Chapter 002: First Arrival at the Academy

Compared to the Lingjiu Academy, which is named after the mountain, the more established Dragon-slaying Academy derives its name entirely from the shame of being invaded by dragons. The predecessor of the Dragon-slaying Academy was the highest official school of the Huaxia Kingdom, known as the "Taixue." For thousands of years, the Taixue of Huaxia taught the principles of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness, while martial arts instruction was limited to some ordinary swordsmanship and archery techniques. As a result, when the evil dragons invaded, the human race suffered a catastrophic defeat, akin to a heavy blow to the head, making it clear to the entire Huaxia court that in the face of invaders, merely discussing benevolence and morality is futile; the only way out is to prepare for battle and fight to the death!

Due to the fact that all members of the Xuanwu Guard wear black clothing from top to bottom, they are commonly referred to as the Black Cloaked Guard in the community. They take the Xuanwu, a mythical creature that is a combination of a tortoise and a snake, as their totem, symbolizing that the Black Cloaked Guard possesses both the endurance and patience of the tortoise and the ruthlessness and ferocity of the snake

Ha! Tang Qiu laughed lightly, just about to persuade again, when he heard Su Jian lower his voice and say: "Brother Tang, the blessings of the Wind God are still abundant. You should enjoy these divine favors here for a while longer. I will go report in first."

"Nonsense! Have you seen me before today?" Xuanyuan Hong mercilessly exposed the youth.

Please give your orders, Supreme Leader! Su Jian, seeing his seriousness, quickly gathered his spirits and bowed to listen to the command

However, just as he was feeling moved, Su Jian suddenly heard someone gently call out beside him: "Thank you for the blessings of the Wind God"

With the curiosity that a youth should possess, Su Jian went to the vast and boundless Lingjiu Library to search through its collections

With a forced smile, Su Jian turned and left; just as he stepped out of the inner hall, he heard a low sigh from within the room, uttered by Xuanyuan Hong: "Alas, what a fine sword..."

At the final moments of the genocide, it was extremely fortunate that on the western side of the Divine Land continent, there existed the north-south oriented Hengduan Mountains and the Great Rift Valley

At this moment, even the Copper Badge Guard, Gai Yingwei, who had assigned him to this mission, had no opportunity to speak with him. Soon, someone from the inner hall came out and directly took Su Jian away, stating that the Grand Commander of the Xuanwu Guard, Xuanyuan Hong, had something to ask him

It is evident that this is Su Jian's first visit to the inner hall of the Xuanwu Guard, where the Supreme Leader resides. Upon entering, Su Jian was greatly surprised, for even though it was normal to find a guillotine and a blood pool here, what he did not expect was that the furnishings of the inner hall of the Xuanwu Guard were remarkably elegant and antiquated

With Su Jian's current state of mind, he has also begun to feel dissatisfied with Gai Yingwei's indifferent demeanor.

However, it is precisely because of this that the sharp-eyed Xuanyuan Hong was misled.

Lingjiu Mountain rises in layers, and the academy has built classical pavilions and towers in accordance with the mountain's terrain. The verdant and lush Luming Forest on the mountain intersperses with the elegant buildings of the academy, making it difficult to discern whether the academy is nestled among the green forests or if the green forests are scattered throughout the academy.

Speaking of which, despite Xuan Yuan Hong being the Grand Commander of the Xuanwu Guard and possessing many admirable qualities, he has a significant weakness that most people are unaware of: a love for wealth and treasures. It is therefore understandable that Xuan Yuan Hong, who was originally in a good mood, has now become extremely upset.

I am Su Jian," Su Jian cupped his hands and, observing the expressions of those around him, said, "In fact, I have also found a way in, and have come to report to Lingjiu Academy, hence I am looking for the Academic Affairs Office.

Who was its owner back then

Of course. With that said, Su Jian also took his leave

Upon hearing the great news, the clever Su Jian almost became dazed and foolish.

Due to his current lowly status, entirely attributed to his experience in the special training of the Dragon Blood Warriors, Su Jian does not wish to revisit this memory at all, not even wanting to mention the term "Dragon Blood Warrior".

Ah, I remember now! Su Jian suddenly realized, "I once personally caught a rogue on the street; the way he was stalking someone else's young wife was exactly like that of Lord Gai!"

