Free Web NovelChapter 45: Chapter 45: Forbidden Sword Technique
Inside the dilapidated main hall of the Sword Institute.
Lin Haitao spoke in a low, serious voice. "You’ve killed students from Celestial City Academy. They’re used to acting arrogantly and tyrannically in the Martial Kingdom, and they will never take this defeat lying down. So, for the time being, you’d best not leave the mountain."
He had been dealing with Celestial City Academy his entire life and knew their character all too well.
"I understand."
Shen Daoxing nodded. "I have a favor to ask, Director. I’m not sure if you’ll agree."
Lin Haitao glanced at He Ku. "You want him to stay here, don’t you?"
Looking at the unconscious He Ku, Shen Daoxing sighed. "Yes. He was ostracized and suppressed by Celestial City Academy because of me..."
"See to it yourself."
Lin Haitao knew Shen Daoxing had left the mountain for He Ku’s sake, and he couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.
’This kid is truly loyal.’
Shen Daoxing then found a reasonably clean room for He Ku, fed him a Healing Pill, and left.
At that moment, Lin Haitao was chatting with Ling Shuanghua. She glanced at Shen Daoxing and said, "I heard you went down the mountain and killed a few students from Celestial City Academy?"
’To dare kill students from Celestial City Academy right after joining the Sword Institute... he’s unbelievably audacious.’
’After all, Celestial City Academy is so powerful in the Martial Kingdom that not even the Royal Family dares to provoke them.’
’She had also heard of Zhang Chaoyang. While he couldn’t compare to the Four Heroes, he was still considered a top-tier genius at Celestial City Academy.’
’Being able to kill him was a clear testament to Shen Daoxing’s power.’
Shen Daoxing said casually, "They were just a bunch of nobodies."
Ling Shuanghua’s beautiful eyes narrowed to slits, and her voice seemed to be squeezed from between her teeth. "You did well to kill them!"
Her delicate fists were clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.
Just as Shen Daoxing was about to ask why, Lin Haitao looked outside. "We have guests!"
"Ouyang Rong from the Royal Academy, here with the Ninth Princess, Gu Yawei, to pay a formal visit!"
A moment later, a voice called out from the door.
Lin Haitao went out to welcome the pair.
Inside the room, Shen Daoxing remarked with a puzzled expression, "That name, Ouyang Rong... it sounds very familiar."
He was sure he’d heard the name before, but he couldn’t quite place it.
"He’s the Director of the Royal Academy. His other title is National Preceptor of the Martial Kingdom!"
Ling Shuanghua said stonily, "And if I had to guess, they’re here for you."
"The National Preceptor?! Here for me?!"
Shen Daoxing was taken aback, his eyes widening in surprise.
Soon, Lin Haitao walked back in and said bluntly, "A great opportunity has arrived for you. His Majesty intends to bestow upon you a Purple Gold Pearl!"
’A Purple Gold Pearl!?’
Shen Daoxing’s pupils contracted.
Ling Shuanghua sneered. "So it’s the same old trick again."
After a moment’s thought, Shen Daoxing asked, "Why would His Majesty bestow a Purple Gold Pearl upon me? Logically speaking..."
’I just killed students from Celestial City Academy, making a mortal enemy of the most powerful academy in the Martial Kingdom. And now, the Emperor isn’t punishing me, but rewarding me with a Purple Gold Pearl instead.’
"The Martial Kingdom does its utmost to recruit geniuses and prodigies. You killed Zhang Chaoyang with a single sword strike, and your name is already known throughout the Imperial City. It’s perfectly normal for His Majesty to grant you a Purple Gold Pearl."
Lin Haitao mused, "As the number one academy in the Martial Kingdom, Celestial City Academy is overflowing with masters and powerful experts. This has fueled their arrogance. For their own gain, the Noble Families in the Imperial City are all scrambling to curry favor with them. Within the Martial Kingdom, only the Sword Institute is at odds with Celestial City Academy."
Hearing this, Shen Daoxing instantly understood.
’The Emperor of the Martial Kingdom doesn’t want Celestial City Academy to become too powerful, so he wants to win over and nurture the Sword Institute.’
