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nThe neverending rain battered the horse carriage, spraying a haze of mist.

nThe occasional wind made the carriage blinds move, revealing two figures seated across each other—one was dressed in green while the other had a long, white beard.

nThe bronze bell on the carriage shook violently—the clear tone reverberated through the streets.

nThe ringing was louder than the wind and rain.

nTen meters was neither far nor close.

nThe tall and sturdy figure coughed out blood. When he saw the approaching horse carriage, he had goosebumps.

nHe had one hand over his injury as the rain soaked through his clothes. A fourth-class sword master with sword intent realm was reduced to this pitiful sight.

nZhao Wuji’s unexpected appearance had done severe damage.

nJiang Linglong had sent one of the Jiang family’s Five Tigers to protect Fang Lang.

nThis cemented the theory about Fang Lang and the Jiang family’s relations.

nThe sturdy man’s head turned. He felt the boiling vital energy behind him like the sun.

nIt was the terrifying aura of a fifth-class martial arts master and his god-tier energy refinement realm.

nThe man cursed the dead Lin Yun—that fifth-grade sword master who was killed by a mere sword disciple.

nIf Lin Yun was alive, the other party might show some hesitance to engage as the boy was favored by the third prince.

nHowever, Lin Yun was dead and the chance of the man escaping Luojiang City dwindled.

nA coughing sound.

n“Your trip to Luojiang City was to find me, I assume? Why did you seek trouble with the child? He is just a normal boy who has no connections with the Jiang family. Isn’t that right, Lady Jiang?”

nA throaty voice called out from the carriage.

nThe tall and sturdy man trembled vigorously.

nHe turned to look at the horse carriage with disbelief. The blinds were pulled aside, revealing an old, weathered man. Opposite the man sat a veiled young lady who had stars in her eyes.

nIt was Luojiang Academy’s headmaster, Cui Cheng!

nAlso…the prized heiress of the Jiang family, Jiang Linglong!

n“Grandfather Cui, if you’d please.”

nJiang Linglong’s light tone carried a coldness as she decided the man’s fate.

nThe man’s pupils constricted in sudden understanding.

nThe Jiang family princess’s visit to Luojiang City was not for Fang Lang, but for Cui Cheng!

nFang Lang probably had nothing to do with the Jiang family.

nLin Yun’s death at Fang Lang’s hand on this expedition was pointless.

nThere was no turning back time.

nWithout hesitation, the tall and sturdy man summoned multiple high quality swords from his Space Ring. He directed the blades at the horse carriage.

nThen, he took the opportunity to escape. Like a bird, he brushed against the raindrops and took flight, heading toward the row of buildings by the street. He planned to flee through the rooftops.

nFrom the carriage, the old man extended a hand that had the appearance of a Chinese goldthread.

nWith the flick of his outstretched hand, a powerful spiritual intent burst out in a ring and sent ripples through their surroundings.

nThe escaping figure felt his muscles seize up.

nThe rain seemed to have stopped.

nNo, every drop of water floated in midair. The man was frozen like an ice sculpture, encased for eternity.

n“Why bully a kid?” A soft sigh echoed from a distance.

nThe tall and sturdy man watched as every suspended raindrop turned into an icicle shaped like a long and fine needle.

nA whirring sound.

nUnlimited rain-turned-needles flew toward the attacking swords.

nThe steel swords in the air exploded into a mist of powder.

nA portion of the black roof tiles were also caught in the crossfire.

nBefore he could utter a word, the tall and sturdy man was turned into a pulp of minced meat.

nThe sound of rain resumed. Water fell from the sky like a waterfall, drenching every inch of the Earth’s surface.

n“Won’t Lady Jiang see him?” Headmaster Cui asked.

n“No. Meeting him won’t do him any good.”

n“Ah. You intentionally doubled back from your journey to Changan yet you choose not to meet him. The relationships of the stubborn youth are so complicated…”

n“I don’t understand what Grandfather Cui is implying.”

n“I… I’m saying your friendship is true and sincere.”

n“Okay.”

nRing, ring…

nThe horse carriage turned and disappeared into the main street. The conversation and the bronze bell gradually faded into the rainy night.

nWhen Zhao Wuji reached the scene, he saw the pile of mushy human remains. He raised his head and scanned his surroundings. A smile graced his face as he bowed in the direction of the departing carriage.

n…

nAmong the mountain ranges veiled by the clouds and fog sat the Sword Guild.

nAtop Mount Shu, a man lounged with a blue and white porcelain wine cup in hand. The strong wine swayed gently in the cup, reflecting the light.

nThe white-haired, white-robed Chao Xiaojian had his eyes closed as he recited poetry. His chest and abdomen were exposed as he laid on his side, languishing amidst the cloud cover.

nAll of a sudden, a blade energy pierced through the clouds and wrapped around his fingertip like a thread.

nChao Xiaojian interacted with the energy, then he opened his eyes.

