Rubbing his brow, Feng Qingyang's soul dispersed like the wind, leaving only his voice echoing where he had stood.
Rubbing his brow, Feng Qingyang's spirit body scattered like the wind, leaving only his voice echoing where he had stood.
"Whatever you want, whatever you want... Just stop bothering this old man."
"Do whatever you want... just stop bothering me."
Hearing this, Xue Mingqing instinctively blinked.
At that, Xue Mingqing instinctively blinked.
He coughed awkwardly, but didn't bother Feng Qingyang again.
He coughed awkwardly and stopped bothering Feng Qingyang.
毕竟--
After all—
A lot of the time, research only needed a single idea.
A lot of the time, all research needed was an idea.
Now that he had an idea and materials he could experiment on,
Now that he had an idea and materials to experiment with,
he didn't believe he couldn't create a sword art that suited him!
he refused to believe he couldn't create a sword art to his liking!
As for whether this was a little unfair to Feng Qingyang...
As for whether this was a little unfair to Feng Qingyang...
Ahem... He could make it up to Feng Qingyang properly next time he got the chance, couldn't he?
Ahem... he could make it up to Feng Qingyang properly when he got the chance.
Feng Qingyang probably wouldn't hold it against him.
Feng Qingyang probably wouldn't hold it against him.
With that thought, Xue Mingqing tightened his grip on the Snow Sword and once again practiced the myriad variations of his sword moves in the small courtyard.
With that in mind, Xue Mingqing gripped the Snow Sword and once again practiced the myriad variations of his sword moves in the small courtyard.
Amid the snow swirling across the sky, he vowed to hone a perfect sword style that suited him.
Amid the swirling snow, he vowed to forge a perfect sword style that suited him to a T.
When people focused on working something out, time always seemed to pass especially quickly. For Xue Mingqing, it was no different.
Time always seemed to fly when someone was absorbed in something, and the same was true for Xue Mingqing.
By the time he came back to himself after spending his days practicing swordsmanship and his nights cultivating, three days had passed.
By the time he came out of his routine of practicing swordplay by day and cultivating by night, three days had passed.
It was also time for him to set out for Shrek.
It was also time for him to set out for Shrek Academy.
Early that morning.
Early that morning.
At the gates of Blizzard City.
At the gates of Blizzard City.
Xue Mingqing, dressed in a blue robe, stood alone before the gates of Blizzard City.
Dressed in a blue robe, Xue Mingqing stood alone before the gates of Blizzard City.
Xue Ningxian wasn't by his side. Instead, there were seven male mercenaries.
Xue Ningxian wasn't with him. Instead, seven male mercenaries stood at his side.
A small team consisting of one Soul Emperor and five Soul Kings stood quietly behind him, waiting for his orders.
The small team, made up of one Soul Emperor and five Soul Kings, stood quietly behind him, awaiting his orders.
Silently lifting his head, Xue Mingqing gazed deeply at the towering, magnificent walls of Blizzard City,
Silently lifting his head, Xue Mingqing took a long, lingering look at the towering walls of Blizzard City.
as if to carve them into his memory—or perhaps to glimpse someone's silhouette beyond them.
As if to etch them into his memory—or perhaps to see someone's silhouette through them.
A few breaths later.
A few breaths later,
Xue Mingqing closed his eyes and slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.
Xue Mingqing closed his eyes and let out a deep breath.
He turned around.
He turned around.
"Wang Chao, let's go."
"Wang Chao, let's go."
"All right, young master. Please get in."
"Of course, young master. Please get in."
Wang Chao, the guardian Xue Ningxian had assigned to him and the captain of this mercenary team, replied.
Wang Chao replied. He was Xue Ningxian's appointed protector and the leader of this mercenary team.
At the same time, he stepped forward and opened the carriage curtain for Xue Mingqing.
He also stepped forward to open the carriage curtain for Xue Mingqing.
Xue Mingqing merely nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the mercenaries led by Wang Chao.
Xue Mingqing merely nodded and glanced over the mercenary team led by Wang Chao.
His eyes lingered on Wang Chao for a moment.
His gaze lingered on Wang Chao for a moment.
Wang Chao had an Ice Wolf martial soul and was a level-66 assault-type Soul Emperor, a middle-aged man in his early thirties.
Wang Chao was a Soul Emperor at level 66, with an Ice Wolf Martial Soul and a Power Attack System build. He was a middle-aged man in his early thirties.
It was only today that Xue Mingqing learned he had a guardian by his side.
Only today had Xue Mingqing learned that he had a protector by his side.
As for the other mercenaries, they were ordinary men born and raised in Blizzard City.
The other mercenaries were ordinary men who had grown up in Blizzard City.
After skimming through what little information he had about them, Xue Mingqing smiled, nodded, and climbed into the carriage.
After briefly reviewing what he knew about them, Xue Mingqing nodded with a smile and got into the carriage.
"I'll be counting on you all for this trip."
"Sorry for the trouble, everyone."
