Chapter 3

The inflammatory toxins in his bloodstream were as scalding as magma, making his entire body feel unbearably hot, with even fresh blood seeping from his eyes.

Si Xueyi felt as if he had been thrown into magma, about to melt, with excruciating pain all over his body.

More troubling than the physical pain was the murderous desire in his mind.

Si Xueyi did not panic; everything was as expected.

He tried to control his emotions, took out a jade bottle from his pocket, and inside was the Blood Devouring Pill he had refined.

In his previous life, besides martial arts, he had some knowledge of alchemy, music, and array formations.

The Blood Devouring Pill could temporarily suppress the negative effects of the dragon blood, but long-term use would lead to drowsiness and lethargy.

This was the reason he often felt sleepy over the past three years. Refining the Blood Devouring Pill secretly was not easy, and Si Xueyi was always very careful when taking it.

Looking at the dozen or so remaining Blood Devouring Pills in the bottle, Si Xueyi gritted his teeth and swallowed them all.

He cut off his own retreat completely.

When the pills took effect, the blood in Si Xueyi's eyes faded, and the scorching redness of his body gradually subsided.

In its place was an overwhelming drowsiness, and his consciousness began to fade.

"Did I... forget something?"

"Xuanlong Tower?"

"Never mind, I'm so sleepy, really too sleepy..."

Before falling asleep, Si Xueyi struggled, but he was just too tired.

He slept for two days and two nights.

While Si Xueyi was unconscious, Canglan Academy was in an uproar due to his words, with chaos reigning from top to bottom.

Xuanlong Tower was a forbidden area of the academy, but not just anyone could attempt to pass through it.

It was both a forbidden area and a supreme treasure.

Those who attempted to pass through faced a nine-in-ten chance of death, but the rewards were unimaginable.

There were limited slots, with only two people allowed to attempt it each year, and each person had only one chance. Each opening of the forbidden area required a large amount of resources.

Only the most outstanding disciples had the opportunity to compete for the qualification to enter Xuanlong Tower.

If other outer-rank disciples said they wanted to attempt Xuanlong Tower, it would not cause any waves, as they would not have the qualifications.

You can say you want to attempt it, but you must first have the qualifications.

But Si Xueyi was different!

Three years ago, he and Feng Yueyu were known as the twin stars of Lingxiao, with their heavenly-grade soul power shocking Qingxuan.

The dean of Canglan Academy immediately promised to give them the special privilege of attempting Xuanlong Tower, whenever they wished.

At the time, no one objected, as they were of heavenly-grade bone quality, something rarely seen in the past few hundred years in Cangxuan Prefecture.

Three years later, Feng Yueyu, as expected, had entered the True Xuan realm, shining as the light of Lingxiao, and she was only seventeen.

But Si Xueyi was different. After three years, he was still in the Later Heaven realm, not even comparable to the most ordinary outer-rank disciples.

If the qualification to attempt the tower were given to Si Xueyi, many would be dissatisfied.

"The dean actually agreed to open Xuanlong Tower for him!"

"This is absurd. So many people are waiting in line, and giving it to Si Xueyi is a waste of a slot!"

"The dean must have his difficulties. He promised it, and there's no going back."

"If I were Si Xueyi, I would give up voluntarily. A person who is about to be expelled, where does he get the nerve?"

"How shameless!"

"In the nine hundred years since Canglan Academy was founded, no one has been as shameless as him. He truly doesn't deserve it."

...

Rumors and discussions spread throughout the academy.

When Si Xueyi woke up, it was already midday, two days later.

"Comfortable!"

Under the ancient tree, Si Xueyi stretched, feeling refreshed and invigorated, as if he had never slept so well in his life.

The dappled sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a glow on his handsome face, adding a touch of soft and gentle beauty.

"Xuanlong Tower..." Si Xueyi finally remembered what he had forgotten.

Suddenly, his gaze swept over, and he noticed a secret manual on a stone table in the courtyard.

"Wasn't this here before I went to sleep?"

Si Xueyi's pale, handsome face showed a look of confusion, and he walked over.

"Heavenly Water Spear Technique."

Si Xueyi picked up the manual and glanced at it, then felt relieved.

It was not some world-shaking technique, but a Profound-level spear technique that only the top-rank disciples of Canglan Academy could practice.

In this world, techniques were divided into four levels: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow. Even the lowest Yellow level was valuable.

As for Profound-level techniques, even Canglan Academy had few.

The Heavenly Water Spear Technique required extremely high insight to practice, making it difficult to master and even harder to become proficient, with an incredibly high threshold.

Those who could master this spear technique were one in ten thousand.

It must have been a gift from Feng Yueyu, who always had a soft heart despite her sharp tongue.

Si Xueyi put down the manual and fell silent.

"Senior Brother Xueyi, you're awake!"

Just as Si Xueyi was deep in thought, a clear and lively voice came from outside the courtyard gate.

A beautiful girl with silver hair and a perfect figure walked towards him.

The silver-haired girl was young, with a pure and beautiful face and deep, star-like eyes.

"Du Mu Xi, why are you here?" Si Xueyi asked in surprise.

