The fourth floor of the Sword Pavilion.
"How did you end up here? Didn't I tell you that you were only allowed on the first three floors?"
After who knew how long, Fu Qian opened his eyes and saw the middle-aged Sword Pavilion guard standing before him.
The guard glared at him, his voice stern.
"Come with me downstairs right now. And show me your student ID. You haven't registered yet."
Oh, great!
Fu Qian casually pulled out his card and handed it over. The guard's expression visibly stiffened.
"...This is yours?"
"Yep!"
"...You're not from the Sword Participation Institute?"
"I could be."
"This is an Academy of Revelation card, and you're even an instructor... Why did you come here, wearing the Sword Participation Institute's uniform?"
"Could you explain that?"
Just like last time, the middle-aged man's expression turned cold.
Unlike last time, Fu Qian had already thought up an answer.
"Though I dwell in darkness, my heart yearns for the light. I've finally recognized my true self."
Fu Qian raised his right hand, bringing his index and middle fingers together.
Under the guard's puzzled gaze, a mighty sword aura tore through the air, carrying a murderous chill.
"Lately, I've felt something stirring within me. I only meant to take a look from outside, but then you so graciously invited me in."
"Now I'm ready to leave the darkness behind and join the Sword Participation Institute."
That was—Sword Intent?
Not only the middle-aged guard, but even Ji Liushuang, who had been staring blankly nearby, was dumbstruck.
The Sword Intent that countless people at the Sword Participation Institute dreamed of, pondering day and night—this man had grasped it within minutes of arriving?
What did that make all the students working so hard downstairs?
"To hear the Way in the morning