144

After Xu Yan achieved Grandmaster level in the Innate Realm, he emerged from his room to find Leng Qiu practicing swordsmanship. After observing for a while, he spoke up, "Your sword technique is too scattered, and not fierce enough. There should be no hesitation in your heart. When you strike, strike decisively. Don't think about the next move before the current one is executed."

Having stayed here for a few days and saved himself a lot of spiritual crystals, Xu Yan decided to give Leng Qiu some guidance.

Leng Qiu immediately became spirited; this was a true master of the sword.

"How should I practice correctly then?" asked Leng Qiu.

Xu Yan reached out and picked up a tree branch, saying, "I won't teach you everything. Swordsmanship is profound, and you may not comprehend it all at once. Seek advice from Brother Xie when you meet him in the future."

"Today, I'll teach you swordsmanship, the sword technique of your Sword Ancestor Cliff, the modified Wanhe Sword Technique."

After saying this, Xu Yan waved the branch, sword energy emanating from it. As he demonstrated, he explained the Wanhe Sword Technique to Leng Qiu.

Leng Qiu watched solemnly, afraid of missing any detail.

After Xu Yan finished demonstrating, he tossed the branch aside and said, "How much you remember and learn depends on yourself."

Then he turned and walked away.

"Where can I find you when Brother Xie arrives?" Leng Qiu hurriedly asked.

"The Ninth Floor Archive Pavilion of the Seven Star Academy," Xu Yan replied.

In the Archive Pavilion, countless volumes of books were stored. Xu Yan intended to browse through them, broaden his knowledge, for a true martial artist wasn't just a brute.

Xu Yan always remembered his master's teachings.

Not long after he left, Xie Lingfeng and Hu Shan arrived.

"Leng Qiu junior brother, where is Brother Xu?" Xie Lingfeng asked eagerly.

"Brother Xie, you've finally come. He went to the Ninth Floor Archive Pavilion of the Seven Star Academy," Leng Qiu replied, still contemplating the sword technique Xu Yan had taught him.

"Junior brother, did you really let him know that no matter what happens in the Inner Domain, he can mention your name?" Leng Qiu asked with curiosity written all over his face.

Xie Lingfeng's mouth twitched, coughed dryly, and said, "You don't need to ask about my affairs with Xu."

"Let's go, to the Ninth Floor Archive Pavilion!" Xie Lingfeng and Hu Shan hurried away.

At the Seven Star Academy, in the ninth level of the Archive Pavilion, Xu Yan finished perusing the remaining volumes and moved on to the eighth level to continue his reading.

The more he read, the more he marveled. "No wonder Master said not to be arrogant. There's so much to see in the Inner Domain. There are countless martial arts, various secret techniques.

"Swordsmanship, spear techniques, knife skills, and more, too numerous to count. There are biographies, cultivation experiences, methods to deal with formidable opponents, everything you could ask for.

"Although these martial arts and secret techniques may seem weak, they can provide insights and inspirations.

"Extract the essence and integrate it into oneself, assimilating myriad techniques into one."

After perusing the martial arts archives of the Seven Star Academy, Xu Yan felt his knowledge had expanded, making it easier for him to understand the martial arts his master had imparted.

A figure entered the Seven Star Academy, holding a folding fan, chatting casually with an instructor.

"I didn't expect Senior Brother Yin Hong to break through to Grandmaster level before me," the instructor sighed.

"Thanks to the help of a benefactor, it's just a stroke of luck. I've only recently broken through," Yin Hong humbly replied.

The Seven Star Academy remained as it was, with many geniuses from all over the Inner Domain coming here to study, hoping to be taught martial arts by renowned masters.

Back then, Yin Hong was also a student of the Seven Star Academy. After reaching the First Realm, he left the academy, ventured into the Inner Domain, broke through to Grandmaster level, but failed to reach Great Grandmaster.

Stuck at the half-step Grandmaster level, he resided on Canglan Island, becoming a formidable figure in the Kingdom of Dayue.

After seeking refuge with a powerful figure, his last attempt ended in failure.

However, since it was Xie Lingfeng from Sword Ancestor Cliff who intervened, the benefactor did not blame him. Instead, he was rewarded with a sixth-grade spirit medicine.

After years of accumulation, he finally broke through to the Grandmaster level.

His visit to the Seven Star Academy was to help his benefactor find exceptionally talented students and recruit them.

It was also to maintain the relationship between Sword Ancestor Cliff and the Seven Star Academy.

"I just arrived in Seven Star City and heard that Xie Lingfeng from Sword Ancestor Cliff has broken through the Nine Floors Combat Arena. Is the Seven Star Academy going to be overshadowed by Sword Ancestor Cliff like this?" Yin Hong said with a hint of resentment.

Being defeated by Xu Yan and fleeing in embarrassment left him feeling aggrieved.

If not for his fear of Sword Ancestor Cliff, he would have sought revenge immediately after breaking through to Grandmaster level.

However, Xie Lingfeng was not just a prodigy of Sword Ancestor Cliff; he was also the only son of the contemporary Sword Master, Xie Tianheng, a top-five Grandmaster in the Inner Domain.

