Xia Wuji took the Azure Star Token his mother had left him from inside his robes and handed it to Lin Piaoxue.
Lin Piaoxue accepted the token and examined it carefully.
Even Lin Zhengyuan could not help edging closer curiously to stare at the token.
The Azure Star Token allowed one to enter the Azure Star Academy directly. It was indeed precious.
"It's Shaking Light Peak!"
A complex expression surfaced on Lin Piaoxue's face.
The Azure Star Academy had seven peaks: Tian Shu Peak, Tian Xuan Peak, Tianji Peak, Tian Quan Peak, Yuheng Peak, Kaiyang Peak, and Shaking Light Peak.
"Miss Piaoxue, is there something special about Shaking Light Peak?" Seeing that Lin Piaoxue's expression was off, Xia Wuji asked.
Lin Piaoxue returned the Azure Star Token to Xia Wuji before saying, "Ever since the Azure Star Academy was founded, Shaking Light Peak's strength and size have always been at the bottom of the academy."
"But twelve years ago, Qin Zhiyin, the master of Shaking Light Peak, somehow obtained an immense opportunity. Her personal strength soared, and she led Shaking Light Peak to rise rapidly."
"But... good times never last. Qin Zhiyin suddenly vanished without a trace, and everything concerning her became a forbidden topic in the Azure Star Academy."
"After something happened to Qin Zhiyin, everyone in the Azure Star Academy who had been relatively close to her was implicated to some extent. They either disappeared without a trace just like Qin Zhiyin, or were ostracized and suppressed until every step became difficult."
"Master Wuji, if this Azure Star Token of yours came from Shaking Light Peak after Qin Zhiyin disappeared, then there shouldn't be any problem."
"But if this Azure Star Token left Qin Zhiyin's hands before something happened to her, then I suggest you... refrain from taking it out. Otherwise, even if you enter the Azure Star Academy, you'll still be implicated because of Qin Zhiyin!"
Lin Piaoxue's expression was extremely solemn, and her tone was very serious.
Xia Wuji's thoughts raced through his mind.
"Twelve years ago, Qin Zhiyin suddenly obtained a great opportunity, and her strength soared... My mother also disappeared without a trace twelve years ago."
"This Azure Star Token was obtained from Qin Zhiyin by my mother. Could Qin Zhiyin's so-called great opportunity have had something to do with my mother?"
"Qin Zhiyin disappeared, and my mother also vanished without a trace. Could their disappearances be connected?"
Seeing Xia Wuji fall silent.
Lin Piaoxue assumed he was terribly disappointed that such a fine Azure Star Token could not be used, so she consoled him, "Master Wuji, you really don't need to lose heart. Even without this Azure Star Token, you can still enter the Azure Star Academy."
"In another half a month, it will be time for the Azure Star Academy's annual entrance examination. With your talent, there definitely won't be a problem!"
As she spoke, the scene of Xia Wuji splitting the Black Wind Bandit in two with a single sword flashed through Lin Piaoxue's mind.
If even that wasn't enough to pass the examination and enter the Azure Star Academy, then not to mention the Great Chu Dynasty—even among all the surrounding dynasties that also worshiped the Azure Star Academy, there probably wouldn't be anyone who could pass.
Xia Wuji put the token back inside his robes.
Regardless, he had to go to the Azure Star Academy!
He had to find out what had happened to Qin Zhiyin, the master of Shaking Light Peak, and then uncover the clues concerning his mother!
In his previous life, he had carried too many regrets. Thus, when facing the Immortal Tribulation, his state of mind had been flawed, and in the end, everything had come to naught.
Since fate had given him a chance to live again, he had to grasp it firmly and accomplish everything he had once wanted to do but had failed to.
He would make this life's journey complete!
"I understand. Then I'll go take the Azure Star Academy's examination!" Xia Wuji said, his calm voice brimming with powerful confidence.
"The examination site is quite far from the Lin Household... It seems you can't come with us to the Lin Household first. You'll have to set out from here as soon as possible," Lin Zhengyuan said.
"How about this? I'll leave the Lin Household's guards with you and have them escort you to the examination site!"
Xia Wuji shook his head. "I appreciate the Lin Master's kindness, but there's no need to trouble you. I can go alone."
The Lin Household's guards were fairly strong, but in Xia Wuji's eyes, they were actually meaningless. Instead, they would only slow his journey.
Lin Piaoxue traveled the martial world and carried a map of the Great Chu Dynasty with her. She took out the map and placed her finger on one location.
"Every year, the Azure Star Academy conducts examinations in each of the major dynasties. This year's examination site in the Great Chu Dynasty is Qingyun City."
