Chapter 68

Sharp sword light fiercely slashed at Tang Jie, aiming directly at his back.

This sword strike was delivered with eighty percent of Zhuang Shen's strength. It was certain that Tang Jie would not die if hit, but he would surely be severely injured.

However, just as he unleashed the sword, Tang Jie moved.

He turned around!

His right hand raised, and the long sword in his hand blocked the descending sword tip, producing a resounding clang. Zhuang Shen's sword was ineffective, and he was instead shaken to the core.

"You!" Zhuang Shen was greatly startled. This well-prepared strike had been in vain, clearly indicating that his opponent was well-prepared.

He was shocked and was about to cast a spell when he saw Tang Jie grin fiercely and charge at him, delivering a punch to Zhuang Shen's face.

This punch was incredibly fierce, causing Zhuang Shen to bleed from his nose and fall back.

He rolled on the ground to avoid Tang Jie's next attack. Only then did he notice that Tang Jie did not pursue him but merely watched him coldly.

"You... you knew all along..." Zhuang Shen looked at Tang Jie in disbelief.

Tang Jie shrugged: "I didn't know, but I always prepare for the worst. Honestly, I didn't expect the main instigator of the Heavenly Palace here to be so decisive, immediately sending people to capture me after the incident. They really aren't afraid of the consequences of arresting the wrong person... impressive, impressive. It seems I have a worthy opponent."

Hearing this, Zhuang Shen exclaimed: "You are indeed Tang Jie!"

Tang Jie's words were a clear admission of his identity.

He had expected a bitter struggle, perhaps even needing to torture his opponent to get a confession. He never thought Tang Jie would save him the trouble and admit it directly.

The news that they had the right target greatly relieved Zhuang Shen.

He laughed heartily: "Good! Good! Good! I never thought that the greatest achievement in the Heavenly Palace's history would be completed by me, Zhuang Shen. As long as I capture you, the Heavenly Palace will surely reward me greatly. Then, advancing to the Extraordinary stage will be easy, and even reaching the Heavenly Heart will not be difficult. Hahaha!"

As he spoke, he stood up, discarded the ordinary iron sword, and took out a purple short sword from a bag beside him.

This short sword was different from the previous one. The purple blade was adorned with magical patterns, and faint flames flickered. If one looked closely, they could see that it was also a refined array.

A magical weapon!

Previously, Zhuang Shen had no intention of killing, so he used an ordinary iron sword. Now that the target was prepared, he naturally took out a magical weapon.

However, compared to the magical weapon, Tang Jie was more interested in the bag from which Zhuang Shen took the treasure.

He tilted his head: "A Bag of Holding... good, very good. I didn't expect the Heavenly Palace to give you a Bag of Holding just to deal with me. There must be many good things in here, right?"

The Bag of Holding, which can hold a vast amount in a small space, is one of the most important magical treasures of the Immortals.

However, not just anyone can possess such a treasure. A cubic unit of a Bag of Holding typically costs one spirit jade, and the price increases significantly as the quality improves.

Zhuang Shen sneered: "To recover the Armory Mirror, the Heavenly Palace has spent a great deal over the years, using countless resources and manpower. Compared to that, a Bag of Holding is nothing. You have not disappointed the Eagle Master's expectations and have finally appeared. But no one expected that after coming to the academy, you would shout and play a game of deception with us."

Tang Jie smiled: "Deception? I'm not that foolish. I don't think such a childish game of guessing would be useful to you. I did it out of necessity. Otherwise, do you think I would willingly study at the academy?"

"Out of necessity?" Zhuang Shen was puzzled.

At this point, he was no longer in a hurry to act.

His original purpose was not to kill Tang Jie but to capture him and torture him for information. Since the other party answered all questions, capturing him was secondary. The key was to resolve many of his doubts.

If recovering the Armory Mirror was the primary goal, then understanding why Tang Jie did this was the second most important concern for Gu Changqing.

