Outside the Enforcement Bureau.
The gate served as a dividing line. Outside stood Sword God Li Qinglian and the gathered crowd. Inside, facing them, were numerous high-ranking officials and guards of the Enforcement Bureau led by Sun Ze.
One side bore a colossal red sword above their heads, the other stared in apprehension, separated by the gate.
Li Qinglian, clad in a green robe, had only his scabbard at his waist. The towering sword above his head, named Slaughter, seemed to inhale the wind and clouds, poised to descend at any moment.
The sword was immense. If it were to fall, the destruction would be unimaginable.
In the livestream.
Hundreds of millions of people from humanity's three hundred cities were watching.
As the solemn scene unfolded on screen, many held their breath.
The barrage of comments scrolled by so rapidly, blurring the visuals.
“Is it really going to happen? No!”
“Are you out of your mind? His disciple was arrested, and you expect the Sword God to remain calm?”
“What about Zhou Yang? Is it okay for the Sword God to resort to force instead of the proper channels? He’s breaking the rules.”
“You accuse me, and then I’m blamed for overturning the table and refusing to play? What kind of logic is that?”
“Besides, there are many suspicious points in this case. There might be internal dealings.”
“Anyone else would be calm, but what kind of person is the Sword God? He’s righteous and a great hero who protects humanity. How could he endure such injustice?”
“Stop arguing, you’re all so annoying.”
The crowd debated, most hoping the Sword God wouldn't intervene. After all, peace was hard-won, and even those who hadn't experienced war understood its value.
However, some wished for the Sword God to act, to vent their own suppressed frustrations.
They yearned for a great battle to sweep away the accumulated ills and old wounds of the past three hundred years, to bring clarity back to the world.
In ancient times, three hundred years marked the cycle of a dynasty. Now, it signified the beginning of a decline.
At this moment, hundreds of millions among humanity’s two billion people were focused on this event, offering diverse opinions.
“If I were the Sword God, I’d cleave him in two, consequences be damned.”
“You don’t realize the other races are watching us covetously, do you?”
“I mean, if there wasn't this pressure from external races, the Sword God would definitely have struck him down by now.”
“Sun Ze was defeated by the Sword God back then. The gap is even wider now. He definitely can’t beat the Sword God. It all depends on whether the Sword God chooses to kill him.”
“The Cabinet and all major departments won’t stand by idly. Just wait, they’ll appear soon.”
Various major powers across the three hundred cities reacted differently upon hearing the news.
They had heard whispers of Zhou Yang's imprisonment. Many weren't interested in the truth of the matter, but were intensely focused on the Sword God's reaction.
Would he strike, or not? Either outcome would have profound ripple effects.
Overseas, in Sanxian City.
The Cave Void Academy, ranked eighth among the Ten Great Academies, founded by Master Fuyao.
A middle-aged man in a Daoist robe was watching the livestream. As he looked at the figure on the screen, past events resurfaced in his mind.
The scene of that person, with one sword, cutting through enemy armies of another world, was still vivid.
The intermittent wars spanning over two centuries had exacted a heavy toll. Some had perished, others continued the struggle. But whether dead or forgotten, none should become sacrifices, let alone pawns in someone else’s game.
He understood the Sword God's feelings.
Just as he, the founder of Cave Void Academy, would be furious if his disciples were bullied.
“Alas, if only he hadn't gone to Guixu back then, Sun Ze, under his restraint, would never have climbed to such a high position,” he murmured.
Once, the Sword God had founded the Supreme Academy, which quickly became the foremost institution. Later, when Guixu erupted, he voluntarily relocated the academy to Guixu. From that point on, the Supreme Academy gradually declined.
An accident occurred years ago, resulting in the death or departure of many students and teachers of the Supreme Academy. Consequently, only two remained. Despite their small numbers, he knew that as long as the Sword God was present, the Guixu defense line would be impregnable.
Unfortunately, today, he had left Guixu in anger.
Whether it was a blessing or a curse remained to be seen.
“Enough. I should make a trip. I hope it doesn’t come to blows. Otherwise, a mutual defeat would not only make us a laughingstock among the realms but also drain humanity’s potential,” he mused.
