After the special assessment ended, Lu Chen's name quickly spread throughout the Eight Martial Academy. The news that a prodigy from the Mortal Zone could defeat an Instructor of the Profound God Realm undoubtedly caused a huge stir.
Lu Chen returned to the Mortal Zone dorms, accompanied by Shang Yun and Lin Wushuang, enduring countless curious glances along the way.
"Brother Lu, you really held your head high today! Those who looked down on the Mortal Zone are all silenced now." Lin Wushuang's face was full of excitement, clearly proud of Lu Chen's performance.
Shang Yun, however, was thoughtful. "Brother Lu, that Instructor Zhou's swordsmanship was by no means ordinary. How did you break through it?"
Lu Chen didn't answer directly, just smiled faintly. "Just lucky. If we were to fight again, I might not be his match."
Liu Ruyan walked quietly beside them. She had clearly seen Lu Chen use Sound Sword Resonance, but the powerful sword energy displayed was by no means something that could be unleashed by the Introductory Sound Sword she had taught him.
Back at the dorms, Lu Chen used the excuse of resting and meditated alone in his room, regulating the chaotic sword energy within him.
The System had indicated that his sword energy would recover within an hour, but Lu Chen could clearly feel that the powerful burst in the recent fight had placed a considerable burden on his meridians.
Just as he was focusing on his breathing, a faint noise came from outside the window.
Lu Chen's eyes snapped open warily. He saw a small piece of paper had been stuck to the window at some point.
He took down the note. It only contained a few simple words: "Midnight, pavilion behind the mountain. Urgent matter to discuss."
At the bottom was a small snowflake pattern.
Snowflake?
Lu Chen pondered for a moment. Could it be from Bai Xue Shuang?
During the special assessment, that disciple from the Clear Frost Sword Sect had indeed shown him unusual attention, and the System had also indicated she possessed the "Ancient Sword Cultivator Bloodline."
After much thought, Lu Chen decided to accept the invitation.
Late at night, the moon was like water.
Lu Chen quietly left the dorms, avoided the patrolling guards, and sneaked towards the mountains behind the Eight Martial Academy.
The environment behind the mountain was quiet. A small pavilion was nestled among bamboo trees, and a white figure was already standing there quietly – it was Bai Xue Shuang.
Under the moonlight, she was dressed in snow-white, her long hair like a waterfall. Her back exuded a cool, solitary pride, giving one the feeling of being detached from the mortal world.
Sensing a presence behind her, Bai Xue Shuang turned around. Her beautiful eyes held a hint of scrutiny. "You've come after all."
Lu Chen cupped his hands in a salute. "Senior Sister Bai, you invited me here late at night. May I ask what the important matter is?"
Bai Xue Shuang didn't answer immediately but seriously examined the young man before her. "You are very special, unlike any sword cultivator I have ever met."
Lu Chen's heart tightened. He wondered if she had seen through his abnormalities.
"I've looked into your background. Young Manor Lord of Hidden Sword Manor, your father is missing, and you came alone to participate in the Eight Martial Academy's assessment. On the surface, you're just an ordinary martial arts disciple seeking fame and fortune, but your swordsmanship contains a peculiar rhythm... that's the aura of an Ancient Sword Cultivator."
Bai Xue Shuang's words made Lu Chen's heart tremble. She had figured out so much!
Bai Xue Shuang continued, "The reason I asked you here is to tell you some secrets about the Eight Martial Academy."
Her voice suddenly dropped. "The Eight Martial Academy, on the surface, unifies the martial world, but in reality, it has long been divided internally. My Clear Frost Sword Sect and the Blazing Sun Sword Sect have been in secret conflict for years. Recently, I discovered that the Blazing Sun Sword Sect is secretly colluding with an evil force called the 'Sword Demon Organization.'"
Lu Chen's eyes lit up. The Sword Demon Organization? Wasn't that the organization the System had warned him about?
"The Sword Demon Organization aims to collect the essence of sword energy from various sword cultivators. They hunt down potential sword cultivators and steal their achievements in the way of the sword. And some clues I've found suggest... your father's disappearance is likely related to this."
Lu Chen's heart sank. "What is my father's connection to the Sword Demon Organization?"