"Xie Lingfeng is indeed extraordinary. In this generation of the Seven Star Academy, there is no one who can match him. What can we do?" the instructor shook his head and sighed.

"Does the headmaster not care about this?" Yin Hong asked in a deep voice.

"Why would the headmaster bother with the affairs of the younger generation? Besides, Head Supervisor Fu has already intervened, and the matter is settled. Geniuses have their own rules, and our Seven Star Academy has always valued geniuses rather than suppressing them," the instructor said, looking at Yin Hong strangely.

Why did Yin Hong seem to hold some grudge against Xie Lingfeng?

However, although Yin Hong was once a student of the Seven Star Academy, he had long been independent, and the academy naturally would not interfere in his affairs.

Seeing this, Yin Hong didn't say anything more. It was impossible to incite the Seven Star Academy against Xie Lingfeng. He still had some grievances in his heart, but he could only endure them.

After all, he couldn't afford to provoke Sword Ancestor Cliff.

"Where is Xie Lingfeng?" Yin Hong asked curiously.

"He's in the Archive Pavilion, been in there for two days already," the instructor replied with a smile.

"I've had a chance encounter with him before. It's been a while since we last met, and I'd like to see his brilliance," Yin Hong said with a smile.

He headed towards the Archive Pavilion.

On the other side, Du Yuying and Cui'er were also heading towards the Archive Pavilion.

"Young Master, when will Xu Yan come out?" Outside the Archive Pavilion, a group of Seven Star Academy students had gathered, all waiting for Xu Yan to come out. Xie Lingfeng and Hu Shan were among the crowd, also waiting for Xu Yan.

Since Xu Yan entered the Archive Pavilion, temporary restrictions had been placed to prevent these students from disturbing him. Even if they entered, they could only stay on the first floor.

Xie Lingfeng and Hu Shan were outsiders and hadn't participated in the combat arena, so naturally, they couldn't enter.

Moreover, even if they entered the Archive Pavilion, they wouldn't see Xu Yan, who was on the eighth or ninth floor.

"Hu Shan, look at these geniuses from the Seven Star Academy. They're all here for Xie Lingfeng. If I were to mention my name, what do you think would happen?" Xie Lingfeng said with tears in his eyes.

"Young Master, they have no right to look down on you. Although your strength may not match Xu Yan's, none of these people are your match," Hu Shan reassured him.

Xie Lingfeng nodded, finding sense in his words!

He also had his pride.

"Although I'm not as good as Brother Xu, in the entire Inner Domain, I am also among the younger generation, the number one in swordsmanship. There are few who can match my strength!"

With this thought, Xie Lingfeng straightened his back.

Suddenly, Xie Lingfeng saw a familiar figure, and his pupils slightly contracted.

"Why is she here?" Hu Shan followed his gaze curiously. It was a woman in plain clothes with a veil covering her face. Beside her stood an elderly woman, a Grandmaster!

"Young Master, do you know her?"

"The one from Peerless Pavilion!"

Xie Lingfeng said in a deep voice.

At this moment, the woman in plain clothes didn't seem to have any seductive intentions; she was just a pretty woman whose face couldn't be seen, that's all.

But Xie Lingfeng couldn't help but feel wary of her. Among his peers in the Inner Domain, this woman was one he feared the most!

Just then, a scream came, "Miss, miss, it's him, the scoundrel pretending to be Young Master Xie!"

Xie Lingfeng: !!!

Turning around, he saw the maidservant from the Du Mansion, glaring angrily, with another veiled woman beside her.

Du Yuying's gaze was icy as she stared at Xie Lingfeng fiercely. Was this scoundrel going to impersonate Young Master Xie again and tarnish his reputation?

"Sir, why are you pretending to be Young Master Xie?" Du Yuying walked over, her voice cold.

Beside her, an elderly woman followed, a Grandmaster in the Peak Realm.

Swish!

Everyone on the scene looked over, all shocked. This person was pretending to be Xie Lingfeng? How dare he?

The woman in plain clothes approached leisurely, curiosity in her eyes. This person had pretended to be Xie Lingfeng?

Xie Lingfeng's mouth twitched. Damn it, I'm the real Xie Lingfeng!

Hu Shan was sweating coldly, feeling immense pressure.

It felt like flames were brewing, about to erupt towards them.

"Young Master, should we retreat?" Hu Shan asked via voice transmission.

"If we retreat now, won't it seem like we're guilty? We must wait for Brother Xu to come out!" Xie Lingfeng gritted his teeth.

"Hey, I'm asking you a question. Why are you pretending to be Young Master Xie?" Cui'er stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at him.

"It's a misunderstanding…" Xie Lingfeng looked helpless.

"What misunderstanding? Aren't you called Xie Yan?" The woman in plain clothes looked over with probing eyes.

Xie Lingfeng suddenly felt immense pressure, with everyone glaring at him, seemingly ready to start shouting at any moment, maybe even drowning him in saliva.

