Qiu Changfeng was frightened out of his wits after hearing Xiang Tian's words.
"No, Little Sir. To be honest, the Immortal Academy's supreme treasure truly cannot be taken away by an outsider!"
A supreme treasure?
Xiang Tian froze. You're talking about this thing? When it comes to treasure, why couldn't you just speak plainly? With all that coy posturing, I thought you had improper designs on me!
Seeing that Xiang Tian was interested, Qiu Changfeng chuckled. "As you know, Changning Immortal Academy has the Sword Comprehension Stone left behind by the Immortal King Changning. It contains the Immortal King's Sword Intent, and at the end of every month, students are permitted to comprehend it."
"That's a good thing."
Xiang Tian was surprised, unable to understand what Qiu Changfeng had meant earlier.
Qiu Changfeng looked helpless. "It is indeed a good thing. But last month, Sinan Yao suddenly triggered the Sword Comprehension Stone's resonance and directly absorbed one-tenth of its Sword Qi!"
"Sinan Yao?"
Xiang Tian frowned. Sinan was quite a rare surname. In the Heavenly Realm, the most powerful should be the Sinan Family of Riyao, which controlled ninety percent of the technological core visible to the public.
Seeing Xiang Tian's expression, Qiu Changfeng clapped his hands. "That boy is one of the Riyao Family's heirs. He has countless technological life-saving methods, and more importantly, his talent is truly remarkable. Although he is a student of the Immortal Academy and we ought to nurture him, I trust Little Sir can understand the twists and turns involved."
Xiang Tian nodded. Indeed, the Riyao Family's core development ran contrary to cultivation. Though they ultimately converged into one, treasures that cultivators had painstakingly acquired over hundreds or thousands of years being taken away by someone playing with high technology—no one would feel good about that.
Xiang Tian gave a bitter smile. "Dean, why do you trust me so much?"
Qiu Changfeng waved a hand. "Little Sir, this is actually the Immortal King's intention as well. The Immortal King said that once Little Sir makes a move, Sinan Yao won't get so much as a fart. Please use whatever means you wish. It would be best if you directly absorb and refine the Sword Intent. This rich water cannot flow into outsiders' fields. Perhaps Little Sir can use this opportunity to break through to the Deity Transformation Realm. Rest assured, I'll arrange everything properly for you. You only need to make your move tomorrow!"
To be honest, Xiang Tian was somewhat moved. The way he looked at Qiu Changfeng softened considerably. He was merely someone who had gotten in through connections. Though this old man did fear him to some extent, over the past few days, there had truly not been the slightest fault to find in anything the Immortal Academy's leadership had done.
Now it was Qiu Changfeng's turn to feel his scalp prickle. Why was Little Sir looking at him so strangely?
Could it be that, as the rumors said, people in high positions all had some strange and peculiar fetishes—and he had unfortunately run into one?
Fuck... should this old man take a bath?
Xiang Tian: ...
Something was off. Why had this old man's face turned red? Why did he look so bashful?
"I understand. Tomorrow, I'll go refine the Sword Comprehension Stone."
After saying that, Xiang Tian pushed Qiu Changfeng out the door, absolutely refusing to let the old man stay another moment.
After closing the door, Xiang Tian let out a breath and silently sighed that this Immortal Academy was truly outrageous. It seemed he would have to be more careful in the future.
The next day was the academy's adjusted day off. There were no classes for the day. Xiang Tian got up rather late, washed up briefly, and headed toward the martial arts grounds.
Sinan Yao was a student in the Prodigy Class. The entire class consisted of Deity Transformation Realm cultivators, and there were only thirty slots. Every month of study was like going into seclusion, but after emerging at the end of the month, one could choose a member to challenge. Upon winning, they would take that person's place and enter the Prodigy Class to cultivate.
It had to be said that the Immortal Academy's competitive pressure was immense. Of course, that was only true for others. As for Xiang Tian... he had come here to relax in the first place and had never considered joining. Studying in seclusion for a month? Wouldn't that drive him mad?
In the rear courtyard's martial arts grounds, towering pillars stood at the four corners like suppressing anchors, each carved with one of the Four Divine Beasts, solemn and imposing.
Quite a few students were already seated cross-legged in the arena. At its center stood a massive black stone, from which a sharp aura faintly emanated, drawn away in thread after thread by some of the students.
The most conspicuous among them was a handsome young man with red hair, sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed. Even his academy uniform was embroidered with patterns of sun, moon, and stars. Quite a few female students beside him were stealing glances at him, their admiration written plainly across their faces.