’Imperial power, since ancient times, has always been a game of checks, balances, and division.’
Lin Haitao continued, "Regardless of His Majesty’s motives, for you, right now, the pros of accepting this Purple Gold Pearl far outweigh the cons."
Shen Daoxing nodded slightly. "Thank you for the reminder, Director. I understand."
With that, he slowly walked out of the room.
Ouyang Rong and Gu Yawei were standing a short distance away, waiting quietly.
Seeing Shen Daoxing, Gu Yawei’s expression softened. "Shen!"
She looked as if she wanted to say more, but with Ouyang Rong beside her, she held her tongue.
Shen Daoxing also cupped his fist in salute. "National Preceptor Ouyang. Ninth Princess."
Ouyang Rong produced an exquisite box. "This is the Purple Gold Pearl His Majesty has bestowed upon you."
"My thanks to His Majesty."
Shen Daoxing accepted the box, his expression perfectly calm.
Ouyang Rong said coolly, "In all of the Martial Kingdom, fewer than five people have ever received a Purple Gold Pearl from His Majesty. I hope you won’t let him down."
Shen Daoxing glanced at the box in his hand. "My thanks to His Majesty for his generous favor. Let’s hope I don’t disappoint him."
Ouyang Rong’s brow twitched, a flicker of displeasure in his heart. But then he thought, ’Shen Daoxing is just an insignificant pawn. Even his death would have little effect on the grand scheme of things.’ With that, he said no more.
"Let’s go."
With that, Ouyang Rong swept away.
"Shen, until we meet again."
Gu Yawei cupped her fist, then hurried after Ouyang Rong.
Shen Daoxing turned and went back into the room. Ling Shuanghua was gone, leaving only Lin Haitao.
Seeing this, Shen Daoxing asked in a low voice, "Director, about Elder Ling... she seemed..."
Lin Haitao said grimly, "My junior martial sister’s father, her younger brother, and every student she ever taught... they all died on Celestial City Mountain."
!?"
Shen Daoxing was stunned.
’I never would have thought that the cold and aloof Ling Shuanghua harbored such a deep-seated hatred for Celestial City Academy.’
’No wonder she lost her composure earlier.’
Lin Haitao continued, "Her brother was a genius on the verge of making it onto the Martial Arts Ranking, but nine years ago, he was beaten to death by people from Celestial City Academy."
"The same happened to the students she mentored. They were ambushed and brutally murdered by students from Celestial City Academy when they left the mountain."
"Ever since then, she has refused to teach any more students. Instead, she has devoted herself to cultivating the Forbidden Sword Technique, intending to storm Celestial City Academy and take her revenge by her own strength."
Shen Daoxing asked, puzzled, "The Forbidden Sword Technique?"
Lin Haitao explained, "The Sword Institute has a particular Sword Technique that is so immensely powerful and destructive that it became known as the Forbidden Sword Technique. Years ago, one of our predecessors used it to dominate the entire East Continent. However, it is exceptionally difficult to master. Successful cultivators are few and far between. Even when the Sword Institute selected numerous Sword Dao geniuses to learn it, very few succeeded. Instead, they wasted their time and energy, turning from geniuses into mediocre cultivators. Because of that, fewer and fewer people have tried to learn it over the years."
A thought struck Shen Daoxing. ’Could it be a Celestial Tier Sword Technique!?’
’Legend says that any Celestial Tier Martial Technique contains a sliver of heavenly might. Once unleashed, it leaves nothing but scorched earth and utter devastation in its wake.’
Lin Haitao glanced at Shen Daoxing. "Don’t tell me you’re interested in this Sword Technique?"
Shen Daoxing blinked. "Can I learn it?"
’A Celestial Tier Sword Technique... how could he not be tempted?’
Lin Haitao shook his head. "You cannot."
Shen Daoxing was speechless. "..."
’So all that talk was for nothing.’
Lin Haitao’s expression turned grave as he advised, "Focus on your cultivation. And do not leave the mountain for a while."
With that said, Lin Haitao slowly walked out of the main hall.
