Chapter 16

Chapter 16: When Blue Mystic Emerges, Who Dares to Compete?

 

Nan Ling Zhao said, “As an inspector, this is all part of my duty, you don’t need to thank me.”

Ye Tianming looked at her but didn’t say anything.

Nan Ling Zhao kept examining him, making Ye Tianming feel uncomfortable, his face turning red.

Nan Ling Zhao smiled, “Why are you blushing?”

Ye Tianming hurriedly said, “No… it’s just a bit hot.”

Nan Ling Zhao smiled gently, “Don’t worry, the Xiao family can’t cover the sky of the Guanxuan Universe.”

Ye Tianming nodded, then said, “Inspector Zhao, there’s something I don’t understand. Why is the Xiao family so ruthlessly brazen? Not only do they openly disregard Guanxuan laws, but they even dare to kill you…”

Nan Ling Zhao said, “There are several reasons, but the main one is arrogance.”

Ye Tianming frowned slightly, “Arrogance?”

Nan Ling Zhao nodded, “Although the Xiao family is a second-tier family, they’re different from other second-tier families. Their ancestors once had a special relationship with the Guanxuan Sword Master. Because of this connection, their family holds a very unique position. Throughout the entire Guanxuan Universe, even first-tier families show them respect. Over time, the entire Xiao family naturally became arrogant.”

Ye Tianming said, “There’s another reason, which is that I’m just from a lowest-tier family, right?”

Nan Ling Zhao nodded, “From a power perspective, a lowest-tier family in the eyes of the Xiao family is indeed less than an ant. Therefore, they genuinely look down on you. Even though you passed through the Guanxuan Path, to them, you’re still an ant, because they are a thousand-year-old great family with such profound heritage that it can’t be shaken by a single genius prodigy.”

At this point, she suddenly stared at Ye Tianming, “Whether others look down on you isn’t important. What’s important is that you must value yourself.”

Ye Tianming nodded, “I understand.”

Nan Ling Zhao smiled, “Of course you do, you’re quite the rebel.”

Ye Tianming: “……”

Nan Ling Zhao continued, “Arrogance makes people lose rationality. The current Xiao family has already lost their reason. Under normal circumstances, the Qingzhou Guanxuan Academy would never follow their madness, but the problem is that this academy has many internal issues. They can’t withstand self-examination, so they can only follow the Xiao family, joining forces to pressure you into giving up your investigation.”

Ye Tianming asked, “Is it just the Qingzhou Guanxuan Academy, or are all Wanzhou Dao Guanxuan Academies also…”

Nan Ling Zhao leaned against the stone wall, somewhat powerless, “I don’t know.”

Ye Tianming looked at Nan Ling Zhao, who smiled and said, “I’ve been an inspector for five years, and during these five years, I’ve seen too many dark things…”

As she spoke, she took out a thick stack of papers, randomly pulled out one sheet, and said, “Take this case that happened in Qingshan Town of Bozhou. A woman was publicly assaulted, but afterward, the man received no punishment. When the woman and her family tried to petition, do you know what happened? The next day, the woman and her entire family were exterminated… But the entire Qingshan Town concealed this incident, just because the man who assaulted her was the son of the town’s law enforcement commander.”

Ye Tianming’s brow furrowed.

Nan Ling Zhao continued, “A small town’s petty law enforcement commander is a tiny official in the eyes of people like us, but in local areas, they wield immense power and can easily manipulate ordinary people. The smaller the place, the more chaotic it is, the more lawless it becomes, essentially becoming local tyrants.”

Ye Tianming didn’t speak, but took out another steamed bun and started eating. After a few bites, he handed one to Nan Ling Zhao.

Nan Ling Zhao took the bun and bit into it, smiling, “You like steamed buns?”

Ye Tianming nodded, “I’ve liked them since I was little.”

Nan Ling Zhao looked down at the paper in her hand, then said, “You know why I’m telling you about these cases, right?”

Ye Tianming said, “Inspector Zhao, these matters are beyond my control. I’m just listening.”

Nan Ling Zhao laughed, “You know what I mean, but you’re changing the subject. Of course, I understand you.”

Ye Tianming thought for a moment, then said, “Inspector Zhao, you’re an exceptionally upright person, but forgive my frankness, even a hundred thousand people like you couldn’t change some of the current chaos.”

Nan Ling Zhao said, “Tell me your thoughts.”

