It was still raining by the time night fell, drowning out all other noise.

Outside the city, a white crane landed along the banks of the Great Azure.

“Craney, you wait here,” said a handsome young man in apricot-yellow Daoist robes before somersaulting off its back.

This was none other than the Sea-Swallowing King’s disciple, Ge Qian.

He stretched, then walked alone through the darkness and pouring rain. Before long, he arrived at the Qingding Military Drill Ground.

“What a dense stench of blood. The rain has washed much of it away, but the smell still permeates the air. It’ll be a long time before it fully disperses….” Ge Qian surveyed the area briefly, then silently slipped into the grounds.

He strode confidently up to the center of the field, then paused and looked around. It was obvious someone had cleaned up recently. The pooled blood and shattered stone had been gone for quite some time already.

But Ge Qian’s keen eyes still picked up on quite a lot.

After a while, he looked up at the sky. He couldn’t help but frown. He muttered, “Old Man, back in Mother Ghost Ridge, you told me Su Yi wasn’t simple. Now, it seems he really is an extremely dangerous character.”

Before arriving at the Qingding Military Drill Grounds, he learned about what happened today from one of the prefectural capital’s higher-ups. 

“His sword pierced the clouds, and he called upon the power of the rain to slay his enemies. This isn’t something a Qi Accumulation youth can accomplish on his own. However, if he borrowed external power, it’s not at all strange,” said a raspy, aged voice from within Ge Qian’s soul. “For instance, an Origin Daoist’s secret talismans could easily achieve such a feat.”

“That so? So you’re saying it’s highly likely he’s got an Earthly Immortal behind him?” said Ge Qian thoughtfully.

As a disciple of the Sea-Swallowing King, he was well aware that throughout the entire Great Zhou, only a tiny handful of people had stepped into the Origin Dao.

It was this elite few that the world’s mundane martial artists referred to as “Earthly Immortals.”

“No, that’s not right. He’s only in the early stages of Qi Accumulation, yet he forced Mu Cangtu, a Grandmaster of the Dao of the Sword, to lower his head in defeat. Then, he slew Qin Wenyuan as if it were nothing. Isn’t that a bit too out of the ordinary?” Ge Qian frowned. “The core inheritors of the Jade Capital’s Phoenix Pass Academy might be able to match such a feat, but that’s assuming they held nothing back. They couldn’t possibly do it as easily as Su Yi. Don’t tell me he’s a disciple of the Great Zhou’s number-one holy land, the Hidden Dragon Sword Sect?”

When this possibility occurred to him, Ge Qian’s heart pounded in his chest, and his expression turned solemn.

The Hidden Dragon Sword Sect!

This was a true cultivation faction, an organization that transcended the mundane world!

“The Hidden Dragon Sword Sect isn’t even worth a fart! I told you that a long time ago. What ‘number-one holy land of the Great Zhou’? They’re nothing but a gathering of low-class cultivators,” said the raspy voice from within his soul.

Ge Qian laughed coldly. “Old man, don’t be such a braggart. In your current state, when you encounter my master, a ‘mere’ Xiantian Martial Ancestor, you’re too scared to even let out a fart. Who are you to say such things about the Hidden Dragon Sword Sect?”

He paused, then continued, “Drop the nonsense and get to the point. What exactly is going on with Su Yi?”

The raspy voice said in obvious displeasure, “You want me to instruct you with that attitude?”

Ge Qian was silent for a moment. If you don’t answer me, I’ll give up on looking for Su Yi, even if it means going against my master’s orders. I swear it.”

He’d had no choice but to come to the Cloudriver Prefectural Capital, and he felt rather helpless about it.

It was because of the three Fire Peaches Su Yi ran off with. His master, Ge Changling, was deeply displeased, so he ordered Ge Qian to investigate Su Yi’s origins.

As such, Ge Qian had no choice but to come, willing or not. 

