The threat contained in Emperor Shitian's gaze was quickly cast aside.

Looking at the panel, which had already accumulated quite a lot of experience points, he fell into contemplation.

Eventually, he set his sights on the Silence Divine Power and the Residual Rain Divine Power.

Among these divine powers, Silence Divine Power is the one he has mastered for the longest time and practiced the most proficiently, and it is the most compatible with his original cultivation technique.

Residual Rain, on the other hand, is now the reliance of the true meaning of Martial Dao, and also has great necessity for improvement.

But after deliberation, Xu Guang chose Silence Divine Power.

Having just leveraged the Residual Rain Divine Power to comprehend the true meaning of Martial Dao, too hasty an improvement might cause an instability in the true meaning of Martial Dao.

Thus, with a shift of his thoughts.

The remaining half of the proficiency level of Silence Divine Power instantly rose to full value, upgrading from Level 8 to Level 9.

In an instant, a large amount of insights gained from the enhancement of divine power erupted in Xu Guang's mind.

Xu Guang's expression remained calm, being long accustomed to such a process.

Amidst the continuous understanding of the changes in divine power, he suddenly thought of the power of retrospect triggered by the narrator profession.

When Silence Divine Power has been enhanced to a certain degree, can it also touch that obscure river of time?

He was uncertain.

But just at that moment, the Bronze Blood Sword, which had been silent, suddenly underwent a change.

Xu Guang's divine thought was instantly drawn into a mysterious space where there was no air, only tranquility, somewhat akin to the space of cultivation technique deductions.

This sword contains the power of ages.

The Silence Divine Power matched too well with the power of ages in the sword's hilt, triggering changes in the Bronze Blood Sword.

Unfortunately, Xu Guang did not have enough time to comprehend this divine power, which would be extremely beneficial for Silence Divine Power.

He exited that mysterious white space, feeling a sense of loss.

He raised his hand, looking at the long sword in his palm, a sword suspected to be the Immortal Venerable's, having weathered hardships, Immortal Venerable Han Cuo used it to perform the Dao, eventually the sword body was destroyed, later falling into the hands of an innate mountain spirit for re-refinement, the latter refining the final trace of immortal spiritual charm left by the Immortal Venerable on the sword, this sword eventually became the Saint's sword.

Later it met with unknown misfortune, and the spirituality was lost.

But its origins, after all, trace to the Immortal Venerable, even after millennia, it still possesses extraordinary power.

...

A day later, Xu Guang, accompanied by Bai Xiaozhu, was walking around the Celestial Cyan Mine.

"Boss, are you setting up a Feng Shui array?"

Bai Xiaozhu asked curiously.

Xu Guang nodded, occasionally lifting his gaze to the sky, stars above, their glow sparkling.

Qin Cultivator wouldn't give up here; he would surely think of every possible method to infiltrate the Bronze Blood Gate.

This means, no matter what, he would drag Xu Guang, who had entered before, back into the Bronze Blood Gate.

Should he appear, the first target would be himself.

This was Xu Guang's speculation.

Therefore, he abandoned the idea of comprehending the Bronze Blood Sword and began to set up a Feng Shui array. Although the Northern Emperor Academy already had one, he felt he needed to make preparations himself.

"Yes, let Cai help me find some hidden places."

Bai Xiaozhu did not ask further, directly pulling Xu Guang to start walking around the Celestial Cyan Mine.

...

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Jin Buhuan brought some unsettling news.

Cao Ku's father, Cao Xiong, requested to come to Celestial Cyan Mine, but was blocked by two Inspection Envoys from Northern Emperor Academy.

However, the other side seemed determined that Cao Ku had died here, bringing many people and persistently tangling with Northern Emperor Academy. The individuals involved had significant status and various affiliations in the background, making Northern Emperor Academy's stance not too aggressive.

"I estimate the Saint will soon step in to appease Cao Xiong."

Jin Buhuan's expression turned a bit unsightly, "Cao Ku died because of his own greed..."

Xu Guang nodded in silence.

He knew that behind this, Qin Cultivator's influence was likely present. Qin Cultivator indeed made a move.

But surely, this was just the first step.

How would Qin Cultivator proceed next?

Xu Guang looked at Jin Buhuan and spoke softly, "Brother Jin, I need your help with certain things."