At this moment, the fearsome Xuanyuan Hong was seated behind the zitan desk, coldly observing him; the person who had brought Su Jian had already exited quietly without any prompting, gently closing the door behind him

"It's hard to say if there's any collusion," Gai Yingwei said, his eyes darting around as he spoke cryptically. "However, she hails from the northwestern border of the Northern Snow Country, and her background and identity are rather complex. There may indeed be some connections. In any case, I've pointed you in this direction, and you must heed my advice"

Hmm, remember this: "Whenever Luo Xueqiong is mentioned, I don't know why a fervent light suddenly shines in Ying Wei's eyes. Little Su, you must remember to pay close attention to everything concerning this woman. Whether it is a major event or a minor detail, as long as it relates to her, you must inquire and document it, and report back to me. Do you understand?"

After discussing the sword, Xuanyuan Hong finally returned to the main topic and said slowly: "Xiao Su, you have indeed made a contribution this time, and I shall certainly reward you accordingly. This time, you have only achieved a minor accomplishment, so I will give you an opportunity to achieve a major one."

Soo Jian, who was deeply immersed in admiration, immediately exclaimed in his heart upon hearing this: "Ah, indeed, it is worthy of the Lingjiu Academy; I have just entered the gate and already hear such words filled with a reverence for the divine and a spirit of martial valor!"

Having said that, he turned his head and saw that the voice just now came from a chubby young boy with fair skin, who was sitting on the steps behind the mountain gate.

Thus, the origin of the Blood Song Sword remains a mystery to him

"Indeed, that is what the Supreme Leader said," Su Jian replied

He scolded himself in his heart: "Su Jian, oh Su Jian, what are you being humble for at this moment? What if the Grand Commander is amenable and retracts the order? Then you would truly have to draw your toothpick sword—no, the Blood Song Sword—and commit suicide on the spot!"

Upon hearing him call himself "Little Su," Su Jian immediately relaxed and breathed a sigh of relief, hurriedly recounting everything that had happened in the Silent Forest. Originally, Su Jian also wanted to mention the strange occurrences after falling into the abyss. However, when it came to that part, he had only spoken a few words before he felt as if he were talking nonsense, so he quickly glossed over it, fearing that the commander would think he was a madman or a fool

Even so, after the brutal ravages of the Dragon Clan, a significant number of humans on the Divine Land perished, the territories of the human kingdoms drastically shrank, and countless brilliant civilizations, knowledge, and abundant resources were lost.

All of this stirred a tremendous surge within Su Jian, who had once lost faith in life. He now had only one thought: to become stronger, to survive, and to uncover the truth

At your service. Su Jian is all ears.

"Nature, nature, thank you for the reminder, Lord Gai." Su Jian also thought he was helping him, and could not help but adopt a respectful attitude

"Indeed!" Su Jian replied, "Of course, it also relies on the guidance of the Commander-in-Chief on a regular basis"

"You know it well enough." Xuanyuan Hong said no more, only stating, "As a worthless young man, you certainly won't attract anyone's attention. Moreover, it's just the Lingjiu Academy; you will surely adapt to it." The Grand Commander suddenly looked at him with a smile, speaking with a hint of meaning, "After all, you are a 'Dragon Blooded', having undergone secret training in the Nameless Villa."

When Su Jian returned alone to the capital city of Huaxia, Jinghua City, at the headquarters of the Xuanwu Guard, everyone who saw him reacted as if they had seen a ghost

In the past, those incomprehensible dreams and the dragon goddess within them seemed to Su Jian as unbelievable as matters from another world. However, now that he has obtained this ancient sword and discovered the wonders of the blood-eyed heart, Su Jian suddenly possesses an unprecedented confidence.

The young man's physique is somewhat plump, but not excessively so; strictly speaking, he is merely "overly sturdy". It is evident that the phrase "thanks to the grace of the Wind God" is uttered from his lips. He is currently squatting in the corner at the end of the stone steps, his face aglow as he gazes at something.

At this time, it has been over two hundred years since the Dragon Demon War. The once mighty and valiant Dragon Saint Emperor of the dragon race indeed did not betray the 'promise' made to the Demon Queen. Not long after, he commanded the dragon army to break through the void, sweeping across the battlefield with overwhelming force, and occupied the vast majority of territories on the ancient eastern continent.

Looking at the sword in his hand, Xuanyuan Hong felt a desire to retract his earlier refusal; however, upon seeing the young man before him, who was gazing at him with utmost respect, he found his old face inexplicably flushed, and the words of retraction simply would not come out.

"Luo Xueqiong..." Su Jian recited this name and inquired, "What is so special about Luo Xueqiong? Does it imply that she has colluded with the Blood Oath Alliance?"

