Xiao Ge shook his head. “I had thought of beating you up again, but on second thoughts, a person like you is not worth my effort.”
With that, he patted the dust off his backside, then turned and left.
In the spot, Nan Xuan’s face became extremely unsightly.
…
Two days later, night-time.
Ye Guan sat on the stone steps in front of his hall, hands behind his head, gazing at the starry sky.
Tonight was a full moon, surrounded by countless stars.
Looking at that expanse of stars, his heart was filled with longing.
Unfortunately, he could not yet control his sword to venture deep into the starry sky.
His strength was insufficient.
At that moment, a fragrant breeze approached.
Fei Banqing sat beside Ye Guan. She looked at the starry sky. “For tomorrow’s life-and-death arena, do you have confidence?”
Ye Guan smiled. “Of course.”
Fei Banqing said, “Do not underestimate the enemy.”
Ye Guan nodded. “I understand.”
Fei Banqing suddenly said, “After this matter is settled, we must prepare to head to the upper realm.”
Ye Guan turned to look at her. “The upper realm?”
Fei Banqing nodded. “The martial examination that occurs once every ten years will be held three months from now. We need to go to the upper realm in advance.”
Ye Guan said gravely, “Mentor, how can one go to the main institute of the Guanxuan Academy?”
Fei Banqing shook her head. “It is too difficult. Too difficult.”
Ye Guan asked, “How so?”
Fei Banqing smiled. “In this vast universe, there are countless branch institutes of the Guanxuan Academy. The goal of students from all these countless branches is the main institute. To reach the main institute, one must keep fighting, defeating all the geniuses and monsters from every branch.”
Ye Guan fell silent.
This was indeed somewhat outrageous.
Fei Banqing smiled. “I know you are not content with mediocrity, but for now, do not think about the main institute. Instead, take each step well in the present.”
Ye Guan nodded. “I understand.”
Fei Banqing suddenly opened her palm. A golden armour appeared before Ye Guan.
Ye Guan was stunned.
Fei Banqing said, “This is a heaven-tier armour, the only one I have. I am lending it to you for one day.”
Ye Guan glanced at the armour. It still carried a faint feminine fragrance.
But he shook his head. “Mentor, there is no need.”
Fei Banqing looked at him. “Did I not say not to underestimate the enemy?”
Ye Guan smiled bitterly. “I…”
Fei Banqing directly placed the armour in his hands, then stood and left. “Tomorrow, I will watch your performance.”
With that, she vanished into the distance.
In the spot, Ye Guan looked at the armour in his hands, silent.
In the end, he still put it away.
Ye Guan lay down, continuing to gaze at the starry sky. As if thinking of something, he suddenly asked, “Tower Grandpa, what kind of person is my mother?”
After a moment of silence, Little Tower said, “A very remarkable person.”
Ye Guan quickly asked, “Very remarkable?”
Little Tower said, “Yes. She is someone very worthy of admiration.”
Ye Guan said gravely, “Is she currently imprisoned in the Ye Clan?”
Little Tower said, “Yes.”
Ye Guan suddenly said, “What level of strength must I reach to rescue her?”
After another moment of silence, Little Tower replied, “At the very least, you would need to become a Great Sword Immortal.”
Great Sword Immortal.
Ye Guan slowly closed his eyes. “I will become a Great Sword Immortal.”
Little Tower hesitated, then said, “Do not hate her. The reason they let you grow up freely was actually because they had no choice. Otherwise, they would not have sent me to follow you.”
Ye Guan nodded slightly. “I have guessed some of it.”
If his parents were truly heartless, they would not have sent Tower Grandpa to follow him, nor left him a sword dao inheritance.
Little Tower felt relieved inside, then said, “Cultivate well. When the time comes, I will take you to inherit… oh, I mean, to rescue your mother.”
Ye Guan nodded. “Good.”
…
Atop a certain mountain peak, Nan Xuan sat cross-legged.
At that moment, an elder suddenly appeared before him. The elder bowed deeply to Nan Xuan. “Young Master.”
As he spoke, he took out a black box and handed it to Nan Xuan. “When the family head learned that you were going to the life-and-death arena, he specially sent this old servant to bring this item to you.”
Nan Xuan opened the box. Inside was a pitch-black armour.
Nan Xuan’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Heaven-tier armour.”
The elder said gravely, “Premium heaven-tier Profound Tortoise Armour. It is forged from one hundred and eight heaven-tier profound tortoise scales, with defensive arrays personally inscribed by a rune master. It can withstand a full-strength strike from a Divine Soul Realm expert without a scratch.”
