One Sword Snowfall

One Sword Snowfall

By the edge of the cliff, aside from Li Hao's group, quite a few others had stopped nearby, glancing over from time to time.

Clearly, falling off the cliff meant being smashed to powder and broken bones. Such danger had made many people hesitate.

And on the iron chains, seven or eight figures were currently displaying their own abilities, advancing with extreme care.

Some were calm and composed, walking atop the iron chains. The swaying chains were like waves in the sea, yet they did not affect them in the slightest, their feet seeming glued in place.

Some spread both arms, struggling to control their balance as they slowly probed their way forward.

Others chose a method that, though ugly, was extremely steady: hugging the chain and slowly inching along like a grub...

If it were merely crawling across the chains, basically everyone present could do it, but there was no doubt that this trial tested courage.

Ten thousand zhang up in the sky—who could keep their legs from trembling?

"If you don't even have this bit of nerve, how do you dare face demons?"

Among the seven who had just passed the test, a richly dressed youth wore a cold expression. He was the first to leap up, landing steadily on the chain.

Clearly, he had chosen the elegant method, walking straight across, and even with both hands clasped behind his back, displaying utter calm and leisure.

The youth's actions immediately drew the attention of many who had stopped there. All were surprised, and soon someone recognized the youth's identity.

"Cloud patterns on his cuffs, he's from the Yunzhou Su Family!"

"The Su Family? I heard they're one of Yunzhou's three great aristocratic families, with deep foundations."

"No wonder this kid is so bold. More demons appear around Yunzhou's borders, so he's probably trained his courage long ago."

Quite a few people discussed it one after another, and struggling looks appeared in the eyes of some who had been hesitating.

"Hao Ge, let's go too."

Seeing someone take the lead, Li Yuanzhao felt slightly uncomfortable and said to Li Hao.

Li Hao looked around by the cliff edge, but did not see anyone from Tan Palace Academy, and felt a little puzzled.

Logically speaking, Tan Palace Academy should have sent someone here to receive them. Otherwise, what was the point of delivering the invitation?

"All right."

Since no one came, Li Hao could only agree to Li Yuanzhao.

"Hmph, there's no way to take a shortcut in this trial."

Si Xiaolan gave Li Hao a slight cold laugh. Clearly, Li Hao having relied on his background to muddle through the first trial had left her quite angry, and she felt it was far too unfair.

"Is that so?"

Li Hao looked at the little girl in surprise. She actually dared mock him. Did she not know the identity behind him? However, he did not lower himself to argue with a little girl like her.

"How does that saying go again?"

Li Hao thought for a moment, then replied to her, "Little sister, when you're out in the world, what you rely on isn't fists, nor is it merely having someone behind you."

"Hm?"

Si Xiaolan frowned. Why did those words sound so similar to what she had said earlier?

"Because just having someone behind you isn't enough. You also need someone in front of you!"

Li Hao chuckled lightly at the little girl, then raised his head. His eyes revealed a detached calm as he said softly, "Little brother, come!"

"Hao Ge, you want me to carry you?"

Li Yuanzhao understood perfectly. He had heard the adults in the courtyard say that Li Hao's aptitude was rather poor and that he could only cultivate his body, and in ordinary times he had never seen Hao Ge make much of a move either. Thus, he had long since thought of this method and would absolutely not let Hao Ge lose face.

Li Hao smiled faintly and patted his shoulder.

Li Yuanzhao understood and bent down along the motion.

Li Hao was not polite either. He jumped onto his back, then waved at the young girl beside him, who was staring with her mouth agape. "See you on the other side."

As soon as the words fell, Li Yuanzhao was already impatiently charging out. With a single leap, he sprang dozens of meters away and landed directly on the chain.

The chain shook violently, but with Li Hao on his back, Li Yuanzhao swayed along with it, his feet seeming glued down, always sticking to the chain.

Then, without waiting for the chain to fully steady, Li Yuanzhao broke into a run, sprinting rapidly as if he were on flat ground.