When constructing fortifications with great effort, no one dared to mention the thoughts of revival and counterattack. All that everyone could think of was merely hoping to prolong the current situation for a little longer

Some things are destined to be extraordinary. At this moment, the Lingjiu Academy has only revealed a glimpse to the young man, yet it fills his heart with an indescribable sense of emotion

Su Jian has always felt that these two prestigious official academies are beyond compare. When he hears others mention them, he merely listens, thinking what connection could such places have with him? Who would have thought that at this moment, the Supreme Commander would actually send him to enroll in Lingjiu Academy?

"Who are you?" The chubby boy looked at Su Jian, who was dressed in a plain blue robe, with some suspicion. After all, students of the Lingjiu Academy were either rich or noble, and Su Jian's attire was indeed quite unconventional.

The reasons for the brief disappearance of the dragon clan after the era of demons are varied and widely debated

The Xuanwu Guard in the capital has already received the news of the complete annihilation of the forces in the Silent Forest operation. Now, everyone at headquarters is busy dealing with various aftermath matters. One can imagine the impact when everyone sees a minor attendant, who was supposed to have "perished in duty," reappear before them with such nonchalance.

It can be said that two hundred years after the Battle of the Dragon and Man, the human kingdoms led by the Huaxia nation are constantly facing the danger of extinction, merely surviving in a state of desperation

From a distance, gazing at such a grand and majestic academy, Su Jian was filled with longing and reverence in his heart

The racial war is the most brutal. The army of the Dragon Empire surged forth, leaving the Huaxia people with an indelible pain that can never be erased

"Luo Xueqiong." Gai Yingwei announced a name, "She is a woman, and she should be this year's new student"

Indeed, Xuanyuan Hong said in a deep voice, "If the commoners die, so be it; you know that within the academy, there are many children of the powerful and influential, and even if they are not, they all have some background. Because of this matter, I have been summoned by the royal family... I have been summoned to discuss it several times."

Su Jian slowly approached the tall white marble archway at the foot of Lingjiu Mountain, and saw the four large characters carved at the top of the archway: Immortal Vault of Purity

The term "Dragon Blooded" was uttered from Xuanyuan Hong's mouth, and Su Jian's expression immediately froze.

The most deadly aspect is Xuan Yuanhong's pair of eyes! Just now, Su Jian merely glanced a few times, yet he discovered that in the brief moment of eye contact, Xuan Yuanhong's gaze pierced into his heart like the sharpest sword in the world, as if all secrets had been laid bare before him

At the moment he was feeling anxious, Xuanyuan Hong remained silent, lost in thought.

Gai Yingwei has no other faults, except for being rather conceited. Perhaps this is a common flaw among all those from humble beginnings who have climbed up through their own efforts. Gai Yingwei is also quite handsome, although his face lacks color due to excessive worry, this very aspect has attracted the attention of many young women. Thus, this pale youth, Gai Yingwei, is also quite proud of his charm

If it were in the past, upon hearing the sigh of the Supreme Leader, Su Jian would have immediately turned back and presented the sword with both hands. However, having just undergone a life-and-death trial in the Silent Forest, Su Jian's state of mind has undergone a tremendous transformation

The once flourishing Huaxia nation now has a population that is less than one-tenth of what it was during the Dragon Clan invasion. The extent of the joys and sorrows, the countless cruel and merciless events that have transpired, only heaven knows

Great, Supreme Leader, I, my martial arts skills are not good, and I have no talent, would it be... not very suitable

Tang Qiu pointed in a direction and warmly invited, "Brother Su, I find your attire quite pleasing. In my opinion, there is no need for you to rush to report in; I have calculated today, taking into account the wind direction, and I can ascertain that the feng shui of this place is exceptionally good, just right for observing the... nuances of the world."

"Adults, who should we pay attention to?" Su Jian asked curiously

In admiration, he was infected by the moment and could not help but glance up at the faint starry sky above, exclaiming: "We should be grateful for divine grace"

Xuanyuan Hong's vision is far superior to Su Jian's by an immeasurable distance. As soon as the sword was in his hand, he brushed the sword's edge with his finger, then tilted his head and listened intently, immediately able to hear the sounds of tigers roaring and dragons chanting.

