After returning to his own hall, Ye Guan immediately began cultivating.
He charged towards the Profound Enlightenment Realm.
From his previous battle with the giant, he had discovered a flaw in himself: his profound energy was insufficient.
This was especially true when it came to controlling his sword with energy, where it was severely lacking.
The Myriad Laws Realm was no longer enough to support his sword control.
He needed to raise his realm.
With an immortal-tier technique, reaching the Profound Enlightenment Realm was truly not too difficult.
In less than two days, Ye Guan advanced directly from the Myriad Laws Realm to the Profound Enlightenment Realm.
Upon reaching the Profound Enlightenment Realm, his overall strength underwent another qualitative leap, particularly in controlling swords with energy. In addition, the speed of his flying sword was now at least twice as fast as before.
He did not rush to break through to the Divine Soul Realm, because he understood one principle: haste makes waste.
For men, being too quick is often not a good thing.
For example, in that respect.
He would first consolidate his realm.
Thus, every day, Ye Guan went to the ninth floor of the Trial Tower.
The giant was always there; it did not disappear after clearing the level.
Of course, a person could only clear the level once. Afterwards, even if they defeated the giant again, there would be no rewards.
This time, Ye Guan came to duel the giant one-on-one.
To hone his actual combat ability.
In the arena, the giant wielding its massive axe swung fiercely at Ye Guan.
Although Ye Guan’s realm had improved, he still could not confront the giant head-on and could only dodge in embarrassment.
He had no intention of clashing directly with it.
When dealing with this giant, he had to play to his strengths and avoid his weaknesses.
His advantage lay in agility, so he had to make full use of that.
Just like on the eighth floor, he began dodging frantically, familiarising himself with the giant’s patterns, and finally targeting its weaknesses.
He understood that the best defence is offence, but that depended on the opponent. His current strength was far inferior to the giant’s, so he had to play it safe.
At first, Ye Guan was in a sorry state, narrowly evading the giant’s attacks several times.
But as time passed, he grew familiar with the giant’s routines, and at the same time, he learned how to counterattack.
He would strike back the instant the giant’s massive axe came down.
That was the best moment.
However, the giant’s defensive ability was truly heaven-defying. Even though the power of his flying sword had increased, he still could not inflict fatal damage on the giant. He could only wear it down bit by bit.
Time passed gradually. Ye Guan relentlessly chipped away at the giant. As before, a gash slowly appeared on the giant’s throat.
Ye Guan did not get greedy. Each time an opportunity arose, he struck only once, then immediately retreated.
Just like that, a day passed.
The wound on the giant’s throat grew larger and larger.
At this point, Ye Guan was highly tense, because the giant could afford countless mistakes, but he could not make even one. A single error would mean death or severe injury.
Another day passed.
As the giant’s axe swung and missed, Ye Guan suddenly slashed at its throat.
Slash.
The giant’s head flew off.
Ye Guan retreated rapidly. Sure enough, the moment the head flew, the giant swept its massive axe in all directions.
The axe carried terrifying thunderous power as it swept around, causing continuous explosions of air.
When the axe’s energy finally dissipated and it fell to the ground, Ye Guan let out a sigh of relief, then collapsed completely.
Utterly exhausted.
Two days of high-intensity combat had nearly broken him.
But it was all worth it.
This real battle had greatly improved his combat ability.
In truth, he did not care much about realms. A realm was merely a measure. What he truly valued was actual combat prowess.
Often, two people at the same realm could have vastly different combat abilities.
It is worth mentioning that he did not use the Path Sword. If he had, he was confident he could kill the giant in one round.
The giant’s defence could block his energy sword, but it absolutely could not block his Path Sword.
However, he did not use it, because he did not want to rely too much on external objects.
The Path Sword should be saved for critical moments.
After resting on the ground for a long time, Ye Guan was about to leave when a man suddenly appeared in the arena.
Seeing the newcomer, Ye Guan was stunned.
It was Xiao Ge.
Xiao Ge was also stunned upon seeing Ye Guan. He glanced at the massive axe lying nearby, then said, “Brother Ye, you just killed that big fellow?”
Ye Guan nodded. “Yes.”
