By the time they arrived at the main hall of the Academy, a crowd of disciples from the Azure Life Palace was already gathered, watching from a distance.

Chu Xue hesitated for a moment, finally nudged forward by Zhao Yanran from behind. Gathering her courage, she walked toward the hall doors.

Then, the thousand-plus surrounding disciples erupted in an uproar.

“Who is she? The main hall is in session—how dare a mere sixth-rank enter?”

“She is quite pretty, with a touch more innocence than the sisters from the Seven Spirits Sect, even surpassing those of the Light Sound Gate. Truly a youthful face and a mature—ouch! Junior sister, why are you pinching me?”

“Speaking of which, I think I saw this girl in class once or twice. Her comprehension is terrible; she failed several surprise assessments by the elders. Just a clumsy girl—”

“Could this be the last of them, Xue Chu?”

As the murmurs reached her, Su Chu Xue’s cheeks flushed crimson. Suppressing the turmoil in her heart, she stepped inside the hall.

Inside, one person sat high upon the throne—Fang Wen, the current Palace Master of the Academy. Beside him sat several figures who appeared to be elders of the Azure Life Way. Their auras were contained and serene, making it impossible to gauge their true strength; they seemed significantly more formidable than Fang Wen himself. Among them was Han Fang, whose seat was immediately below Fang Wen’s.

Below the dais stood six individuals, all exhibiting respectful expressions. She was only familiar with Xie An and Xuan Ye among them. Seeing her enter, they offered friendly nods and smiles as acknowledgment.

The others, along with the elders, frowned deeply. A young man standing next to Xie An sharply reprimanded her.

“The main hall of the Academy is currently in session! Who permitted a sixth-rank like you to enter?”

Chu Xue’s breath hitched, then a surge of anger extinguished her prior apprehension entirely. Her Young Master often said her true nature was like that of a small cat—the Tiger Cat Clan was inherently fearless.

She shot the young man a fierce glare before bowing toward the front, “Disciple Xue Chu greets the esteemed Elders and the Palace Master!”

Excluding Fang Wen and Han Fang, the displeasure in the eyes of the other figures in the hall intensified. Did this female disciple lack all sense of propriety?

Seeing the situation, Fang Wen coughed lightly. “You are a third-generation inner disciple, no need to bow to me. You may sit to the side and listen. Yuan Fei, apologize! How dare you be so disrespectful to a Martial Ancestor Uncle?”

Chu Xue accepted the correction without hesitation, walking directly to sit not far from the elders. Then, she turned and pulled a face at the young disciple, whose complexion had turned slightly ashen, staring fixedly at him.

Yuan Fei, cornered, could only bow slightly. “This disciple was wrong. I ask Martial Ancestor Uncle for forgiveness.”

Xuan Ye and Xie An exchanged glances and sighed softly in unison. It was said that servants mirrored their masters; Zong Shouping habitually enjoyed suppressing others with seniority, and it seemed his little handmaiden had mastered this art as well. They also wondered privately why Xue Chu, who usually showed no exceptional qualities, had been chosen.

The other elders shared looks of confusion. They were first startled by Chu Xue’s seniority, then their hearts collectively sank.

“Palace Master, why choose this girl? No matter her seniority, she is only sixth-rank. While today’s conflict will not shatter the foundation of our Azure Life Way, it cannot be taken lightly. For a sixth-rank to contend against an eighth-rank—this is child’s play!”

Fang Wen’s expression was also grim. “This was a candidate recommended by an elder, which I, Fang Wen, had already agreed to beforehand. It cannot be changed!”

After speaking, he pointed toward the sky and uttered the word, ‘Sixteen.’ Immediately, the expressions of the elders in the hall became exceedingly strange.

“This is sheer nonsense! I admit her physical roots are passable, but her True Force and Spirit Arts are entirely average, nothing outstanding. What qualification does she have to participate in this fight?”

“Exactly! Won’t this make the various Sects and Schools of the Cloud Realm laugh at our Azure Life Way for having no one capable?”

“This is a chaotic decree—how could you agree to it?”

For a moment, the hall was filled with accusations against Fang Wen. Chu Xue’s cheeks puffed out like a small bun. She knew this would happen. She was also amazed—who exactly had recommended her? Thinking it over, only one possibility remained: the Young Master.

Next, she noticed Han Fang watching her with a strange look in his eyes. Chu Xue snorted and turned her head away; she didn't even want to look at the old man.

She desperately wished she could have a massive cultivation breakthrough right now, possessing the ability of her Young Master to fight Jue Yu, the so-called Sword Young Master, for three hundred rounds, making everyone’s jaws drop.

But reflecting on this, she sighed inwardly, knowing it was impossible. How could she possibly possess such skill? She truly couldn't fathom what her Young Master was thinking.

The elders seemed to realize that further reprimands were useless and dropped the matter. After a few brief exchanges, one of them changed the subject. “Before Jue Yu arrived at our Azure Life Firmament, he issued a challenge, explicitly demanding to fight ‘Tan Qiu.’ Is it truly appropriate for us not to let him fight?”

“It is unavoidable! The gap between sixth-rank and eighth-rank is simply too vast. Tan Qiu’s Nascent Soul cannot advance past the seventh rank due to circumstances, and another blow might be detrimental.”

“Indeed! If his resolve is compromised by this battle, it would be losing the greater good for the lesser.”

“This youth is the future pillar of our Sect. We cannot destroy him like this!”

