowned cultivation clan in Yuzhou, as well as a famously wealthy merchant dynasty, with their primary businesses—the idyllic rural estates and the AllThings Pavilion—spanning across all Four Regions.
"I've traveled back in time," He Manting said to herself.
To quickly verify her suspicion and determine whether this was an illusion or reality, she hastily called out, "Someone come."
The door creaked open, and a maid stepped inside. Seeing that the young miss had disheveled hair and improper attire, clearly having just woken up, and noting her unsettled demeanor—as if she had suffered a nightmare, though cultivators rarely dreamed, let alone had nightmares—the maid dared not pry. She quickly bowed and said, "My lady, what are your orders?"
"What year is it?" He Manting asked.
"The twenty-third thousand year of the Hunyuan era, the two hundred and thirtieth year of the New Hunyuan," the maid replied.
Hearing this, He Manting was utterly convinced she had returned. She had been resurrected, sent back to many years ago, before the rogue cultivators invaded and before that wicked woman arrived. In her previous life, her uncle had colluded with rogue cultivators, framed her family, and joined forces with that vile woman to slaughter the main branch. Her younger brother had proved utterly useless, and she and her younger sister had ended up tearing each other apart over the family inheritance, ultimately letting outsiders reap the rewards.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she grew. A flash of murderous intent surfaced in her eyes, but she quickly reined it in. She gave the maid a few instructions to announce her request to see her parents, and then dismissed her.
In this life, she would arrange everything properly, exact her revenge, and make her younger sister the head of the family. What use was that trash of a brother? The thought only made her angrier, making her want to march over right now to hack her uncle's family to pieces and kill her brother as well.
Determined not to let anger consume her or arouse her parents' suspicion, He Manting rapidly calmed her mind, went back to bed, and took a nap until dawn.
——
In the main hall, He Manting dismissed all the servants, leaving only her parents behind.
He Manting went straight to the point. "There is something amiss with Uncle's family. I hope Father will be on guard. Furthermore, I hope both Father and Mother will personally oversee the family's financial accounts and revenues."
Though Father He was puzzled as to why his daughter would say such a thing, he knew her to be intelligent, perceptive, and naturally gifted, so he agreed.
Seeing her father agree, He Manting set her mind at ease. She knew her parents well; they were exceedingly meticulous and strict when it came to business, maintaining rigorous standards even down to the ingredients supplied by their manors. Since her father had given his word, he would definitely investigate.
By then, her uncle's household wouldn't even have the funds to trade with rogue cultivators and that wicked woman. Once their crimes were uncovered later on, it would be easy to execute them directly.
Seeing that her father had raised no objections and agreed outright, He Manting brought up her second matter. "I want to take a trip to Zhanzhou. I have an acquaintance there and certain promises to keep. A merchant values their word; since I made a promise, I must go."
Upon hearing this, the elderly couple chuckled. Their child was growing up and wanted to see the world—splendid, go ahead! Besides, she wasn't young anymore, and just a few days ago her cultivation had broken through to the Golden Core stage and stabilized.
The couple exchanged glances. "Very well," they said. "We will have some items prepared for you and give you a flying boat. When you reach the north, if you need anything, go directly to our branch manor or the AllThings Pavilion branch."
Her mother asked, "When are you leaving? There's no need to be in such a rush, coming over at the crack of dawn and having the maid send word so early."
"It's not extremely urgent, but sooner is better," He Manting replied. After all, lower cultivation levels were easier to kill.
She kept the second half of her sentence to herself, merely thinking it in her heart while wearing an air of serene detachment on the surface.
Leaving the main hall, He Manting returned straight to her quarters. She pondered what else needed to be done. Though she didn't know why she had been reborn, since she was back, it would be a shame not to change a few more things.
And so, that afternoon.
He Manting went to the quarters of her younger sister, He Manzhi. Although her relationship with her twin sister was generally fine, the issue of vying for the head of the family made things somewhat delicate, so she decided to drop by for a look.
