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

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

The bronze bell on the carriage shook violentlythe clear tone reverberated through the streets.

The ringing was louder than the wind and rain.

Ten meters was neither far nor close.

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

He 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.

Zhao Wuji's unexpected appearance had done severe damage.

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

This cemented the theory about Fang Lang and the Jiang family's relations.

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

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

The man cursed the dead Lin Yunthat fifth-grade sword master who was killed by a mere sword disciple.

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

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

A coughing sound.

"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?"

A throaty voice called out from the carriage.

The tall and sturdy man trembled vigorously.

He 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.

It was Luojiang Academy's headmaster, Cui Cheng!

Also...the prized heiress of the Jiang family, Jiang Linglong!

"Grandfather Cui, if you'd please."

Jiang Linglong's light tone carried a coldness as she decided the man's fate.

The man's pupils constricted in sudden understanding.

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

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

Lin Yun's death at Fang Lang's hand on this expedition was pointless.

There was no turning back time.

Without hesitation, the tall and sturdy man summoned multiple high quality swords from his Space Ring. He directed the blades at the horse carriage.

Then, 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.

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

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

The escaping figure felt his muscles seize up.

The rain seemed to have stopped.

No, every drop of water floated in midair. The man was frozen like an ice sculpture, encased for eternity.

"Why bully a kid?" A soft sigh echoed from a distance.

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

A whirring sound.

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

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

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

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

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

"Won't Lady Jiang see him?" Headmaster Cui asked.

"No. Meeting him won't do him any good."

"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"

"I don't understand what Grandfather Cui is implying."

"I I'm saying your friendship is true and sincere."

"Okay."

Ring, ring

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

When 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.

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

Atop 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.

The 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.

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

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

"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

"Donglu's God of Blades, Nan Yehuo How bold of you."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A 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.

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

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

Nan Yehuo's eyebrows bristled.

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

A sword that divided the land and sky!

Nan 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.

Whoosh!

The cloud sword dissipated.

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

The sword intent on the sword fell away, then

It transformed into alcohol that splashed Nan Yehuo's face.

"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?"

A booming voice echoed from the splash of alcohol.

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

Chunmei Courtyard.

The rain continued.

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

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

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

Mentor 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.

"Are you alright?" Mentor Wen asked after nodding at Old Fang.

Fang Lang waved his hand in response.

In 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.

"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.

Fang Lang was silent.

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

Fang Lang rose. "I killed someone. Will there be no consequences?"

"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.

"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

"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.

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

Fang Lang's eyebrows raised a fraction.

Mentor 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."

Mentor Wen smiled kindly. 'To achieve the highest distinction is no easy feat.'

The Tang Dynasty had 3,000 competitive academieseven Jiang Linglong was not guaranteed the highest distinction.

As for Fang Lang, it was a pipe dream.

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

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

Mentor Wen's words made sense.

"The highest distinction"

Fang Lang mumbled under his breath.

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