Xiao Ge immediately gave a thumbs up. “Impressive.”
Ye Guan smiled. “Are you here to challenge the giant too?”
Xiao Ge nodded. “Yes. The previous battle gave me many insights, so I wanted to duel it again.”
Ye Guan smiled. He knew that often, the only way to overcome fear was to conquer it.
After defeating the giant, neither of them feared it anymore.
Ye Guan smiled. “Brother Xiao, go ahead. I am heading back.”
Xiao Ge nodded. “Alright.”
Ye Guan turned and left.
Soon, loud booms echoed from the ninth floor.
…
After leaving the Trial Tower, Ye Guan went to the Scripture Pavilion of the Guanxuan Academy. It housed all kinds of books.
Reading.
Even back at the Ye residence, besides cultivating, his favourite activity was reading.
Reading could elevate one’s thoughts, reveal one’s shallowness, and deepen understanding of human nature.
Moreover, reading helped cultivation.
It calmed the mind, focused the spirit, and encouraged self-reflection.
With about ten days left until the duel with Nan Xuan, Ye Guan spent his time either cultivating in the Trial Tower or reading.
Three days before the life-and-death arena, Nan Xuan emerged from the Trial Tower.
Atop a mountain peak, Nan Xuan sat cross-legged, emanating powerful aura.
Profound Enlightenment Realm.
His harsh training in the Trial Tower had greatly transformed his strength.
At that moment, Xiao Ge appeared beside him. Looking at Nan Xuan, he asked, “How is the cultivation of that martial technique going?”
Nan Xuan said confidently, “I have mastered it.”
Hearing this, Xiao Ge’s face showed a satisfied smile.
Nan Xuan suddenly asked, “What has Ye Guan been doing lately?”
Xiao Ge replied, “Every day, he either cultivates in the Trial Tower or reads in the Scripture Pavilion.”
Nan Xuan frowned slightly. “Which floor is he on?”
Xiao Ge shook his head. “I do not know. I will check.”
Nan Xuan suddenly shook his head. “No need.”
Xiao Ge looked at him. Nan Xuan’s face was expressionless. “In three days, I will definitely kill him.”
Xiao Ge smiled. “Confidence is good.”
Nan Xuan nodded slightly and slowly closed his eyes.
Xiao Ge turned and left. Soon after, he went straight to the Trial Peak.
He did not listen to Nan Xuan, because he felt it was better to be cautious. He wanted to see which floor Ye Guan was cultivating on.
At that moment, Ye Guan, who had just left the Scripture Pavilion, arrived at the Trial Tower and entered it.
Xiao Ge immediately followed secretly.
He trailed Ye Guan all the way to the seventh floor. Seeing Ye Guan enter the seventh floor, he felt relieved.
However, he did not leave and waited.
About an hour later, Ye Guan emerged from the seventh floor, looking very weak.
From the shadows, Xiao Ge glanced at him, then turned and left reassured.
Ye Guan walked outwards.
At that moment, Little Tower suddenly said, “Are you guarding against Nan Xuan?”
Ye Guan nodded.
Little Tower was puzzled. “Why?”
Ye Guan said calmly, “If I were him, I would definitely be curious about which floor I am cultivating on. Even if he is not curious, his mentor surely would be.”
Since passing that day, every time he had teleported directly from the seventh floor to the eighth, then from the eighth to the ninth, and returned the same way.
He did this to be cautious.
He was not afraid of Nan Xuan, but feared that if the opponent knew his true strength, they might back out of the life-and-death arena.
Little Tower suddenly said, “Being careful is not wrong. You can continue.”
Ye Guan said softly, “Three more days…”
In truth, he did not want to wait a moment longer, but there was no choice. He was not yet invincible enough to disregard the academy.
Moreover, he did not want to cause trouble for Fei Banqing.
He would wait.
At that moment, Xiao Ge suddenly stepped out. He looked at Ye Guan and grinned. “I succeeded too.”
During this time, Xiao Ge had been challenging the giant frantically every day, and today, he finally succeeded.
Ye Guan smiled. “Brother Xiao, congratulations.”
Xiao Ge grinned, then sat on nearby stone steps. “Brother Ye, let’s chat.”
