Liang Xiaoxiao, a disciple of the Mount Li Sword Sect, was once one of the Divine Kingdom's Seven Laws.
Because of his hatred, this young genius, who should have had an infinitely bright future, ultimately embarked on the path of betraying humanity. He colluded with the demons, stirring up a storm of blood in the Garden of Zhou, and attempted to assassinate Chen Changsheng, Qi Jian, and the others. Even after he failed, he was still unwilling to give up, using his own death as a sacrifice for the most unyielding method.
But with Su Li's return to Mount Li, the end of Mount Li's internal strife, Chen Changsheng's return to the capital, and Zhuang Huanyu's suicide to escape punishment, all debate and suspicion came to a screeching halt. Henceforth, Liang Xiaoxiao became Mount Li's greatest humiliation, or perhaps it could be said that the place where he was most vulnerable to attack — that expert from the Emotion-Severing Sect had done exactly this.
The Mount Li Sword Sect's response was unyielding and clear.
According to the rules of the Mount Li Sword Sect, even though Liang Xiaoxiao had died, he was still expelled from the sect and was no longer viewed as a disciple of Mount Li. However, in the eyes of Gou Hanshi and the others, that once talented young swordsman was still a fellow disciple, not to mention that Liang Banhu had always been his blood brother.
Hatred and shame were just one aspect. After cultivating together for ten whole years, how could they forget so quickly?
Tang Thirty-Six asked in confusion, "Do you really think that they are not targeting you?"
Liang Xiaoxiao had died outside the Garden of Zhou in Hanqiu City, committing suicide, but if one looked at it from another perspective, was it not the same as dying under Chen Changsheng's sword?
Just like when Zhuang Huan Yu committed suicide by the well of the Heavenly Academy, the teachers and students of the Heavenly Academy, including the famous Guan Bai, would still blame this on Chen Chang Sheng.
No one said that Chen Chang Sheng had done anything wrong in this matter, but just like what was said before, gratitude and grudges were always clear and unreasonable.
Tang Thirty Six had thought of this and reminded Chen Chang Sheng.
Chen Chang Sheng shook his head and said, "Maybe … it's just a memento."
Tang Thirty-Six raised his eyebrows slightly. He didn't really believe this explanation.
Zhexiu said, "What Chen Changsheng meant was that if you died, no matter how you died, he would never forget you. Occasionally, he would use the Three Swords of Wen Shui to reminisce."
Tang Thirty Six glared at him and said, "When did you become so talkative?"
…
…
Tianliang County had an old grudge with the Mount Li Sword Sect, which was why Scholar Hu and the others had challenged them, but they had lost three times in a row. The cultivators from other places naturally would not seek trouble, and the scene became rather cold and cheerless.
Then, Zhong Hui stepped forward.
This was a matter of course, so much so that when the spectators saw him walk onto the field and look at Gou Han Shi, they subconsciously let out a sigh of relief.
In last year's Grand Examination, Chen Chang Sheng was first upon the First Banner, with Gou Han Shi second and Zhong Hui third. In the newly announced Proclamation of Golden Distinction, Zhong Hui was still closely behind these two.
In the one and a half years after the end of the Grand Examination, Zhong Hui's progress was godly, and he had already cultivated to the peak of Ethereal Opening. Compared to his somewhat lucky third place upon the First Banner, his position on the Proclamation of Golden Distinction was a true reflection of his current status amongst the younger generation of cultivators. But he was still below Chen Chang Sheng and Gou Han Shi. So he naturally had to challenge Gou Han Shi in the Boiling Stone Summit, and then Chen Changsheng.
He calmly looked at Gou Han Shi, his peripheral vision falling upon Chen Chang Sheng.
This sort of calmness represented confidence.
Guan Fei Bai was also very confident, and at the same time very proud. He had always looked down upon Zhong Hui, and felt that this scholar from Scholartree Manor was feigning calmness. He coldly laughed a few times, and prepared to enter the field to meet his opponent.