Ye Tianming shook his head, “I won’t.”

Nan Ling Zhao was slightly taken aback, then smiled, “I really want to hear some of your thoughts. Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone else. Consider it our secret.”

After a moment of silence, Ye Tianming said, “If we look at these chaotic situations from a fundamental perspective, we’ll find that behind this chaos is a bigger problem. This bigger problem is the lack of supervision. The Yang family dominates, and power has no limits…”

“Stop!”

Nan Ling Zhao interrupted Ye Tianming directly, “Say no more.”

Ye Tianming said, “Oh.”

He continued eating his bun.

Nan Ling Zhao stared intently at Ye Tianming without speaking, making him uncomfortable.

Nan Ling Zhao suddenly said solemnly, “In the future, don’t say these things to anyone else, understand?”

Ye Tianming nodded, “Yes.”

Nan Ling Zhao said seriously, “Tianming, you must understand that some problems are clear not only to you but to others as well. There are many intelligent people in this world, but understanding and speaking are two different things. You need to learn to protect yourself, understand?”

Ye Tianming said, “I’m not being cynical or mocking anything, because these chaotic situations exist in any civilization. It’s very normal. Just as you once told me, the Guanxuan Universe has people like the Xiao family, but it also has people like you. Any civilization will have good and bad people, but if there are too many people like the Xiao family and too few people like you, then this world is doomed.”

She looked at Nan Ling Zhao, “The core issue now is whether the highest levels of the Guanxuan Universe will take this problem seriously. If they severely punish the Xiao family, it proves that the academy’s leadership takes this matter seriously and cares about ordinary people like me. But if the academy doesn’t severely punish the Xiao family, it proves that at the highest levels, connections and relationships are above Guanxuan divine law. And once that happens, eventually, people like the Xiao family will outnumber people like you…”

Nan Ling Zhao said, “When we reach the Guanxuan Realm, I’ll accompany you to file a formal complaint. Rest assured, the Outer and Inner Cabinets will certainly give you justice. The reason the Xiao family is so ruthlessly brazen now is because they know that once you reach the Guanxuan Realm, they’ll be finished.”

Ye Tianming nodded without saying more.

Suddenly, the sound of a sword rang out from outside.

Nan Ling Zhao immediately smiled, “They’re here. Let’s go.”

With that, she stood up and walked outside, with Ye Tianming following closely behind.

Outside, the two saw the female sword cultivator from the Sword Sect, Pei Buleng.

Pei Buleng stared at Nan Ling Zhao, “How pitiful.”

There was a hint of schadenfreude in her tone.

Nan Ling Zhao directly raised her middle finger at her.

Ye Tianming: “……”

Pei Buleng’s eyebrows shot up, and the sword behind her trembled slightly. Nan Ling Zhao said, “We’ll spar later. Let’s go to the teleportation array first.”

Pei Buleng turned and rose on her sword, while Nan Ling Zhao grabbed Ye Tianming and soared into the air, disappearing into the distance.

In the sky, Ye Tianming instinctively held onto Nan Ling Zhao’s waist. Nan Ling Zhao turned to look at him, saw his pale face, and laughed, “Are you afraid of heights?”

Ye Tianming quickly nodded.

Nan Ling Zhao laughed heartily, “You’re a sword cultivator, yet you’re afraid of heights? How will you fly on a sword in the future?”

Ye Tianming: “……”

Soon, the three landed in front of a valley. Ye Tianming quickly let go of Nan Ling Zhao, feeling as if his soul had left his body and barely able to stand.

Nan Ling Zhao supported him, then took out a medicinal pill and handed it to him, “Take this pill.”

Ye Tianming took the pill, and his body immediately felt warm and much better.

Nan Ling Zhao smiled, “Let’s go.”

Ye Tianming nodded, “Thank you.”

The group walked toward the distance. On the way, Ye Tianming glanced around and could vaguely see some sword cultivators on the surrounding mountains, not many, just six or seven.

Nan Ling Zhao said, “Don’t worry, with these Sword Sect disciples here, the Xiao family wouldn’t dare come to silence us. They may be arrogant, but they’re not arrogant enough to challenge the Sword Sect directly.”

As she spoke, she suddenly stopped and looked at Pei Buleng in the distance, “Buleng, would you like to spar with this young man?”

Ye Tianming was slightly startled but quickly understood Nan Ling Zhao’s intention, feeling touched.

