"I shall certainly live up to your expectations, Father. In this Academy Grand Competition, I will secure a top rank to bring glory to the Ye Family and reclaim the face that Ye Qiubai lost!" Ye Yan said with a laugh, cupping his hands.
Ye Qing stood to the side, his expression extremely grim.
Ye Ling, however, laughed heartily upon hearing this. "Hahaha, good, very good! We shall wait here for your good news." He then turned toward Ye Qing, patted him on the shoulder, and said aloud, "Head of the Family, my son will be the one to support the Ye Family in the future. The younger generation of our Ye Family will definitely not decline because of this."
***
Chapter 6: The First Battle of Grass Cottage!
There were two days left until the Academy Grand Competition.
Ye Qiubai stood before the scroll of the Sword Immortal dancing with his sword. He felt a sudden flash of insight, and waves of sword energy erupted from within his body. His aura climbed rapidly.
Peak Golden Core Realm!
Feeling his cultivation improve once again, he couldn't help but exclaim, "As expected of Master. Every time I look at this painting, I gain different insights into the way of the sword."
If Ye Qiubai had known that this scroll was something Lu Changsheng had doodled randomly when he was bored, he would have been terrified.
However, through these days of cultivation, Ye Qiubai also felt that he had reached a bottleneck.
During these days, Ye Qiubai had learned a bit about Cangdao Academy. In Cangdao Academy, contribution points were used as the standard for evaluation. Contribution points could be used to select cultivation techniques and martial skills at the Treasure Pavilion, or to trade for heavenly treasures.
There were three ways to earn contribution points. The first was to complete academy missions. The second was to make outstanding contributions to the academy. The third was to go to the Martial Arts Arena to spar with others in the academy. One would wager contribution points to challenge someone on the stage; the more rounds one won, the more the points would double, but once one lost, all contribution points would go to the opponent.
With this in mind, Ye Qiubai decided to go to the Martial Arts Arena to spar. It would be the perfect opportunity for real-combat experience to verify his current sword insights, and he could earn some contribution points along the way.
Thus, Ye Qiubai carried a wooden sword and descended the mountain. He arrived at the registration desk, where an old man sat at the entrance.
"Name, which hall, cultivation level, and the amount of contribution points to wager."
Ye Qiubai reported his name. "Grass Cottage, Golden Core Realm, wagering 100 contribution points."
*Grass Cottage?*
The old man raised his head to look at Ye Qiubai, handed him a token marked with the number 11, and said, "The sparring for the Golden Core Realm has already begun. You may go directly over."
"Many thanks."
Ye Qiubai cupped his hands and entered the Martial Arts Arena. After waiting for about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the number 11, belonging to Ye Qiubai, was called.
Ye Qiubai stepped forward and leaped onto the arena. Opposite him stood a man with a massive frame, his muscles bulging with explosive power.
"Li He of the Martial Hall, facing Ye Qiubai of the Grass Cottage. Realms are equal, multiplier is one."
After an old man announced this, he retreated from the stage. The spectators were all shocked when they heard this.
"Grass Cottage? Is that the Grass Cottage that hasn't taken in a disciple for decades?"
"Yes, the Grass Cottage is accepting disciples again. I want to see just what kind of ability this Grass Cottage has."
Li He heard the whispers around him and couldn't help but sneer. "A disciple of the Grass Cottage? I'd like to see what the people of the Grass Cottage are actually capable of."
Ye Qiubai did not reply. He simply took out his wooden sword. After all, once he displayed his strength, these people would naturally shut up.
At the same time, several Elders arrived in the air above, including the Academy Dean, Qin Tiannan.
"It seems you all want to see how the disciple that kid Changsheng took in is doing."
The Elder of the Sword Hall snorted coldly, "If the disciple he took in is incompetent, then he shall no longer be allowed to occupy the academy's resources."
The Martial Hall Elder nodded in agreement. "The opinions within the academy are growing stronger, and I’m afraid the Dean won't be able to suppress them for much longer."
Qin Tiannan sighed. "Let us observe this boy for now."
The match began.
Li He let out a ferocious laugh. He stomped his feet hard against the ground, his explosive muscles bulging, and threw a punch toward Ye Qiubai’s chest! Those from the Martial Hall all possessed incredibly powerful physical bodies, and Li He, as a leader among them, was even more extraordinary. With that one punch, the surrounding wind changed direction, and sonic booms erupted in the air!
Even the spectators were horrified.
"Li He’s physical body has become even stronger. I reckon that even someone at the Peak Golden Core Realm would find it hard to withstand this punch."
"This Ye Qiubai is just standing there motionless. He’s likely been intimidated by the power of that punch."