Hearing this, Nan Xuan became excited. “Uncle Nan Zheng, our Nan family actually has such a treasure?”
Nan Zheng smiled proudly. “As one of the three great aristocratic families in Southern Province, how could the Nan family lack any foundation? The clan head knew you were facing Ye Guan in the life-and-death arena tomorrow, so he had me rush here overnight with this treasure.”
Nan Xuan looked at the Profound Tortoise Armour in his hands, saying coldly, “With this treasure, I will be invincible.”
Nan Zheng nodded, then took out another small box and handed it to Nan Xuan.
Nan Xuan looked puzzled. “What is this?”
Nan Zheng smiled. “Open it and see.”
Nan Xuan opened the box. Inside were two pills, smooth and lustrous, emitting a faint fragrance that refreshed the mind upon smelling it.
Nan Zheng’s pupils contracted sharply in shock. “These are heaven-grade pills?”
Nan Zheng nodded. “Heaven-grade Revival Pills. As long as you are not killed instantly, no matter how severe the injury, these pills can heal you in an extremely short time.”
He paused, then added, “Our Nan family has only five of these pills in total.”
Nan Xuan said gravely, “Tomorrow, I will definitely slay Ye Guan.”
Nan Zheng nodded. “The clan head believes in your strength. Once Ye Guan dies, he will have no value left. Then, our Nan family can eradicate the Ye Clan in Desolate Ancient City.”
As he spoke, a ferocious glint flashed in his eyes. “We want the world to understand that those who offend our Nan family must die without exception.”
Nan Xuan put away the two pills and the Profound Tortoise Armour. “Before, I only had seventy percent confidence in killing Ye Guan. Now, I have full confidence.”
Besides these two pills and the armour, he also had a heaven-tier martial technique.
One could say that, let alone killing someone in the Profound Enlightenment Realm, he could even fight a Divine Soul Realm expert.
After all, whether it was the heaven-tier martial technique or his Profound Tortoise Armour, at this stage, they were essentially heaven-defying existences.
Fighting relied not only on strength, but also on wealth and equipment.
The Ye Clan of Ye Guan was merely a small family. How could it compete with the Nan family?
At this thought, a smile appeared at the corners of Nan Xuan’s mouth.
Nan Zheng added, “Young Master, the clan head has instructed that since Ye Guan was favoured by that Fei Banqing, he must have something extraordinary about him. Therefore, even with full confidence, you must not underestimate him, lest you capsize in the gutter.”
Nan Xuan nodded slightly. “I understand. Rest assured, I will not take him lightly. In tomorrow’s battle, I will go all out and give him no chance.”
Nan Zheng smiled. “That is good.”
Nan Xuan slowly closed his eyes. “I am already somewhat impatient.”
Nan Zheng nodded. “The Nan family is also impatient. As soon as Ye Guan dies tomorrow, our family’s experts will immediately head to Desolate Ancient City to wipe out the Ye Clan.”
Nan Xuan frowned slightly. “What about Mentor Fei…”
Nan Zheng smiled. “Rest assured, once Ye Guan dies, Mentor Fei will absolutely not fall out with our Nan family over a dead person, because it would not be worth it.”
Nan Xuan nodded. “That makes sense.”
With that, he turned to glance in the direction of Half Green Mountain, a cold smile on his lips.
…
The next day, as a hint of dawn appeared on the horizon, students from the Guanxuan Academy hurried towards the life-and-death arena.
In no time, over ten thousand students gathered around the arena.
At that moment, under everyone’s gaze, a man descended from the sky and slowly landed on the arena.
The man wore a cloud-coloured long robe, hands behind his back, his clothes fluttering without wind.
This person was none other than Nan Xuan.
Seeing Nan Xuan, some of his supporters in the crowd cheered immediately.
As one of the former three great geniuses of the Guanxuan Academy, Nan Xuan naturally had a group of admirers.
Nan Xuan kept his eyes slightly closed, silent.
At that moment, figures also appeared on the surrounding stone pillars.
Fei Banqing had arrived early, eyes slightly closed, lost in thought.
Not far from her was Nan Xuan’s mentor, Xiao Ge. He glanced at Fei Banqing but said nothing.
Song Ci was also there. He looked at Xiao Ge with an unfriendly expression.
That day, Sun Xiong had nearly been killed by this Nan Xuan.
He had not forgotten that grudge.