Pei Buleng stopped, looked at Ye Tianming, then back at Nan Ling Zhao.

Nan Ling Zhao looked at her seriously.

After a moment of silence, Pei Buleng said, “The Sword Sect is very strict about recruiting. If his abilities aren’t strong enough, joining would only bring him suffering.”

Nan Ling Zhao smiled, “I know. I just want you to spar with him. If he’s not good enough, we won’t force it.”

After a moment of silence, Pei Buleng nodded, “I’ll do this as a favor to you.”

She looked at Ye Tianming, “Draw your sword.”

Nan Ling Zhao turned to Ye Tianming and said seriously, “You told me earlier that you comprehended a sword technique in the Guanxuan Path… Use that technique against her. You only have one chance.”

Ye Tianming remained silent.

Nan Ling Zhao added, “Don’t feel indebted to me. I’m doing this because you’re genuinely talented and qualified to join the Sword Sect. If you didn’t have this ability, I wouldn’t do this.”

Ye Tianming looked at her, “Thank you.”

He understood that without this woman, even with his abilities, he might never have had such an opportunity.

Nan Ling Zhao said, “If you can join the Sword Sect, you’ll truly have protection in the future. Good luck.”

Ye Tianming nodded. He looked at Pei Buleng, not using his Xingdao sword but taking out an ordinary sheathed long sword. He took a deep breath, then suddenly rushed forward and drew his sword.

Stacked Heaven-Cleaving Sword Draw!

Although it was only stacked twice, this sword strike carried a force that could split the heavens and earth.

Ye Tianming knew this was his chance, so he held nothing back.

Pei Buleng held her sword horizontally to block.

Bang!

With a burst of sword light, Ye Tianming was forced back dozens of yards, the ordinary sword in his hand shattered, and his right arm was injured, bleeding.

Pei Buleng also took a step back. She slowly looked up at Ye Tianming, “Small Tribulation Realm… Where did you learn this sword technique?”

Nan Ling Zhao immediately said, “He created it himself.”

Pei Buleng’s eyebrows furrowed as she looked at Ye Tianming. Little Tower said, “Don’t say I taught you. Just say you created it yourself. After all, you did comprehend the stacking technique on your own.”

Ye Tianming was adaptable, “Yes.”

Pei Buleng suddenly threw a token to Ye Tianming, “From this moment, you are an outer disciple of the Sword Sect. The Sword Sect will protect you from now on.”

A Sword Sect disciple!

Ye Tianming was still dazed, while Nan Ling Zhao smiled beside him, “Congratulations. Aren’t you going to greet your mentor?”

“Mentor?”

Ye Tianming was confused.

Nan Ling Zhao smiled, “The person standing before you is a true disciple of the Sword Sect, qualified to take disciples and pass on teachings. She only has two spots, but now she’s given one to you. In other words, she will be your guide in your future cultivation. Hurry and pay your respects!”

Ye Tianming immediately understood. He put away the token and bowed deeply, “Greetings, Master.”

Pei Buleng glanced at him, “Let’s go to the Guanxuan Realm first.”

Nan Ling Zhao also smiled, “I just received news that the head of the Guanxuan Realm Inspection Bureau already knows about your situation.””He has already sent people to pick us up, and he’s already collecting evidence of violations by the elders of the Xiao family and Qingzhou Academy… Let’s go, we’ll talk on the way.”

The three of them walked toward the teleportation array in the valley. When they arrived at the Treasure Pavilion’s teleportation array, there were tens of thousands of people gathered around it.

Upon seeing these people, Nan Ling Zhao immediately smiled, “The Guanxuan Realm’s Law Enforcement Guards, Supervision Guards, Patrol Guards, Imperial Guards, Palace Guards, Outer Cabinet Guards, Guanxuan Guards… they’ve all come. The Xiao family is finished.”

“Protect Young Master Ye and Lord Zhao!”

Someone in the crowd suddenly spoke up.

All the powerful experts in the scene immediately sealed off the area.

South Province, Xiao Family.

In the great hall, all the powerful members of the Xiao family were gathered. Everyone’s expressions were extremely unpleasant, and some even showed fear, because they already knew that the major institutions of the Guanxuan Realm were protecting Ye Tianming and Nan Ling Zhao.

The Xiao family was doomed!

The family head, Xiao Feng, suddenly said, “I’ll go see him.”