"Grass Cottage... so much for that."
Ye Qiubai looked at the punch with a calm expression. It was indeed a powerful physical strike, but that was all it was. He flicked his wooden sword slightly and then thrust it forward!
"You want to block my punch with a wooden sword?" Li He sneered, his fist crashing down heavily onto the wooden sword!
However, the scene of the wooden sword shattering did not happen as Li He had expected. Instead, his fist felt as if it had struck an exceptionally sharp precious sword!
*Puff!*
In an instant, his fist was pierced through by the wooden sword!
Li He’s expression changed in shock, and he stepped back!
High above, the Sword Hall Elder’s expression turned solemn. "Sword energy gathered inwardly. This child’s mastery of sword energy is truly formidable." It was well known that gathering sword energy inwardly was not difficult, but doing so within a fragile, pathetic wooden sword was exceptionally hard.
The Martial Hall Elder’s face darkened. "Let’s keep watching. This alone is not enough." After all, Li He was a student of their Martial Hall.
The spectators were also shocked. It was clear that this scene had exceeded their expectations.
Ye Qiubai’s expression remained unchanged, his eyes as calm as the surface of a lake, without a ripple. He took a slight step, and like an arrow leaving the string, he shot forward! He slashed with his wooden sword, and beams of sword light, like a net, locked Li He in place.
There was no way out!
Seeing this, Li He realized he had underestimated his opponent. The net of sword light before him seemed as if it could cut through space as it descended upon him! The gale from those sword beams cut into Li He’s powerful physique, leaving behind trails of blood! If he let them strike him, he would likely be carved into pieces!
Thinking of this, Li He roared at the sky, his arms beginning to petrify. Black-gold color flowed along his petrified arms into his five fingers, transforming into black-gold gauntlets.
"That’s a Peak Treasure! The Black-Gold Gauntlets, and he’s using the Mountain-Shaking Fist! That’s Li He’s strongest move!"
"Once, when Li He was only at the Early Golden Core Realm, he used this move to kill a Peak Golden Core expert!"
Seeing this, Ye Qiubai was slightly surprised. The opponent’s aura was climbing to a peak; he figured the power of that punch must be quite significant. If it were the old him, he probably wouldn't have been able to take it. But now, with the *Primordial Sword Scripture* given by his Master, plus the modifications from various medicinal pills, this punch was nothing more than that.
He slashed with his wooden sword again!
Sword energy sprayed out, and the sword net formed by the beams became even sharper and more solid, as if it could tear through space!
Fist and sword collided with a clanging sound like gold and iron. Massive waves of energy kept spreading to the surroundings! Unfortunately, this state did not last long. Cracks soon appeared on Li He’s Black-Gold Gauntlets!
There was nowhere to hide!
Li He’s expression shifted, and the Black-Gold Gauntlets shattered in an instant! His petrified arms were also slashed with crack after crack, blood spraying out from the fissures! With a scream, he was sent flying backward, landing outside the arena.
"The winner, Ye Qiubai of the Grass Cottage!"
***
Chapter 7: Does No One Believe the Truth These Days?
Following the old man’s announcement of the results, no one clapped. There was only the shocked expression on everyone's face.
Li He of the Martial Hall. A top-tier character in the Martial Hall, courted by countless noble families and dynasties, with a history of killing opponents at higher levels multiple times. And now, he had actually been defeated by the unknown Ye Qiubai. Anyone with eyes could see that Ye Qiubai had been effortless throughout the entire fight, as if he hadn't used his full strength at all.
Above, the Dean, Qin Tiannan, smiled. "It seems that the eye of that kid Changsheng is still quite good."
The Confucian Hall Elder also nodded. "This child’s talent is indeed excellent."
The Sword Hall Elder nearby stared at Ye Qiubai with a strange look in his eyes, wondering what he was thinking.
At this moment, the old man stood beside Ye Qiubai and asked with a strange expression, "Ye Qiubai, your current contribution points are 200. Do you wish to continue challenging? However, if you lose, all your points will be handed over to the winner."
Ye Qiubai did not hesitate. He had come here for real combat to break through his realm. "Continue."
The old man nodded and called out the name of the next challenger. "Qiu Ming of the Formation Hall."
Qiu Ming looked at Ye Qiubai and said gravely, "Your strength is very high, but I wonder if you can break my formation."
After he finished speaking, formation flags shot out with a flick of his fingers. They surrounded the entire arena, and among the flags, seven-colored mists formed, enveloping the entire stage.
Some of the audience exclaimed.