From below the steps, a cold hum of dissatisfaction was heard.

“Someone who cannot break through the seventh-rank threshold in a year and a half—what kind of pillar of the Sect is he? If a swordsman is utterly ruined by a single defeat, what kind of extraordinary talent is that? After this battle, I, Yuan Fei, will absolutely test what abilities this Third-Generation Martial Ancestor Uncle of our Azure Life Way Main Hall possesses to warrant such high regard from the Sect! He only managed to defeat Ji Lingzi—”

Chu Xue’s eyes immediately blazed with fury, and she shot another harsh glare at Yuan Fei. She resolved to tell Ruo Shui and Sister Yanran afterward to make this fellow suffer a bit. Hating anyone who dared to speak of her Young Master that way.

“Insolent!”

Fang Wen frowned, intending to reprimand him sternly, but he was mindful of the man’s teacher standing nearby. Seeing that person’s calm, unconcerned expression, it was clear he was intentionally indulging him. He could only say, “Martial Brother Tan Qiu is your sect elder; how dare you discuss him? After this battle, you will first go to the Disciplinary Hall to receive your punishment.”

Then, shaking his head, he continued, “All discussions cease! The candidates are set. Yuan Fei, Han Jian, Xie An—though your combat strength isn't the strongest among your peers, you excel in explosive power during the initial clash. For this battle, you must commit your full strength and must not tarnish the prestige of the Azure Life Way! Xuan Ye, Zhu Ling—your stamina is prolonged. If that Jue Yu still refuses to leave, you two should exert yourselves to stall and probe, doing your utmost to discern the strengths and weaknesses of his swordsmanship. Xie An, among everyone, you are the most composed and perceptive. You may observe from the side. This final confrontation will be entrusted to you!”

The six men stiffened their expressions and solemnly acknowledged their orders.

Fang Wen’s gaze then swept over Chu Xue. His eyes flickered for a moment before he finally sighed slightly and deliberately ignored her.

Chu Xue clenched her small fists, feeling both unwilling and helpless. She really couldn't fathom what her Young Master was thinking.

※ ※ ※ ※

When Fang Wen led everyone out of the Azure Life Firmament and arrived within the vast spatial rift, the clamor of discussion immediately quieted.

Jue Yu also opened his eyes and looked up. He then cupped his fists and bowed deeply.

“Jue Yu greets the Azure Life Palace Master! This time, I have come solely to hone my swordsmanship; I hold no intention of making an enemy of the Azure Life Way. I ask the Palace Master to forgive me!”

Fang Wen’s gaze was shadowed. He looked Jue Yu up and down, frowned slightly, and then offered a faint smile. “I, Fang Wen, am also a martial artist; I understand the difficulty of refining sword intent. How could I take offense?”

With a slight flick of his sleeve, Yuan Fei understood. He rose into the air and landed before Jue Yu.

Without bowing, he pointed his long spear directly at the challenger. “I am Yuan Fei, Fifth-Generation True Disciple of the Azure Life Way. Young Master Jue, please!”

Jue Yu, however, knitted his brows slightly and made no move to strike. Instead, his eyes held confusion as he looked at Fang Wen. “I recall issuing a challenge. My arrival at the Azure Life Firmament was for Tan Qiu alone! Does your Azure Life Way look down upon me, Jue Yu?”

Fang Wen paused. Judging by Jue Yu’s tone, he seemed genuinely dissatisfied. Had this fellow truly come only for Zong Shouping?

Before he could speak, Yuan Fei let out an impatient, cold laugh. “Although Tan Qiu is a Third Generation of our Sect, he is merely a junior. A mediocre disciple who cannot break through the seventh rank in a year and a half—what right does he have to represent the Azure Life Way? There are countless people in this Academy stronger than him!”

At these words, even the elders of the Azure Life Way couldn't help but frown deeply. Xuan Ye, Xie An, and the others showed clear anger in their eyes.

Fang Wen also felt a headache coming on, wondering what kind of oddity this fellow was. This time, they were truly making a spectacle of themselves. If he had known this earlier, no matter how short they were on people, he wouldn't have chosen this one to meet the challenge.

Scanning the surroundings, he saw that the onlookers indeed wore expressions tinged with mockery.

Chu Xue grew even angrier, wishing intensely that this fellow would suffer a devastating defeat later.

Yuan Fei remained oblivious and continued coldly, “In short, I, Yuan Fei, am here. If you wish to fight, then fight! If not, then leave!”

Jue Yu paused, then nodded slightly. “I understand! What you say is truly irritating! But it doesn't matter. Since your Azure Life Way refuses to let him come out, I, Jue Yu, will make you willingly allow him to fight me today! Watch out!”

A black longsword was suddenly unsheathed. It flew thirty feet into the air. Just as Yuan Fei’s eyes brightened, and the spear in his hand began to bloom with spear-shadows, the black sword light had already ascended. It was inconspicuous at first, but when it reached directly above Yuan Fei, it was as if the entire space was engulfed in darkness.

An endless aura of destruction rushed forth, causing terror and suffocation. In Yuan Fei’s vision, only a dark sword shadow remained, locking onto him from a distance. He felt as if this world was collapsing and perishing. The spear in his hand could barely thrust forward, unsure where to strike.

With a sudden, fierce roar, Yuan Fei finally struggled free from the impact of the sword intent. The spear in his hand then shot out countless shadows.

However, they disintegrated and vanished at an even faster rate—