Shen Yi fell silent. Seeing this, Wu Liujian patted his shoulder and teased,
"Don't let a beauty's devotion go to waste."
Wu Liujian then spoke of the others. "Yuwen Yue, like Jiang Miaoyi, has returned to the Yuwen Family to prepare for a breakthrough into the Foundation Establishment Realm. Wang Teng, meanwhile, received Dean Feng Yang's permission and left the Immortal Academy."
Though Shen Yi felt regret, he understood that those who followed different paths could not walk together. "What about you? Are you planning to return to the Sword Cottage as well?" He sensed that Wu Liujian's aura was steady, with faint signs of a breakthrough, and formed a guess.
"That's right. My lineage will soon send someone to take me home." A trace of apology appeared on Wu Liujian's face, but it swiftly vanished, replaced by surging battle intent. "So, how about it? Dare to fight me once more?"
"Sure. The loser had better remember to treat the winner!"
"It's a deal!"
Ninghai Immortal Academy.
The arena plaza.
Shen Yi and Wu Liujian stood atop the arena, facing one another.
Many Immortal Academy disciples had gathered around, all wanting to witness the splendor of these two prodigies.
"Is that Senior Shen Yi? That halberd in his hand looks terrifying enough to make one's heart tremble. Senior Wu's mid-grade spirit sword is no different—truly, fine artifacts suited heroes."
"Those two are both prodigies of the Immortal Academy. Senior Wu is already at peak Qi Refining, so he should have better odds of winning."
"Senior Shen was able to overpower the masses when he had just entered the Qi Condensation Realm. His bearing is even more formidable today. He will surely come out on top."
On the arena.
Shen Yi struck first, dragging his halberd as he charged forward. With a shift of his movements, he swung the halberd down heavily. Wu Liujian smiled faintly, and with a light flick of the Crimson Firmament Sword, its edge struck the halberd, sending out bursts of metallic clanging.
The two appeared utterly at ease, yet their weapons had already collided more than a hundred times without their realizing it. Sparks flew in all directions, and even the arena floor had been blasted full of pits.
"Is this the peak duel between Qi Refining cultivators? If it were me, I probably couldn't last even a moment against either of them."
"As expected of prodigies—such a terrifying presence!"
The match left everyone below deeply shaken. They cried out in alarm, for this level of combat had already surpassed the Qi Condensation Realm.
"Brother Shen, I won't hold back from here on!"
Wu Liujian planted his feet, the Crimson Firmament Sword in his hand trembling slightly.
"Likewise. You're definitely paying for today's wine!"
Shen Yi held his halberd horizontally before his chest, clearly preparing to unleash his full-force strike as well.
"Is it coming?"
The spectators below immediately perked up, staring fixedly at the arena, afraid that missing even the slightest moment would leave them regretting it for life.
Wu Liujian threw back his head and let out a long roar. His body seemed to catch fire, wrapped in scarlet spiritual power that burst from within him in an instant. Its brilliance was dazzling, too bright to look at directly. That crimson aura was like sacred fire in the mortal world, coiling around his body and making him appear incomparably valiant.
With a sharp "whoosh," the Crimson Firmament Sword in his hand shot forth a blinding beam that instantly extended more than ten feet. Its radiance was dazzling and soul-stirring.
Black aura swirled around Shen Yi, blazing fiercely like netherworld ghostfire. His long halberd radiated a vast, deathly presence. At this moment, he resembled an Asura demon king, displaying an overbearing majesty steeped in solitude and desolation.
"This is something I gained later in the ruins."
Seeing the astonishment in Wu Liujian's eyes, Shen Yi smiled and explained. More accurately, it was something he had comprehended while recuperating over the past few days.
"Kill!"
As the two shouted in unison, red and black figures shot toward one another like twin bolts of lightning. The Crimson Firmament Sword, which seemed capable of burning all things, and the Coiled Dragon Halberd, steeped in bleak deathly energy, tore apart the arena as they collided viciously.
"Clang!"
The fierce metallic crash left everyone below dizzy and disoriented.
Red and black light erupted into a vast storm of spiritual power.
Heaven and earth upon the arena shook, and the ground quivered.
"Who won?"
When the world finally settled, the crowd saw only Shen Yi and Wu Liujian standing face-to-face, their right hands clasped tightly together.
As for victory or defeat, it was no longer important to either of them.
That night, Shen Yi and Wu Liujian drank themselves senseless until dawn.
"If anything happens, crush this. Even if I'm ten thousand miles away, I will definitely come."
The next morning, Wu Liujian handed Shen Yi a jade slip, then vanished into the horizon with his clansmen.
"Take care!"
Take care. Shen Yi silently wished him well, then turned and disappeared into the depths of the Immortal Academy.
Foundation Establishment has Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, Earthly Dao Foundation Establishment, and Human Dao Foundation Establishment. If I attain Human Dao Foundation Establishment, I fear revenge will remain forever beyond my reach. Only Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment can let me grow stronger in the shortest possible time. Sitting in the residence assigned to him by the Immortal Academy, Shen Yi began considering the path ahead.
Wu Liujian, Jiang Miaoyi, and the others had all departed to strive for the Foundation Establishment Realm. Now, only he remained, and loneliness was unavoidable. What made him even more urgent was Wang Shangren. A Golden Core Cultivator was watching him like a tiger eyeing its prey. Though he had Dean Feng Yang's protection, it was only a temporary measure.
"The depths of the Yunluo Mountain Range—I hope you won't disappoint me."
After pondering for a long time, Shen Yi ultimately chose to head for the Yunluo Mountain Range. Demonic beasts ran rampant there, and it was not too far from the Immortal Academy. It was the most suitable place for cultivation he could think of at present.
The pressing sense of crisis left Shen Yi unable to delay for even a moment. That very day, he bid Feng Yang farewell and, traveling cautiously, headed for the Yunluo Mountain Range.
"Eeya!"
After sleeping for many days, Little Black had finally awakened. It was full of curiosity about the outside world, frequently flying into the thickets and startling flocks of birds and beasts, only to curl into a frightened ball itself. It always made Shen Yi laugh despite himself.
Along the way, people would often see a solitary figure wearing a bamboo hat, radiating an aura that warned strangers to keep away. A little black beast stood on his shoulder, occasionally darting into the roadside brush before scampering back with chirps and squeaks.
"Fellow cultivator, your spirit beast is quite good. Would you be willing to part with it? Name your price!"
"Scram!"
Shen Yi released a surge of deathly aura, making the man feel as though he had fallen straight into hell. His legs immediately trembled like sieves, and he did not dare utter another word.
Only after Shen Yi vanished from sight did the man recover his senses. He let out a scream, then wept as he tumbled back along the road he had come from.
"Little Black, this look suits you quite well!"
Aside from the occasional cultivator who failed to recognize his place and provoked him, the journey was peaceful enough. Little Black brought him many surprises as well. At that moment, it had transformed into the form of a tiny kitten, adorable beyond measure. Shen Yi thought of petting cats in his previous life and immediately reached out to satisfy himself to his heart's content.
"Eeya!"
Little Black bared its fangs and squeaked at Shen Yi, seemingly protesting that he had messed up its handsome and imposing appearance.
Suddenly, the ground trembled violently. Shen Yi's heart jolted, and he brought Little Black to higher ground. There, he saw hundreds of demonic beasts rushing toward the depths of the mountain range, giving him a bad feeling.
"The danger ahead is boundless. Don't run around recklessly."
"Eeya!"
Before you continue