However, scholars from the Lingjiu Academy assert that although the main forces of the Demon Kingdom were defeated by the Dragon Clan, the legendary demon sorcerer Illidan led a remnant force to launch a surprise attack on the Dragon Clan, inflicting heavy losses on them and forcing the Dragon Clan to temporarily withdraw from this continent

Go away, don't block my view—uh? The chubby man suddenly came to his senses, struggled to stand up, and with his round belly protruding, he reluctantly watched the two young girls leave for a while before turning his gaze back to Su Jian's face

Upon arriving here, they finally ceased their wanton slaughter. The desperate human race, at this moment, truly gained a glimmer of hope

With this change in heart, Su Jian now feels very at ease upon hearing the sigh of Commander Xuanyuan Hong: This sword, I have already presented to you, and you said you did not want it, so now I will not give it to you either

Suddenly, he tightened his wrist, infusing the sword with vital energy and spiritual power, and discovered that this sword possessed an exceptional quality that he had never encountered before: although the blade was long and the edge extremely thin, resembling a soft beam of moonlight or flowing water, seemingly insubstantial; yet, despite its lightness and slenderness, when swung, its hardness and strength were remarkably high, coexisting with excellent flexibility, making it capable of functioning both as a large blade for chopping and as a belt to be wrapped around the waist

Haha! Su Jian laughed and said, "The feng shui is excellent... However, in my opinion, it is not the feng shui that is good, but rather the tricky angle and the concealed location, right?"

At this moment, Xuanyuan Hong found it impossible to describe his feelings.

The two characters "shidi" were never uttered by the arrogant Gai Yingwei.

It turns out that, like me, he is also a poor scholar who has found a way! This not-so-lavish, plump youth immediately felt a sense of kinship with Su Jian.

The unique mist and clouds of Lingjiu Mountain drift among the pavilions and verdant forests, resembling a soft and hazy white veil. The lake nestled within Lingjiu Mountain, known as "Yuxu Lake," is like a calm and shining mirror, brilliantly embedded within the green mountains and lush forests, adding a great deal of spiritual essence to the entire Lingjiu Academy situated among the mountains and woods

In reporting, although Su Jian could not speak of the matters in the Soul-Despair Abyss, the sword obtained from the dragon was hanging at his waist, clearly unable to be concealed. Thus, he unfastened this "toothpick sword" and made a gesture of presentation, respectfully saying: "Reporting to the Grand Commander, I, a humble subordinate, have miraculously survived. On my way back, I found this sword in the forest. It is precisely because of it that I was able to survive alone from the Silent Forest. If not— I am willing to present this sword to you, my lord"

When Xuanyuan Hong drew the sword from the hideous pigskin sheath, his eyes suddenly narrowed, and a storm brewed in his heart: "Ah! I've been deceived, I've been deceived! This is truly an extraordinary sword!"

He compared in his mind the Lingjiu Academy and the Nameless Villa, and felt that the Lingjiu Academy was ethereal and grand, filled with an aura of immortality, while the Nameless Villa was mysterious and unique, with all its facilities focused solely on practicality

The Supreme Leader, who was just raising his cup to take a sip of tea, suddenly sprayed all the tea in his mouth out with a puff!

Su Jian was indeed an inconspicuous minor character within the Black Guard. Now, having received a mission to Lingjiu Academy, he had nothing to hand over and simply went without any further arrangements.

As it danced gently, although the movements were not large, the sword stirred up layers of pale blue afterimages, like the rippling surface of a lake, with waves rising one after another, appearing in layers and folds.

After the rejection, Xuanyuan Hong suddenly recalled something and, with a change in expression, said: "Wait a minute—are you saying that it was with this sword that you escaped from the Silent Forest?"

However, speaking of which, it is indeed quite interesting. This time of survival, with your abilities... haha, Xuanyuan Hong laughed heartily, "You really have no abilities at all! It seems that this sword is still worth my attention, so please present it to me."

This ... ... "Su Jian couldn't help but shake his head, thinking that in the renowned Lingjiu Academy, there were actually such boring students.

However, he ultimately discovered with disappointment that similar swords recorded in the ancient texts seemed to originate from the era of the ancient gods, and the accounts were ambiguous, not entirely corresponding to his sword

While reporting, Su Jian observed Xuan Yuan Hong's reaction with the corner of his eye. He noticed that even though the entire incident he described was shocking, Xuan Yuan Hong remained remarkably calm. It was only when he heard about the mysterious powerful figure who appeared and killed Xiao Ning by disemboweling him with a single strike that Xuan Yuan Hong lightly tapped his fingers on the table a few times.

"Yes," Su Jian replied respectfully, "I just named it 'Toothpick Sword'."

