On the way back to the Xiao Residence, Ye Guan’s expression was extremely grave. “Tower Master, that woman was truly terrifying.”
Little Tower replied, “Hmm.”
Ye Guan furrowed his brows, somewhat surprised. “Do you not find her terrifying?”
Little Tower said, “I do find her terrifying.”
Ye Guan hesitated briefly, then said, “Tower Master, I feel you are not afraid of that woman at all. Tower Master, are you hiding something from me? If you are, you can tell me. I have a strong tolerance.”
After a moment of silence, Little Tower replied, “No.”
Ye Guan smiled bitterly. “Alright. Since you are not willing to say it now, tell me when you have the chance in the future.”
Little Tower immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Damn it.
This kid is no pushover.
The Yang family across three generations, each one sharper than the last.
It truly makes things difficult for this tower.
Ye Guan suddenly sighed softly. “Since arriving here, I have discovered so many people are incredibly strong. I am truly too weak. I still need to work hard.”
Little Tower quickly said, “Yes. You still need to work hard.”
Ye Guan was somewhat puzzled. “Why did she let me go?”
Little Tower replied, “There must be something to gain.”
Ye Guan was confused. “Something to gain? But I have nothing.”
Little Tower fell silent.
Ye Guan was speechless and did not press further, because he knew this Tower Master was determined to keep it from him. Asking would yield no result.
Anyway, he was in no rush. He would slowly coax the Tower Master.
Though the Tower Master was unreliable, it had treasures. He needed to keep it sweet.
Moreover, he had discovered that the Tower Master was easy to talk to. As long as he flattered it, it would give treasures.
After a moment, Ye Guan returned to his courtyard. He gently pushed open the door. However, the instant he did, he froze.
Not far ahead, a woman was sitting.
It was Fei Banqing.
Fei Banqing looked at him without speaking.
Ye Guan’s expression stiffened. He hesitated, then said, “Wrong room.”
With that, he turned to leave.
Fei Banqing suddenly said, “Come in.”
Ye Guan felt a headache coming on. He turned, entered the room, then closed the door. Next, he removed his night attire.
Fei Banqing looked at him. “You went to kill that Wei Tong?”
Ye Guan nodded.
Fei Banqing’s expression was calm, showing neither joy nor anger. “It seems everything I said to you went in one ear and out the other.”
Ye Guan quickly said, “Teacher, no one knows it was me.”
Fei Banqing suddenly slapped the table with her palm and said angrily, “Do you know what kind of place this is? This is the Upper Realm. Hidden dragons and crouching tigers abound here, with countless experts. If someone discovers it, do you realise how dangerous that would be for you?”
Ye Guan lowered his head slightly and said nothing.
Fei Banqing stared fixedly at him. “There are people beyond people, and heavens beyond heaven. Do not think that just because you are a sword cultivator, you can do whatever you want.”
Ye Guan nodded. “The teacher is right in her lesson. I will not dare next time.”
Hearing this, Fei Banqing immediately felt a headache. She had intended to vent her anger, but now half of it had dissipated.
After a moment of silence, Fei Banqing asked, “You are not injured, are you?”
Ye Guan shook his head. “No.”
Fei Banqing glanced at him, her expression complex. “Rest.”
With that, she placed a white jade bottle down, then stood and left.
Ye Guan quickly said, “Teacher, this is?”
Fei Banqing replied, “A heavenly-grade supreme pill. After taking it, it can increase your strength by at least thirty percent for half a shichen. The side effects are relatively minor.”
Ye Guan hesitated, about to refuse, but Fei Banqing had already left the room.
Ye Guan hurriedly picked up the pill and chased after her. He caught up to her side. Just as he was about to speak, Fei Banqing suddenly said, “If you dare return it, I will spank you.”
Ye Guan smiled. “Since it is a gift from the teacher, I will naturally accept it.”
Fei Banqing said softly, “Like Little Jia, call me Teacher.”
Ye Guan hesitated briefly, then nodded. “Teacher.”
Fei Banqing stared at him. “How did it feel to kill a Space Manipulation Realm expert?”
Ye Guan said gravely, “Luck.”
It truly was luck.
He had ambushed the opponent, and the opponent was in that state. If it had been a fair one-on-one duel normally, he truly had no confidence.
An expert capable of traversing space-time was still extremely powerful.
Fei Banqing said, “If the Xuantian Sect comes looking for you tomorrow, deny it to the death. Understand?”
Ye Guan nodded. “I understand.”
You may suspect me, but I will not admit it.
Fei Banqing glanced at him. “You said the same to me before, then turned around and went off to kill someone.”
Ye Guan smiled sheepishly and said nothing.
Never argue with a woman. Whatever she says, nod. That way, she has no temper left.
Fei Banqing shook her head slightly. “You. On the surface, you seem gentle and quiet, but inside you are like a wolf. You will not suffer the slightest loss.”
Ye Guan smiled faintly. “I do not bully others, but I will not let others bully me either.”
Fei Banqing looked at him. “Why did you stand up for me earlier?”