She handed the map to Xia Wuji and said, "Master Wuji, I believe that with your talent, you'll definitely shine brilliantly in the examination."
"And those who perform outstandingly in the examination will be fought over by the Azure Star Academy's seven peaks."
"I am from Tian Xuan Peak. I hope it won't be long before we meet again at Tian Xuan Peak!"
Xia Wuji accepted the map. "Thank you."
A short while later, Xia Wuji parted ways with the Lin father and daughter.
He carefully studied the map and memorized the route to Qingyun City. Just as he was about to set out—
"Young Master..."
Xia Wuji looked toward the source of the voice. An plainly dressed old man came galloping over on a mount containing Fierce Beast bloodline.
This man was the only old servant in his courtyard all these years.
In his previous life, when Xia Wuji had suffered cruel persecution, the old servant had pleaded for him. As a result, Xia Wudao had killed him with a single palm strike.
The old servant flipped down from the mount's back and nearly fell. His old bones had almost been shaken apart by the jolting journey.
"Uncle Fu, why have you come looking for me?" Xia Wuji asked.
The old servant let out a sigh. "Young Master, it's the Pavilion Master... The Pavilion Master wrote a letter and ordered this old servant to deliver it to you..."
As he spoke, the old servant handed the letter to Xia Wuji.
Xia Wuji accepted the letter and opened it.
"Wuji, your father was wrong. Your father doesn't dare to ask for your forgiveness, but your father hopes you can come back once."
"When your mother left back then, she left some words behind and said they should be told to you after you grew up."
"Now that you've grown up, those words should be told to you."
Xia Wuji's eyes narrowed slightly.
He truly could not refuse this reason!
If his mother had really left some instructions, there might be important clues hidden among them.
But what if... those disgusting people were trying to scheme against him?
At that thought, icy, murderous light burst from Xia Wuji's eyes.
After the battle with Xia Wudao ended, he had given Xia Wudao a painful lesson and taken back the Azure Star Token. Because of the Lin father and daughter's intervention, they had actually given Xia Xuan and Madam Liu's people a chance in disguise.
But if they did not know how to cherish this opportunity—
When the sword Xia Wuji had sheathed was drawn again, they would never have another chance!
"Uncle Fu, where are you planning to go next?" Xia Wuji asked.
The old servant sighed. "This old servant has no family or friends. I can only return to the Sword Pavilion..."
Xia Wuji took out a stack of banknotes he had obtained after killing his enemies in the Monster Suppression Mountain Range and pressed them into the old servant's hands. "Uncle Fu, don't return to the Sword Pavilion. Find somewhere and enjoy your remaining years."
Immediately afterward, he tapped several acupoints on the old servant's body in succession, sending pure energy into him.
The old servant's face instantly glowed with vitality, as if he had become more than ten years younger.
He could live for several more decades at the very least, free of illness and pain. If he wished, marrying a wife and taking concubines, becoming a bridegroom, and raising a flourishing family would not be a problem.
If the old servant had not appeared here, Xia Wuji might have overlooked this chain of cause and effect.
Feeling the changes in his body, the old servant's hands trembled as he held the stack of banknotes, and his eyes reddened.
"Thank you, Young Master..." He was about to kneel.
Xia Wuji supported him by the hands. "Uncle Fu, you've looked after me for many years. Thank you for your hard work. These are what you deserve."
After settling this karmic debt, Xia Wuji once again returned to the Sword Pavilion alone!
Elsewhere.
Lin Zhengyuan led Lin Piaoxue and a group of Lin Household guards onward at top speed.
Suddenly, Lin Zhengyuan stopped.
Ahead of them, a sinister-looking middle-aged man immediately rushed up to Lin Zhengyuan.
"I never expected to meet the Lin Master here. What a coincidence." The middle-aged man cupped his hands toward Lin Zhengyuan.
Lin Zhengyuan nodded. "Where are you headed?"
The middle-aged man said, "The Sword Pavilion."
A flicker passed through Lin Zhengyuan's eyes. After exchanging a few casual words, he led his people onward.
"Father, who was that person just now?" Lin Piaoxue asked curiously.
Lin Zhengyuan said, "Xu Yao."
"This man has quite a grudge against Xia Xuan. Three years ago, he even fought a duel with Xia Xuan. After that duel, Xia Xuan was seriously wounded and went into seclusion for three years."
"Now Xu Yao is going to the Sword Pavilion again. Judging from his aura, he has clearly advanced to the second level of the Primal Energy Realm."
"Perhaps, after today, there will no longer be a Sword Pavilion in the Great Chu Dynasty."
Lin Piaoxue was silent for a moment before saying, "They brought it upon themselves!"
Before you continue