n“I knew the removal of the Blooming Lotus Sword would bring misfortune. The sword was left by our top disciple who was lost for decades in the demon world. The reappearance of this sword no doubt attracted many’s attention…

n“Donglu’s God of Blades, Nan Yehuo… How bold of you.”

nChao Xiaojian yawned and destroyed the blade energy around his finger. He lifted his porcelain cup and spilled the contents forward.

nLying on his side, he extended his fingers and made a crumpling motion.

nThe spilled alcohol solidified and transformed into a semi-transparent blade.

nWith a flick of his finger, the blade shot out into the horizon, flying downward through the layers of clouds.

nAs soon as it pierced the clouds, it straightened and set off for its destination quietly.

nThe speed at which the blade traveled drew a white line across the sky, as if cleaving the sky in half.

n…

nDonglu Academy was situated on Flight Sword Peak, Mount Donglin.

nA red-robed silhouette was standing on the edge of the cliff, hands clasped before his back. His eyebrows were joined in a line as he took in the expansive horizon of clouds.

nNan Yehuo opened his eyes and angled his face to one side. He watched a sword pierce through the cloud cover in the distance.

nUnexpectedly, the clouds scattered as the sword tunneled like a hissing snake.

nNan Yehuo’s eyebrows bristled.

nA semi-transparent sword was aimed at him from a faraway land. His eyes tracked the sword’s flight.

nA sword that divided the land and sky!

nNan Yehuo swiped at the air. Countless clouds folded over and formed a giant sword. The giant cloud sword was sent forth to meet the semi-transparent sword.

nWhoosh!

nThe cloud sword dissipated.

nNan Yehuo lifted his hand and caught the semi-transparent blade out of the air. His eyebrows swayed in the wind.

nThe sword intent on the sword fell away, then…

nIt transformed into alcohol that splashed Nan Yehuo’s face.

n“Find me if you have any misgivings. Don’t bully the kid. You do not want the current Sword Guild as your enemy. I’m no match for the Emperor, but you?”

nA booming voice echoed from the splash of alcohol.

nThen, Nan Yehuo was left alone. With an impassive face, he watched the clouds as a drop of murky liquid rolled down his eyebrow.

n…

nChunmei Courtyard.

nThe rain continued.

nFang Lang fell on his back on the floor as he gasped for air.

nIn the precarious pavilion, Old Fang finally pushed aside the Queen of Flowers and rushed to Fang Lang’s side, umbrella in hand.

nThe energetic Old Fang brought a smile to Fang Lang’s face. The worry in his heart abated.

nMentor Wen walked over with a constipated look. His robe had been decimated by the blade energy, revealing an expanse of white skin. He lost the easygoing appearance.

n“Are you alright?” Mentor Wen asked after nodding at Old Fang.

nFang Lang waved his hand in response.

nIn all honesty, Fang Lang did not suffer any injuries from start to end. While using the secret technique, he had overdrawn his power but the effect was minor.

n“The only warning I can offer is, you met a girl you shouldn’t. This affair will bring you adversity,” Mentor Wen said as he shook his head. The man spoke from experience.

nFang Lang was silent.

nMentor Wen yawned under his umbrella and said, “Get up. Go home and wash up. Get some rest and attend class at the academy tomorrow.”

nFang Lang rose. “I killed someone. Will there be no consequences?”

n“It was a private duel between cultivators and he was the initiator. No laws were broken. Also, you have witnesses.” Mentor Wen gave a pointed look at the two observing martial arts masters sent by the Jade Pavilion.

n“Don’t worry, you won’t get into trouble in Luojiang City unless the Jiang family is taken down. Or the third prince, Li Liancheng, takes the throne. The issue with the Jiang family is complicated. There’s enmity between the two parties and today, you were caught in the crossfire. You got too close to the lady. Women…

n“You don’t need to know too much about the Imperial City elites. You’re still a child, it’s unnecessary. All you need to know is the headmaster will protect you in Luojiang. You’re safe until the Imperial Examination. Even Donglu’s God of Blades won’t be able to harass you.

n“However, if you failed the Imperial Examination, things may not be as swell,” Mentor Wen said with a wry smile.

nFang Lang’s eyebrows raised a fraction.

nMentor Wen patted the boy’s shoulder and said knowingly, “So don’t hold back. Show what you’ve got and prove yourself in the Imperial Examination. Achieving the highest distinction would be best, then you’ll have nothing to fear.”

nMentor Wen smiled kindly. ‘To achieve the highest distinction is no easy feat.’

nThe Tang Dynasty had 3,000 competitive academies—even Jiang Linglong was not guaranteed the highest distinction.

nAs for Fang Lang, it was a pipe dream.

nMentor Wen was simply presenting the boy with a lofty goal.

nFang Lang internalized his mentor’s words. The calming sound of the rain allowed him to think.

nMentor Wen’s words made sense.

n“The highest distinction…”

nFang Lang mumbled under his breath.

nDetermination flashed in his eyes. It was time to redouble his efforts.

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