Chapter 85: I Must Go

Just seven days ago, in the realm of Yan Yun, Mu Feng had gone to challenge the genius ranked twenty-first on the Hidden Dragon List. As it happened, he heard that someone was challenging the very top of that list. Without hesitation, he made his way to an island on the eastern coast, hoping to witness this momentous duel.

Unfortunately, by the time he arrived, the battle had already ended. The champion of the Hidden Dragon List had been defeated! In his deliberate search, he caught a fleeting glimpse of a fiery-haired girl—none other than Duanmu Wan, the prodigious young woman who had toppled the list’s foremost contender and burst into prominence.

He never expected to see her again so soon, yet here she was. But the scene before him now was rather bizarre. That famed prodigy, the very girl who had claimed the top of the Hidden Dragon List, was bowing respectfully to that boy from earlier? What could this mean?

Moreover, he heard her address him as “Elder Xia.” Could he truly be the Director Xia of the Supreme Mystic Academy? To be head of such an institution at just sixteen or seventeen—such a person truly defied common sense.

Witnessing all this, Mu Feng was naturally reluctant to leave so quickly.

Elsewhere, Xia Jiuxuan, having discerned that Duanmu Wan held no ill intent, allowed himself to relax.

“What brings you here?” Xia Jiuxuan asked mildly. He added, “And don’t call me Elder. Just use my name, Xia Jiuxuan.”

“Ah.” Duanmu Wan found this reasonable; after all, in this lifetime, he was younger than her. Calling him ‘Elder’ did seem inappropriate. “Then, may I address you as Senior Brother Xia?”

“As you wish,” replied Xia Jiuxuan indifferently.

Hearing no objection, Duanmu Wan was secretly delighted. She continued, “Senior Brother Xia, I overheard what that Mu gentleman said just now. I suggest you agree to form a team and join him in the tournament.”

Xia Jiuxuan raised an eyebrow in slight confusion. “With your background, why would you care about a mere tournament?”

Duanmu Wan was no ordinary person; in her previous life, she was the daughter of the Swordmaster and a reincarnated expert in the way of the sword. With her vision, it was unlikely she’d seek the limelight in a contest among the ten nations’ young talents. That was what puzzled Xia Jiuxuan.

“Senior Brother Xia, you don’t know the inside story,” Duanmu Wan shook her head.

“Oh? Then do tell—what is it?” At last, a spark of interest glimmered in Xia Jiuxuan’s eyes.

“This so-called Ten Nations Prodigy Tournament is actually being organized by powerful figures from beyond this world. Their purpose is to find a representative,” Duanmu Wan explained.

“Useless,” Xia Jiuxuan said, a bit disappointed.

“It’s not useless at all!” Duanmu Wan immediately retorted. “In fact, I think you’ll be interested, because these so-called powerful figures are connected to that kind of force.”

That kind of force? Xia Jiuxuan needed no further explanation. Duanmu Wan was undoubtedly referring to the invading Demon Clan!

“Come inside and explain in detail!” Information about the Demon Clan was exactly what Xia Jiuxuan sought; it concerned his own path of growth.

“Um... Director Xia, might I join you inside to discuss this as well?” Mu Feng, observing the situation, realized that this youth was indeed the head of the academy.

“Wait outside!” Xia Jiuxuan left these words behind and disappeared with Duanmu Wan through the bronze gate.

Mu Feng’s face fell. Today had truly been a string of blows to his pride.

Xia Jiuxuan led Duanmu Wan into a courtyard, where they sat upon stone stools.

“Now, tell me everything you know about the Demon Clan,” Xia Jiuxuan went straight to the point.

“Of course.” Duanmu nodded and began, “From what I know, those supreme sects from beyond have discovered a secret realm. They need to gather young geniuses to enter it and search for something of great importance. If they find it, they’ll send that person to an even higher echelon of power. Behind it all, the shadow of the Demon Clan looms.”

“That’s all?” Xia Jiuxuan was taken aback.

“That’s all,” Duanmu Wan affirmed.

Xia Jiuxuan pressed on, “Why don’t those sects send their own people? Why come to the Mortal Martial Nations to find candidates?”

Duanmu Wan considered for a moment. “Rumor has it that the secret realm descended from beyond the heavens. Anyone who has cultivated spiritual power, if summoned inside, will be crushed by the realm’s laws. There’s also an age restriction. Only those under twenty-five who have never cultivated spiritual power can enter. So, these great sects are searching for representatives among the Mortal Martial Nations to seek the treasure in their stead.”

Now Xia Jiuxuan understood. So a secret realm from beyond had appeared!

“In that case, I truly must participate,” he decided at once. First, to investigate matters regarding the Demon Clan; second, to see if there might be spiritual medicines capable of fully healing Li Luoyan.

“I knew you’d go,” Duanmu Wan said with a smile. “You should thank me, Senior Brother Xia. If I hadn’t come in time, you’d never have received this news.”

“Thank you? And what about last time, when I granted you such a great favor—where was my thanks then?” asked Xia Jiuxuan.