"This is Qiu Ming’s Seven-Illusions Labyrinth! Anyone who falls into the maze will experience seven kinds of illusions; if they cannot walk out, they will be trapped for a lifetime!"
"Won't this Ye Qiubai be in trouble then?"
"Everyone has seven emotions and six desires, right?"
The Formation Hall Elder watched this scene and couldn't help but smile. "Qiu Ming is my disciple. His Seven-Illusions Labyrinth was taught by me personally. Ye Qiubai is going to have a hard time now."
The Sword Hall Elder shook his head. "One who cultivates the sword won't be trapped by an illusion formation so easily."
"Then let us wait and see."
In contrast, Ye Qiubai, currently trapped in the Seven-Illusions Labyrinth, faced his first illusion: the scene where his family tested his talent.
"Next, Ye Qiubai!"
Watching the lifelike mocking faces in the illusion, Ye Qiubai walked up slowly. Those laughing faces rushed toward his heart like the most venomous insults in the world. However, these words could no longer disturb Ye Qiubai’s state of mind. He pressed one hand onto the Heaven-Touching Stone; in an instant, light burst forth, and streams of sword energy coursed through the entire illusion!
*Crack!*
Suddenly, the first illusion was shattered!
Immediately after, the second, the third, all the way to the sixth, were shattered by Ye Qiubai in succession! By the seventh, a little girl stood before Ye Qiubai. The little girl was chasing after a little boy. She kept calling him "Brother Qiubai." They played together and cultivated together. The boy was known as the number one genius of Tianyuan City. The two were a perfect match, and they had even made a marriage contract when they were young.
Ye Qiubai watched this scene quietly, his eyes filled with nostalgia. The picture changed. The girl had grown up into a beautiful, charming woman. But the boy had lost his talent during a trial. The woman arrived at the man's family with the marriage contract, tore it up, and left gracefully. Afterward, she sent people to hunt him down.
The picture ended there.
Ye Qiubai sighed and said, "What's in the past should stay in the past. To act with spirit—to repay kindness with kindness and hatred with hatred. Now, how could I sink here? The way of the sword must always move forward!"
Ye Qiubai’s eyes were crystal clear; with a sudden flash of insight in his heart, he slashed his sword.
The seventh layer of the illusion shattered!
Outside, the crowd was still discussing whether Ye Qiubai could break the formation. At that very moment, Qiu Ming’s expression changed. The seven-colored mists of the Seven-Illusions Labyrinth began to disperse layer by layer!
"How is this possible!"
Qiu Ming hurriedly tried to stabilize the formation, but the flags began to crumble directly! Qiu Ming spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed to the ground! The formation had backfired!
The audience was shocked. While they all thought Ye Qiubai couldn't break the formation, not only did he break it, but he did it in a mere ten breaths! Ten breaths to break Qiu Ming’s Seven-Illusions Labyrinth—what concept was that?
The Sword Hall Elder above exclaimed, "Clear Sword Heart!"
Qin Tiannan’s expression was also filled with gravity. The Formation Hall Elder looked entirely incredulous.
"To comprehend the Clear Sword Heart at such a young age—this child’s future is boundless!"
With that, the Sword Hall Elder instantly flashed onto the arena and looked at Ye Qiubai, saying urgently, "Are you willing to join my Sword Hall and take me as your master?"
Qin Tiannan and the others looked at each other, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. The surrounding crowd broke into waves of gasps.
"The Sword Hall Elder has come down personally to snatch him!"
"It seems this Ye Qiubai is truly formidable."
"Of course! The Elder has even put aside his dignity to snatch him!"
Ye Qiubai was stunned at the sight, but without a second thought, he cupped his hands and refused. "I am already a disciple of the Grass Cottage. My apologies, Elder."
The Sword Hall Elder said urgently, "You are a practitioner of the sword, and our Sword Hall has countless foundations of the sword way. If you come to our Sword Hall, it is not impossible for you to comprehend Sword Intent within sixty years... whereas at the Grass Cottage..."
*Sword Intent...*
Ye Qiubai’s expression was odd. He still shook his head. "I already have a Master."
Seeing this, the Sword Hall Elder could only sigh. "Very well. However, the Sword Hall welcomes you to join at any time." He then tossed a sword-shaped jade token to Ye Qiubai. "This is my Sword Hall’s token. If you have any questions regarding the sword way in the future, you can come and ask me."
"Many thanks, Elder." Ye Qiubai thanked him respectfully.
After speaking, the Sword Hall Elder disappeared from the spot.
