Chapter 4

"Thud thud."

Lu Qinghe's room door was knocked on.

Opening the door, a man dressed in tight-fitting clothes, holding a long sword, and looking to be in his thirties appeared before him.

"Dragon Eagle Swordsman?"

The man nodded and politely clasped his hands: "I am Sword Guardian of the Dragon Eagle Swordsman, paying respects to Young Master Sixty-Four."

"Snow Sword Manor?"

Lu Qinghe had an epiphany.

Previously, "Lu Qinghe" had suffered severe meridian injuries and had sent a message to Snow Sword Manor, hoping for a miraculous healing medicine. It had been half a month, and finally, there was some news.

Before Lu Qinghe could ask, Sword Guardian spoke frankly: "According to the rules of Snow Sword Manor, if the children who go out for training do not achieve anything, they must bear their own life and death, and the manor will not provide any assistance. Additionally, since Young Master Sixty-Four's meridians are damaged, his true qi realm has fallen to the first level of True Qi, and his monthly salary will be reduced to the lowest standard of one gold coin."

Lu Qinghe listened but was not surprised.

The master of Snow Sword Manor, Lu Qingfeng, has ninety-three children, and he himself might not remember all their names. For children without any outstanding qualities, he has always let them fend for themselves.

"I understand."

Lu Qinghe said.

Sword Guardian looked at Lu Qinghe, who had a blank expression, and said indifferently: "Miss Seventy-Six has a significant shortage of cultivation resources and is in a critical period of competing for a disciple slot in the Immortal Inquiry Sect. This matter, the Chief Steward believes, should not be known by Miss Seventy-Six. What does Young Master Sixty-Four think?"

Miss Seventy-Six, Lu Qingyun, is Lu Qinghe's biological sister and a true genius among the young generation of Snow Sword Manor. Lu Qinghe's rise to prominence at Qingyuan Academy is largely due to Lu Qingyun's annual meticulous guidance.

"I believe Young Master Sixty-Four will understand the situation, and our Snow Sword Manor's carrier pigeons will not trouble Miss Seventy-Six with such trivial matters. I will take my leave."

Sword Guardian warned and then turned to leave.

The Dragon Eagle Swordsman is one of the powerful martial organizations of Snow Sword Manor, consisting of eight hundred people, all of whom are at the third level of True Qi or higher. The team leader, squad leader, and deputy commander are at the fourth, fifth, and sixth levels of True Qi, respectively.

With such a status, there is no need to show deference to a young master or miss who has achieved nothing.

"Snow Sword Manor..."

Lu Qinghe watched as Sword Guardian's figure gradually disappeared, his expression somber.

Even...

Sad.

Just as Yi Yingying said, a tragic reality.

...

Time quickly passed six days.

"It's time."

On the sixth day, in the early morning, Lu Qinghe tidied himself up, put on a white swordsman's robe, held a sharp sword, and went out.

In the past, Lu Qinghe had the reputation of being the top swordsman at Qingyuan Academy. When he went out, many students would try to curry favor with him.

But now, after he was poisoned by Bei Zhen and his meridians were severed, losing his eligibility for promotion, the students' gazes toward him had changed completely.

Although they did not mock him, the disdain in their eyes was evident.

Lu Qinghe remained indifferent, walking through the students' disdainful gazes, standing tall, and not stopping for anyone.

"Lu Qinghe."

At this moment, a voice came from behind Lu Qinghe.

Meng Feifan, an elite student at Qingyuan Academy.

"Is there something?"

Meng Feifan hesitated for a moment: "Bei Zhen will go to Qian Ancient City the day after tomorrow. Since you offended him, the next two days will not be peaceful. If it's not necessary, don't go out alone."

Lu Qinghe nodded at Meng Feifan.

"Thank you for the information."

After saying this, he turned and left.

"The top swordsman of Qingyuan Academy... What a pity."

Seeing Lu Qinghe leave, Meng Feifan's expression was quite regretful.

"Meng Feifan, do you believe Lu Qinghe secretly attacked and poisoned Bei Zhen?"

A female voice came from beside Meng Feifan.