Of course, if they could attack, they'd probably swarm him.

"Young Master, luckily the Seven Star Academy doesn't allow violence!" Hu Shan said with relief.

Just as Xie Lingfeng was feeling overwhelmed, a figure walked out of the Archive Pavilion.

"Oh, Brother Xie, you're here?" Xu Yan spotted Xie Lingfeng at a glance and walked over excitedly.

As for Du Yuying and the woman in plain clothes, he simply passed by them…

Xie Lingfeng suddenly felt relieved, grabbing Xu Yan's hands with excitement and tears in his eyes, "Brother Xu, you're finally out!"

If he doesn't come out soon, he won't be able to handle it anymore!

Everyone present was a bit bewildered. Xu Yan? Wasn't that Xie Lingfeng? Du Yuying and the woman in plain clothes also looked astonished.

"Xie, your reputation is really useful. Without your name, I wouldn't have been able to reach the ninth floor," Xu Yan said happily.

"As long as it's useful," Xie Lingfeng said with a relieved smile.

"Sir, aren't you..." Cui'er was already dumbfounded, shocked.

"Miss Du?" Xu Yan seemed to notice Du Yuying just now and greeted her, "Long time no see. Are you a student of the Seven Star Academy?"

"Yes," Du Yuying said with mixed emotions, softly saying, "Thank you, Sir, for your escort. May I ask how to address you?"

The situation was clear now. This person wasn't Xie Lingfeng of Sword Cliff.

"This...," Xu Yan scratched his head, unsure if he should say his name.

Everyone present was shocked. This genius, who had broken through the ninth level of the Combat Arena, wasn't Sword Cliff's Xie Lingfeng?

He had used Xie Lingfeng's name to enter the Archive Pavilion.

And the real Xie Lingfeng didn't seem to mind; he used his own name.

Xie Lingfeng was afraid that Xu Yan would continue to use his name. If he were to achieve more fame, he wouldn't be able to bear it, so he hastily said in a low voice, "Brother Xu, you're powerful. How could you travel in the Inner Domain without any reputation?

"Seize this opportunity to spread your fame. Like me, Xie Lingfeng, I have some reputation. Some call me 'Sword Hero Xie Lingfeng.' For this reputation, I've killed many evil martial artists."

When Xu Yan heard this, he thought it made sense. He had already reached the peak of the Innate Realm, and even Grandmasters couldn't do anything to him. He couldn't come to the Inner Domain and have no reputation, right?

"My master said I have the demeanor of a Sword God. I will become a Sword God!"

With this thought, Xu Yan's spirits rose, and he clasped his hands, saying, "I am the Sword God, Xu Yan!"

Xie Lingfeng: ...

Everyone else: ...

Consistently arrogant, isn't he? The Sword God?

What does Sword Cliff's current Sword Master think?

"So you're Master Xu," Du Yuying said softly, her gaze somewhat complicated.

The woman in plain clothes looked strange. This young man wasn't from Sword Cliff; where did he come from? So arrogant, he's already calling himself a Sword God!

The current Sword Master of Sword Cliff, Xie Tianheng, a Grandmaster, was hailed as the strongest swordsman in the Inner Domain. Even he didn't dare call himself a Sword God!

Just as everyone's emotions were inexplicably stirred, a sudden voice rang out.

"You have quite the nerve, daring to impersonate someone else's identity and sneak into the Archive Pavilion. Do you disrespect the Seven Star Academy?"

With this statement, everyone present was stunned.

Indeed, since he wasn't Xie Lingfeng, but had used Xie Lingfeng's name to enter the ninth level, wasn't this deceiving the Seven Star Academy?

Following the sound, Xu Yan raised his eyebrows and said, "So it's you, you half-baked guy. Huh, you've actually made a breakthrough? Quite impressive!"

Yin Hong exploded upon hearing this.

He had been holding in his anger because he feared Sword Cliff, but now he discovered that the other party wasn't Xie Lingfeng. Instead, he had used someone else's name to sneak into the Archive Pavilion. Shouldn't the strong of the Seven Star Academy come out to enforce the rules?

Yet, when he spoke, he was scorned.

Half-baked?

"Disrespecting a Grandmaster, are you seeking death?"

At this moment, Yin Hong's aura erupted like divine might, overwhelming.

"This is the Seven Star Academy!"

Suddenly, a voice sounded, and Yin Hong's aura was directly suppressed.

Yin Hong's heart skipped a beat, hastily restraining his aura and bowing, "Greetings, Grand Superintendent!"

Fu Yuntian looked at Xu Yan with mixed feelings. He had thought he had guessed it, that this was Sword Cliff's genius. But it turned out he was using someone else's name!

How dare he!

"Grand Superintendent, this person..." Yin Hong pointed at Xu Yan and said solemnly.

"You, you audacious fellow, daring to use someone else's identity to infiltrate the Archive Pavilion, are you looking for trouble with the Seven Star Academy?"

Xu Yan was furious.

What's with this guy? He dares to try to intimidate me?

He's getting too full of himself!

(End of this chapter)