Hearing this, Wang Chao nodded slightly with a genial smile, acknowledging Xue Mingqing.
Wang Chao gave Xue Mingqing a warm smile and a slight nod in reply.
Seeing this, Xue Mingqing said no more and sat cross-legged in the carriage, closing his eyes.
Seeing that, Xue Mingqing said no more. He sat cross-legged in the carriage and closed his eyes.
What about the other mercenaries?
As for the other mercenaries?
Seeing that neither their employer nor their leader spoke, they knew better than to say anything.
Seeing that neither their employer nor their leader had anything to say, they had the good sense to keep quiet.
Keeping quiet, they each went about their duties and carried out their mission of escorting Xue Mingqing.
They maintained their silence and each went about his duties, carrying out their mission to escort Xue Mingqing.
The group of seven set off in grand procession, in a quiet atmosphere,
The seven of them set off in an imposing procession, despite the quiet atmosphere.
following the snow-covered road toward Shrek Academy, located at the heart of the three kingdoms.
They followed the snow-covered road toward Shrek Academy, situated at the heart of the three kingdoms.
Only when the plain carriage had traveled far along the road and gradually disappeared into the distance
Only after the plain carriage had traveled farther and farther down the road, vanishing at last into the distance,
did Xue Ningxian emerge from behind the walls of Blizzard City.
did Xue Ningxian emerge from behind the wall where she had been standing.
She looked in the direction the carriage had gone and let out a soft breath—
She glanced in the direction the carriage had gone and breathed out softly—
suppressing the worry and slight reluctance in her eyes, she turned and went back into Blizzard City.
Suppressing the worry and faint reluctance in her eyes, she turned and returned to Blizzard City.
As for Xue Mingqing, sitting alone in the carriage, he wasn't idle either.
Meanwhile, Xue Mingqing wasn't idle as he sat alone in the carriage.
Unwilling to waste a single moment, he focused on growing stronger even as he traveled.
Unwilling to waste a single moment, he focused on strengthening himself even as he traveled.
Eyes closed and mind focused, he wasn't cultivating his soul power. Instead, he repeatedly worked through and recreated in his mind the Hurricane Sword Art Feng Qingyang had taught him.
Eyes closed and mind focused, he wasn't cultivating Soul Power. Instead, he repeatedly worked through the Hurricane Sword Art Feng Qingyang had taught him in his mind.
Yes, that was right—the Hurricane Sword Art.
That's right—the Hurricane Sword Art.
After three days of studying and practical experimentation, he'd discovered, to his embarrassment,
After three days of analysis and practice, he'd made an awkward discovery.
that with his current skill, he couldn't create a sword art of his own.
With his current level of skill, he simply couldn't develop a sword style of his own.
He would have liked to ask Feng Qingyang for help, but Feng Qingyang wouldn't even speak to him.
He'd wanted to ask Feng Qingyang for help, but Feng Qingyang wouldn't even answer him.
Faced with this situation, even with the outlandish ideas of a transmigrator, Xue Mingqing couldn't figure out a sword art from scratch with no experience to draw on.
Faced with this situation, even Xue Mingqing's transmigrator's knack for unusual ideas couldn't help him come up with a sword style when he had no experience at all.
Even the cleverest housewife couldn't cook without rice, could she?
Even the cleverest housewife couldn't cook without rice, after all.
With no other choice, he could only explore the mysteries of the Hurricane Sword Art himself.
With no other choice, he could only explore the mysteries of the Hurricane Sword Art on his own.
He would use it as a foundation, hoping to create an immensely powerful sword art of his own in the future!
He would use the Hurricane Sword Art as his foundation, then create an immensely powerful sword style of his own later!
But when Xue Mingqing actually began simulating the sword art in his mind, he realized
But when Xue Mingqing began to run through the sword style in his mind, he realized—
that he had only noticed the Hurricane Sword Art's sole flaw: it attacked without defending.
he'd only noticed the Hurricane Sword Art's one flaw: it focused on offense and had no defense.
Set that flaw aside, and everything else was a strength!
Setting that flaw aside, everything else about it was an advantage!
Fast attacks, high damage, invincible against opponents of the same level, and even able to fight those above its level!
It was fast, hit hard, unbeatable at the same level, and could even take on stronger opponents!
What else could it be but a divine skill?
What else could you call that but a divine technique?
Thinking about how he'd previously claimed so brazenly that the Hurricane Sword Art was useless because it only attacked and never defended, his face began to burn.
Thinking of how he'd brazenly dismissed the Hurricane Sword Art as useless because it lacked defense, Xue Mingqing felt his face grow hot.
His face felt as if it were on fire!
His cheeks felt as if they were burning!
At the same time, he understood why Feng Qingyang hadn't spoken to him for the past few days.
At the same time, he understood why Feng Qingyang had ignored him these past few days.
If he were Feng Qingyang, he'd be doing well not to beat himself up. Why would he talk to him?
If he were Feng Qingyang, he'd be lucky not to get beaten up. And he expected him to talk to him?
Dream on!
Dream on!