"Under the watchful eyes of many, the evidence is clear. Moreover, whether there are any suspicious points about Lu Qinghe's poisoning is no longer the focus. The key is that the evaluation teacher of Beiyue Royal Academy believes he poisoned, which is enough to cut off his path to Beiyue Royal Academy."

"The evaluation teacher of Beiyue Royal Academy..."

The woman beside Meng Feifan frowned, recalling the scene of Bei Zhen and the teacher being close and in agreement...

Based on this, perhaps whether Lu Qinghe poisoned or not is no longer important.

"This is reality."

Meng Feifan said, his tone heavy.

...

Eastern Academy.

One of the three famous academies in Qingyuan City.

When Lu Qinghe arrived at Eastern Academy, it was already bustling.

Today is the day of the graduation ceremony at Eastern Academy.

In this graduating class, a total of 681 people took the promotion exam, with 12 being admitted, and 3 entering top-tier academies.

Yi Yingying, who was admitted to Changkong Academy, is one of them.

Lu Qinghe stood among the crowd, calmly watching the twelve students on the high platform, who were the focus of all the glory, with a calm heart.

Being admitted to a high-level academy in the capital, even an ordinary high-level academy, means boundless achievements in the future. Once one reaches the fourth level of True Qi, completing the Grand Circulation, and entering the innate realm, they will be considered a top-notch expert anywhere.

For cultivators, joining a powerful faction is crucial.

In this world, when cultivators reach the Hanyuan realm, they will open a Primordial World within their body. The size and strength of the Primordial World vary from person to person, and it has an immeasurable effect on cultivation.

A cultivator with a powerful Primordial World can not only be invincible at the same level but also have the ability to defeat opponents of higher levels.

Some perfectly formed Primordial Worlds can resonate with ancient Primordial Worlds, receiving the highest blessings from ancient Primordial Worlds. They can also use special secret techniques to connect with other cultivators' Primordial Worlds, forming a myriad of Primordial Worlds, allowing for mental communication and rapid cultivation within the Primordial World.

Two people with the same talent, one joining a powerful faction and the other not, will have vastly different achievements in the future.

High-level academies.

They are the gateway to joining such powerful factions.

Moreover, if one has talent, their achievements at high-level academies will not be limited to this.

Such achievements are worthy of anyone's envy and jealousy, and any infatuated young girl would be willing to throw herself at them. At this moment, life has taken a crucial step forward.

...

Yi Yingying stood at the front of the high platform, just like the other two students, the focus of all the glory, the envy and discussion of all the students.

Although her appearance is not outstanding, at this moment, she is undoubtedly the most outstanding and popular female student in the entire Eastern Academy.

Looking at the many junior students and junior sisters below, full of admiration, Yi Yingying felt quite proud but maintained a proper level of humility and politeness.

However, when her gaze swept over the crowd and saw Lu Qinghe in a certain spot, she was slightly taken aback and then nodded at him with a faint smile.

At this moment, Yi Yingying is the center of attention for all the students. Her nod immediately attracted the attention of most people, including the man and woman sitting next to her, who turned their heads out of curiosity.

"Is that... Lu Qinghe from Qingyuan Academy?"

"It is Lu Qinghe. I heard he has been studying mathematics recently, it seems he has given up on cultivation."

The woman Yunzhi beside Yi Yingying turned to a man sitting shoulder to shoulder with her and said: "Biluo, Lu Qinghe originally took a risk to get a place at Beiyue Royal Academy. He almost became your junior."

"Lu Qinghe?"

Biluo glanced at Lu Qinghe in the crowd and said indifferently: "From today on, he and we are no longer in the same world. What's the point of talking about him?"

Arrogant.

The pride of Beiyue Royal Academy students.

Biluo's words resonated with the other students who were admitted to high-level academies.

"Indeed."

"Lu Qinghe, if he hadn't been crippled by Bei Zhen, he would have been a good opponent. Unfortunately, from now on, there is a vast difference between us."

However, a female student looked at Lu Qinghe with admiration: "That's true, but even without the title of top swordsman and the path to Beiyue Royal Academy, he was once a famous figure in Qingyuan City. Standing there, he still stands out like a crane among chickens, extraordinary and unique."