“Forget it. I can’t be bothered to argue with you,” said the raspy voice with a cold snort. “Do you remember the tips I gave you about the Qi Accumulation Realm?”

“I remember,” said Ge Qian without any further thought. But then, he froze, stunned. “Are you saying that Su Yi has likely opened all one hundred and eight spiritual apertures?”

“That’s right!” exclaimed that raspy voice. He sighed with emotion, “The martial artists of the mundane word cultivate ordinary, pathetically incomplete cultivation methods. They don’t even know what it means to fully open all acupoints. Even if they make it to the Inner Furnace Realm, by that point, their foundations are already full of flaws. How could someone like that possibly be a match for Su Yi?”

Ge Qian’s expression was somewhat unsightly. “Old Man, I recall you saying that throughout the Azure Continent, only you’ve mastered a cultivation technique capable of tempering all one hundred and eight spiritual apertures. Why has another such person appeared out of nowhere?”

The raspy voice fell silent. Finally, he said, “That’s why I think you need to meet that boy. If there’s really any danger, how could I possibly just stand back and watch you die? All we have to do is seize him. We’ll know all his secrets then, now won’t we? Perhaps…. We might even obtain a grand stroke of fortune!”

When he said this last part, his voice filled with enticement, but Ge Qian’s expression only darkened, and he shook his head decisively. “No way! I’d rather spend the rest of my life in degradation than face that level of danger! You know as well as I do that I’ve always been cowardly. I’m too afraid to even squish an ant while I walk!”

The raspy voice fell silent.

The old man was so angry, he really wanted to cough up blood. He’d lived for countless years, but he’d never met anyone so cautious and fearful before!

Others might learn courage following a great humiliation, but this kid would rather live on in degradation than fight. What was he even cultivating for? The Grand Dao?

Didn’t he know that cultivators had to kill decisively and bravely forge ahead?

But Ge Qian didn’t care about any of that. He just turned to leave, eager to get out of the Qingding Military Drill Grounds as quickly as possible. Soon, he returned to the banks of the Great Azure.

“What are you planning to do now?” the raspy voice couldn’t help but ask.

“I’m going to go see my Master and tell him that I can’t afford to offend Su Yi. If he’s not happy, he can deal with Su Yi himself. In any event, I’m not doing it,” said Ge Qian without a second thought.

When the old man heard that, he blew his top. “You don’t even have the courage to see him?”

Ge Qian said as if it were obvious, “ Of course I…….. don’t.”

“Sooner or later, your cowardice is going to anger me to death!” roared a raspy voice. He could no longer repress his rage.

But Ge Qian paid him no further head. He just got on his white crane and flew into the clouds.

“It’s not that I don’t have any guts,” he said as they soared through the clouds. “It’s that I know full well that the moment I meet him, you won’t be able to resist acting against him. What will I do if something happens to you?”

The raspy voice fell silent, and when he next spoke, his attitude had changed completely. He even sounded a bit gratified. “So, you were worried about me…!”

Ge Qian smiled. He liked caution and disliked danger. Was there anything wrong with that?

Su Yi, we’ll surely meet sooner or later. If you can refine all one hundred and eight spiritual apertures, there’s no reason I can’t too! You have your secrets, but I have mine as well.

That geezer’s always telling me that I’m destined to be the main character of my era, but I’m well aware that I can only half-trust anything he says.

I just hope… that you and I don’t become enemies, or else….

As he pondered, the white crane’s sharp wings flashed with radiant light, and they soared higher into the heavens.

…..

Meanwhile, beneath the same night sky.

Heaven’s Origin Academy, a pavilion built on a mountaintop.

“Lingzhao, where are you?” said a tender voice as a graceful figure strode through the darkness. It was a woman in a plain white dress.

There were few lanterns illuminating the night, so the woman’s long, snowy-white hair was only barely visible. She looked calm and elegant as water, and her features were peerlessly exquistite. She was a full-blown beauty.

It was just, her temperament was utterly cold.

