The next day.
The Blood Prison Trial begins.
The Sword Hall Elder arrived at The Cottage, taking Hong Ying and Ye Qiubai with him.
On the way.
The Sword Hall Elder kept pestering Ye Qiubai with questions.
"So, what have you picked up lately hanging around that Lu Chang'sheng kid?"
"Haven't been slacking off in your Sword Dao training, have you?"
"If you're really struggling, you ought to come back to Sword Hall. I'll set you up with the best sword resources!"
Ye Qiubai could only force a bitter smile and turn him down.
After all, everything he had now was thanks to Lu Chang'sheng.
And besides, he seriously doubted Sword Hall could produce anything on par with the Green Cloud Sword, a Creation Pill, or the Primordial Sword Scripture.
Hong Ying watched this play out, lips curled in a gentle smile.
She could understand why the Sword Hall Elder was so desperate for talent.
Ye Qiubai's gift in the Sword Dao was truly on another level.
Even for her.
She'd never seen anyone more suited for sword cultivation.
Ye Qiubai—
It was like he was born for the sword!
They reached the entrance to the Blood Prison Trial.
Already, a crowd had gathered here.
Among them, Ye Qiubai could see Huo Qingming and Xin Hongyi, among others.
When Xin Hongyi spotted Ye Qiubai, she froze for a moment, then walked over.
"You broke through to Purple Mansion? After Blood Prison, let's have a match."
Ye Qiubai smiled and nodded, not refusing.
Hong Ying teased from the side, "Not bad, looks like Senior Brother is pretty popular?"
Ye Qiubai was helpless, laughing: "Don't roast me, Junior Sister—it's just a competitive streak, that's all."
Suddenly, Ye Qiubai glanced off to his left.
A gaze, thick with killing intent, glared right at him!
When he saw who it was, Ye Qiubai was momentarily stunned.
Someone from the Chou Family?
Chou Libei stared at Ye Qiubai, letting out a cold sneer, and drew his hand across his throat in a "you're dead" gesture.
"So, someone wants your head?"
Hong Ying commented, "Need me to take care of him for you?"
Ye Qiubai was her senior brother now, so she naturally felt the need to look out for him.
Ye Qiubai could only sigh.
It made him feel like he was the little brother, and Hong Ying was truly the elder sister here.
Kinda embarrassing, honestly.
Ye Qiubai said, "I'm fine, these are my own messes—I'll handle them myself."
Only then did Hong Ying nod.
At this moment, Dean Ru stepped forward and addressed the crowd.
"This Blood Prison Mystic Realm is not just about our academy's honor. For you all personally, it's a rare opportunity."
"Within lies the legacy of ancient powerhouses—those who inherit it will see their cultivation leap forward."
"But more importantly, no killing each other inside. Stick together as much as possible."
At this point—
Dean Ru's expression grew solemn, his tone heavy as he continued, "You have to understand, danger matches opportunity. I don't want anyone left behind in there forever."
"That's all. This time, your team leader is Zhong Wu."
Suddenly, a young man radiating scholar's aura stepped out, lugging a little bookshelf.
That bookshelf was stacked full with books.
Even Zhong Wu himself held a volume in his hand.
Huo Qingming leaned beside Ye Qiubai, quietly offering, "Zhong Wu's the top disciple in the Confucian Faction. His power is already at the Peak Stage of Purple Mansion Realm. Heard he's set to become the next dean, too."
Ye Qiubai nodded.
Hong Ying was a little surprised too, "This guy's actually got a touch of the Sage's aura about him?"
Though she was only a bit taken aback.
Just then, a young man wielding a feather fan stepped over to Hong Ying.
"Miss, once we're inside, allow me to keep you safe."
It was Lin Ce from Array Hall!
Hong Ying gave him a sidelong glance, but didn't respond.
Lin Ce didn't mind at all—he just stood nearby, smiling warmly.
His gaze toward Hong Ying was nothing short of blazing.
Ever since Lu Chang'sheng brought Hong Ying for that visit with Qin Tiannan—and since Lin Ce happened to catch sight of her—
Lin Ce had been chasing after Hong Ying like a madman.
Ye Qiubai couldn't help but find it bizarre.
Who'll be protecting who, really?
His little sister is, after all, at the peak of Water Overflow Realm!
Right at that moment—
A colossal airship appeared overhead!
Two flood dragons at the helm, dragging the vessel forward!
It was a ship from the Tianyuan Dynasty!
The airship slowly hovered into position above the crowd.
Huo Qingming shook his head, remarking, "Tianyuan Dynasty, always so flashy."
He'd only just finished speaking when several figures leapt from the ship.
"Huo Qingming, we've got the right to be flashy."
Leading them was a man in a brocade robe, looking positively regal.
Huo Qingming just snorted in reply, refusing to engage.
That man didn't press—this was Hidden Dao Academy, after all.
Even Tianyuan Dynasty owed them some respect.
The leader walked up to Dean Ru, bowed deeply. "My respects, Master."
Truth be told, most princes and high ministers from Tianyuan Dynasty had sat in on lectures by members of the Confucian Faction.
So calling him 'Master' wasn't overdoing it.
Dean Ru nodded slightly, chuckling, "Sixth Prince, you've made progress with your cultivation. But remember, there's always more to learn from the Holy Books."
The Sixth Prince showed no arrogance, nodding humbly, "Instructive as always—many thanks, Master."
Dean Ru smiled and dipped his head.
Off to the side, Xin Hongyi pursed her lips, "That Sixth Prince, Tian Ming, loves to put on a show, but his skills are legit—he's already reached late stage Purple Mansion Realm."
Ye Qiubai heard this and nodded slightly.
Just then, Tian Ming shot a meaningful look at Ye Qiubai, his words heavy with suggestion: "You must be Ye Qiubai, our Tianyuan City's former prodigy?"
"Heard you lost your talent once, but now it's returned—and you've joined Hidden Dao Academy."
"Even killed the Chou Family's heir with a single sword, and cut down Ye Yan in front of your own Ancestor?"
Ye Qiubai's eyes narrowed at this.
It all sounded innocent on the surface.
But for the Sixth Prince to spell out those stories, right in front of everyone…
He was setting him up just to knock him down!
Sure enough, countless eyes turned toward Ye Qiubai.
The Chou Family's people all glared at him.
Their killing intent only grew!
Hong Ying joked, "Senior Brother, did you tick him off somehow?"
Ye Qiubai just shook his head, equally at a loss. He'd never even met the guy.
At that moment—
Another group appeared on the ship.
Each one was clad in golden armor.
And on their helmets, they wore the emblem of the sun.
At this, Ye Qiubai's eyes narrowed sharply.
Huo Qingming's face was shocked.
Xin Hongyi was just as confused.
"What's the Sunset Dynasty doing here in the Southern Region?"
Ye Qiubai got it now.
Why had the Sixth Prince Tian Ming shown such hostility—when they'd never even met?
The moment the Sunset Dynasty folks arrived, everything became clear.
A surge of fury flared in his chest.
Jiang Chan, you'll never rest until I'm dead, huh?!
When my sword path is complete, I swear I'll cut down the Sunset Dynasty—one stroke at a time!
Hong Ying, too, had heard about the Sunset Dynasty from Lu Chang'sheng.
Her own eyes flickered with killing intent.
Now—
Ye Qiubai was her senior brother.
That made him kin—might as well be family.
So then—
Did they really think they could touch someone important to the Emperor?
In Hong Ying's heart, the Sunset Dynasty had just received an invitation to meet with the King of Hell!