As if sensing Xue Mingqing's thoughts, Feng Qingyang's ever-enchanting voice rang out in the depths of his mind.
As if sensing Xue Mingqing's thoughts, Feng Qingyang's same old, devilishly charming voice rang out in his Spirit Sea.
"老师~~你的剑诀有问题~~只攻不防太吃亏了~~"
"Teacher~~ there's a problem with your sword art~~ it's too disadvantageous to focus on offense without defense~~"
"!!!"
"!!!"
Hearing Feng Qingyang's sarcastic voice in his mind, Xue Mingqing's cheeks grew even hotter. He hurriedly pleaded,
Hearing Feng Qingyang's sarcastic voice in his mind, Xue Mingqing's cheeks burned even hotter, and he hurried to beg for mercy.
"Teacher, I was wrong, I was wrong... I was blind to the mountain before me. I didn't know what I was talking about. Please forgive me..."
"Teacher, I was wrong... I failed to recognize your greatness. I didn't know what was good for me. Please let me off..."
Hearing this, Feng Qingyang, in the depths of Xue Mingqing's mind, seemed to have vented his anger. He gave a cold snort and went silent again.
At that, Feng Qingyang seemed to have gotten his revenge. He snorted and went quiet again in Xue Mingqing's Spirit Sea.
Clearly, he still had no intention of speaking to Xue Mingqing.
Clearly, he still had no intention of answering Xue Mingqing.
Seeing this, Xue Mingqing could only let out a long sigh.
Seeing that, Xue Mingqing could only sigh.
What could he do? He was the one in the wrong.
What could he do? He was the one in the wrong.
Composing himself and suppressing his embarrassment, Xue Mingqing was about to study the mysteries of the Hurricane Sword Art in detail.
Composing himself and pushing aside his embarrassment, Xue Mingqing was about to study the mysteries of the Hurricane Sword Art in detail.
But just as Xue Mingqing was about to focus on working through the sword art in his mind,
But just as Xue Mingqing was about to focus on working through the sword style in his mind,
suddenly, outside the carriage, the wheels and the mercenaries' footsteps crunching through the fine snow
the sounds outside the carriage—the wheels and the mercenaries' footsteps crunching over the fine snow—
all came to an inexplicable halt...
suddenly stopped for no apparent reason...
For a moment, the only sound in the whole world was the faint whisper of falling snow.
For a moment, the only sound in the whole world was the faint whisper of falling snowflakes.
Sensing this, Xue Mingqing froze and instinctively opened his eyes.
Noticing this, Xue Mingqing froze and instinctively opened his eyes.
But his nose twitched first.
But then his nose twitched.
He caught a scent drifting through the cold air...
His keen senses caught a scent drifting through the cold air...
It was somewhat familiar, but—
It smelled familiar, but—
for the moment, he couldn't quite remember what it was.
for the moment, he couldn't figure out what it was.
Frowning, he looked toward the carriage curtain.
Frowning, he looked toward the carriage curtain.
"Uncle Wang Chao, what's going on?"
"Uncle Wang Chao, what's going on?"
Outside, Wang Chao remained silent, as if he didn't know how to answer.
Outside, Wang Chao remained silent, as if unsure how to answer.
A moment later, Wang Chao's hoarse voice sounded.
A moment later, Wang Chao's hoarse voice rang out.
"Young master, have you eaten...?"
"Young master, have you eaten...?"
Raising an eyebrow, Xue Mingqing answered plainly.
Xue Mingqing raised an eyebrow and answered plainly.
"No. Why?"
"No. Why?"
"Then come out and take a look..."
"Come out and take a look. You'll see..."
Hearing this, Xue Mingqing's curiosity was immediately piqued.
That immediately piqued Xue Mingqing's curiosity.
He lifted the carriage curtain and stuck his head out to look!
He lifted the curtain and stuck his head out to look!
And then...
And then...
He understood why Wang Chao had asked if he'd eaten—and why the smell had seemed familiar.
He understood why Wang Chao had asked whether he'd eaten, and why the smell had seemed familiar.
It was the thick, overpowering stench of blood!
It was the stench of blood, thick enough to choke on!
It was exactly the same as the stench that had filled Fengxue Village a month ago!
It was no different from the smell that had hung over Wind Snow Village a month ago!
Even though he hadn't eaten anything, his stomach still churned uncontrollably...
Though he hadn't eaten a thing, his stomach still churned uncontrollably...
只见--
Before him—
Blood and gore littered the ground. At least a dozen corpses lay scattered about, their eyes open in death, their faces frozen in terror...
Blood and gore were strewn everywhere, along with at least a dozen corpses, their eyes staring wide open and terror etched across their faces...
Xue Mingqing's expression shifted. Even with two lifetimes of experience, this was the first time he'd seen anything so horrific...
Xue Mingqing's expression shifted. Even with two lifetimes behind him, he had never seen a scene so horrific...
It was even more horrific than the massacre at Fengxue Village!
It was even more gruesome than the massacre at Wind Snow Village!
Before you continue