As the sole survivor, Su Jian quickly enjoyed the attention of the masses

Among them, the era of demons is somewhat special. This is because those demon beings come from the chaotic realms and annihilation zones at the edge of the world, possessing an inherently evil nature and a natural inclination to destroy all things. Therefore, the period when demons ruled the entire world is also referred to as the "Dark Age"

"He actually died?" Su Jian was greatly astonished

However, what leaves all the debating anthropologists feeling disheartened is that, regardless of the historical truth, the Dragon Clan ultimately returns with a vengeance, effortlessly sweeping across the continent and plunging humanity into such a dire predicament

However, for Gai Yingwei, turning adversity into advantage and transforming unfavorable situations into favorable ones has always been his forte. Therefore, as Gai Yingwei's eyes flickered, he suddenly recalled something, and his gaze towards Su Jian became fervent, his tone also turning warm and gentle: "Little Su, since infiltrating the Lingjiu Academy is a task assigned by the Supreme Commander, you must do your best. Don't say that I, Gai Yingwei, haven't supported you; I will tell you now, when you go to the Lingjiu Academy, you must pay close attention to one person."

After he left, there were no female students passing by on the stone steps for a while. The chubby Tang Qiu had the leisure to watch Su Jian's back and thought to himself: "I see this kid, dressed poorly, with a weak demeanor, certainly neither rich nor poor, neither noble nor lowly, neither strong nor weak. Could it be that the feng shui here is indeed good today, blessing me, Tang Qiu, with the chance to take on a little brother?"

"No problem." Xuanyuan Hong waved his hand, "Little Su—"

Upon exiting the inner hall, Su Jian was bathed in the envious gazes of those around him. Next, Su Jian was to report to his immediate superior, Gai Yingwei of the Copper Badge Guard.

In that case, he would be able to take advantage of the situation and smoothly accept the sword. However, after waiting for a while, this little Xihui guard, who had seemed quite clever earlier, unexpectedly fell silent and refused to mention the matter of presenting the sword again

Thank you for your guidance, my lord! Su Jian expressed his gratitude in astonishment

However, now hearing this somewhat unfamiliar term spring from the Supreme Leader's lips, Su Jian, despite the bitterness in his heart, could only nod in agreement: "Yes, yes, the Dragon Blooded, going to the Lingjiu Academy, my subordinates will certainly have no discomfort whatsoever."

"The King of Hell is easy to deal with, but the little ghosts are troublesome," clearly indicates that Gai Yingwei holds Su Jian in very low regard; when Su Jian recounts his harrowing experience of escaping death, Gai Yingwei actually adopts an attitude of "You actually didn't die, this is too unreasonable."

The names of these elite groups are the same as the fortress stone wall, also known as the "Wall of Storms". Being selected for the Wall of Storms is the highest honor of the human kingdom; likewise, it signifies a lifetime of sacrifice and dedication

As one of the Four Spirit Armies of the Huaxia Nation, the Xuanwu Guard, headquartered in the capital city of Jinghua, is a relatively unique entity among the Four Spirit Armies. The other legions within the Four Spirit Armies include the Qinglong Legion, which is a combined arms force; the Baihu Legion, primarily composed of cavalry; and the Zhuque Legion, which can be referred to as a sorcerer corps, mainly consisting of mages

At this moment, Xuanyuan Hong longed for the youth to be courteous once more

"Are you saying that the Supreme Leader has ordered you to enroll in Lingjiu Academy?" Gai Yingwei looked at Su Jian with some disbelief

In response to his extreme calmness and strength, Su Jian could only think of one word: admiration

"This is a fine sword, you must cherish it." When it comes to things he likes, the reticent Xuanyuan Hong finds himself speaking freely, "You may not know that a divine weapon has its true name. However, you must discover it for yourself; only after finding its rightful true name can you unleash its greater power"

By the way, as Xuan Yuan Hong spoke these words, he suddenly seemed to recall something, his eyes brightening as he exclaimed, "Just now, when I rested my hand on the sword's edge, I vaguely felt that the blade was extremely eager for the blood within my body, and in its trembling, there was even a melody of joy."

Compared to the Dragon-Slaying Academy, the Lingjiu Academy is much newer. It was entirely established as an official institution after the great defeat of humanity, focusing on martial arts and cultivating talents dedicated to defending the homeland. Due to its recent establishment, Lingjiu Academy carries fewer burdens and is filled with various novel elements. Consequently, the infiltration situation of the rebel organization, the Blood Oath Alliance, has become even more severe

Su Jian, belonging to the Copper Badge Guard, Gai Yingwei, is relatively young, only about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, and is a rare rising star among the Xuanwu Black Guards. Gai Yingwei comes from a humble background, not from a family of nobility, and has risen to the position of Copper Badge Guard entirely through his own efforts, managing a small team within the Black Guards.