Ye Guan said gravely, “She insulted you. That is not acceptable.”
Fei Banqing was silent for a moment, then said softly, “Rest well. Tomorrow we still have to deal with the Xuantian Sect.”
Ye Guan nodded. “Alright.”
After Fei Banqing left, Ye Guan returned to his room. Lying on the bed, he slowly closed his eyes. “Tower Master, when I killed that Wei Tong earlier, I gained some insight into that sword technique.”
One Sword Decides Life and Death.
After the Tower Master taught him this sword technique, he had rarely used it, because he felt he had not fully grasped its essence.
But during the killing earlier, he had gained insight.
Little Tower asked, “What insight?”
Ye Guan said gravely, “Killing. Is this sword technique created for killing?”
Little Tower replied, “Tell me your thoughts.”
Ye Guan nodded slightly, then said, “When I harboured killing intent towards that Wei Tong, my thought was that he must die. Then I discovered that the power and speed of my flying sword seemed to have greatly increased.”
Little Tower fell silent.
Ye Guan continued, “So, I feel that to cultivate this One Sword Decides Life and Death, one cannot simply practise it dryly. One must kill. One must have killing intent.”
Little Tower was silent for a moment, then said, “Anything else?”
Ye Guan replied, “The stronger the killing intent, the greater the power of this sword technique. Therefore, personally, I feel I cannot cultivate this sword technique like other sword techniques. I can only cultivate it through killing.”
Little Tower said, “Just follow your own ideas.”
Ye Guan quickly asked, “Tower Master, is my guess correct?”
Little Tower replied, “You need not care about others’ opinions. Just follow your own inner thoughts.”
Ye Guan nodded. “Alright.”
A killing technique.
Inside Little Tower, that mysterious voice suddenly rang out. “This little one’s comprehension is truly frightening.”
Little Tower said, “We must still be cautious and more cautious. We cannot let him stray onto the wrong path.”
The mysterious voice replied, “Indeed.”
…
One night passed. Early the next morning, the Xuantian Sect arrived at the Xiao Residence with a group of experts.
In front of the Xiao Residence, Song Fu and the others stepped out.
Leading the Xuantian Sect side was the middle-aged man from the city gate earlier. Upon seeing him, Fei Banqing said calmly, “Lu Lian, I heard Wei Tong is dead? Truly cause for celebration.”
Lu Lian stared at Fei Banqing. “It was you who did it.”
Fei Banqing smiled. “Evidence?”
Lu Lian smiled. “Fei Banqing, do you know what you are doing? This is provoking our Xuantian Sect.”
Fei Banqing sneered. “I am so scared.”
Hearing this, Lu Lian’s expression immediately turned extremely grim.
At that moment, Xiao Shan stepped out. He said gravely, “Lu Lian, Wei Tong was a Space Manipulation Realm expert. Do you think anyone here could kill him silently?”
Lu Lian fell silent.
Xiao Shan continued, “Moreover, as far as I know, the killer was a sword cultivator.”
Lu Lian’s expression became extremely ugly.
The fact that Ye Guan was a sword cultivator was known only to those from the Lower Realm. Naturally, the few from their Guanxuan Academy would not reveal his sword cultivator identity.
Xiao Shan looked at Lu Lian. “This matter is suspicious. I suggest you investigate properly.”
Lu Lian chuckled lightly. “After our Xuantian Sect arrived here, we only had conflict with the Nanzhou Guanxuan Academy. Conflict during the day, and Elder Wei Tong killed at midnight. Besides the Nanzhou Guanxuan Academy, who else could it be?”
Xiao Shan said calmly, “Lu Lian, do you have evidence?”
Lu Lian looked directly at Xiao Shan. “No, but I suspect.”
Xiao Shan shook his head. “Lu Lian, you are at least an elder. Why speak so irresponsibly? Without evidence, what are you saying here?”
Lu Lian suddenly turned to Fei Banqing. After a moment, he suddenly smiled. “The winds in the Upper Realm are strong. Tell your students to be careful, lest they get blown to death by the wind.”
With that, he turned and left.
After Lu Lian and the others departed, Xiao Shan turned to glance at Fei Banqing and the others. In truth, he was also somewhat doubtful.
Did these people really do it?
At that point, Song Fu suddenly looked at Ye Guan and the other two. “For this period, stay in the Xiao Residence and cultivate properly. Do not leave the residence without reason.”
The three nodded.
Song Fu looked at Xiao Shan. “Brother Xiao, truly troubling you.”
Xiao Shan shook his head. “Between you and me, no need for such words.”
Song Fu said gravely, “Now we can only wait for the Martial Examination in two months.”
Xiao Shan nodded slightly. “During this time, the few of them can cultivate properly in the Xiao Residence. Leaving the residence is fine, but they must absolutely not leave the city. Within the city, no one dares kill in broad daylight. But outside the city, that would be dangerous.”
Song Fu nodded. Whether Xiao Ge, Ye Guan, or Nalan Jia, all were monsters among monsters. If they perished here prematurely, it would truly be a great pity.
