Chapter 139: Chapter 138: 4 Symbols Sword Technique
The next day, the entire upper echelon of Qig Mountain Academy was shaken. They were not unaware of the slaughter on North Mountain the previous night; most of them had simply been watching from the sidelines.
They were somewhat puzzled to see the numerous Demon Beasts on North Mountain slaughtering one another, but at least one good thing had come of it: North Mountain could be used again.
They had also discovered a sword plunged into the peak of North Mountain, but no one dared to pull it out. From the sword’s body, everyone could feel the Sword Force it emitted, a suppressive power that seemed to carry an air of destiny.
.......
Wen Qingye returned to his pavilion in the Inner Courtyard and sat down cross-legged. His trip to North Mountain had been fruitful; not only had his cultivation broken through to the Refining Essence Seventh Layer Heaven, but he had also obtained the One Thought Sword, a weapon at the Peak of the Ninth Grade.
Wen Qingye could now also cultivate the second form of the Undying Seal Technique, Separation and Death Shatter the Heart.
In addition to being able to cultivate the second form of the Undying Seal Technique, Wen Qingye began to recall the Swordsmanship techniques he could now practice.
’The King-level Intermediate Sword Technique, the Four Symbols Sword Technique!’
With his current strength, Wen Qingye could only practice the first two forms of the Four Symbols Sword Technique, but that would be more than enough.
Wen Qingye stood beside a bamboo grove, holding the One Thought Sword in his hand.
"The first form of the Four Symbols Sword Technique, Huo Changxiong!"
Wen Qingye stepped forward and slashed horizontally. The One Thought Sword in his hand unleashed an astonishing power, like a wildfire spreading across the plains, descending from the nine heavens. With a single strike, a torrent of firelight surged toward the sky.
"The second form of the Four Symbols Sword Technique, Heaven Burning Fire!"
He spun, slashing and chopping in an inverted motion as if to slit a throat, carrying the fury of a sky-burning inferno. A streak of crimson light coated the One Thought Sword. This sliver of light seemed to be the culmination of a thousand raging fires, brewing with infinite might.
Flashes of red light flickered through the entire bamboo grove, a breathtaking sight.
......
In the afternoon, Wen Qingye headed toward Ren Hua’s pavilion.
Under a palm tree, Ren Hua and Guu Lei were deep in conversation, seemingly discussing Swordsmanship.
When Guu Lei saw Wen Qingye arrive, he said with some surprise, "You’re actually out and about?"
Wen Qingye usually kept to himself, cultivating behind closed doors, so this was the first time he had sought them out.
Wen Qingye looked at Guu Lei and smiled. "It’s not like I’m a complete hermit. I came looking for you because I need to talk about something."
"Oh?" Hearing Wen Qingye’s words, Ren Hua’s interest was clearly piqued. "What is it you need from us?"
Wen Qingye’s expression grew serious. "I’m here about the matter concerning our cultivation resources."
Ren Hua’s brow furrowed. "You found out?"
From the tone in his voice, Wen Qingye looked between Guu Lei and Ren Hua. "Have you two known all along?"
Guu Lei’s gaze was cool as he said in a low voice, "We only just found out ourselves. We weren’t going to tell you..."
"Not tell me?" Wen Qingye’s eyes narrowed slightly. ’Is there some hidden reason for this?’
For a man as cold and proud as Guu Lei to act this way, there had to be something shady going on.
"Spit it out!" Wen Qingye demanded with a frown.
Ren Hua and Guu Lei exchanged a glance before Ren Hua gave a bitter smile. "Alright, we’ll tell you. You know Wang Chong, right? He has powerful backing. His parents passed away when he and his brother were young, so they were raised by their grandfather. That grandfather doted on them immensely. Wang Chong’s grandfather is none other than the current head of Qig Mountain Academy, Wang Tianming."
A dangerous glint flashed in Wen Qingye’s eyes. He said coolly, "So, Wang Chong is the one pulling the strings behind all this?"
"Yes. Brother Qingye, you shouldn’t..." Guu Lei nodded, his eyes filled with worry.
"I understand. Don’t worry about it," Wen Qingye said with a nonchalant smile, then turned and walked away.
As Wen Qingye turned his head, his eyes grew cold. ’So Ren Hua, Guu Lei, and Wei Qiutong have had their cultivation resources withheld... all because of me?’
At this thought, the murderous glint in Wen Qingye’s eyes intensified.
Guu Lei and Ren Hua exchanged a look, each seeing the deep worry in the other’s eyes.
.......
Inside the Sacrificial Hall, Elder Sunx sat leisurely. His job was incredibly easy; only a few students, returning from training expeditions or leaves of absence, would occasionally come by to collect their resources.
At that moment, only four or five Inner Courtyard students were in the entire Sacrificial Hall, standing in line to receive their cultivation resources.
"Name?"
"Liuu Qiang!"
"Here are your resources for the next three months. Take them."
"Next. Name?" Elder Sunx said lazily, without looking up.
SLAM!
Suddenly, there was a loud slam on his desk, and a sword appeared on it.
Elder Sunx’s head snapped up, his eyes locking on the person who had arrived.
"It’s you?" Elder Sunx said, looking at Wen Qingye with surprise. He clearly had a strong impression of the young man.
Seeing Wen Qingye’s sword on his desk, Elder Sunx’s expression turned cold. "Brat, what is the meaning of this? Putting your sword on my desk?"
The few Inner Courtyard students nearby also turned to look at Wen Qingye, confused.
Wen Qingye’s expression was frigid. "Hand over the cultivation resources you’ve been withholding."
’Withheld cultivation resources?’ one person among the students muttered to himself upon hearing Wen Qingye’s words. This was Shen Yanxing, one of the four great geniuses of the Inner Courtyard.
Elder Sunx’s tone became harsh, but his eyes darted about evasively. "What nonsense are you spouting? When did I ever withhold your cultivation resources? I’m warning you, don’t spread baseless rumors!"
Qig Mountain Academy had extremely strict rules regarding such matters. If he were to be exposed, Elder Sunx’s career at the academy would be over. That was why he denied it so vehemently.
Wen Qingye remained silent, his eyes fixed on Elder Sunx. "I’ll only ask you one last time. Are you going to hand them over, or not?"
His tone was level, but his words were laced with a chilling killing intent.
Elder Sunx’s brow furrowed, and his heart lurched in alarm. ’This brat wants to kill me?’
Elder Sunx’s eyes immediately went wide as he shot back, "Brat, I didn’t withhold any of your cultivation resources! What is there for me to hand over?"
Wen Qingye suddenly broke into a smile. "Good. Good. Very good. You’ve got some nerve."
CRACK!
Wen Qingye snatched up his sword and, with a single strike, split the desk in two.
"Watch your neck!"
Having said his piece, Wen Qingye turned and left without another word.
Elder Sunx’s face was livid. From his initial outburst to his final word, Wen Qingye’s movements had been astonishingly fast. Elder Sunx had been confident that Wen Qingye wouldn’t dare to physically attack him, but he had never imagined the boy would dare to threaten him so openly.
’A mere brat in the Refining Essence Realm dares to threaten me?’ Elder Sunx composed himself and shot a cold glare at Wen Qingye’s departing back.
Watching Elder Sunx’s sinister gaze, Shen Yanxing seemed to come to a sudden realization.