Circulation Realm Completion, combined with the cultivation methods he had practiced for years in the Martial Arts Arena and his foundation in stance training—this little test was simply a small dish of vegetables to him.

Seeing the figure speeding wildly along the chain, everyone on the shore except Si Xiaolan widened their eyes. They had seen people show off, but never someone this fierce. Was he treating this as land?

The key was that even on flat ground, they might not be able to run that fast!

And he was carrying another person!

When they saw the clothing of the two clearly, someone with sharp eyes recognized them as being from Qingzhou's number one aristocratic family, and immediately came to a realization. Even so, they could not help feeling somewhat shaken. People said hearing rumors could not compare to meeting in person, but today, meeting in person surpassed the rumors.

Very soon, the richly dressed youth who had been the first to step onto the chain was caught up to and surpassed by Li Yuanzhao, who was sprinting at full speed.

The former had been leisurely walking with his hands behind his back, his expression indifferent. Only when a fierce wind swept past beside him did a trace of astonishment show on his face...

Before long, Li Yuanzhao landed on the opposite shore.

The chain stretched a thousand zhang, lying across the sky, passing through the white mist among the mountains.

Li Yuanzhao's running figure dispersed much of the mist, and when he leaped down onto the far shore, he immediately drew the attention of quite a few people nearby.

Li Hao patted the other party's shoulder, jumped down from his back, and looked around.

Clearly, they had not arrived particularly early. Quite a few people who had passed the previous trials were also standing here.

And in front of these "interviewees" were Tan Palace Academy disciples wearing uniform academy robes. They were all youths of seventeen or eighteen, dressed in black-and-white academy uniforms, appearing quite graceful and untainted by dust.

Of course, that was only the case when the clothes were worn by good-looking people. On certain stocky figures, or those with rather ordinary looks, they seemed a bit eye-catching...

"Who is that guy? He's so powerful."

"He ran over? While carrying someone?"

"One dared to carry, and one dared to be carried!"

"Shh, be careful, they seem to be from the Divine General Residence Li Family..."

The dozens of people standing around discussed it one after another.

Li Yuanzhao stepped forward and came before a young man from Tan Palace Academy, saying, "Are there any more trials here?"

"That's right. This is the final trial."

The youth had clearly also recognized Li Yuanzhao's identity. After all, he had come to Qingzhou City to cultivate several years ago, and was not far from the Divine General Residence; it would be hard not to know.

"If you want to pass this trial, you need to last one exchange under our hands."

If the first trial tested basic skills, and the second tested a martial artist's courage, then the third seemed somewhat intended to give the newcomers a show of force.

When Li Yuanzhao heard this, eager fighting intent instantly burst from his small eyes. "Please instruct me!"

As he spoke, he cupped his fists in a military salute, then retreated several steps and took up a stance with fists and feet ready.

"You may choose a weapon," the youth reminded him with a smile.

"It's only one exchange. No need," Li Yuanzhao said.

The youth's eyes flickered slightly. He felt somewhat looked down upon, but thinking that everyone from the Li Family was said to be a genius, he did not fuss over it too much. Deep down, he also harbored a slight curiosity and desire to test him.

Immediately, he also abandoned using his sword, raised his hand, swung his fist, and charged in close.

His fist force gave birth to wind, like a tiger pouncing and a wolf biting, its offensive fierce.

Li Yuanzhao, however, turned his steps, like a loach shrinking into its hole, his movements smooth. Then he suddenly twisted back and smashed out with a punch in return.

With a bang, the two fists collided, and the youth was actually forced three steps back. Looking at Li Yuanzhao, he merely sank his feet and stabilized himself in place.

Shock appeared on the youth's face. Although he had not used his full strength, this punch still held over ten thousand jin of power! That was equivalent to around the third level of the ordinary Circulation Realm!