Ye Guan nodded and sat beside him.
Xiao Ge said seriously, “During this time, my deepest realisation has been about fear. The first time I faced the giant, I felt only fear. Deep down, I thought it was invincible. Because of that thought, I later lacked even the courage to fight it.”
He turned to Ye Guan. “Honestly, I have to thank you. If you had not invited me to fight the giant together that day, I might still be trapped in fear, unable to escape.”
Ye Guan smiled. “When I faced it alone that day, I was also afraid. I had no courage to fight. If not for you, I would have chosen to flee.”
Xiao Ge laughed loudly, then said, “Brother Ye, you are interesting. I think you are suited to be the academy’s student chief. If you became chief, I would accept it.”
Ye Guan looked at Xiao Ge. “As far as I know, you are the direct disciple of the academy head. You should be the student chief.”
Xiao Ge shook his head. “I have no interest.”
Ye Guan was puzzled. “Why?”
Xiao Ge looked up at the horizon and smiled. “My heart is not here. It is in the upper realm, in the Central Divine Continent.”
Ye Guan frowned slightly. “Central Divine Continent?”
Xiao Ge nodded. “Above the upper realm lies the Central Divine Continent. Under its rule are thousands of large and small worlds. The ultimate goal of geniuses from these worlds is the Central Divine Continent. There, aristocratic families stand in great numbers, myriad races vie for supremacy, and countless proud sons of heaven emerge. It is truly a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers.”
He looked at Ye Guan. “You and I are considered the most monstrous geniuses in this small Southern Province, but placed there, we would only be average.”
He sighed and shook his head. “Actually, there is an even more terrifying place: the main institute of the Guanxuan Academy in the Little Guan Universe. The ultimate goal of geniuses from academies across myriad worlds is to go there. Unfortunately, for us to reach that place is truly too difficult, so difficult it drives one to despair.”
Ye Guan fell silent.
The world is vast, Southern Province is small, and he himself is even smaller.
Xiao Ge smiled. “If you became student chief…”
Ye Guan suddenly shook his head. “I have no interest either.”
Xiao Ge was stunned. Ye Guan smiled. “In the future, I will definitely go to the Central Divine Continent to make my name, and to the main Guanxuan Academy to compete with those countless proud geniuses.”
Xiao Ge stared for a moment, then laughed loudly. “What ambition. Damn it, I will go to the Central Divine Continent to make my name too, and to the main Guanxuan Academy to compete with those genius monsters.”
Ye Guan smiled, then stood up and waved. “I am going to read. See you later.”
After Ye Guan left, Xiao Ge also stood and walked away. Every few steps, a man suddenly appeared before him.
It was Nan Xuan.
Seeing Nan Xuan, Xiao Ge was stunned. “You are?”
Nan Xuan cupped his fists and smiled. “Brother Xiao, I am Nan Xuan of the Nan family.”
Nan Xuan.
Xiao Ge blinked. “You are the one going to the life-and-death arena?”
Nan Xuan nodded. “Exactly.”
Xiao Ge smiled. “Is there something?”
Nan Xuan smiled slightly. “I heard that Brother Xiao cleared the ninth floor. I admire you greatly, so I came today to get acquainted and become friends with Brother Xiao.”
He paused, then added, “The one chatting with Brother Xiao earlier was Ye Guan, right?”
Xiao Ge nodded. “Yes.”
Nan Xuan said gravely, “Brother Xiao must be careful of this Ye Guan.”
Xiao Ge frowned. “Why?”
Nan Xuan’s face darkened. “This person is ruthless and vicious, full of schemes. He likes to frame and slander others. Most importantly, I heard that he resents you, Brother Xiao, and wants to seize the position of student chief…”
Xiao Ge suddenly kicked out, incredibly fast. Before Nan Xuan could react, he was struck in the abdomen.
Bang.
Nan Xuan flew more than ten zhang away.
Nan Xuan was dumbfounded.
Xiao Ge looked coldly at him. “I do not mind others playing dirty or being clever, but I hate when people treat me like an idiot. You want to create conflict between me and Brother Ye, to make me target him… I just do not understand. Do I really look like a fucking idiot to you? Huh?”
Nan Xuan: “…”