Afterward, Ye Qiubai remained on a winning streak, defeating people from various halls. The name of the Grass Cottage began to echo throughout Cangdao Academy once more. Decades ago, the name of the Grass Cottage was known to everyone. Until now, the Grass Cottage had finally accepted a disciple, declaring its return in an extremely domineering posture.
Qin Tiannan came to the Grass Cottage at this time and told Lu Changsheng everything that had happened.
He saw Lu Changsheng’s expression turn odd. "Why does this kid like to show off so much? If everyone thinks about joining the Grass Cottage, won't I be unable to slack off?"
Qin Tiannan’s face darkened. "Since you have this ability, why don't you take in more disciples?"
"What ability do I have?" Lu Changsheng spread his hands. "I’ve told you, I can't even figure out my own cultivation, so how could I teach others? As for that kid Qiubai, it’s purely because of his own great talent."
Qin Tiannan sighed and patted Lu Changsheng’s shoulder. "This seat knows you have the ability, you just like to be lazy."
Having said that, Qin Tiannan left directly.
Lu Changsheng looked entirely innocent. Does no one believe the truth these days?
***
Chapter 8: The Academy Grand Competition
The name of Ye Qiubai of the Grass Cottage quickly spread throughout the entire academy. Countless people marveled at his strength; it was as if he were already invincible among the Golden Core Realm!
In the Sword Hall, Xin Hongyi heard the news.
"So Ye Qiubai is the disciple that the Grass Cottage took in that day... However, whatever he can do, I will certainly be able to do better. I will let you know what a great loss it was not to accept me as a disciple that day."
Having said this, Xin Hongyi grabbed a sword and headed straight for the Martial Arts Arena. That day, Xin Hongyi’s name also spread throughout the entire academy. Ten battles, ten victories, crushing everyone! Xin Hongyi declared on the arena that he would challenge Ye Qiubai at the Academy Grand Competition!
The crowd was in an uproar.
On the other side, in the Martial Hall, Ye Yan sat on a stone chair in a courtyard, his expression indecisive.
"Ye Qiubai! How is it possible? How could this be?!"
He had seen it himself—that scene where Ye Qiubai’s talent fell and his cultivation was completely lost! It had only been a few days! He had already reached the Peak Golden Core Realm and was shining brightly in the academy!
"No, I cannot let him return to the family alive..."
Currently, the Ye Family was struggling for power. The Great Elder, Ye Ling, and the current head, Ye Qing, were fighting for control of the family. Ye Qing was currently at a disadvantage because of his son, Ye Qiubai. But if the old fogies of the family found out that Ye Qiubai had regained his talent and was even better than before, the situation might be reversed.
"In that case..." Ye Yan’s eyes were filled with malice.
Meanwhile, in the Martial Arts Pavilion, where the academy’s various cultivation techniques and martial arts were stored, Ye Qiubai had obtained a large number of contribution points and naturally thought of coming to check out the martial skills and techniques.
In the cultivation technique section, Ye Qiubai circled several times. He read a few, some of which were Earth-grade techniques.
"As expected of Cangdao Academy. These techniques are much more powerful than those of the sects and families outside." The Ye Family’s techniques were only Profound-grade.
However, Ye Qiubai had no interest in these at all; compared to the *Primordial Sword Scripture* given by Lu Changsheng, the gap was too large. What grade of technique was this *Primordial Sword Scripture* exactly? His Master was truly mysterious. He wondered what level his strength had reached to be able to produce a technique like the *Primordial Sword Scripture* and paint that scroll filled with such artistic conception.
Thinking of this, Ye Qiubai felt even more respect for Lu Changsheng.
Lu Changsheng, who was lying down in the Grass Cottage sunning himself, suddenly sneezed. "Achoo! Which little brat is cursing me?"
When passing through the martial arts section, Ye Qiubai was attracted by a remnant scroll placed alone. He walked over and picked it up: *Nine Swords of the Heavenly Demon*.
Opening it, he saw that it only contained the training methods for the first to the third swords. Ye Qiubai thought to himself that the sword techniques in the *Primordial Sword Scripture* were too strenuous for him to use now, and some he couldn't even use at all. It was better to use this *Nine Swords of the Heavenly Demon* as a transition.
Thinking of this, Ye Qiubai took the *Nine Swords of the Heavenly Demon* and walked out. When paying the contribution points, the pavilion guardian Elder said, "This scroll is a remnant. Even Cangdao Academy does not have the last six swords. Whether you can master the last six swords in the future depends on your luck. Are you sure you want to take this one?"
Ye Qiubai nodded.
Seeing this, the guardian Elder did not try to persuade him further. He handed the *Nine Swords of the Heavenly Demon* to Ye Qiubai and continued to sit there, dozing off.