Du Mu Xi, one of the three beauties of Canglan Academy, was highly talented and had excellent bone quality. Her silver hair made her stand out wherever she went.

"Hmph, why can't I come!"

She walked in boldly, holding a box, clearly not for the first time.

When the box was opened, a luxurious white long robe was neatly folded inside, along with jade pendants, belts, and various accessories.

Du Mu Xi, while busy, complained, "No wonder you're so disliked. I had to sneak past Senior Sister Feng to come here."

"Hey, this manual is from Senior Sister Feng, right?" Du Mu Xi stopped her actions and looked surprised when she saw the Heavenly Water Spear Technique.

"Probably," Si Xueyi said.

Du Mu Xi blinked and smiled, "You always make Senior Sister Feng angry, but she still treats you so well. You should really reflect on yourself. But does Senior Sister Feng really think you can master this spear technique in three days?"

Si Xueyi smiled, "That's better than sending a set of clothes."

"Who said that!"

Du Mu Xi, not to be outdone, smiled, "You look pretty good when you clean up. Good-looking people always have good luck."

She paused and then said seriously, "Si Xueyi, do you know why I brought you this set of clothes?"

Si Xueyi was slightly taken aback, not really remembering.

Seeing Du Mu Xi's serious expression, he tried to recall and finally remembered.

Three years ago, he had helped Du Mu Xi with something, and she had asked what he wanted in return.

It was a small matter, and Si Xueyi had casually said, "Prepare a set of white clothes for me when I attempt Xuanlong Tower."

"You really remember that." Si Xueyi sighed, smiling wryly.

"I promised, and I delivered. Don't let me down. I believe you are still the genius you were three years ago."

Du Mu Xi's eyes formed a crescent moon, looking extremely cute.

"Since the white clothes are ready, prepare a jar of strong wine for me too. I will definitely pass Xuanlong Tower!" Si Xueyi smiled and said seriously.

"You're really full of hot air. Thinking about drinking, if you can survive, I'll consider it a super performance. There's only one day left, and you still want to drink? No way!"

Du Mu Xi smiled and turned to leave, her silver hair shining in the sunlight.

Si Xueyi looked at the white clothes and the manual, knowing there was no turning back.

"Does no one believe I'm a genius? Nine hundred years ago, when I was eighteen, I was already a renowned young king... Honestly, it's too difficult."

Si Xueyi smiled wryly, a rare serious look flashing across his lazy face. He stepped forward and grabbed the Heavenly Water Spear Technique.

Boom!

He threw it, and all the pages scattered and danced in the air.

Si Xueyi extended his left hand, and true essence flowed, transforming into a breeze that stirred the pages around him.

The True Xuan realm had three major stages: True Essence, True Spirit, and True Soul.

At the True Essence stage, one could refine innate qi into true essence, transforming spiritual energy qualitatively. In a strict sense, only at the True Essence stage could one activate martial techniques.

At the True Spirit stage, true essence gained spirituality, harmonizing with all things, and its power increased dramatically.

At the True Soul stage, a qualitative change occurred, allowing the soul to be condensed and the martial will to be externalized. Feng Yueyu was at this stage.

Si Xueyi looked up, and the thirteen techniques of Heavenly Water Spear were imprinted in his mind.

"Boundless Cloud Sea."

"Heavenly Water Asks the Moon."

"Heavenly Heart Picks the Moon."

"Misty Clouds Rise Deeply."

...

In just one reading, Si Xueyi memorized it, reciting it backward flawlessly. He sat cross-legged and closed his eyes.

Around him, figures appeared, holding long spears and practicing the various changes of the Heavenly Water Spear Technique.

When Si Xueyi opened his eyes, a sharp light flashed, and he had already mastered the technique.

The pages then fell to the ground with a rustling sound.

Clang!

Si Xueyi extended his hand, and a long spear from the weapon rack in the courtyard flew to him, which he then gripped.

The spear tip glinted with a sharp, formidable light.

Si Xueyi wielded the spear, practicing it many times until he had fully mastered the Heavenly Water Spear Technique.

Any martial technique was divided into four stages: Beginner, Minor Mastery, Major Mastery, and Perfection, and the legendary fifth stage, Enlightenment.

Mastering one move was considered the beginner stage, mastering three or four moves was minor mastery, mastering eight or nine moves was major mastery, and mastering all moves was perfection.

A Profound-level technique, for ordinary people, would take ten to fifteen days just to reach the beginner stage.

The Heavenly Water Spear Technique, with its extremely high threshold, was even more challenging.

"This spear technique is indeed a bit difficult. It took me over ten practices to reach perfection. Enlightenment will take more time," Si Xueyi murmured to himself.

If others heard this, they would probably be so shocked they would spit blood. Ten practices to reach perfection, and he was still unsatisfied?

"Not enough!"

Si Xueyi's long hair flew, his expression cold and proud. He held the spear with both hands and moved it so fast it was indistinguishable.

The spear tip pierced the air, creating a whistling sound like a storm.

He seemed mad, as if trying to resolve nine hundred years of loneliness and resentment through the spear technique.

The young man from nine hundred years ago practiced the spear under the night sky, determined to fight the Xuanlong and challenge fate!