On the western side of the Shang Clan Manor, Shang Jian and Xu Huizhu stared into the skies and watched as the giant spear slowly dissipated. Even though it was gone, their gazes were still stuck in the air.
The two of them were experts who had entered the Martial Intent Realm for a long time and they were well aware of the power contained in the strike.
“How long has it been?! Not only did he learn how to manipulate the heaven and earth qi in the air, his inner qi seems extremely pure! Is the inheritance of your Shang Clan really so terrifying?” Xu Huizhu asked with a trace of trepidation in her voice.
Still looking in the direction of the giant spear, a complicated emotion flashed across Shang Jian’s face. “Everyone has their secrets. Maybe he’s extremely suited to cultivate our Shang Clan’s secret art.”
Turning to look at Shang Jian, Xu Huizhu whispered, “Are you regretting what you did?”
“In the past, I had the chance to accept our clan’s inheritance too. However, I felt that it didn’t suit me as I excel in the dao of the sword.” Shang Jian sighed. “Moreover, the path of cultivation of the Providence Chapter of our clan is too narrow. I will never be able to train in the art of the sword ever again. As such, I chose to take my own path. I might be able to create a sword inheritance, opening another path for disciples of the Shang Clan in the future.”
A resolute look could be seen in Xu Huizhu’s eyes and she muttered gently, “I’ll support you no matter what happens!”
Shang Jian chuckled softly in response, “Soon. I’m at the very last step. Once I step through this bottleneck and enter the grand completion stage of the Martial Intent Realm, I’ll be able to leave behind my inheritance for the clan. It might not be as good as the Providence Inheritance, but it will be a lot easier to train in. In order to become a truly great clan, we need several inheritances. The Providence Inheritance might be powerful, but it’s too difficult to train in. It might become some sort of restriction for our clan instead.”
Xu Huizhu nodded, however, she soon whispered, “What about… What about Dong’er and Bei’er?”
“Relax.” Shang Jian watched on as another ray of spear light shot into the skies. This time, it was multi-colored. “Duan Hong will start crafting his low-grade spear soon…”
Not too far away from their courtyard, Shang Yang had similarly been attracted by the spear light shooting into the skies. However, he managed to address one of the attendants who had been following him all that while. “Where’s my wife and kids?”
“This… Madam and the two young masters have already arrived at the border connecting the Ji and You Continents. They’ll only be able to arrive in a few more days. After all…”
“Hmph.” Shang Yang’s expression sank and he growled, “They’re probably not too willing to come over and are doing everything in their power to drag their journey out.”
His attendant replied cautiously, “Madam is from the Ji Continent originally and the two young masters lived in the Ji Continent all their lives… it’s understandable that they don’t wish to leave…”
“Hah, do they think the You Continent is some sort of garbage land compared to the Ji Continent?” Shang Yang snapped in irritation and continued, “Go tell them to hurry up. The longer they take, the more dangerous their journey will become…”
His attendant acknowledged before taking his leave.
Watching another multi-colored spear light shoot into the skies, Shang Yang called over another attendant and asked, “Did Duan Hong visit the Yifeng Pavilion earlier?”
“Ninth Master, Master Duan Hong did indeed head over to the Yifeng Pavilion. However, he had already taken his leave.”
Shang Yang nodded before adding another question, “Did Duan Hong say when he plans on starting the refinement of the spear?”
His attendant replied promptly, “Most of the attendants and disciples in the clan have been busy getting things ready. He should start in a few days…”
Waving his hand in the air, Shang Yang grunted in acknowledgment. “Hm. Alright, you can leave.”
Watching the multi-colored spear light dissipating, Shang Yang revealed a bitter smile while shaking his head. “Hehe, It’s getting difficult to be this brat’s uncle. How can I even think of obtaining benefits from that brat at this point in time?”
Shang Xia naturally didn’t realize that his actions were well-evaluated by his two uncles.
Finally deciding to return to the institution after more than a month since his return from the battlefield between the two worlds, Shang Xia left the Shang Clan Manor.
“So… The training plaza in the Tongyou Institution would turn into a competition venue every afternoon with the disciples of other institutions challenging our members?” Shang Xia asked Yan Qi as he made his way over to the training plaza.
