At the highest level of the Emperor Tower, one can rent holy artifacts, but due to the high requirements and costs, few at Beiji Academy have the qualifications to rent them, and naturally, few know how many holy artifacts are hidden within the Emperor Tower.

"You..."

"Step back, let's pretend this never happened. You all fighting wastes your lifespan, and I waste mine. We just want to live a few more years, don't you agree?"

Several people from Cang Mountain showed reluctance on their faces, but seeing the holy artifacts floating above the peak, they had to suppress their greed.

With so many holy artifacts, not to mention Illusion Nether Saint, an ancient saint from six thousand years ago with unknown strength, they had no confidence in seizing the Great Pill from Lingchuan's hands.

Once failed, years of effort would be spent in vain.

"It was presumptuous of us."

After speaking, Cang Mountain turned and left without saying another word.

The other few saints did the same.

The Lingchuan Saint frowned at the departing backs of those individuals, cold light flickering in his eyes. When had Beiji Academy ever been threatened?

If the Beiji Academy were not weak internally now, none of these individuals would have left.

He looked towards the distant Illusion Nether Saint's phantom and cupped his hands, "Thank you, Illusion Nether Senior, for your assistance."

"No need."

The Illusion Nether old man finished speaking, and the mountain peak phenomena and the ten-thousand-high phantom all disappeared.

The world seemed to return to silence in an instant.

It seemed everything had finally ended.

...

Inside Beiji Academy.

Emperor Tower.

Xu Guang stood at the highest level, opposite Illusion Nether, who seemed almost identical to the last time he was seen — an old man nearing the end, appearing rather mischievous.

But who could imagine, this little old man in front of them is a saint achieved over six thousand years ago.

"What brings you here?"

Looking at the Illusion Nether Saint, who appeared serious as if he didn't recognize Xu Guang, Xu Guang's eye twitched.

On the way, Xu Guang discovered the two holy artifacts on his body had disappeared.

Although he didn't travel back with Lingchuan Saint, he returned with Yuan Shuang and others, and to quietly take away things under the Second Evaporation's watch, such means could only be possessed by a saint.

Especially Illusion Nether, the saint managing Beiji Academy's holy artifacts.

"I borrowed two holy artifacts, just wanted to ask the saint whether they have returned?"

The little old man opened his eyelids, revealing a sliver, "Oh, it's you, kid. Holy artifacts have spirits, whether they returned or not, I'll check in a bit. Just remember to pay your debts on time."

After a moment of silence, Xu Guang asked, "Could senior check now?"

"Are you ordering me?"

Xu Guang: ...

"The Tian Luo Cloud Smoke lent to me by senior contains a holy artifact I obtained with great effort. I haven't had the chance to retrieve it yet, it might have been taken back with the Tian Luo Cloud Smoke, I wish..."

"Did such a thing happen?!"

The little old man became energized immediately, "I'll help you check."

After speaking, he closed his eyes.

Xu Guang: ...

A bad premonition rose in his heart.

This old man... Won't he just pocket it?

Sure enough, after closing his eyes, the old man fell asleep.

Listening to the snores coming from his side.

Xu Guang's face remained expressionless.

Goodness, can someone have such lack of integrity?

No wonder the teacher, True King Tianwu, once said never to engage with this old man, probably having been tricked by him before.

Although somewhat unable to offend the old man in front, that was a holy artifact, not just any random thing, not every saint has a holy artifact.

He took out his identity badge and sent a message to Bai Xiaozhu.

"Xiaozhu, someone took my stuff, I can't beat them, what should I do?"

It seems Bai Xiaozhu had encountered such a situation before, asking her for advice might yield a good solution.

"What? Boss, someone dares to take your stuff? Call General Wei, I'll call Cai, let's go find them together!"

"It's... a saint."

No response for a long time.

Xu Guang: ...

To deal with such an old rogue, one must use even roguish methods.

He thought for a moment, then turned around and left directly.

A moment later, he returned holding a large pile of items for setting up a spirit hall.

'Old thing, you like to sleep, huh? Let me give you enough sleep!'

Xu Guang directly surrounded the old man with everything, covered with white cloth, lit white candles, and a fire pot rose in front.

But the old man remained indifferent.

He was truly helpless.

This man...

How did he become a Saint, how was he not beaten to death back then!

...

In the North Emperor Tower.

Yuan Shuang looked around at Xu Guang's residence, "This place is quite similar to how it was before."

Coincidentally, in the past, when she was at the North Emperor Academy, she lived in the same house that Xu Guang is currently residing in, but after multiple owners, the interior layout was very different, and it no longer felt familiar.

Jiang Zi Yun accompanied her, behaving fairly appropriately, even though she didn't know the other's identity, their ethereal aura and presence made her aware that this was someone not to be offended.