"Yunqi, you are now a high-level student at Xuanyi Academy, with boundless potential in the future. If you fancy him, inviting him to be your subordinate, I'm sure he would be more than willing."

A male student said with a smile.

Yunqi smiled proudly, chin slightly raised: "That's out of the question. Not everyone can be my intimate companion. I don't fancy Lu Qinghe."

Not fancying.

The current Lu Qinghe doesn't have that qualification.

Yi Yingying, listening to their talk, coldly snorted.

"Ridiculous. Although you have been admitted to high-level academies, how many of you can defeat Lu Qinghe even if he doesn't use his true qi?"

Yi Yingying's blunt words made Yunqi and the others' faces slightly awkward, and the male student who teased Yunqi retorted: "If we fight Lu Qinghe now, it might be a fifty-fifty chance, but once we enter high-level academies, our cultivation will progress rapidly, while he is stuck with severed meridians, eventually being left behind."

"Tang Fei is right. Once we reach the third or even fourth level of True Qi, completing the Grand Circulation, Lu Qinghe, with his excellent sword skills, will be nothing more than a single strike."

Yunqi and the others echoed.

"Who can predict the future? At least for now, you are not a match for Lu Qinghe. When did the weak have the right to criticize the strong?"

Yi Yingying's words made Biluo, who successfully entered Beiyue Royal Academy, smile faintly: "Yunqi and Tang Fei, although they may be slightly inferior to Lu Qinghe now, it cannot be denied that they are right."

Biluo's tone was indifferent but carried an undeniable air of superiority.

Lu Qinghe did not enter Beiyue Royal Academy, but he, Biluo, did. Just based on this, he has the right to criticize Lu Qinghe.

His judgment is beyond question!

"Is there a close relationship between Sister Yi Yingying and Lu Qinghe? Do you have the intention of taking him in?"

"True geniuses are not easily defeated by minor setbacks."

Yi Yingying said, seemingly feeling that they were not on the same wavelength, and stood up to leave the stage.

"Summer insects cannot be told about ice."

Seeing Yi Yingying leave rudely, Biluo coldly snorted and ignored her.

...

"Senior Qinghe."

Yi Yingying's arrival caused the students along the way to make way, and some looked at Lu Qinghe with envy and jealousy.

Yi Yingying!

Even as a high-level academy student, many would be willing to become her followers.

"Why did you come down?"

"I've been up there for nearly half an hour, and I've seen enough of the monkey show."

Yi Yingying always speaks straightforwardly.

"I originally planned to say goodbye to Senior Qinghe after the graduation ceremony, but I didn't expect to trouble Senior Qinghe to come and see me off. Now, my regret is mostly alleviated."

"The capital is a new stage. There, young talents from various cities gather, and you must put aside all distractions and strive for cultivation. I don't want to find that you have become just another ordinary person when I visit Qian Ancient City one day."

"I believe you won't see that day."

Yi Yingying responded with a smile.

It had a scholarly and refined tone.

If Yi Yingying were a man, with her charisma, she would certainly make many close friends.

"Senior Qinghe, don't mind these short-sighted people."

Yi Yingying said, looking at the Eastern Academy students pointing and whispering around them.

"I understand."

They have the right to criticize, but Lu Qinghe won't be upset over it.

If he truly felt uncomfortable, he would challenge them one by one, making them bleed and submit.

Now...

He has the strength!

"This is the Senior Qinghe I know. I truly hope that Senior Qinghe recovers soon and we can have a satisfying battle in the future."

"Why wait for the future? We can do it now!"

"Now?"

Yi Yingying was slightly taken aback.

"This is the purpose of my visit!"

Human relationships.

Yi Yingying's wish is to have a satisfying battle with him.

A battle to the heart's content.

"The sword does not lose its sharpness just because the true qi is lost."

Yi Yingying, listening to Lu Qinghe's heavy yet resounding words, seemed to understand something.

The top swordsman of Qingyuan Academy.

Top.

Always top.

Unchanged by setbacks.

"Good, let's go to the sword arena!"

Yi Yingying nodded heavily.

Decisive, straightforward, and full of spirit.

The two looked at each other and walked side by side, heading to the sword arena in large strides.