At that moment, an elder suddenly appeared in the arena.
Seeing the newcomer, everyone bowed hurriedly. “Greetings, Academy Head.”
The arrival was Zhu Fu, head of the Guanxuan Academy.
Zhu Fu smiled slightly. “No need for formalities.”
With that, he looked towards a nearby stone pillar on the right, where a man stood: Xiao Ge.
Just then, a woman suddenly stepped through the air.
Seeing her, the crowd erupted.
Nalan Jia.
The moment Nalan Jia appeared, countless male students’ eyes fixed on her.
Nalan Jia was currently known as the number one beauty in the Guanxuan Academy.
The object of admiration for countless people.
Nalan Jia landed on a stone pillar, her expression calm.
At that moment, under everyone’s gaze, a man suddenly appeared not far in front of Nan Xuan.
It was Ye Guan.
With Ye Guan’s appearance, the atmosphere reached a climax.
A battle of the ages was about to begin.
As Ye Guan appeared, Nan Xuan also slowly opened his eyes. He looked at Ye Guan, a cold smile on his lips.
Ye Guan remained calm.
At that moment, Zhu Fu appeared between the two. He glanced at them. “If either of you wishes to withdraw now, it is still possible.”
Nan Xuan smiled lightly. “If I withdraw now, would I not become the greatest joke in the academy’s history?”
As he spoke, he looked at Ye Guan.
Ye Guan bowed slightly to Zhu Fu. “Academy Head, let us begin.”
Zhu Fu nodded. “Since that is the case, from this moment, the two of you will duel. Life and death are up to fate.”
With that, he turned and vanished.
Nan Xuan looked at Ye Guan, smiling lightly, hands still behind his back. “Ye Guan, this day next year will be your…”
At that instant, an energy sword suddenly slashed through the arena like a thunderbolt.
Ye Guan wasted no words, nor allowed Nan Xuan to speak. He struck directly.
Slash.
Nan Xuan had just reacted and was about to bring his hands forward, but it was too late. His throat split open, blood spraying, his voice cutting off abruptly.
In the arena, everyone froze.
What happened?
On the stone pillar, Fei Banqing stared fixedly at Ye Guan. She had not expected him to strike with his sword immediately.
Below, everyone in the arena had turned to stone.
Not only the students, but even the mentors on the pillars, including Zhu Fu, were stunned.
When Zhu Fu recovered, his face became extremely grave.
Xiao Ge’s face was ashen, staring at Ye Guan in disbelief.
Below, Ye Guan shook his head. “Why do people always like to taunt before a fight? Does this help improve your combat strength? Or do you think you can kill me with words?”
Before Ye Guan, Nan Xuan clutched his gushing throat, staring at Ye Guan in disbelief, hoarsely saying, “You… sword cultivator… sneak attack… no honour…”
Slash.
Another energy sword pierced directly through Nan Xuan’s brow.
Nan Xuan fell straight down.
A finishing blow.
Ye Guan shook his head slightly. “The Academy Head already said to begin. You were the one wasting words. Can you blame me?”
In his view, talking trash during a fight was an extremely foolish behaviour.
Ye Guan walked to Nan Xuan, then searched his body. When he found the Profound Tortoise Armour and the two pills, his eyes lit up. He quickly put them away.
He had struck it rich.
He did not choose to battle for three hundred rounds, because there was no need.
Why waste effort and time when one sword could solve it?
Act low-key.
Kill high-profile.
“Sword cultivator. He is a sword cultivator.”
At that moment, someone in the crowd suddenly exclaimed.
In an instant, everyone snapped back.
This was a sword cultivator.
The arena erupted in uproar.
All were in disbelief.
Ye Guan ignored the crowd. He flew directly to Nalan Jia, extending his left hand. “Sword, come.”
Slash.
The Path Sword suddenly flew out, tracing a beautiful arc in the air before steadily landing beneath his feet.
Ye Guan stood on the Path Sword, then extended his right hand to Nalan Jia.
Nalan Jia looked at Ye Guan, smiling slightly. She reached out and placed her hand in his, then stepped onto the Path Sword.
Ye Guan gently placed his left hand on her slender waist, right hand pointing forward. “Rise.”
Slash.
The Path Sword turned into a sword light, shooting into the sky, piercing through the clouds.
In the arena, everyone gazed at the horizon. The women’s eyes were filled with envy.
Nearby, Xiao Ge looked at the sky, murmuring, “What a show-off.”
….
