Ye Qiubai now had real strength.
Now that someone wanted to harm him, he was naturally going to root them out one by one.
Huo Qingming looked at Ye Qiubai with a complicated expression, swallowed a medicinal pill, and only then managed to stabilize his injuries.
Finally, he spoke up: "Ye Yan."
At those words, Ye Qiubai frowned slightly.
In his memory, he pretty much had no serious enmity with that cousin.
Even if there was, it shouldn't be a life-and-death grudge.
The only possibility was that Ye Yan saw his talent had returned, stronger than before, and didn't want him to go back!
The family's in trouble!
Soon, Ye Qiubai looked down below but didn't spot Ye Yan's figure; he was probably already gone.
After that, Ye Qiubai encountered no further obstacles.
On his arena platform, hardly anyone dared to come up and challenge him.
After all, even Huo Qingming was defeated—who would walk up there just to get embarrassed?
In the end.
Ye Qiubai was selected to join the academy exchange with the other three regions a month later.
At the same time, he also received generous rewards.
Green Spirit Pill, Mansion Breaking Pill.
These two medicinal pills could both help one's cultivation grow rapidly.
Especially the Mansion Breaking Pill, which could help someone break through from the Golden Core Pill Realm to the Purple Mansion Realm.
Both of these medicinal pills were extremely valuable in the outside world.
They could even spark a mad scramble!
But Ye Qiubai actually felt a bit let down, because compared to the pills Master had given him—
The quality was worlds apart!
The Cottage.
Lu Chang'sheng was currently being lectured by a bunch of elders.
The Martial Hall Elder: "Hey, kid, since you're able to teach such an outstanding disciple like Ye Qiubai, why don't you accept a few more?"
The Sword Hall Elder: "If you take in more disciples, you'll be helping the academy, too."
Lu Chang'sheng looked helpless, half-agreeing with the elders, half thinking to himself that when Ye Qiubai got back, he'd definitely have to teach that kid to keep a low profile.
Standing on the side, Qin Tiannan totally understood Lu Chang'sheng, and seeing his expression now, couldn't help but laugh aloud.
"Elders, I'll take in disciples once I figure out my own cultivation. I promise."
Outside the door, Ye Qiubai heard these words and couldn't help but feel thrown off.
From his point of view, Master's level of cultivation must be at the Celestial Realm—unfathomable.
He could produce the Primordial Sword Scripture, refine those kinds of medicinal pills, and casually paint those scenes brimming with Sword Dao intent.
And you're telling me you haven't figured out your cultivation?
"Oh? Qiubai's here?"
"Then we'll head out first. Chang'sheng, make sure to remember what we told you!"
Before leaving, Qin Tiannan handed over a storage ring.
"The Redwood Heavenly Gold is in here. I'm not even gonna ask what you're up to—but kid, use it sparingly."
Once everyone left—
Lu Chang'sheng tucked away the storage ring, then looked over to Ye Qiubai and asked, "What's up?"
Ye Qiubai explained the Ye Yan situation and his own suspicions.
Lu Chang'sheng pondered and said, "So, you're thinking of going back to the Ye family?"
Ye Qiubai nodded.
Lu Chang'sheng glanced at him and said, "But you should know, showing up now might stir up all those factions that want you dead."
Ye Qiubai knew that full well.
Especially since his talent had returned; they'd definitely want him gone as soon as possible.
In other words—
If Ye Qiubai returned now, it would be very dangerous.
Honestly, Tianyuan City right now was no less than a den of dragons and tigers.
But still…
Ye Qiubai's eyes were resolute. "He's my father.
Besides, when practicing Sword Dao, you have to move forward without hesitation. When it's time to face things, I can't back down."
If he shrank back at this moment, Ye Qiubai's Dao heart might be damaged.
Lu Chang'sheng nodded slightly, then waved his hand, saying, "Fine. Go—but before you do, break through to the Purple Mansion Realm first."
Ye Qiubai nodded. He'd already touched the threshold of the Purple Mansion Realm.
Now, with the insights gained from the Academy Grand Competition, Ye Qiubai was ready to break through at any moment!
Soon, Ye Qiubai returned to his room, swallowed the Mansion Breaking Pill, and prepared for his breakthrough.
Meanwhile, Lu Chang'sheng arrived at the cliffside.
He took out a bunch of materials.
Beside him, the willow tree watched and couldn't help but ask, "Are you planning to set up the Nine Netherworld Formation?"
Lu Chang'sheng nodded, "But I'm still missing some River of the Dead water to use as the array spirit."
"Is that even a problem for you?"
The willow branches swayed in the wind, its voice ethereal: "You've already grasped the Dao Rule of Sword—tear open space and borrow a bit from the Nine Netherworld Underworld Palace."
Lu Chang'sheng trusted the willow tree's words completely.
After all, this willow tree had existed since the birth of the cosmos.
Since chaos first parted and primordial lands appeared.
No one knew how long the willow had been around.
"But isn't it kind of overkill to use the Nine Netherworld Formation to guard this place?
That array is one of the top 10 ancient killing arrays, capable of slaying all under heaven."
Lu Chang'sheng didn't care. "It's fine; it's not like I'm planning to travel around anyway.
Besides, if my disciple causes trouble and brings enemies here, if I can't beat them, I'll use the formation to hold them off."
Willow tree: "..."
Is there anyone in this world who can even beat you?
Next, Lu Chang'sheng began the array formation.
He stepped up—floating into the air.
With a single twist of his palm, array flags shot out one after another!
Each flag was covered in countless threads of Dao Law!
There were exactly eighty-one flags, each placed on a different peak!
Instantly, waves of Dao Law soared into the sky!
Lu Chang'sheng waved his hand, instantly isolating all the aura in this area.
At the same time, all those materials instantly became the array foundation!
Just like that, streams of deathly energy started drifting everywhere!
Even Ye Qiubai was shocked, stepping out of his cottage and looking up at Lu Chang'sheng in the air, his face filled with awe!
"What kind of formation is Master setting up… it's not even complete and already feels like it could destroy the world!"
Ye Qiubai thought that even the elders, or the headmaster Qin Tiannan himself, wouldn't be able to withstand this destructive power!
All that was left now was one array spirit and the Nine Netherworld Formation would be complete!
Lu Chang'sheng drew a sword, then cut through the void on the ground!
Immediately, a huge rift was opened in the air!
Waves of Netherworld death energy flowed out endlessly.
Then, Lu Chang'sheng flashed and darted right into the rift.
The rift closed.
Ye Qiubai saw this and returned to his room.
The next day—
From inside the room, an astonishing aura burst forth!
Purple Mansion Realm!
Afterward, leaving behind a letter, Ye Qiubai picked up his wooden sword and headed down the mountain.
Tianyuan City.
The Jiang family.
A stunningly beautiful young woman wore a face of icy coldness.
Beside her, a man dressed in luxurious robes said, "Don't even think about it. Even if he did join the Hidden Dao Academy and recover his talent, so what?
Come back to the Sunset Dynasty with me—once I ascend the throne, you'll be Empress."
The woman was none other than Jiang Chan.
She nodded, stepped forward.
The man smiled, took Jiang Chan's hand, and boarded the ship behind them.
Soon, that gigantic ship soared into the skies, leaving Tianyuan City behind…