A faint blush colored Duanmu Wan’s cheeks. It was true; without the perfect Blazing Fire Sword Art that this mysterious Senior Brother Xia had taught her, her cultivation would not have advanced so swiftly. Yet, remembering how this fellow had physically examined her in detail, she could not help but feel both embarrassed and shy.

“Hmph, then we’re even,” she managed, glancing away from Xia Jiuxuan’s gaze.

Unruffled, Xia Jiuxuan took a sip of tea and asked, “When does the tournament begin, and what are the requirements?”

Duanmu Wan regained her composure. “Three days from now, on an island in the Eastern Sea. Many from the southern ten nations will attend, including some rare prodigies from secluded clans.”

“As for the requirements, they’re simple: under twenty-five years old, teams of at least three, and all must possess unique constitutions.”

“Fine,” Xia Jiuxuan nodded.

“Senior Brother Xia, you must have a unique constitution, right?” Duanmu Wan couldn’t discern his exact nature, so she asked.

“Isn’t that obvious?” Xia Jiuxuan shot her a look.

Upon reflection, Duanmu Wan realized her question was redundant. Senior Brother Xia was anything but ordinary.

“In that case, since Mu Feng is already here, there’s no need to seek out anyone else. Shall we team up with him?” she suggested.

“Anyone will do, as long as they’re human,” Xia Jiuxuan replied coolly.

Duanmu Wan was momentarily speechless. “Senior Brother Xia, don’t underestimate the competition. This is no ordinary tournament—only the top three teams will be chosen.”

Xia Jiuxuan smiled, “Don’t count on Mu Feng. Just don’t hold me back, and we’ll be fine.”

Duanmu Wan bristled, retorting, “Who are you looking down on? My strength has soared—I doubt you’re my match now!”

Xia Jiuxuan’s gaze swept over her. “You’ve improved a little, yes, but if I had your constitution, I could defeat a thousand of you.”

“Fine, you’re amazing,” Duanmu Wan rolled her eyes at him.

At this, Xia Jiuxuan remembered something, his expression turning serious. “There’s something I must make clear to you.”

Duanmu Wan straightened, sensing his gravity. “What is it?”

Xia Jiuxuan stood. “Do you have a younger brother named Duanmu Qing? When I left your island that day, I killed him.”

Duanmu Wan burst out laughing, “Is that all? I knew it was you long ago. He was just a lowly servant; if he offended you, I’d have no objection to killing him a thousand times over.”

“Good,” Xia Jiuxuan relaxed. He needed to resolve this beforehand to avoid future trouble.

“Master, master, miss refuses to rest and keeps training—what should we do?” At that moment, Li Luoyan entered the courtyard.

Looking up, she saw Xia Jiuxuan and Duanmu Wan sitting across from each other, the beautiful woman still hiding a smile behind her hand.

Duanmu Wan’s gaze immediately fell upon Li Luoyan. The moment she saw her, Duanmu Wan’s heart skipped a beat. This woman was stunning—how could such an extraordinary beauty exist in the Mortal Martial Nations?

Li Luoyan had much the same thought. The girl in red was a peerless beauty.

They stared at each other for a moment before Li Luoyan broke the silence, bowing to Xia Jiuxuan. “So Young Master has guests. I’ll take my leave.”

“Wait,” Xia Jiuxuan called after her. “I may be traveling soon. While I’m away, I’ll seal the gates. You and Ranran are to cultivate inside and not go out.”

Li Luoyan paused. “Where are you going, Young Master?”

Xia Jiuxuan answered bluntly, “To a secret realm.”

Li Luoyan was worried. “What kind of secret realm? How about I accompany you?”

“That’s not possible. Just stay here and rest easy,” Xia Jiuxuan replied.

Li Luoyan opened her mouth to argue, but Duanmu Wan interjected, “Senior Brother Xia, why bother explaining so much to a maid?”

At this, Xia Jiuxuan frowned. “Enough. She is no mere maid. Don’t speak to her that way again.”

Duanmu Wan blinked in surprise at his sternness.

Li Luoyan’s face darkened as well. “Miss, it’s true that I am a maid to my young master, but to anyone else, I am not so easily dismissed.”

Duanmu Wan stuck out her tongue, staring at Li Luoyan. “Apologies, I spoke out of turn.”

“All right, enough,” Xia Jiuxuan said, rising. “Luoyan, I’m going to the secret realm mainly to find medicine to heal you. Don’t worry—understand?”

Li Luoyan felt a rush of warmth. So he was risking the secret realm for her sake. Just moments ago, she’d thought he was going for that other woman.

Unconsciously, the corners of her lips curled into a smile she herself did not notice.

“Yes, Young Master. I’ll go watch over Ranran now. You two continue your conversation.” Li Luoyan turned and skipped off toward the rear courtyard.

Once she was gone, Duanmu Wan shrugged. “She likes you, you know. Didn’t you see how jealous she was just now?”

Xia Jiuxuan shrugged as well. “Isn’t that normal? If I didn’t keep her in check, she’d want to possess me completely.”

Duanmu Wan pouted and shot him a disdainful look.

“All right, enough idle talk. Let’s go find Mu Feng and set out!”

“Mm!” Duanmu Wan nodded, following Xia Jiuxuan out the gate.