“Master, what are you doing here?” The door to the pavilion opened, and Wen Lingzhao stepped outside. A hint of surprise appeared on her beautiful yet icy features.

This white-haired woman was none other than her master, Zhu Guqing!

She was a famous Grandmaster, an expert of the Dao of the Sword. Her Misty Haze Sword Stance was famous throughout the six prefectures of the Imperatorial Province.

Furthermore, she was one of Heaven’s Origin Academy’s nine elders.

When she looked at her disciple, whose looks and temperament were both top-notch, Zhu Guqing’s expression softened. “Whitecloud Mountain’s hidden realm is about to open. I obtained a place for you, so prepare yourself. Strive to reach the peak of the Qi Accumulation Realm by the time it opens, just one month from now. That way, you’ll be able to obtain more benefits within.”

Delight flashed across Wen Lingzhao’s face. She immediately bowed. “Many thanks, Master!”

“You and I are master and apprentice. Why act like an outsider?” said Zhu Guqing. Then, she paused before saying, “Someone came from the provincial government again. They said that if you’re willing, Provincial Governor Xiang Tianqiu will personally assist you in annulling your marriage.”

Wen Lingzhao’s elegant brow knit together. “Master, surely someone as lofty as the provincial governor wouldn’t make such an offer out of the kindness of his heart? I’m certain this was Senior Apprentice Brother Xiang Ming’s idea. I know how he feels about me, but this is my problem, and I want to resolve it on my own.”

Zhu Guqing nodded, and a gratified smile spread across her face. “Do you know why I chose you as my apprentice? It’s because you’re so much like I was when I was younger. You refuse to let anyone control your fate. Excellent! I support your decision.”

Wen Lingzhao was stunned. Ripples coursed through her heart. Finally, she took a deep breath and said, “Master, I won’t let you down!”

Zhu Guqing thought about it, then added, “In a few days, I’ll be heading to the Cloudriver Prefectural Capital. If there’s time, I’ll stop by Blueriver Sword Manor to see your little sister, and if her talent is really as extraordinary as you say, I’ll bring her back to Heaven’s Origin Academy with me.”

“That’s wonderful!” Wen Lingzhao’s eyes sparkled, a rare display of delight on her typically icy face. “I trust my little sister won’t disappoint you either.”

“Right, Master, what are you visiting the Cloudriver Prefectural Capital for?” asked Wen Lingzhao curiously. 

Zhu Guqing didn’t keep it a secret. “It’s because of the Deathbringer’s Gate. According to reliable intelligence, the three Deathbringer’s Gate dharma protectors stationed in the Imperatorial Province have entered the Cloudriver Prefectural Capital. I don’t care what they’re up to. Better to just kill heretical cultivators like them quickly and be done with it!”

As she spoke that last sentence, her bright eyes flashed with chilling, murderous intent, and her entire presence turned as sharp and intimidating as a sword’s edge. 

Wen Lingzhao said softly, “Then please, be careful, Master.”

“Rest assured. Several others will be traveling with me. Anyway, it’s getting late. You should get to bed early.” With that, Zhu Guqing turned and left.

After watching her fade into the distance, Wen Lingzhao took a deep breath, and her red lips curved into a smile, straight from the heart. If my little sister comes too, I’ll have someone to keep me company…

She turned and entered her room, but just as she was about to start cultivating, she inexplicably recalled what her master had said about annulling her marriage.

Naturally, she also recalled her husband-in-name, Su Yi. Just thinking about him irritated her.

Not long ago, she’d received a message from the Wen Family matriarch, and she learned a bit about Su Yi’s performance at the Dragon’s Gate Banquet. 

Although it came as quite a surprise, to her, Su Yi’s paltry accomplishments didn’t amount to anything.

So what if he’s recovered his cultivation? Who cares if he took first place in the Dragon’s Gate Banquet? If I don’t like him, I don’t like him, and no one can change that, Wen Lingzhao thought to herself. Her bright eyes gradually calmed down, then frosted over.