He believes that one day he will uncover the truth of his dreams, find the goddess who haunts his thoughts, and also identify the mysterious killer who murdered Captain Xiao and attempted to silence him!

At this moment, the mood of General Xuanyuan of the Xuanwu Guard can truly be described as "like an eighty-year-old mother straining to care for her child"

The dragon army, capable of overwhelming humanity, largely owes its strength to its aerial superiority; however, within the storms of the Hengduan Mountains, those dragons are unable to fly, and the main force cannot pass through

Everyone knows that further west lies the unknown wilderness where fierce demons and savage beasts roam. Even if one survives to pass through, beyond that is the vast and boundless ocean.

Wow! I really misjudged this! Xuanyuan Hong thought to himself, feeling deceived

On the white wall hangs an ancient painting, and in the corner, incense is burning. The zitan wood tables and chairs exude an antique charm, and on them are placed the Four Treasures of the Study, making it a quintessential scholar's study of the Huaxia nation

Without mentioning Tang's wild thoughts, Su gradually discovered after enrolling that, apart from initially encountering a lewd fat man, Lingjiu Academy was indeed a prestigious institution, and within just a few days of classes, it had completely broadened his horizons

"Alright, you may go now." After finishing his personal tasks, Gai Yingwei waved his hand at Su Jian, his expression returning to its usual arrogance.

This sentence, although it clearly lowered its volume, was nonetheless full of vigor and imbued with a sincere joy

I really didn't expect it! You also have such luck, actually becoming my ... ...

What is Lingjiu Academy? It is a renowned institution dedicated to cultivating martial arts elites for the Huaxia nation! Recently, Su Jian has been walking through the streets and has heard that Lingjiu Academy, as a rising star, is making great efforts to attract countless children of dignitaries and nobles, many of whom come from other kingdoms seeking its reputation. The momentum of Lingjiu Academy is so strong that it is already subtly surpassing the long-established Tulong Academy, which is directly supported by the royal family.

Here, some secret histories and hidden truths that the common people could never possibly know are casually recounted by those elegant instructors

Haha, Xuanyuan Hong, who had remained largely unmoved, suddenly burst into laughter at this moment, "I did not expect that a mere Xihui Guard would possess such filial piety. However, how could I possibly accept your offering?"

In the dark years ruled by demons, all living beings in the world were prostrated under the tyranny of the evil demon race. Later, it was the dragon race, which is currently invading the Divine Continent, that suppressed the demons after experiencing a war of blood and fire, thus bringing an end to the entire mythological era

However, it is unclear why, after that, the Dragon Clan went silent for a time, being briefly replaced by the Demon Clan. Subsequently, humanity expelled the Demon Clan and became the masters of this Divine Continent—until the Dragon Clan made a comeback over two hundred years ago

Thus, the originally relaxed youth began to feel anxious and fearful, with sweat starting to bead on his back

Following his gaze, Su Jian saw two beautiful young girls passing by. As they ascended the mountain with their flowing garments, a gust of mountain wind lifted the hem of their pink skirts, revealing their smooth and glossy jade-like legs

Xuanyuan Hong's personal style is in stark contrast to that of this study. He has an imposing appearance, with prominent cheekbones and eyes sharp as blades, exuding an aura of authority without needing to be angry. His physique and bone structure are remarkably robust and tall, resembling a small mountain sitting behind the desk, gazing at Su Jian with a piercing look.

"How long has it been since anyone mentioned this word to me?" Su Jian suddenly fell into a daze.

He said enthusiastically: "Su Jian, I am Tang Qiu, also a new student this year. Now that you are here today, we will be classmates from now on and should look out for each other. The Academic Affairs Office is not far and easy to find, it is right over there"

Thus, when he heard that Su Jian could actually enter the Lingjiu Academy, it felt as if his own wife had been unfaithful. Although he was not yet married, he felt that the sensation should be the same. Therefore, Gai Yingwei, who already looked down on Su Jian, now felt even more disdain and disgust towards him.