Jin Buhuan had never seen Xu Guang's expression so solemn; upon hearing, he promptly nodded, "Just say."

"..."

After Jin Buhuan left, Xu Guang took out a letter and began to write.

Though he had initially entered Jizhou, he was not entirely without foundation there.

"Qin Cultivator, let's see how daring you truly are."

...

"The investigation is almost complete. Those investigating Helian siblings have Guang'an Temple's influence. Can you handle it?"

The mysterious warrior came to Zhuge Wuliang again, providing a piece of information.

Zhuge Wuliang was surprised upon hearing it.

Guang'an Temple?

"Are you sure? I know some people from Guang'an Temple came to Jizhou for other reasons. Are they related to Qin Cultivator?"

"Who is Qin Cultivator?"

"Wait a minute, this name sounds familiar..."

Zhuge Wuliang said softly, "The shameful Saint Heir of Lifeless Sect from two thousand years ago."

The warrior immediately shook his head, "From over two thousand years ago, we cannot possibly be related to him."

Zhuge Wuliang felt the situation was becoming more complex.

Previous speculations about the sudden targeting of the Purple Dipper Inheritor might really be related to Celestial Cyan Mine.

Guang'an Temple, why are they targeting Helian siblings?

This matter requires Xu Guang to return. It seems there is some information disparity between him and his junior, and in the Northern Emperor Academy's Library Pavilion, he discovered some things he needed to discuss with Xu Guang.

...

From Celestial Cyan Mine to Beiji City, there are three paths, two of which are official roads, and one is a small path villagers use for long walks.

One official road leads to the mine, bustling with traffic, while the other official road sees few pedestrians, built specifically for the affluent and noble.

That's how the world is; privilege is loved by everyone. Different strengths and statuses require things to reflect such disparities.

On one of the official roads, at the end, stands a figure.

His eyes filled with intense hatred, from the favored prodigy entering Northern Emperor Academy through the grand selection, to being scorned as a despicable person, Hong Xu took less than two years.

All of this was caused by Xu Guang.

Due to losing his status as a disciple of Northern Emperor Academy, his standing in the clan had already become precarious.

He hates, he must seek revenge.

His life ruined, his path bleak, Xu Guang must pay the price.

...

Outside the Celestial Cyan Mine.

Xu Guang leapt over, General Wei was quite excited.

Because he was carrying General Wei, and with Zhuge Wuliang's hurried tone in the letter, he chose the less-traveled noble path.

After walking several dozen miles, Xu Guang vaguely saw a figure standing at the end of the official road.

The autumn wind swirled, Xu Guang narrowed his eyes.

The visitor was hostile.

He hadn't expected his meeting with Hong Xu to take such a form; he had thought that after Hong Xu left Northern Emperor Academy, he wouldn't have a chance to avenge Bai Xiaozhu.

General Wei halted, Xu Guang stood on General Wei's back and said softly, "Didn't expect you to be the first to seek death."

"Ho ho~~" Hong Xu's gaze swept over Xu Guang and his mount, General Wei, his low chuckle mixed with breaths, "Xu Guang, you are still so arrogant, do you think you can survive today?"

"I don't know if I'll survive, but you probably won't see the sun set."

Hong Xu snickered, breathing heavily, emotions becoming agitated.

"The world speaks of you Xu Guang as having unparalleled combat prowess, with the stature of a Saint, able to kill second-grade with third-grade, and second-grade with first-grade. Can you kill first-grade now?"

Hong Xu's tone carried both probing and curiosity.

Xu Guang did not speak, but simply looked behind Hong Xu.

Hong Xu was still third-grade; he didn't think Hong Xu would dare to face him alone. From Hong Xu's tone, it wasn't hard to tell his helper was first-grade.

Sure enough, from behind Hong Xu, three figures appeared, their faces adorned with... pig bone masks.

Lifeless Sect, Pig-faced Group.

The pig is greedy. Under Qin Cultivator's introduction, the Pig-faced Group swiftly took Hong Xu's task.

Of course, they didn't think there would be any difficulty in killing a second-grade.

Although this second-grade was somewhat different, a peerless genius from Northern Emperor Academy this year, the Saint's disciple.

But doesn't that make them more excited?

Killing someone like that, bringing back Xu Guang's head, they could not only earn Hong Xu's money but also receive rewards from the sect.

This is a win-win.