Gou Han Shi stopped his junior brother — Zhong Hui did not speak, but everyone knew that the target of his challenge was Gou Han Shi — he wanted to give his opponent sufficient respect.
The lake breeze lightly blew upon Zhong Hui's sleeves and upon the fine sand on the stone plateau.
Gou Han Shi walked on the surface of the fine sand, leaving behind shallow footprints.
Zhong Hui looked at him, his expression calm, even somewhat wooden, as he unsheathed his sword from its sheath.
Following his movements, his sleeves instantly calmed down. Because, the wind blowing from the surface of the lake had stopped, chopped into pieces by the sword intent he emitted, vanishing into the air.
Gou Han Shi slightly raised his eyebrows, somewhat surprised.
Rumors and seeing with one's own eyes were ultimately different.
Everyone said that Zhong Hui had already cultivated to the peak of Ethereal Opening, and that he might even become the second extraordinary individual after Qiu Shan Jun to succeed in Star Condensation, but only by personally seeing and feeling the lake breeze that had passed away could people be certain that his sword intent was already so powerful, only a step away from that threshold.
Gou Han Shi's expression grew solemn.
The mood on the platform also grew solemn.
However, unlike what people imagined, Gou Han Shi's solemnity was not because he had realized that he might lose, but because he thought that he could no longer conceal his strength.
Without thinking for too long, he made his decision.
An indistinct, extremely light Qi began to emanate from his body.
The lake breeze that had drifted through the air seemed to be summoned by some sort of energy. Slowly but clearly, it began to take form once more, leisurely drifting around him.
At this moment, the blazing sun was high in the sky. Although this was the summit of a high and cold mountain, the temperature had gradually warmed. The blazing rays of light fell upon the surface of the lake and those stones, refracting and scattering, somewhat dazzling.
Those bright rays of light were not able to directly fall upon Gou Han Shi's body.
Because wisps of the lake breeze drifted around his body.
The rays of light refracted and scattered once more, still bright, but no longer so dazzling. Moreover, they were cut into countless specks of light by the lake breeze, reflecting on his blue robes like the scenery of a forest.
But also like countless stars.
That indistinct Qi suddenly became incomparably calm, incomparably clear. Countless specks of starlight danced in the space between his eyebrows and his robes, but they did not go far.
The stone platform by the lake was deathly still.
For a very long time, no one opened their mouth to speak.
Just when those specks of starlight began to dance, Zhong Hui's expression changed.
His calm, even somewhat wooden expression was instantly replaced by shock and defeat.
His face became very pale, without a trace of blood.
After some time, he finally awoke and said in a trembling voice, "I lost."
As he said these three words, he seemed to be in great pain.
After saying this, he seemed much more relaxed. Sheathing his sword, he turned and left.
The stone platform by the lake was still quiet.
A clear and gentle voice rose up.
"Congratulations, Senior Brother."
The speaker was Xu Yourong.
Many people had already guessed or understood why Zhong Hui had conceded, but only when she said these words did they dare to believe it, because it truly was rather inconceivable.
The entire crowd was silent. The silence had already persisted for a very long time.
Gou Han Shi had already succeeded in Star Condensation.
His expression was very calm. The disciples of the Li Shan Sword Sect could not conceal their pride. Guan Fei Bai still had that deadpan face, but his gaze towards the people of the Orthodox Academy was clearly somewhat different.
Chen Changsheng said emotionally, "Admirable."
Zhexiu said, "Second fastest."
Amongst the younger generation, Gou Han Shi could be ranked second in terms of speed in Star Condensation. Mo Yu and Tian Hai Sheng Xue were both slightly older than him when they succeeded in Star Condensation.
As for the person ranked first, it was obviously Qiu Shan Jun.
Tang Thirty-Six, expressionless, said in a low voice, "You have to hurry."
This sentence was naturally said to Chen Changsheng.
Gou Han looked towards the people of the Orthodox Academy, looked at Chen Changsheng and slowly nodded.
He did not speak, but Chen Changsheng understood his meaning.
Chen Changsheng was silent for a while, then stood up.
The crowd was in an uproar.
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