Evening
The setting sun bathed the sky in a blood-red hue.
In the square of Linzhou Immortal Martial Academy, the wind stirred fallen leaves across the ground.
The area was bustling with activity. Students queued up to enter the Colorful Immortal Tower for their training sessions.
A few hours earlier, after meeting Horn in the square, Tang Yuxin and Wang Menglu had joined the line to enter the Colorful Immortal Tower as well.
Lin Zixuan had instructed them to keep Horn's ascent to the seventh floor of the Immortal Tower private. Thus, except for those who witnessed it firsthand, the news hadn't spread widely yet.
Lin Zixuan's concern was purely for Horn's safety.
"Brother Su, something's wrong," Lu Lin said, approaching with a troubled expression.
Horn glanced up. "What's the matter?"
Lu Lin handed his mobile phone to Horn. "Brother Su, this is the official website of the Imperial Capital Immortal Martial Academy. The top has announced the must-kill list, and look—your name is tenth on the list!"
Horn looked at the screen and saw his name listed as the tenth target.
Lu Lin clicked on Horn's name, revealing a brief profile on the page:
Name: Horn
Age: Twenty-one
Background: The abandoned son of the Tianhai Su family
Current Cultivation Level: Innate Realm
Reason for Inclusion: Numerous evil deeds, frequent humiliation of the Imperial Capital Immortal Martial Academy, and crippling of its geniuses.
Kill Reward: Ten High Grade spirit stones
Horn's expression remained unchanged. The academy had set a reward of ten High Grade spirit stones for anyone who killed him.
Spirit stones are crucial for cultivators, providing pure spiritual energy that can rapidly replenish during battles or aid in breakthroughs. They are also used in various formations.
In Xia Kingdom, the value of spirit stones is as follows:
Low Grade: 100,000
Middle Grade: 1,000,000
High Grade: 10,000,000
Supreme Grade: 100,000,000
After learning the current price, Horn commented calmly, "Ten High Grade spirit stones are worth 100 million. The Immortal Martial Academy is quite generous."
Lu Lin's face was etched with worry. "Brother Su, the must-kill list is a tool used by the Imperial Capital Immortal Martial Academy to challenge geniuses. You'll be targeted by many there, so you need to be cautious. Don't let your guard down, even while sleeping."
Horn remained indifferent.
"Senior Lu, are you here to enter the Seven-Color Immortal Tower as well?" Wang Menglu encouraged. She and Tang Yuxin, who had joined her, could only access the first floor of the tower.
Lu Lin shared the news of Horn's inclusion on the must-kill list with Tang Yuxin and Wang Menglu. Their smiles faded as they processed the information.
Not everyone's name makes it onto the must-kill list. Originally, Yan Chuan had reported Horn's name under dubious pretenses. The academy was still reviewing the case. However, with Yan Chuan and Yan Jie's deaths at Linzhou Immortal Martial Academy, the academy was infuriated and suspected foul play.
To prompt Lin Zixuan into admitting fault, the academy approved Horn's placement on the must-kill list, offering a reward of ten High Grade spirit stones.
"How could they do this? The reasons given by the Immortal Martial Academy are absurd!" Tang Yuxin said angrily. "Horn's actions were reasonable, considering what happened to Yan Jie."
Wang Menglu nodded. "Does the Imperial Capital's Immortal Martial Academy really have such a grudge?"
Tang Yuxin took Horn's arm. "No, from tonight, I want to sleep in the same room with you. Better safe than sorry!"
Wang Menglu agreed, "And me too! Xiao Xinxin and I will stay with you at night."
Lu Lin considered for a moment before saying, "Brother Su, I'll stay outside the room. I won't intrude but will be there if needed."
Tang Yuxin and Wang Menglu blushed at Lu Lin's comment.
"Horn, don't misunderstand. I'm here to keep you company, nothing more," Wang Menglu explained, glancing at Tang Yuxin. "If you and Xiao Xinxin decide to—well, do whatever you want at night, I'll just wear earplugs and stay out of the way."
Tang Yuxin blushed and said, "Menglu, don't talk nonsense! I'm just staying with Horn."
Horn responded calmly, "Alright, I can handle this. There's no need for you to stay with me at night."
At the same time, Tang Yuxin and Wang Menglu said almost in unison, "No!"
Wang Menglu added, "Horn, you don't understand the seriousness of this. The must-kill list of the Immortal Martial Academy is no joke. You must listen to us."
Tang Yuxin agreed, "This is settled. Horn, your objections are pointless."
"Now, let's go have dinner," she added.
Wang Menglu turned to Lu Lin, "Senior Lu, please join us."
Lu Lin hesitated but eventually agreed, understanding the special circumstances.
At the Imperial Capital Immortal Martial Academy
Rumors of Yan Chuan and Yan Jie's deaths, as well as Horn's inclusion on the must-kill list, were circulating. Only a few top officials and select geniuses were aware of Horn's achievement of reaching the seventh floor of the Immortal Tower.
On the roof of a ten-story teaching building, a fair-skinned man in a green robe stood against the wind. His eyes glowed with a faint purple hue, giving him an enigmatic allure.
"Ruoyan, your former fiancé has caused quite a stir. He's reached the seventh floor of the Seven-Color Immortal Tower and is now ranked tenth on our must-kill list."
"The reward for killing him is 100 million."
"Do you think he deserves it?"
The man was Qin Tiance, a true genius of the Imperial Capital Immortal Martial Academy.
He turned to the quiet woman behind him. Her voice was soft yet decisive. "He doesn't deserve it."
The purple in Qin Tiance's eyes deepened as he smiled coldly. "Ants like him should be crushed. His time is limited."