Before even reaching He Manzhi's rooms, her voice rang out ahead of her: "Oh, well if it isn't my dear sister! What brings you to my humble abode with so much free time on your hands? Ah, I see your Soul Gathering cultivation has stabilized. Let me be the first to offer my congratulations, Sister!"
He Manting: "……."
Splendid, her sister was still every bit as aggravating and mischievous, yet possessed an intensely competitive streak.
"I came to see if my little sister has grown any taller," He Manting said. "It seems all those fine things and good food haven't helped you grow at all."
He Manzhi: "……."
He Manzhi was furious, but she had no retort.
Seeing that He Manzhi had fallen silent, He Manting hastily added, "I'm only joking. I came today to bring my little sister some treasures, but it seems Sister doesn't want them. I'll take my leave, then."
He Manzhi: "……."
"Oh, come now, my good sister, since you're here, stay awhile!" He Manzhi backpedaled instantly. "What gifts did you bring? Sit down, sit down! I'll pour you some tea. Let your little sister see what wonderful things you've brought."
He Manting: "……." Splendid, still her exact same sister—the moment she heard there were good things, she was overjoyed.
With that, He Manting produced the longsword their father had once given her.
"You know this weapon was a gift from Father," He Manting said. "I've never formed a bond with it, nor have I ever used it. I'm giving it to you; this weapon suits you much better."
Before He Manzhi could speak, He Manting continued, "I am going to the north on some business. Cultivate diligently at home—you are far better than that good-for-nothing."
Hearing her sister compare her to that trash of a brother, He Manzhi bristled and quickly snapped, "That good-for-nothing is light-years behind me! And why would you even compare me to him? Is he even worthy?"
"Alright, alright, he's not worthy. Our Zhizhi is the most formidable," He Manting said, her tone carrying a hint of doting indulgence.
"Naturally!" He Manzhi declared. "Sooner or later, I'll become the most outstanding person in this family, even better than you!"
Just as she finished speaking, He Manzhi suddenly snapped back to reality. "Wait," she said. "You said you're going to the north? What are you going there for? Winters are freezing there, and it's nowhere near as prosperous as here. You haven't done anything wrong, and Father has no reason to banish you out there."
Seeing this, He Manting quickly cut in, "I have an agreement with a friend. A merchant values their word, so I must go. It is entirely of my own accord, with no interference from anyone else."
She then added, "Very well, the sword has been delivered, and I should be going. I need to return and pack; I'm setting off tomorrow."
"So soon?" He Manzhi asked.
He Manting offered no reply. She simply gave a wave of her hand and strolled away.
——
The next morning.
In her small courtyard, He Manting was making her final preparations. Both her parents and her sister had come to see her off.
He Manting had specifically requested beforehand that her departure be kept quiet, so the only ones seeing her off were these three family members.
He Manting gazed into the distance at the rising sun. Clad in white clothes as pure as snow, she gripped her longsword. She took one last look at her parents and sister, then stepped alone onto the flying boat. Activating the vessel, she cast a final glance at her family, hardened her resolve, and resolutely flew toward the north.
Sister, work hard. Your elder sister is going to pave the way for you, to flatten every risk and sweep away every obstacle, even if it means marching into certain death without a single regret.
——
After He Manting left, He Manzhi mentioned to her parents that her sister had come to see her before her departure. Though the elderly couple didn't understand the full picture, as parents worried for their children, they quietly dispatched two experts to protect her in secret.
They then turned to He Manzhi and said, "Since your sister gave that longsword to you, it is yours. Just focus on your cultivation from now on."
He Manzhi readily agreed.
——
The Chaoyun Sect, Fan Peak, a certain small courtyard.
A certain brat was dressed in nothing more than simple undergarments, his sleeping robe having long since vanished.
At that moment, the brat stirred and patted his lower abdomen. *Huh? A bit dazed?*
Looking around at his surroundings, he spotted the clothes resting on the table and hurriedly put them on, figuring the garments must have been left there by his master the day before.
Once dressed, he stretched lazily and washed up. With nothing better to do, he began practicing the Taiji forms.
Just as he finished the routine and thought about going out for a walk, he heard someone knocking on his door. He walked over, opened it, and saw the visitor standing outside.