Following behind Shang Xia, Yan Qi quickly explained, “Yeah. The situation here took a turn for the better a while ago. They no longer targeted the students of the Tongyou Institution. Now, the plaza is a place where the disciples of the five institutions can exchange pointers freely. Sixth Young Master, now that you entered the Martial Intent Realm, you shouldn’t lower yourself to those weaklings who are plotting against you.”
Stopping dead in his tracks, he turned to stare at Yan Qi. “Seventh Uncle, when did you change the way you address me too?”
“Oh, sorry, Young Master!” Yan Qi gasped.
Nodding slowly, Shang Xia continued on his way. “Even though they can only blame themselves for being weak when they lose to their opponents, I don’t mind helping them out a little. Their behavior of blaming me is a little disgusting, but it’s fine. I’m not petty enough to hold it against them. However, the disciples of the other institutions seemed to have gone overboard.”
Yan Qi saw that Shang Xia had already made up his mind and knew that dissuading him to do whatever he was about to do wouldn't work. In the end, he could only remind Shang Xia softly at the side, “Since that’s the case, Young Master, you should hold back a little in case you trouble Patriarch Shang and the higher-ups of the institution.”
Chuckling softly, Shang Xia didn’t say a word in response. Yan Qi was also unable to tell anything from his expression.
As the most famous student in the institution, the news of Shang Xia’s return spread to every corner of the institution the moment he stepped through the gates.
When he arrived at the training plaza, every single student in the Outer and Inner Divisions had arrived. A portion of students from the upper division also made their appearance.
The news spread further and further, and the disciples of the other institutions made their way over as well. Many of them had different intentions in mind, but it didn’t stop them from gathering at the training plaza in the Tongyou Institution.
By the time Shang Xia arrived, there was a brilliant battle going on in the middle of the plaza. As an inner disciple whose fame had risen sharply since his return from the battlefield between the two worlds, Dou Zhong became even more well-known as he was one of the one few who managed to defeat the geniuses of the other institutions.
The members of the institution would even argue that he was the source of their pride in the month that passed!
It was especially so for disciples of the outer division who were promoted with him. He received endless praise and support from his peers.
In the middle of the plaza, Dou Zhong sent out 21 consecutive stabs and every one contained a piercing chill that would jab deep into the bones of his opponent.
When he sent out his 22nd attack, his opponent was finally unable to withstand the effects of his sword art. As a disciple of the Yanmen Institution who was in the Martial Extremity Realm, he failed to hold his own against Dou Zhong, a disciple of the Tongyou Institution who had barely broken through to the Martial Extremity Realm. His forearms were frozen and he found it hard to keep his grip on his sword.
The 23rd sword was the one that ended it all. With a clatter, Dou Zhong’s opponent’s short sword fell to the ground.
“Great!” The cheers came from all directions in the plaza, but the atmosphere quickly changed. The cheers died down almost instantly as a formless pressure pressed down on everyone present.
“Many thanks for the pointers.” Even though Dou Zhong could feel the suffocating tension in the air, he had to say something to his opponent. His tone became gentle and he tried to give his opponent some tips for his recovery. “I apologize for the frosty qi that invaded your body. Due to the nature of my secret art, the icy qi might be a little too heavy for regular sparring. When you return, take three days to expel the icy qi in your body. Otherwise, you might be left with hidden injuries.”
The disciple who was defeated responded kindly when he saw that Dou Zhong had no intentions of insulting him after the battle and was even giving him advice on how to recover. “Dark Icy Sword, Dou Zhong. You really deserve your title. I accept my loss.”
After he left the plaza, Dou Zhong turned around only to realize that the entire plaza was flooded with people.
“What’s going on?! Don’t tell me…” Dou Zhong knew that his progress was rapid, and he made a name for himself in the institution. However, he also knew that he didn’t possess the reputation to gather so many disciples of all five institutions in the training plaza.
There was only one person who had the ability to do that currently!
A voice rang through the air and the crowded plaza quickly made a path. A familiar figure stepped into the plaza under the multitude of gazes from those present.