Elder Grand!
The crowd's hearts shook as they recognized the identity behind that resonant voice.
Clang!
Li Feng Xing's wrist turned, and the dense sword rain that filled the sky suddenly dissipated.
His ethereal figure, still suspended in mid-air, abruptly paused, as if returning to its nest like a swallow.
This seamless display was truly remarkable.
Su Yi couldn't help but nod silently.
This person's proficiency in the way of the sword could barely be considered an entry-level, not much inferior to the wandering swordsman, a swordmaster from the Moon Wheel Sect.
Of course, if this sword were to strike, Li Feng Xing would undoubtedly meet his demise.
Not far away, on the mountain path, three figures approached.
At the forefront was a woman dressed in a deep purple cloud-patterned gown, with her long hair tied up.
Her figure was delicate, and her appearance seemed no more than eleven or twelve years old. However, her eyes carried a trace of the vicissitudes of time, permeating her unique temperament with an awe-inspiring aura.
Hmm?
When Su Yi saw this woman, his eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a rare hint of curiosity.
There was a sense of "rejuvenation" in her appearance, natural and unadorned, impossible to be a result of any cosmetic technique.
This was intriguing.
Either she was an old monster, or her bloodline possessed a unique talent!
Because even those cultivators of the elemental path who were known as immortals in the mortal realm could not grasp the secret of "rejuvenation."
Beside Ning Xi Hua, there was an old man with an aged appearance, his hands clasped at his sleeves, and a middle-aged man with a beard like a spear and a scar on his forehead.
"Uncle Su, the Palace Master has come with the Elder Grand, Second Elder, and Third Elder!"
Seizing this opportunity, Zheng Mu Yao quickly whispered. Fear and reverence filled her delicate little face.
Only then did Su Yi realize who the newcomers were.
Ning Xi Hua, the Palace Master of the Tianyuan Academy.
A martial arts master who could be called a legend!
She had a mysterious background and had presided over the Tianyuan Academy for the past twenty years, either in seclusion or traveling to remote and rarely visited places like a carefree cloud or a wild crane, rarely concerned with worldly affairs.
Even the affairs within the academy received little attention from her.
In fact, over the years, most of the disciples in the academy had never seen her dignified countenance, making her exceedingly mysterious.
But regardless of who it was, whenever the person mentioned the ruler of the Tianyuan Academy, they carried a deep reverence from the bottom of their hearts!
Yesterday, during the chat with Zhou Zhi Li, the latter mentioned that the current national teacher, Hong Can Shang, once said that among the top ten academies in the world, the Palace Master of the Tianyuan Academy, Ning Xi Hua, was the most mysterious. Her presence was like a demon, impossible to evaluate rashly.
Now, seeing that "rejuvenating" aura, it was indeed fitting to describe her as a "demonic" being.
The elderly man beside Ning Xi Hua was the Elder Grand, Shang Zhen, a Martial Ancestor at the fifth stage.
The middle-aged man with the beard like a spear and a scar on his forehead was the Second Elder, Han Zhong, a strong Martial Ancestor at the fourth stage.
Suddenly, the appearance of the Palace Master Ning Xi Hua and the two elders, who hadn't shown themselves for many years, caused a stir in the hearts of everyone present, their expressions becoming solemn.
"Greetings, Palace Master!"
Wang Jian Chong, Li Feng Xing, Xiang Ming, and the other disciples all paid their respects together.
The atmosphere in the venue became solemn.
Only Su Yi stood there, his demeanor relaxed, unmoving, and quite eye-catching.
Upon Ning Xi Hua's arrival, she went straight to Chu Kong Chao's body and examined it closely.
Seeing this, Wang Jian Chong hurriedly stepped forward to explain, "Palace Master, just now..."
"I already know," Ning Xi Hua replied without raising her head. Her voice was crisp and pleasant, like a heavenly melody, but it carried a daunting aura.
Wang Jian Chong was at a loss for words, his speech stuck in his throat.
After a moment, Ning Xi Hua withdrew her gaze and turned around, saying, "Second Elder, go and take care of Chu Kong Chao's body."
Han Zhong, the middle-aged man with a beard like a spear, nodded and lifted Chu Kong Chao's body, striding away.
Ning Xi Hua spoke again, "Elder Grand, take these disciples and leave."
"Yes," Shang Zhen, the elderly man with a dragon-like appearance, slightly cupped his hands and then swept his gaze towards Xiang Ming and the others. "Let's go."
He folded his hands behind his back and walked towards the distance.
Although Xiang Ming and the others were eager to stay and watch the excitement, they had to suppress their inner emotions and obediently follow behind the Elder Grand.
Zheng Mu Yao couldn't help but glance at Su Yi, who nodded to indicate that she should leave.
But when she saw Wen Ling Zhao also turning to leave, Su Yi frowned and said, "Wait until we settle our matters before you go. It's not too late."
These words instantly suppressed the solemn atmosphere, shocking everyone present, their expressions varied.
No one had expected that even in the presence of the Palace Master, Ning Xi Hua, Su Yi would still be so bold, seemingly unaware that he was already in imminent danger!
Zheng Mu Yao's heart was in her throat, and she couldn't help but want to remind Su Uncle that this was not the time to be reckless!
Xiang Ming, Tian Dong, and the others were secretly delighted. This guy really knew how to play dead! Even Deputy Palace Master Wang Jian Chong didn't dare to speak up in front of the Palace Master?
Wen Ling Zhao also felt caught off guard, her cold and jade-like face changing subtly, and a sense of absurdity surged in her heart.