This already exceeded the entry test standard by quite a bit. After all, the minimum standard was merely Power Through Realm Completion.

In the end, because of one careless moment, he had nearly embarrassed himself? "At least the fifth level of the Circulation Realm, perhaps even the seventh or eighth level of strength, or else he's cultivated a top-tier Qi Circulation Method or Meridian Opening Method!"

A grave look appeared in the youth's eyes. Sure enough, the rumors were not false. The Li Family's children were all monsters, piled up with countless resources and far surpassing their peers.

When the others saw that this youth had actually fallen into a disadvantage with one punch, they were all stunned, looking at Li Yuanzhao as if he were a monster. Was this the prodigy of the Divine General Residence? At this moment, the chain swayed, and several figures leaped up and landed one after another. They were precisely the youth from the Yunzhou Su Family, as well as Si Xiaolan and the others.

The other Tan Palace students immediately explained the rules to them. Hearing the requirement, their expressions all became somewhat grave.

After all, those who could enter Tan Palace Academy at least crossed the threshold of genius, and the other side had cultivated bitterly for several years. This one move would not be easy to receive.

Si Xiaolan's heart stirred, and she looked toward Li Hao beside her. Seeing that he was still there, a trace of irritation could not help appearing in her eyes again. She knew that the other party had an invitation, and most likely would pass directly through this trial.

Compared to people like them, who had gone through dangers and obstacles to clear the trials, the other party was practically lying flat. This was the difference in birth.

"It's your turn."

At this moment, a burly youth beside him said to Li Hao.

Li Hao smiled faintly. Under Si Xiaolan's expression of "sure enough," he took out that invitation. "I have an invitation."

He had no intention of wasting strength here like Li Yuanzhao, bullying people.

"An invitation?"

Everyone's gazes turned over. While surprised and doubtful, they also revealed envy and jealousy.

The burly youth was slightly startled. Clearly, he had also heard some rumors. He frowned faintly, took the invitation, and looked at it for a moment, then handed it back to Li Hao. "Although you have an invitation, there still has to be a basic test. I can hold back a little."

Li Hao was slightly stunned.

The youth testing Li Yuanzhao beside him, as well as several other Tan Palace students responsible for testing, all secretly covered their foreheads. It was over. This one-track mind had gotten stuck here again.

"Come." Air currents flowed around the burly youth's body as he made preparations to strike at any moment.

Li Hao could not help asking, "Do you know what an invitation means?"

"I said I'd hold back a little. You at least have to show something. Otherwise, people will think our Tan Palace Academy clings to the powerful and opens back doors for others at will," the burly youth said, his eyes serious and his attitude stubborn.

Li Hao was speechless.

People said humans had a thousand kinds of appearances. Clearly, this burly youth belonged to the relatively straightforward and stubborn type.

"Pfft..." Beside them, Si Xiaolan could not help laughing aloud, her bright eyes looking at Li Hao with schadenfreude.

She had thought he would slip through so easily, but in the end he had encountered an interesting person. She even felt that the burly youth's coarse, hulking appearance seemed much more handsome now.

"You can use whatever weapon you want."

The burly youth's expression was serious as he pointed toward the weapon rack beside them.

Li Hao felt a little helpless, but he was not angry with this fellow. After all, being serious to a fault was not a bad thing.

He casually walked to the weapon rack, drew out a sword, and returned to the burly youth.

"A sword?" The burly youth's gaze moved slightly, and he nodded. "Then you make the first move."

He also drew the sword from his back, the seriousness of a swordsman appearing in his eyes.

"You should go first," Li Hao said.

"If I make the first move, I'm afraid you won't have a chance," the burly youth said, word by word.

"...All right."

Li Hao sighed and casually flicked out a sword flower.

Sword technique... Falling Snow.

"Hm?" Si Xiaolan suddenly seemed to see snowflakes drifting before her eyes, and there was a sense of cold frost attacking her body. She could not help raising her head. "It's only autumn, why is it snowing?"