Xiang Tian narrowed his eyes. This fellow must be Sinan Yao, who had just emerged from seclusion in the Prodigy Class for the adjusted break. With such an illustrious family background, decent looks, and solid talent, it was no wonder so many girls were throwing themselves at him.
Qiu Changfeng was also on the plaza. Upon seeing Xiang Tian appear, he winked at him furiously.
Under Qiu Changfeng's expectant gaze, Xiang Tian walked onto the plaza and sat down with the others. He held his breath, focused his mind, and began using his will to draw upon the Sword Comprehension Stone.
Second by second, Xiang Tian's face went completely dark.
What kind of lousy stone is this? Why is it giving me so little face?
I'm actively communicating with you through my will, yet you're acting indifferent toward me.
Qiu Changfeng and the other teachers, who had been watching Xiang Tian all along, were equally bewildered. This Little Sir with such a powerful background... seemed a little lacking!
Xiang Tian stood up and walked toward the Sword Comprehension Stone with a dark face.
"Little Sir, be careful! Once you approach the Sword Comprehension Stone, it will release Sword Qi."
Xiang Tian shook his head, indicating that it was nothing.
His action quickly drew many eyes. After recognizing Xiang Tian, everyone wore strange expressions, yet no one thought to warn him aloud.
Many even secretly sneered. What a fool, daring to approach the Sword Comprehension Stone. In a moment, it would mince him into scraps of flesh.
Strangely, all the teachers supervising nearby unanimously turned their gazes elsewhere, pretending not to see anything.
Just like that, Xiang Tian drew closer step by step. When expressions of gloating appeared on most people's faces, the Sword Comprehension Stone finally made its move.
Sword Intent burst forth from the entire stone, directly making those comprehending it feel as though enlightenment had been poured over their heads. After opening their eyes, every one of them was utterly astonished.
What is going on?
Immediately afterward, after the Sword Intent dispersed, they began to sense another kind of sharp Sword Qi forming—and there was still someone standing before the Sword Comprehension Stone.
Everyone turned in unison toward the supervising seats.
One teacher was holding a cup, his eyes wide as he desperately pretended to be completely absorbed in the book on the table. Yet the hand holding the cup was trembling.
He was practically cursing in his heart. You lot were clever enough to run fast, leaving only me behind with these short legs.
The instant the Sword Intent erupted, Qiu Changfeng had already slipped away. The other teachers had also fled at top speed after seeing that things were going badly.
All he could do was chant inwardly, I'm reading. I can't hear it. I can't see it...
The scene grew increasingly chaotic, and no one was meditating in comprehension anymore.
The razor-sharp Sword Qi seemed intent on tearing Xiang Tian apart, proclaiming its supreme majesty.
Xiang Tian's gaze sharpened. If he could not even handle a stone like this, he would truly be letting down Qiu Changfeng's goodwill.
The Companion Bracelet around his wrist erupted with dazzling light. He actually threw a punch straight into the vortex of Sword Qi, scattering it directly.
This scene left countless students dumbfounded! What kind of monster was this?
Then came another punch.
Boom!
Stone chips fell from the entire Sword Comprehension Stone, and the Sword Intent contained within gushed out.
Everyone was ecstatic.
They hurriedly used their methods to gather the wisps of Sword Intent drifting between heaven and earth.
Xiang Tian remained unhurried. He opened his mouth wide, and those ethereal Sword Intents flew into his mouth as though they had become tangible.
"Holy shit, what is this guy doing? Is he fucking eating Sword Intent?!"
Qiu Changfeng, secretly observing from afar, was equally dumbfounded. Little Sir's method was truly extraordinary!
But the speed at which everyone gathered it could not compare to the speed at which Xiang Tian devoured it. Seeing that the Sword Comprehension Stone was about to collapse and fall apart, someone finally could not hold back any longer.
"How dare you monopolize the Sword Comprehension Stone? Students, we cannot let this selfish fellow succeed!"
Just as the students' indignation swelled and Qiu Changfeng and the others hidden nearby tensed their bodies, preparing to enter the scene, thunder suddenly rang out in the sky.
"Rumble..."
Black clouds pressed down upon the city, black lightning arcs churning and surging within them without end, their momentum terrifying beyond measure.
"Holy shit, a lightning tribulation!"
Someone on the plaza cried out in alarm. Everyone's faces changed drastically, especially Qiu Changfeng, who could hardly believe it.
This... this was actually a Black Lightning Tribulation!
Before you continue