Two hundred years ago, when the Huaxia Kingdom and several other human kingdoms were compressed into the western wilderness, everyone was in despair

"Does this sword have a name?" asked Xuanyuan Hong, restoring his state of mind

Therefore, after the Huaxia Taixue was rebuilt in the Western Regions, the name "Taixue" was unanimously changed to the flamboyant "Dragon Slayer". The name "Taixue", which was filled with elegant academic brilliance, has completely become a thing of the past

Su Jian combined with the lewd expression on the fat man's face, instantly understood the true meaning of "Thank you for the blessing of the Wind God"

"The adult's lesson is that I, as a subordinate, lack culture." In response to the criticism from the leader, Su Jian immediately conducted a self-examination

It is as follows, 'Xuanyuan Hongdao, the Lingjiu Academy, is a renowned official institution of the Huaxia Dynasty, filled with elites, the essence of the nation is largely found among its ranks, and even I have always held it in high regard. Unexpectedly, in the past six months, there have been repeated reports of student disappearances within the Lingjiu Academy. To date, there have been as many as eight or nine cases. If it were merely disappearances, it would be one thing, but who would have thought that when two or three students were found, they were actually discovered dead in the wilderness.'

At this moment, Gai Yingwei is feeling extremely displeased. It is important to note that being a graduate of the Lingjiu Academy has always been a source of pride for him. How many disciples from humble backgrounds can gain admission to the Lingjiu Academy?

The location of Lingjiu Academy is exceptionally beautiful, situated on Lingjiu Mountain in the eastern suburbs of Jinghua City. Speaking of Lingjiu Mountain, it is somewhat humiliating. Before the Evil Dragon Empire invaded Shenzhou, Lingjiu Mountain was merely a renowned Buddhist mountain in the Western Regions, its location being remote and inaccessible. However, after the great retreat two hundred years ago, this legendary holy mountain of the Western Regions has now become a mountain in the suburbs of the new capital of the dynasty! It can be said that the dragon invasion two hundred years ago, which nearly led to the extinction of humanity, almost changed everything on the land of Shenzhou. Yet, after the great retreat two hundred years ago, this legendary holy mountain of the Western Regions has now become a mountain in the suburbs of the new capital of the dynasty! It can be said that the dragon invasion two hundred years ago, which nearly led to the extinction of humanity, almost changed everything on the land of Shenzhou.

It is said that demons are inherently able to draw power from destruction and chaos, which is also the fundamental reason for their incompatibility with any other race

It is indeed necessary to discuss this matter extensively. Su Jian echoed in agreement, but inwardly thought, What is there to discuss? The Commander must have been summoned and scolded thoroughly.

At Lingqiu Academy, Su Jian eagerly absorbed this knowledge. In addition, he also searched through the library of the academy, not for any other reason, but simply to uncover the origins of his Blood Song Sword

"Alright," Tang Qiu could only say, "Hurry up, and don't forget, we are classmates."

Su Jian, upon hearing this, quickly presented the sword once more. This toothpick sword was now sheathed in the most ordinary pigskin scabbard. This was a makeshift purchase he had hastily made at a street stall when he entered the city earlier, for the sake of convenience in carrying it. Given his current income level, he could only afford such a worthless pigskin scabbard.

However, at this moment, he happened to need someone to ask for directions, so Su Jian walked over and asked the chubby young man: "May I ask this young fellow, how does one get to the Academic Affairs Office?"

He was filled with regret, but Xuanyuan Hong's words brought him back to life: "Xiao Su, do not underestimate yourself. In fact, it is precisely because you lack ability and are quite ordinary that you do not attract others' attention, nor do you raise the vigilance of the Blood Oath Alliance's chaotic faction. Therefore, this study is certainly yours to pursue."

Upon seeing this, Su Jian quickly lowered his head and bent his waist, repeatedly saying "I am terrified"

Regarding Lingjiu Academy, Su Jian had long heard that its scenery was exceptionally beautiful, but it was only by visiting in person today that he truly felt the rumors were not exaggerated

Xuanyuan Hong looked at Su Jian with a benevolent expression, saying, "You are truly remarkable, exceptional, and outstanding in your own way. By the way, upon arriving at Lingjiu Academy, not only will you need to secretly monitor the rebellious factions, but there is also a more special mission I am entrusting to you. Please listen carefully—"

How could it be inserted into the tooth of a giant dragon

Through these courses, apart from the history of the Dragon Clan's invasions, Su Jian also learned for the first time that before their human race, this world had successively experienced the Age of Gods, the Age of Giants, the Age of Crystals, the Age of Demons, the Age of Dragons, and the Age of Monsters in ancient times. The ancient times up to the Age of Demons are collectively referred to as the "Mythical Era"

This, this... I originally thought it was just a young man casually taking some reward money, but upon hearing the renowned name of Lingjiu Academy, I was suddenly struck by a wave of dizziness.