"Yes, out of necessity," Tang Jie nodded. "If I didn't shout that I am Tang Jie, would you not investigate me? If I went to another academy instead of the Moon Washing Academy, would you not investigate me?"

Zhuang Shen shook his head: "Impossible. All the large and small academies in the Wenxin Kingdom are under our surveillance. The Moon Washing Academy is just the most important one. Every student entering the academy is under investigation. From the beginning, the Eagle Master never expected you to keep your original name."

Gu Changqing was a cautious person. He would not suspect Tang Jie just because he shouted, nor would he not suspect him if he didn't shout. Everything ultimately depends on evidence.

If not for being cornered by Tang Jie this time, he would not have acted so quickly to capture someone.

"Exactly, knowing this, I didn't need to change my name. After all, whether I change it or not, as long as I want to cultivate, you will eventually find me," Tang Jie smiled.

"That's true. I can understand why you came to the Moon Washing Academy. Since you would be suspected wherever you go, you might as well go to the best one. But how did you know our investigation methods?" Zhuang Shen was puzzled. "What if we didn't investigate one by one but secretly sent people to look for suspicious targets? Then your shout would have been unnecessary!"

"You told me yourselves," Tang Jie replied. "If you wanted to use secret surveillance, why let the Heavenly Palace students appear openly? The Heavenly Palace, no matter how weak in the Wenxin Kingdom, can surely arrange for a few people to infiltrate the academy, right? You are one of them. The answer is simple: there are too many academies and too many students. It's impossible for a few people to investigate them all."

Zhuang Shen opened his mouth but could not speak.

Tang Jie continued: "The Armory Mirror is a significant matter. With limited manpower, it's impossible to investigate everyone. The Heavenly Palace doesn't have the ability to plant many people, so they had to use the method of exchanging students. Some things are not that they don't want to do, but they can't. Of course, open investigations must be conducted, and secret investigations must also be carried out. The Heavenly Palace has indeed put a lot of thought into it."

These words struck a chord with Zhuang Shen, and he could only sigh: "Indeed. The Heavenly Palace cannot hide because it cannot be hidden. You cannot hide either because you cannot be hidden. Since you can't hide, you might as well use it to your advantage. It's risky, but it's a choice made out of necessity. The Heavenly Palace's Golden Robe appeared to force you out, and your declaration was to draw out the Moon Washing Sect. Both are choices made out of necessity!"

Life is full of things that cannot be decided by one's will.

If possible, Gu Changqing would not want the Heavenly Palace people to appear openly at the Moon Washing Academy.

If possible, Tang Jie would not want to shout at the academy gate.

If possible, Tang Jie would not want to ask Wu Xing to buy medicine.

If possible, Tang Jie would not want to serve as a servant in the Wei family.

Unless one is naturally adventurous, most miracles and great deeds are based on necessity and compulsion.

"Yes," Tang Jie sighed. "Unfortunately, the Moon Washing Sect still didn't notice me. Your Eagle Master did a great job. To divert the attention of the Moon Washing Sect, he must have put a lot of effort into it, right?"

"Every time a new batch of students enters, the Eagle Master locks down a group of suspicious students and suppresses the reports. He spent a lot of money, but unfortunately, your shout easily ruined it," Zhuang Shen said coldly. "Drawing the Moon Washing Sect to confront the Heavenly Palace, indeed a clever plan!"

Tang Jie laughed: "You guessed it, but you couldn't confirm it."

"Right! I couldn't confirm it before, but now I can." Zhuang Shen pointed his magical sword at Tang Jie and laughed: "Where can you run now?"

Tang Jie snorted: "Do I need to run? You are the only one who confirmed it."

A blue water shield appeared around him.

Zhuang Shen's eyes turned fierce: "Still resisting, how foolish!"

He raised the purple short sword, and a sword beam slashed at Tang Jie.

Tang Jie blocked it with a reverse strike and replied coldly: "Foolish is you. Do you think you can survive after I told you all this?"