Bai Xue Shuang shook her head. "I don't know the specifics, but one thing is certain: Your father, Lu Tianjian of Hidden Sword Manor, was once a top disciple of the Eight Martial Academy and had a close relationship with my grand-aunt. Before he disappeared, he was investigating a secret related to Ancient Sword Cultivators."
Ancient Sword Cultivators... Sword Demon Organization... Father's disappearance...
Lu Chen felt these clues gradually connecting into a single thread.
"There's one more thing you should know."
Bai Xue Shuang's gaze became even more serious. "In one month, the Eight Martial Academy will hold the once-a-century 'Heavenly Sword Tournament.' Masters from all factions will gather, and the victor will be able to enter the 'Heavenly Sword Secret Realm.'"
"Heavenly Sword Secret Realm?"
"It's a mysterious place left by an Ancient Sword Immortal. It's said to contain supreme inheritance in the way of the sword, opening once every hundred years. More importantly..." Bai Xue Shuang looked into Lu Chen's eyes, "Before your father disappeared, he was precisely going to the Heavenly Sword Secret Realm."
Lu Chen's mind trembled. He felt he was one step closer to the truth.
"The reason I'm telling you this is because the sword energy within you resonates with Ancient Sword Cultivators. This bloodline connection cannot deceive."
Bai Xue Shuang sighed softly. "The Heavenly Sword Tournament will be held in a month. With your strength, you are fully qualified to participate. If you can enter the Secret Realm, perhaps you can find clues about your father."
Lu Chen took a deep breath. "Thank you, Senior Sister Bai, for telling me."
Bai Xue Shuang shook her head. "No need for thanks. I'm just reminding you to be wary of the Blazing Sun Sword Sect and the Sword Demon Organization. They never let go of talented sword cultivators. Your display of prowess in the special assessment today has likely already attracted their attention."
As they were talking, a rustling sound suddenly came from the bamboo forest.
"Who's there?" Bai Xue Shuang's eyebrows rose, her hand resting on her sword hilt as she vigilantly looked in the direction of the sound.
The bamboo parted, and Lin Wushuang and Liu Ruyan walked out, their faces showing caution and a hint of hostility.
"So, it's you." Bai Xue Shuang loosened her grip on her sword, but her wariness didn't disappear.
Lin Wushuang looked coldly at Bai Xue Shuang. "You invited our Brother Lu to meet alone late at night. Senior Sister Bai, what is your intention?"
Liu Ruyan also stepped forward, shielding Lu Chen. "Young Master Lu, are you alright?"
Lu Chen quickly explained, "No need to be nervous, both of you. Senior Sister Bai was just telling me some things about my father."
Bai Xue Shuang looked at Lin Wushuang and Liu Ruyan, then at Lu Chen, and said lightly, "It seems your friends are very concerned about you. I won't disturb you any further. Think carefully about the Heavenly Sword Tournament."
With that, her figure flashed, disappearing into the night like a snowflake.
Lin Wushuang stared in the direction Bai Xue Shuang had left and snorted. "People from the Clear Frost Sword Sect are always arrogant. I didn't expect them to approach you proactively. They must have some ulterior motive."
Liu Ruyan also looked worried. "Young Master Lu, this Bai Xue Shuang is not simple. You must be careful."
Lu Chen shook his head. "What she said is very important and concerns the whereabouts of my father."
He briefly recounted Bai Xue Shuang's words. After hearing them, both Lin Wushuang and Liu Ruyan looked grim.
"Heavenly Sword Tournament... Heavenly Sword Secret Realm... I've heard of these. They are indeed extraordinary." Lin Wushuang mused. "If what Bai Xue Shuang said is true and your father's disappearance is related to the Sword Demon Organization, then we must participate in the Heavenly Sword Tournament."
Liu Ruyan nodded. "We will fully support you."
Back in the dorms, Lu Chen sat cross-legged on his bed, contemplating Bai Xue Shuang's words.
Just then, the System notification sounded:
"Ding! Qualification for the Heavenly Sword Tournament obtained. Main quest updated: Enter the Heavenly Sword Secret Realm, search for clues about your father."