From the Xihui Guard to the Jinhui Guard, it is a conventional hierarchical progression; the Zijing Guard is a direct action team under the Grand Commander of the Xuanwu Guard, tasked with executing very special and challenging secret missions. The Blood Crystal Guard is even more mysterious, also directly under the Grand Commander, functioning as an enforcement team, specifically for internal matters. The highest title in the Xuanwu Guard is "Xuanwu Crystal Guard," of which there is only one member, the Grand Commander Xuanyuan Hong, whom Su Jian just met.

That's right, it is "elegant"

"Xiao Su, please explain the situation" Xuanyuan Hong finally spoke

Originally, the Huaxia nation held a dominant position on the eastern Shenzhou continent, but it has been compressed into a small area in the west

The scholars and mages of the Dragon-Slaying Academy believe that after the dragon race defeated the fearsome demons, they, too, were exhausted and retreated to an alternate world space known as "Dragon Abyss" to recuperate.

When and how was the Blood Song Sword forged

As soon as the words left his mouth, Su Jian felt a jolt, almost wanting to slap himself twice!

Not afraid of being laughed at, Su Jian still saw the highest leader of his unit for the first time. Before bowing his head, he had quickly glanced a few times and clearly saw this important figure

The three major legions of Huaxia primarily focus on external affairs, whereas the Xuanwu Guard is different. It not only gathers intelligence on the dragon clan from outside but also maintains the kingdom's rule internally, scouting for and eliminating rebels, and occasionally undertaking secret assassination missions. Over the years, it has become a sworn enemy in the eyes of both the dragon clan and the human insurgents.

There, reaching down to the ground and up to the zenith, fierce storms blow throughout the year. In the past, such transverse faults were feared as perilous places by all, but at this moment, they have become the last lifeline for the people of the Divine Land

Listening to his report, Gai Yingwei displayed a face of impatience; however, when Su Jian mentioned that Xuanyuan Hong had instructed him to infiltrate Lingjiu Academy, Gai Yingwei was clearly shaken.

However, this struggle for survival is not easy. The human kingdom has concentrated all its resources to build high walls and fortresses along the storm belt of the Hengduan Mountains, referred to as the "Wall of Storms". At the same time, it has gathered the most powerful elites of the human race to form a defensive legion, which is stationed year-round at the Wall of Storms

Recently, I have heard from the young ones that the traitorous scoundrels of the Blood Oath Alliance have been causing increasing disturbances at the Lingjiu Academy, constantly inciting ignorant students, which is truly unacceptable. Considering your young age, it is quite suitable for you. Tomorrow, you shall enroll at Lingjiu Academy and investigate those chaotic elements and spies of the Blood Oath Alliance for me, so that I can capture them all at once

Seeing this, Xuanyuan Hong could only sigh inwardly, "What bad luck," steadied himself, and regained the demeanor of a grand master. With a casual wave of his hand, the sheathed sword was returned to Su Jian.

I remember! Su Jian responded verbally, but inwardly he thought, "Is he really pointing me in the right direction? Lord Gai's gaze is somewhat strange; it feels a bit familiar, as if I have seen it somewhere before..."

As a newcomer, Su Jian has not only failed to meet the Grand Commander, but even until now, he has not heard all the legends surrounding the Grand Commander. However, one thing is certain: among the Four Spirit Armies of the Huaxia Kingdom—Qinglong, Baihu, Zhuque, and Xuanwu—only the Grand Commander Xuanyuan Hong can evoke a sense of fear that makes "children dare not cry at night".

Originally, Xuanyuan Hong thought that a mere Xihui Guard would be unlikely to find anything valuable in the forest. Most likely, it would just be rusted scrap iron that was no longer usable. Especially since he had just seen a cheap and ugly pigskin sword sheath, which he felt was an insult even to hold in his hands—yet who could have imagined that this was, in fact, a rare and exceptional sword!

Su Jian was unaware that the change in his state of mind was far more valuable than acquiring a fine sword or a peculiar technique

The ranks of the Xuanwu Guard of the Huaxia Kingdom are primarily distinguished by the badges on their black garments, in ascending order: Tin Badge Guard, Iron Badge Guard, Copper Badge Guard, Silver Badge Guard, Gold Badge Guard, Amethyst Badge Guard, Blood Crystal Badge Guard, and Xuanwu Crystal Badge Guard

"Blood Song!" Xuan Yuan Hong suddenly exclaimed, "Yes, Blood Song! This is the true name of the sword! Hmph, toothpick sword, toothpick sword, it is simply an insult to the broadsword"