Ning Ping saw Liu Banbi's dazed distraction and also understood his unwillingness. He patted the shoulder of this sword immortal who had been killing demons and honing his sword in the Northern Frontier, and consoled him, saying, "It is normal for young people to stand out. Moreover, it seems that our luck has not been too good, as we happened to encounter such an era where wildflowers bloom in profusion. Each young person, taken individually, could be an incomparable outstanding figure of their own era, but they are all crowded together. For them, it may not be such a good thing, but for us old fellows, it is not a bad thing. At least we can see that the coming era will be a pretty good one."

Every era had its geniuses, and the one to stand at the very top had always been but one person. When the Sect Master of the Sword Sect became renowned throughout the world, cultivators of the same generation only felt themselves far behind. Afterward, when Daoist Wuyang, the temple master of the Infatuation Daoist Temple, emerged, cultivators of the same generation felt the same way.

Later on, the Great Liang Emperor rose like a dark horse.

Though one could say they were of the same era, in truth they could not really be counted as of one generation.

But now, it was different. Whether Chen Chao or Yun Jianyue, or even Ye Zhihua and Xie Nandu, they truly were of the same generation.

Such a thing was in fact extremely rare.

Not to mention anything else, just speaking of Yun Jianyue and Chen Chao - each of them, if placed in their own era, would certainly have suppressed all their peers. Yet now, they had been born together.

Liu Banbi clicked his tongue and said, "Great General truly has not spent many days as the number one martial artist of this age before being surpassed."

Ning Ping retorted, "So before Sword Immortal Liu, there was still the Sword Sect's Sect Master, and behind you Yu Xiyi is close on your heels. Is that not even worse?"

Hearing these words, Liu Banbi's face looked unpleasant, and after a moment, he finally smiled and said, "Great General's words are really pleasant to hear."

Ning Ping roared with laughter.

Liu Banbi was not part of the Northern Frontier Army, and his cultivation realm was not low, so he was much more casual. At this moment, he could not be bothered with the Great General before him, but instead looked toward his little junior sister and asked, "Since Teacher is in the Northern Frontier, does Junior Sister not plan to go see him?"

Because of Wei Xu's matter, the academy dean had gone to the Northern Frontier. After that, he never left again, counting it as atonement for that student of his.

But in truth, what the Wei Family did had little to do with Wei Xu. He merely made a wrong decision at the final moment.

In this life, a person would hardly make the right choice in everything. Some could turn back before the precipice, some would make mistake after mistake, and some would draw a prison for themselves on the ground, never able to step out for an entire lifetime.

It was obvious that Wei Xu was the kind who drew a prison for himself.

Xie Nandu said, "At this moment, Teacher likely does not wish to see anyone. Why trouble Teacher?"

Liu Banbi nodded, sighed, and said, "Wei Xu's matter indeed left Teacher somewhat despondent."

After all, Wei Xu had always been one of the disciples the academy dean placed particular emphasis on cultivating. The position of dean was not something he had not thought of passing on to him.

Hearing the two academy disciples begin to talk about Wei Xu, Ning Ping did not linger to make himself uncomfortable. Braving the heavy snow, he left, thinking he should go and find Gao Xuan to discuss what position would be best to place Xie Nandu in during that great battle.

Xie Nandu said softly, "In Senior Brother Wei's situation, even if it were me, I dare not say I could have done any better."

Liu Banbi narrowed his eyes and said, "Back then, I was already at odds with him. It was not because of his family background. Nor was it because this fellow was particularly bad, but simply because I never once felt any firmness from him. He never had a clear goal. Otherwise, he would not still be suffering like this now."

In the end, they were fellow disciples. At this point, it would be impossible for Liu Banbi to say he felt nothing at all. But since he had long given up studying to take up the sword, even if he were to see Wei Xu now, it would be difficult to offer any comforting words.

"Perhaps one day he will come to his senses when he thinks it through, but if that day really comes, then most likely..."

Liu Banbi left his words hanging.

Xie Nandu smiled faintly. She knew very well what her senior brother wanted to say.

Liu Banbi frowned. "That fellow actually isn't so detestable."

"Going to the desolate north this time, Senior Brother, could you try not to take action unless it truly comes to a matter of life and death?"

Xie Nandu suddenly spoke, her voice not loud, but filled with a firmness that brooked no refusal.

Liu Banbi asked curiously, "Junior Sister, do you really want to accumulate military merits in the frontier army so you can sit in the position of Great General in the future?"

Xie Nandu said calmly, "It is not for promotion, but indeed, I must become Great General."

"Junior Sister thinks that the million frontier troops in the Northern Frontier can only accomplish that matter in your hands?"

Liu Banbi grew even more curious. He had always known his junior sister’s ambitions were vast, but he had never truly understood what she was thinking. Did she believe that for such a task, there was no one else in the world but her?

Xie Nandu stated bluntly, "The Great General can defend the city, but cannot accomplish that matter."

Though she did not spell it out, Liu Banbi still understood. He gave a thumbs up, squinted his eyes, and smiled. "Among Teacher’s students, Junior Sister’s name will likely be the most resounding in the future."

Becoming a sword immortal was remarkable, becoming a Confucian Saint was also remarkable, but neither of those could compare to recovering the thirty thousand miles of desolate north and exterminating the demon race.

Liu Banbi smiled and said, "Senior brother has no other skill. Ever since I stopped studying books in this lifetime, all I can do is draw my sword to kill men and demons. If one day you truly reach that step, and there comes a place where you need senior brother, I would willingly serve as your vanguard."

Xie Nandu said, "If the day comes when I need you, I will not be polite with you."

Liu Banbi nodded. What he liked about Xie Nandu was not that his junior sister was gifted, but that her temperament was always so straightforward.

Direct and unreserved, never beating around the bush.

After a moment of silence, Xie Nandu suddenly said, "Senior Brother, if one day I must sacrifice your life in exchange for accomplishing that matter, would you blame me?"

This was not an easy question to answer.

But Liu Banbi only smiled and said, "My life is not important. In such matters, Junior Sister can take it as you wish."

He did not even ask how much confidence his little junior sister had.

Xie Nandu gave a slight nod, and did not say any unnecessary words of thanks.

But soon Liu Banbi suddenly asked a heart-piercing question.

"Little Junior Sister, if one day you must sacrifice that guy's life to accomplish this matter, would you do it?"

Hearing this, Xie Nandu's brows furrowed slightly, but she did not speak.

She looked at that snowman, not beautiful, even ugly, and then thought of that year when she saw that young man in the ruined mountain god temple.

Liu Banbi did not hear his little junior sister's answer. But he was not disappointed and instead pleased.

Perhaps... only such a little junior sister seemed more like a woman?

"I think he would be willing."

Xie Nandu suddenly spoke, her voice like the wind and snow, slowly falling.