"Ridiculous, just you?" Zhuang Shen shouted, raising the purple short sword again. This time, a purple flame suddenly erupted from the sword, fiercely attacking Tang Jie.

A loud boom echoed as the purple flame surged, piercing through the light shield and hitting Tang Jie, causing a purple flame to burst on his body, forcing him to roll on the ground.

Zhuang Shen walked over, laughing: "How powerful is my Purple Extreme Flame Sword?"

Tang Jie rolled on the ground, and the purple flame burned on his body for a while before extinguishing, leaving burn marks.

Tang Jie groaned in pain: "The power is indeed impressive. You must have cultivated either the Moon Washing Sect's Yanggu Purple Flame Technique or the Heavenly Palace's Chongyang Heavenly Fire Technique, right?"

Zhuang Shen was taken aback, not expecting Tang Jie to think about this at such a time. He snorted: "Since I am a secret agent of the Heavenly Palace, I naturally cultivated the Yanggu Purple Flame Technique and learned the Flame Sword Technique. With the Purple Flame Technique as the base and the Purple Fire Sword, my Flame Sword Technique's power is more than doubled, and the casting speed is greatly increased. Your water shield can block my sword, but it can't block my Purple Extreme Fire! Tell me, where is the Armory Mirror?"

Zhuang Shen pointed at Tang Jie sternly.

"Is this all you've got, and you dare to come and kill me?" Tang Jie laughed lowly. "The Heavenly Palace wouldn't be so stingy, right?"

"What?" Zhuang Shen was stunned again.

Tang Jie stood up, and the wounds on his body, which had just been burned, were healing at a visible speed.

How is this possible?

Zhuang Shen could hardly believe his eyes.

Tang Jie shook his neck and said coldly: "Let me tell you one more thing. The Zangxiang Scripture has the effect of strengthening the body, allowing the absorption of spiritual energy to refine oneself before reaching the Spirit Platform stage. Currently, my physical condition is quite good. Although I may not have reached the Extraordinary stage's level, ordinary weapons can't hurt me, and general small spells are not very effective against me. Of course, with the Purple Fire Sword, the power is much greater, but with the water shield, the combination is enough. Even if I get some minor injuries, the recovery speed of the Zangxiang Scripture is quite fast. So... if you want to capture me, you need to try harder."

"Zangxiang Scripture? Strengthening the body?" Zhuang Shen looked at Tang Jie in shock and then laughed: "So this is your confidence. I didn't expect the Zangxiang Scripture to be so useful. The Armory Mirror is indeed extraordinary. Good, very good! The more capable you are, the more valuable the Armory Mirror is, and the greater my achievement!"

As he spoke, his face turned fierce, and the Purple Fire Sword erupted with a fierce flame, fiercely slashing at Tang Jie.

"I told you, this is not enough!" Tang Jie swung his sword to block the Purple Fire Sword and simultaneously thrust a sword at Zhuang Shen's face.

A shield suddenly appeared in Zhuang Shen's hand, blocking Tang Jie's attack.

Zhuang Shen kicked Tang Jie, hitting him and shattering his protective shield. He roared: "How about adding this Spirit Shield?"

His Spirit Shield appeared incredibly fast, clearly practiced thousands of times like Tang Jie.

Tang Jie was kicked into the air and fell back to the ground.

Zhuang Shen took out a talisman and pointed it at Tang Jie: "Flying Sword Talisman!"

The talisman transformed into a spirit sword, flying towards Tang Jie.

Seeing that Tang Jie couldn't dodge, another water shield appeared.

The flying sword pierced through the water shield and stabbed Tang Jie in the chest. Tang Jie roared and punched the flying sword. A loud boom echoed, and the flying sword disintegrated into many talismans, and a drop of blood appeared on Tang Jie's fist.

This shield and punch left Zhuang Shen shocked: "You were prepared all along!"

He practiced the Spirit Shield because of the support of the Heavenly Palace, naturally prioritizing survival spells and being ready for action.