"I didn't expect Xu Guang to get married so early."

Yuan Shuang spoke again.

Jiang Zi Yun smiled awkwardly, "There were some experiences when he was in Li Taizhou."

Yuan Shuang spoke no more, just found a place and sat down casually as if she were at home.

A while later, Xu Guang entered from outside with a gloomy face, and General Wei was also somewhat angry.

That old man was really shameless, clearly intending to keep the Holy Artifact, with his master absent, Xu Guang truly couldn't deal with that shameless old man.

Seeing Yuan Shuang, Xu Guang collected his emotions and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Sister."

Yuan Shuang nodded, "Master asked me to inquire about some matters."

Xu Guang knew well that it was likely about the Qin Cultivator.

After the Celestial Cyan Mine incident, everyone realized that the Qin Cultivator was after Xu Guang, and his ultimate plan didn't succeed, which must be related to Xu Guang.

Yuan Shuang asked Huan Songzi and others, they only saw the Qin Cultivator once, after providing the Ancient God's anchor point, the Qin Cultivator disappeared.

"Where did the Qin Cultivator go?"

Xu Guang thought for a moment and decided to honestly disclose.

"His life and death are unknown."

Then Xu Guang recounted the incident on Da Xue Mountain where he battled the Qin Cultivator, of course, he concealed matters concerning the Extreme Soul Power.

As Yuan Shuang listened, her gaze towards Xu Guang subtly changed.

"Are you saying you already considered that the Qin Cultivator wouldn't let you go? Would definitely come back for you?"

Xu Guang nodded, "This person has meticulous thoughts and will stop at nothing to achieve his goal. The things in the Bronze Blood Gate were schemed by the Qin Cultivator for nearly a century, perhaps he had already planned for being discovered by the North Emperor Academy, the shadow of the Ancient God was just one part."

Yuan Shuang agreed, "Indeed, if you hadn't led him into the Bronze Blood Gate, I reckon he would have had other tricks, but you're not simple either. The Qin Cultivator is insidious and ruthless, yet you are quite formidable as well, being able to come up with so many responses in such a short time and executing them perfectly. No wonder the True Martial King wouldn't accept any disciples for years but directly included you in the gate."

"Thanks to Master's favor, otherwise my qualifications to borrow a Holy Artifact would be far from adequate."

"That's all for the questions. You've likely gained a lot from your recent battles. I'll give you two years of closed-door cultivation. Next year, there's a mission located at the northern shore of Jizhou; you can go there with Zhuge Wuliang. Alright, I'll return to report to Master. Hopefully, by our next meeting, you'll surprise me greatly."

Xu Guang saluted to see her off.

Only then did Jiang Zi Yun step forward to inquire about Yuan Shuang's origin. Upon learning that the other was actually the Great Senior Sister of the Xuanzhen Academy, Jiang Zi Yun was somewhat shocked.

"Oh, by the way, a few days ago, Gongsun Bai came to find you. It seems she has found a path in her cultivation."

Xu Guang was slightly surprised.

"Next time she comes, be sure to tell me."

...

Life then began to calm down.

The Lingchuan Saint sent messages overseas, and three Saints returned together to guard the North Emperor Academy and the Bronze Blood Gate. No one was allowed to enter or exit freely, causing discontent in Beiji City, but with the three Saints present, no one dared to object too much.

Several times, Xu Guang went to the Emperor Tower to request the Holy Artifact, but he didn't even see the old man's face, not to mention that the guardian of the Emperor Tower had changed to another Saint, making Xu Guang grind his teeth in anger.

As Yuan Shuang said, he had a lot of protection this time.

Since General Teng swallowed the Ancient God's finger, it hadn't shown much change, only adding a bit of majestic aura, but there wasn't much enhancement in strength.

From what he previously comprehended on the Bronze Long Sword, as his mind calmed down, combined with the Silence Divine Power, he vaguely touched upon another true meaning of the Martial Dao.

Aside from these, what Xu Guang considered the most important gain was learning the origin of the Bronze Fragment he obtained in Li Taizhou.

Combined with the memories obtained by the Narrator previously, he came to understand that Immortal Venerable Han Cuo should be an extremely rare Refining Pattern Master, perhaps the origin of such masters!

Despite not obtaining the inheritance, Xu Guang felt that given enough time and clues, he might find a path to transition to a Refining Pattern Master.

Thinking of the information obtained from Mr. Thirteen in East Cliff City.

Once he understood the true meaning of the Martial Dao on the Bronze Long Sword and fully refined it, he should be able to attempt breaking through the First Grade realm.

When the time comes, he'll go to buy this piece of information...