The next moment, his eyes transformed. The clear black and white irises gradually turned silver-white, with faint twinkling stars within. They were beautiful eyes, which would have been even more captivating on a beautiful woman or a handsome man.
With a slight shift of his gaze, a vortex appeared before him.
Stepping into the vortex, he vanished.
Central City.
Three of the Ten Great Academies—the Chaos Element Academy (ranked third), the Controller Academy (ranked sixth), and the Awakening Academy (ranked tenth)—were situated here.
Chaos Element Academy.
A young man in a crimson robe frowned as he observed everything happening in the city.
“It’s been too long, but your temper is still the same, sharp and imposing like a sword,” he muttered.
This reminded him of the times he fought alongside the Sword God.
Suddenly, he chuckled and said, “However, you’re still as impulsive as you were back then. Coming with your sword is exhilarating, but it damages your reputation.”
That was the Sword God in the past: cold on the outside, warm on the inside, cutting down enemies with his sword, never retreating, always forging ahead. He had transformed from a B-class talent to an SS-class one, not just due to his high comprehension, but also his fervent devotion to the sword.
“You never think things through. I’ll go to Ji City for you, just like I cleaned up after you in the past,” he sighed.
Glancing in the direction of Ji City, flames erupted from beneath his feet. With a roar, he shot into the sky like a rocket, his speed astonishing.
On the other side.
Controller Academy.
Ranked sixth, founded by “The Controller”!
The academy’s strongest specialization was controllers, a classification of awakened individuals capable of manipulating matter, life, and more.
This was an ideal academy for summoners and the most sought-after by psychics.
At this moment, in the academy, people were flying on swords in the sky, some on beasts, and others levitating in mid-air, propelled by psychic energy.
Lin Yurou, without a system, would find this academy most suitable. Strictly speaking, he was also a controller.
Just then, a thunderous beast roar echoed from the mountains behind the Controller Academy.
“What did you say? Qinglian is here?” a young man exclaimed in surprise.
They hadn't seen each other for several years and missed him dearly.
Before him stood a white tiger, which said, “He’s not only here, but he’s here to kill. Are you going to see?”
“What? No! Killing someone in Central City, even he, would ruin his reputation. Sigh, he’s still so impulsive. Why doesn’t he just ask old friends like us for help?”
“Hmph, if he thought things through and acted cautiously like you, always hiding, his swordsmanship talent would have peaked long ago,” the white tiger taunted.
“Alas, you’re right. Let’s go. We’ll go find him and support our old friend. If anyone dares to bully him, you bite them, understand?” the Controller instructed.
The white tiger rolled its eyes. “Understood, you big coward!”
“Say that again, and you’re going back to the summoning space.”
“No, no, handsome Controller, I’ll do whatever you say.” The white tiger shivered at the thought of the summoning space. It absolutely did not want to go back there; it was too boring.
“Lie down, I want to fly on a beast,” the Controller commanded.
The white tiger gave a helpless wry smile and lay down. The Controller climbed onto its back. “Let’s go!”
Vajra Academy.
Ranked tenth among the Ten Great Academies, founded by the Divine Monk.
The entire academy resembled a Buddhist temple, with pagodas and temples everywhere. The student body was small, numbering only a hundred, but each student was a master of body refinement.
Combined with the academy’s Vajra series of techniques, they could forge their bodies into a Vajra physique, making it the academy most skilled in close-quarters combat among humanity’s Ten Great Academies.
At this moment, a middle-aged monk suddenly opened his eyes.
He looked at the student outside and asked, “What is it?”
“Senior Sword God has arrived, and he’s here with great force. A major battle is possible. The Cabinet Elders request your intervention to calm the Sword God and prevent a tragic internal conflict among humanity.”
The Divine Monk remained as still as a mountain. The students outside maintained their bowing posture, unmoving.
After a moment, the Divine Monk rose and said, “Amitabha, I accept this matter. You may withdraw!”
After the student left, he walked out of the main hall and looked up at the sky.
“It’s been many years. It’s time for a reunion.”
With that said.
His entire body turned golden, radiating brilliance. He bent his knees slightly.
With a roar, he leaped into the air!