A short while later, Ye Guan arrived at the Xiao Clan’s library pavilion. He was still somewhat unfamiliar with this Upper Realm. He decided to learn more about it properly.
After reading for about a shichen, he gained some understanding of the major forces in this Upper Realm.
The Upper Realm consisted only of northern and southern regions. In the entire Upper Realm, the Guanxuan Academy was the strongest force, followed by two great clans and three major sects.
The two great clans were the Wang Clan and the Zhao Clan. These were the two major aristocratic families of the Upper Realm, with a thousand-year history and profound foundations.
The three major sects were the Xuantian Sect, the Starfall Sect, and the Cloud Sect.
Among them, the Cloud Sect and the Zhao Clan were in the Northern Region and quite mysterious.
Besides these, there was another force: the Immortal Treasure Pavilion. This pavilion normally did not participate in any power struggles, but no force dared offend them.
This was an extraordinarily wealthy force.
Even the Guanxuan Academy had to give face to the Immortal Treasure Pavilion.
Not only in this Upper Realm, but even in the Guanxuan Universe, the Guanxuan Academy had to give face to the Immortal Treasure Pavilion.
Because when the Guanxuan Academy was founded, without the financial support of the Immortal Treasure Pavilion, it might not have been established.
Moreover, the pavilion master of the Immortal Treasure Pavilion had an extraordinary relationship with the Sword Master of the Human Realm from the Guanxuan Academy.
This time, participants in the Martial Examination came from three hundred and sixty prefectures. Among these, two prefectures were stronger than this Upper Realm.
These two were Qingzhou and Yunzhou.
Qingzhou was the strongest.
Because this was the birthplace of the Sword Master of the Human Realm back then. This place had received tremendous resource support from the main Guanxuan Academy. Rumour had it that the main academy had nearly been established in Qingzhou.
Yunzhou was no simple place either. It was a land of outstanding people and talents, having produced three great emperors.
Unfortunately, over these hundreds of years, Yunzhou had always been suppressed by Qingzhou in every Martial Examination.
Qingzhou’s dominance in every Martial Examination left other prefectures in despair.
When Ye Guan emerged from the library pavilion, it was already night.
This night, a full moon hung in the starry sky, with countless stars.
At that moment, Nalan Jia suddenly approached from the side.
Tonight, Nalan Jia wore a purple long dress. Her long hair flowed, and as she walked slowly, her temperament was tranquil and elegant, beautiful enough to intoxicate.
Nalan Jia walked to Ye Guan and smiled faintly. “Shall we go for a stroll? Tonight is the Lantern Festival, once a year. The city is very lively.”
Ye Guan blinked. “Lantern Festival?”
Nalan Jia nodded. “Yes.”
With a beauty’s invitation, he naturally would not refuse.
Ye Guan smiled. “Let us go.”
Nalan Jia smiled. “Let us go.”
After leaving the Xiao Residence, the two headed towards the city centre. Tonight, red lanterns hung from houses all around. People came and went on both sides of the streets. It was extraordinarily lively.
From various places in the city, fireworks occasionally shot into the sky, brilliant and dazzling.
This Lantern Festival had been established by the pavilion master of the Immortal Treasure Pavilion back then and continued to this day.
On the street, the two walked slowly.
Nalan Jia looked around and smiled. “I like this worldly atmosphere.”
Ye Guan nodded. “I like it too.”
Nalan Jia said softly, “I have heard that the stronger one becomes, the lonelier one is. I do not want my martial path to be a lonely one.”
Ye Guan turned to look at her. “The martial path is indeed very lonely. Little Jia, are you willing to walk it with me?”
Nalan Jia turned to him. Ye Guan smiled faintly. “I hope we can walk it together. If we can remain invincible forever, then invincible to eternity. If not, then we sit in meditation together and meet again in the next life. Alright?”
Meet again in the next life.
Nalan Jia was slightly lost in thought. After a moment, she smiled lightly. “Do you love me?”
Ye Guan countered, “Do you love me?”
Nalan Jia shook her head. “I do not know.”
As she spoke, she paused, then added, “I have never been in love. I do not know what love is. However, I feel very happy with you. Does that count as love?”
Ye Guan thought for a moment, then shook his head. “I have never been in love either. However, my feeling is the same as yours. With you, I am also very happy.”
Nalan Jia’s lips curved slightly.
Ye Guan smiled. “Perhaps we both love, or perhaps neither of us does. Who cares. Anyway, as long as we are happy.”
Nalan Jia nodded. “Agreed.”
Ye Guan was about to speak when suddenly a man in white walked up to Nalan Jia.
The man in white bowed slightly and smiled. “Miss, I am Wang Yuan of the Wang Clan. Upon first seeing you, I felt you were like an immortal descended to the mortal world. Admiration arose in my heart. I wonder if you…”
Nalan Jia suddenly took the initiative to hold Ye Guan’s hand. She looked directly at Wang Yuan. “Can you not see we are a couple? Are your eyes on your backside?”
…
