Volume 1, Chapter 28: Beating the Dog

Radiating an aura of heroism, she was dressed entirely in white. The long sword at her waist seemed to add a touch of sharpness to her presence, yet she also possessed a warmth that could touch the heart. The most immediate impression Yuya gave was one of absolute security, followed by the grace of a refined noble youth. Her androgynous charm was impossible to define, and when she sang, her performance was imbued with a sense of tragic grandeur.

"Who goes there, daring to..." Bo Chi, known for his fiery temper, struck out with a palm, only to freeze instantly when he saw it was Li Shu.

"Hoo..." Zuo Chen let out a long breath, his mind and body finally relaxing. His limbs went weak, and he nearly collapsed, saved only by someone catching him from behind.

He noticed that everyone looked at Sun Yu with profound reverence, which left him deeply astonished.

As the cockroach pondered, a screeching sound of metal scraping against metal—enough to set one’s teeth on edge—rang out. Immediately after, two hundred meters ahead, a figure slammed into the ground, carving out a crater that looked like an impact site from a meteorite.

In this world where martial arts flourished, social standing was paramount. Thus, most of those willing to serve as menial laborers were youths from impoverished mountain villages, lacking noble bloodlines, superior talent, resources for cultivation, or familial support.

Perhaps these two were so renowned in Sword Mountain Town that guests who had heard the legends of Yu Xuanji and Du Kang could not help but sigh when they caught sight of them.

"No need, Sister Yeye, I don't want to cause you any trouble!" Even though he knew Sima Ye would not mind, Zuo Chen still did not wish to inconvenience her.

Facing the gauze window stood a screen painted with flowers, birds, fish, and insects. Behind the screen, one could vaguely make out a round wooden tub filled with hot water and red petals.

She had used "we" instead of "I." If Qingqiu were to truly stabilize, it was Bai Zisang, who had proposed the plan, who deserved the credit; she did not want to claim all the glory for herself.

"The person who appeared just now was truly terrifying. I wonder if they discovered my tracks." Qian Ye remained deeply anxious, yet Mu Shaobai walked ahead with full confidence, never once mentioning what had just transpired.

Suddenly, at Duan Shao’s command, red flags fluttered within the Northern Qi ranks, followed by the thunderous beat of war drums. As the Northern Zhou soldiers panicked, the Qi forces were already upon them; unable to hold their ground, the Zhou troops fell back in disarray.

As the two breathed in the long-missed fresh air, they paused to gaze into the distance. Seeing large and medium-sized flying skiffs occasionally rising into the high heavens and speeding toward outer space, they could not help but feel a sense of bewilderment.

Qiu Jing had no heart to respond as he continued to parry the attacks of a dozen men. Fighting ten against one, he was at a disadvantage and forced back several steps by their offensive.

After several days had passed, a blurred point of light suddenly appeared ahead in the deep trench. It gradually emerged in the murky water, becoming clearer as the cave-heaven moved with the current. Finally, using his divine sense, he could discern that it was a circular, faintly glowing light screen.

He could never have imagined that things would reach such a point; it was completely beyond his expectations.

"That goes without saying. Although you and I hold status within our respective sects, we cannot let our disciples suffer disappointment..." Li Yixian said with a joyful expression upon hearing Yun Qingfeng’s agreement.

At that moment, a very faint laugh, mingled with the wind, drifted into Bai Ran’s ears.

"Wanwan..." Xiao Changque tightened his embrace, feeling a slight sense of relief. It was better that she could cry; otherwise, the bottled-up emotions would only cause her more suffering.

Qiu Jing was fuming. He wanted to strike someone, but there was no one in the room he could vent his frustration on; Lin Qingli was someone he had to protect, and he could not afford to lose his composure.

At this grand ceremony, King Ling and King Qin accompanied Qin Zheng, while Crown Prince Qin Yuanzhao followed behind the three of them.

Although Yi Heng did not know exactly what the Heaven-Watching Alliance was doing, in this situation, he had no choice but to puff out his chest and accept the responsibility.

For the remainder of the time, he carefully sorted through the available techniques and waited quietly for Han Weimian’s arrival.

"It’s not that they didn't pay attention to you before; they invited you to attend, and you didn't even acknowledge them," a staff member from a nearby news outlet mocked with a smirk.

Li Zhun saw him speak in this manner, and regardless of whether it was true or false, he did not say anything more, instead changing the subject with a calm expression.

Ye Qing sighed again, as if he had exhausted all the sighs he would ever have in his life. Lowering his head, he saw the cat in Lu Yiliang’s arms. Feeling a stir of affection, he reached out and patted its paws twice.

"Heh heh! It seems someone is looking to cause trouble for the Alliance Leader!" The old fox Qian Xingyan hit the nail on the head, his squinting eyes carrying a hint of a smile, no doubt wishing to test this young Alliance Leader.

Liu Bai did not respond; his expression merely darkened. After ordering his horse to be prepared, he departed.

"I do, of course I do. But when does the cycle of vengeance ever end? The moment Third Miss Jiangnan Qingrong destroyed her own beauty upon her defeat is etched in my heart. It was too cruel."

After all, there were over twenty noble scions present today. Not only Lin Huan, but even she herself was struggling with her eyesight; apart from a few who were exceptionally brilliant, she couldn't remember the others, and even their faces remained a blur.

Lin Xiaoyao felt the world spinning as if a distorted passage were stretching across the galaxy, and he was falling wildly into it.

Of course, he had no domain, but he could certainly put on a good show with his "Barrier Techniques."

At this moment, Lin Xiaoyao looked at the three light points on the spirit jade that were circling in place, and a smile appeared on his lips involuntarily.

He wanted to perform some flashy movements that would dazzle Zhou Yuhan—movements that she would be unable to replicate.

However, the power of that strike could never have pierced the Earth's crust. It was likely that there was more seawater beneath this land, suppressing an underwater volcano; Xuan Fang’s blow had merely opened a gap, leading to the scene before them.

Now, even the bailiffs were confused, for Yu Fusheng’s demeanor did not seem like that of a liar, yet they held conclusive surveillance evidence that, through comparison, proved it was undoubtedly Yu Fusheng.

Hearing Lin Xiaoyao’s words, the disciples of Canaan Academy burst into uproarious laughter, and even Nalan Qingxue covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

But due to various reasons, she had fallen into a state similar to Riko’s—"I have few friends"—which was truly a cause for deep regret.