He... he still had the mind to think about that contract... Did he not worry about getting into trouble at all?
Even Wang Jian Chong couldn't help but sneer inwardly. He had seen people seeking death before, but he had never seen anyone seeking death in such a manner. Did he really think that having the strength of a Martial Ancestor would make him immune to the power of the Palace Master?
Everyone instinctively turned their gazes towards Ning Xi Hua.
They saw Ning Xi Hua's serene face, undisturbed by any ripples, as she pondered for a moment before saying, "Then let's leave Wen Ling Zhao behind."
Everyone: "..."
If Su Yi's words earlier had made everyone incredulous, then Ning Xi Hua's response left them bewildered.
What was going on?
Since when did the Palace Master become so accommodating?
The elation in Xiang Ming and the others' hearts vanished, replaced by a stifling sense of disappointment that almost made them cough up blood.
However, no one dared to utter a word.
In this oppressive and eerie atmosphere, the Elder Grand, Shang Zhen, led Xiang Ming and the others, gradually moving further away, soon disappearing at the foot of the Shenxiao Peak.
In front of the Feiming Pavilion, only Ning Xi Hua, Wang Jian Chong, Li Feng Xing, and Su Yi and Wen Ling Zhao remained.
Wen Ling Zhao pursed her lips and remained silent, her emotions surging and mixed inside her.
Even she had to admit that everything that had happened today had repeatedly subverted her understanding of things. At this moment, it all felt somewhat dreamlike and unreal.
Wang Jian Chong and Li Feng Xing also felt puzzled. The Palace Master personally arriving was no small matter; it was destined that something would be done about Su Yi. So why did the Palace Master dismiss everyone else?
Su Yi, on the other hand, acted as if nothing was happening. He went straight to a rock beside the pine tree and began grinding ink absentmindedly.
He really didn't want to waste any more time.
Seeing his actions, Wang Jian Chong and Li Feng Xing were stunned once again. They couldn't believe their eyes.
This guy really didn't care about the Palace Master at all!
At this moment, Ning Xi Hua gracefully walked over to Su Yi's side, seemingly curious, and asked, "Why is someone like you so fixated on this contract?"
Someone like you?
Su Yi's fingers, which were grinding the ink, paused.
This address stirred a long-lost emotion within him, and his gaze became somewhat absent-minded.
Memories of his past flashed through his mind like fleeting glimpses.
Someone like you...
That address truly brought back nostalgic feelings.
Su Yi looked at the person beside him, the Palace Master of Tianyuan Academy, who was renowned for her mystery and was even described as "otherworldly" by the National Teacher, Hong Canshang. He said, "Since you already know, why ask? Are you planning to stop me?"
His words were casual, devoid of reverence or fear. They even carried a hint of questioning.
Wen Ling Zhao widened her clear eyes, unable to remain calm in her heart.
Wang Jian Chong's brows furrowed, and a trace of anger appeared on his face. He couldn't help but want to speak up.
But Ning Xi Hua gently shook her head and said, "I'm just puzzled by some of the worldly views. There's no need to pay them any mind."
The words that Wang Jian Chong was about to utter were forcibly swallowed back, and his face was filled with astonishment. What exactly did the Palace Master intend to do?
He glanced at Li Feng Xing by his side, and the latter also looked puzzled.
"Being in the world, it's impossible to be without hindrances. For me, this is about cutting off the obsession in my heart and breaking through the barriers in my chest. If I don't address it, the obsession will be hard to dispel. How can I cultivate the Dao?" Su Yi calmly explained.
As he spoke, he resumed grinding the ink.
"Cutting off the obsession in the heart, breaking through the barriers in the chest..." Ning Xi Hua repeated, nodding her head. She then asked, "So, before signing this contract, how do you think today's matter should be resolved?"
Wang Jian Chong and Li Feng Xing exchanged glances, their hearts trembling. Was the Palace Master finally going to take action?
Su Yi placed the inkstone back in its place and turned around, looking at the woman before him, who was close at hand but had a youthful appearance. His gaze was indifferent as he said, "Since you have understood some things, you should also understand how severe the consequences will be if you oppose me, Su Yi."
"Bold!" Wang Jian Chong couldn't hold back any longer and shouted, "Su Yi, you dare to threaten us and challenge the dignity of our academy's Palace Master? You deserve a thousand deaths!"
Su Yi's eyebrows slightly furrowed.
But then, Ning Xi Hua let out a soft sigh and said, "You're mistaken, my friend."
Her pleasant voice lingered in the air, and with a gentle wave of her right hand--
Bang!
Wang Jian Chong, who was not far away, was thrown back like a small boat being hit by raging waves. His body crashed heavily into the cliff, blood spraying from his mouth and nose.
He was embedded in the rock face!
Li Feng Xing was shocked and stood there in a daze. He never imagined that the Palace Master would suddenly attack Wang Jian Chong!
Wen Ling Zhao was also stunned, unable to comprehend why it had turned out this way.
"Palace Master..." Wang Jian Chong fell to the ground, his mind in a daze, his expression constantly changing.
Ning Xi Hua's voice was pleasant as she said, "Go to the 'Cliff of Repentance' yourself and do not take a step out for one year."
"This..." Wang Jian Chong was dumbfounded.
The Cliff of Repentance!
It was the harshest and most severe place of bitter cold in Tianyuan Academy. Usually, only those who had committed serious offenses would be sent to the Cliff of Repentance, enduring the torment of fierce winds and icy rain day and night.
If he was forbidden from leaving the Cliff of Repentance for a year, someone of Wang Jian Chong's caliber would be severely injured, if not killed, by the torment.