Jianghai Sword God!

Meanwhile, the matter of Lishui Lake was still fermenting online.

In this age of advanced internet, even trivial old gossip could make the Trending Searches, let alone a miracle witnessed by countless netizens.

Thus, Qin Yang's name as a "Sword Dao Expert" once again exploded across the internet! In less than an hour, the video of a flying sword streaking through the air and slaying the Blood Demon had spread through everyone's social circles, dominating the number one spot on the national Trending Searches.

Major news and marketing accounts caught wind of the hype and frantically edited the footage, flooding the internet with all kinds of popular videos set to BGM.

Beneath the videos, countless netizens competed to discuss it, each focusing on something different.

"That sword was way too cool! Auspicious Aura from the East, one sword to slay the enemy—it was simply a stroke of genius!"

"What a pity. We never got to see that senior Sword Dao Expert."

"With strength like that, he must be some old grandpa, right? Maybe he's even older than Old Man Li!"

"What kind of logic is that? Maybe he's an unparalleled genius! What gives you the right to assume someone's age?"

After this incident, the Star Police Department's public opinion division also issued a related announcement, reminding everyone not to approach Lishui Lake in the near future. In particular, swimming in the lake was strictly forbidden.

Yet this still could not stop the netizens' enthusiasm for checking in at the site.

Some people even gave Qin Yang, who had not shown himself that day, a nickname, respectfully calling him the "Jianghai Sword God," guarding the peace of countless homes!

From then on, the title Jianghai Sword God spread by word of mouth, gradually becoming a new symbol of Jianghai City.

By Lishui Lake.

The people from the Star Police Department were wrapping things up. Wearing hazmat suits and carrying salvage nets, they collected the scattered debris from the lake.

There were either severed limbs with exposed white bone, rotting and foul-smelling dead fish, or countless tiny leech corpses... They bustled about tirelessly.

The Three Innate Realm Experts stood by the lake, watching the scene.

"Martial Hall Master, how long do you think it will take before this lake can reopen?"

The Commander of the Star Police Department asked with his hands behind his back.

At that moment, the Martial Hall Master was sitting cross-legged on the grass, his aura restrained. The sleeve on his right arm had been torn away, exposing his sturdy arm as he circulated his true essence to resist the Blood Poison invading his body.

Meanwhile, Old Li took out medicinal ointment and applied it to him, helping remove the lingering poisoned blood.

"It will take at least ten days to half a month before it can reopen. This poisoned blood is truly terrifying."

The Martial Hall Master spoke hoarsely. He had clearly recovered somewhat and was no longer as weak as before.

Yet the lingering fear remained in his heart.

After the battle, Lishui Lake had been ravaged beyond recognition, practically becoming a terrifying poison pool.

Even an Innate Realm Expert like himself had ended up in such a sorry state after coming into contact with the poisoned blood.

There was even less need to mention ordinary citizens.

Touch it, and they would die!

"In this old one's opinion, to be safe, no one should be allowed near it for at least half a year."

As Old Li applied medicine to the Martial Hall Master, he looked at the darkened lake water and sighed. "That would be more prudent."

"Rest assured, Old Li and Martial Hall Master. I will handle it properly."

As he spoke, the Commander turned to look at Lishui Lake.

Schools of dead fish covered the lake's surface, and one or two corpses could faintly be seen among them. They were all Acquired Realm Star Warriors who had unfortunately died.

A former tourist hotspot had become such a brutal sight. It was truly heartbreaking.

But... this was already a blessing amid misfortune! When Old Li and the others recalled the Bloodthirsty Leech's strength, they still felt lingering fear, as though they had just walked out of hell.

It had been an overwhelmingly powerful existence.

If not for the Sword God's help this time... the entire Jianghai City might have fallen because of it.

"Fortunately, truly fortunately..."

The Martial Hall Master sighed, then suddenly noticed Li Zixuan standing by the lakeshore.

Her eyes were unfocused, as though she were lost in thought, staring blankly at the foul-smelling lake water.

He pointed at her and turned to Old Li. "Old Li, isn't that your student? Why did she go over there?"

"Xuan Xuan was probably frightened."

Old Li stroked his beard and shook his head.

"Don't disturb her. Let her have some peace and quiet. After all, it's the first time this silly girl has seen a scene like this..."

Their discussion drifted faintly over.

The wind stirred the willow branches.

Li Zixuan turned a deaf ear to the voices around her, merely focusing on the center of Lishui Lake in thought.

At that moment, the leech's corpse in the middle of the lake had long since been blasted into scraps, with not a trace of life remaining.

Is this Teacher's strength?

Li Zixuan thought to herself, and a hint of regret unconsciously flashed through her heart.

She had not expected that even such a huge commotion would fail to make Teacher appear. He had merely used one sword strike to instantly kill the Bloodthirsty Leech.

I really want to hear Teacher's guidance again.

The more Li Zixuan thought about it, the more regretful she became.

Her performance this time had truly been terrible.

Reckless. Impulsive.

Why had she not judged the situation more carefully before acting? Why had she charged forward directly and put herself in even greater danger?

Why... There had been too many mistakes, too many problems. It was like an exam paper covered in red crosses.

Teacher must have seen it. He must be very dissatisfied.

At that thought, Li Zixuan lightly bit her lip. Her eyes brimmed with tears, yet she seemed to have made some sort of decision.

She was not someone who gave up easily.

The Sword Dao Path was long.

All her problems stemmed from her insufficient strength.

Because I was weak, I nearly died here.

But if I cultivate "One Sword Opens the Heavenly Gate" to mastery and can truly unleash its full power, Teacher will be satisfied. Then he will naturally come see me.

With that thought,

Li Zixuan brushed the hair by her ear aside, her gaze firm as she headed toward the Martial Hall.

The next day.

Library.

"Beep—"

The time clock at the entrance let out a dull, drawn-out chime.

Clocked in. Qin Yang. Start time: 07:59 a.m.

With a fried dough stick in his mouth and a cup of sweet soy milk in his right hand, Qin Yang skillfully pressed the time clock and slowly entered the library.

He had barely taken two steps.

When Xia He came over with practiced familiarity.

"Heh, cutting it close again, Lao Qin."

Holding a sandwich in one hand, Xia He lowered his head to look at his phone. "Did you hear about what happened at Lishui Lake yesterday?"

"What happened?"

Qin Yang yawned theatrically. "You mean that Bloodthirsty Demon Worm?"

"Yeah, that! If I'd known, I would've skipped work and gone over there too."

Xia He sighed regretfully. "Damn it, what a waste! Say, you ran off at the time—did you happen to pass by the lakeside?"

"No. I was far away."

Qin Yang casually brushed him off.

"Good, good. Now I feel better. You really are a brother, Lao Qin."

The moment Xia He heard that, he grinned and held his phone out before Qin Yang. "Take a look at this on-site video. Footage this close is hard to come by, so treasure it while you can."

Qin Yang glanced at the video. The quality was blurry, and the person filming was shaking so badly their hands looked like a sieve, but the scene of the dazzling sword formation shredding the leech could still be seen.

"Well? Isn't it shocking?"

Xia He leaned back dramatically and spoke with admiration. "As expected of my idol! One sword to kill the worm—compared to him, the Three Innate Realm Experts are just little brothers!"

I knew these people would turn him into a god someday.

Qin Yang shook his head. He had long expected this outcome.

That was what social media was like.

Rumors rose everywhere, and public opinion could melt gold.

It was a place that created gods.