But Tang Jie's water shield could be released so quickly, indicating that he was also well-prepared for this battle.

Tang Jie slowly stood up and looked at Zhuang Shen: "What's so strange about that? I said I didn't know if the Heavenly Palace would come, but I would prepare for the worst... and this outcome might not be so bad."

Zhuang Shen laughed: "Are you joking? Do you think a water shield can stop me from the Heavenly Palace?"

"Why not?" Tang Jie countered. "Do you know what determines the outcome of a battle?"

"Of course, it's strength!" Zhuang Shen's purple sword slashed at Tang Jie again.

Tang Jie parried with his sword and said: "Strength is indeed important, but more important is the initiative. Whoever controls the initiative will win. The Heavenly Palace is strong, and I can't defeat them. But I don't have to fight them!"

"What?" Zhuang Shen was stunned.

"Don't you understand?" Tang Jie sneered. "This is my home, my territory. Only I can decide who can come in and who can't! So... I choose my opponent!"

With a roar, Tang Jie slashed his sword again.

Three consecutive strikes heavily hit Zhuang Shen's Purple Fire Sword, forcing him to retreat, his arm trembling. But what shocked him more was Tang Jie's words.

He was choosing his opponent!

He was controlling the initiative!

Zhuang Shen realized why Tang Jie was so confident. From the beginning, he had been controlling the pace of events.

The initiative was in his hands, and he decided whether to fight and with whom!

When he decided to act, it was because he had a high chance of winning!

This realization shocked Zhuang Shen, and Tang Jie continued to slash at Zhuang Shen, the Twelve Sword Techniques unfolding continuously.

Both were just beginners in the path of immortality, and using pure spells was not enough. Therefore, they both chose the same method: enhancing themselves with spells to fight. This strategy was highly practical and rare in the entire academy.

This made their attacks resemble a battle between experts with sword qi, but with more light and flame, making it look more spectacular.

Tang Jie had a water shield, the Twelve Sword Techniques, and the Zangxiang body. Zhuang Shen had the Spirit Shield, Flame Sword, and Purple Fire Sword. Both had practiced combat techniques, making their strengths almost equal.

When they clashed, a loud bang echoed. Tang Jie's water shield broke, and Zhuang Shen's Spirit Shield exploded.

Then both raised a shield and a shield again, clashing once more, still evenly matched.

"Damn!" Zhuang Shen roared.

Reaching into his bag, Zhuang Shen took out an item from the Bag of Holding and threw it into the air. A golden light flashed, and a golden armor automatically attached to his body.

"Heavenly Palace Armor? Nice! Nice!" Tang Jie not only was not surprised but also smiled.

The Heavenly Palace's most famous item is the Heavenly Palace Armor, which has related spells, magical weapons, and treasures, known for its strong defense. As a student arranged by the Heavenly Palace to infiltrate the Moon Washing Academy, Zhuang Shen could not learn the Heavenly Palace's core techniques, but he brought a Heavenly Palace Armor magical weapon.

Although it was the lowest level, its defensive ability likely exceeded the Spirit Shield.

This was not because the Heavenly Palace was stingy and didn't give Zhuang Shen a treasure. The higher the level of a treasure, the more spiritual energy it consumes. Ordinary spiritual disciples using treasures often exhaust all their spiritual energy in one strike, making ordinary magical weapons more convenient.

At least with this magical weapon-level Heavenly Palace Armor, Zhuang Shen could wear it without any problems.

With the armor on, Zhuang Shen's face turned fierce: "Tang Jie, you don't really think I only have a sword, do you?"

"Of course, I know," to his surprise, Tang Jie replied. "Since the Heavenly Palace sent you, they must have some confidence in dealing with me. We are both students of the same batch. If you didn't have some trump cards, how could you be sure to win me? But do you know, I was waiting for this?"

"What?" Zhuang Shen was stunned again.

In just a short time, he had been shocked