Everyone looked at Xiao Feng. He said, “My Xiao family cannot fall.”

With that, he immediately left the Xiao family. Soon, he arrived in front of a mansion.

Ye Mansion.

The Ye family of South Province, the family where the former Guanxuan Sword Master was born.

At this moment, within a hundred miles around the Ye family, there wasn’t a single person in sight. But in the shadows, there were over ten thousand Guanxuan Divine Guards and top-tier secret guards watching. Not only that, but even the starry sky above South Province had been sealed off, with nine top-tier Breakthrough Realm experts personally guarding it. No powerful expert was allowed to approach South Province.

The highest level of security!

Xiao Feng knelt down before even reaching the Ye family mansion, then crawled all the way to the front door, prostrating himself on the ground like a dog.

After a long while, a young man walked out. He looked at the head of this second-tier family before him without the slightest emotion in his eyes. “Come in.”

Xiao Feng hurriedly crawled in, not daring to stand up.

Xiao Feng crawled into a courtyard. He looked at a room in front of him and through the gauze curtain, he vaguely saw a portrait. When he saw that portrait, his heart skipped a beat. It was the portrait of Guanxuan Sword Master Ye Guan.

In front of the Sword Master’s portrait stood a young man in white, about fifteen or sixteen years old, with sword-like eyebrows, star-like eyes, and an aura of nobility.

The young man in white resembled the Guanxuan Sword Master about seventy to eighty percent. On the right side of his waist hung a small pagoda, and on the left side was a sheathed long sword named: Qingxuan.

Xiao Feng quickly averted his gaze, burying his head deeply into the ground, humble to the extreme.

After a moment, the voice of the young man in white came from inside the room, “What is it?”

Xiao Feng carefully said, “It’s about a special recruitment spot…”

He then briefly explained the situation, not daring to conceal anything, because he didn’t dare to play any tricks.

After speaking, his body began to tremble, choking with emotion.

Whether the Xiao family would be safe or not depended entirely on this young man’s whim.

After a moment, the young man in white said, “A special recruitment spot… Come to think of it, this matter started because of me. If I hadn’t taken one of your spots…”

Xiao Feng hurriedly kowtowed, blood splattering, “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare…”

The young man in white then said, “You may leave.”

Xiao Feng asked with a trembling voice, “My Xiao family…”

The young man in white said, “Let it go this time.”

Xiao Feng was overjoyed. He kowtowed several times, then crawled out.

After Xiao Feng left, the man who had been outside earlier entered. He respectfully said, “The Xiao family’s actions this time were really quite excessive…”

The young man in white said, “We must give face to the Xiao family’s ancestors… In any case, this matter ends here.”

The man understood and nodded, “I understand.”

The young man in white asked, “Is everything arranged?”

The man nodded slightly, “After you participate in the Ten Provinces Competition, your prestige will reach its peak. That would be a better time to take direct control…”

The young man in white nodded. He looked up at the portrait of the Guanxuan Sword Master in the distance, “Father, the order you didn’t perfect, I will. Our Yang family will unify the entire universe, including the True World.”

The man curiously asked, “Young Master, what realm are you at now?”

The young man in white didn’t speak, but waved his sleeve, and a terrifying aura instantly enveloped the man. The man’s pupils suddenly contracted, “Great Emperor…”

A sixteen-year-old Great Emperor?

This talent far surpassed even the former Guanxuan Sword Master and Human Realm Sword Master!

From this moment, the man no longer had any worries about the Ten Provinces Competition. There wouldn’t be any more surprises, after all, the young master before him was not only a Great Emperor but also possessed the legendary number one bloodline in the entire universe: the Mad Demon Bloodline. Not only that, but he also wielded the number one sword in the Guanxuan Universe: Qingxuan, which could ignore all defenses!

When Qingxuan appears, who could compete?

Meanwhile.

Just as Ye Tianming and the others entered the valley and were about to activate the teleportation array, an old man suddenly appeared from thin air.

Upon seeing the old man, Nan Ling Zhao’s expression immediately changed, “Academy Head?”

The old man before them was Zeng He, the head of the Inspection Academy. He looked at Nan Ling Zhao, “There’s no need to go to the Guanxuan Realm anymore. This matter ends here.”

Nan Ling Zhao was slightly stunned, then exclaimed in shock, “Academy Head, what do you mean?”

Zeng He’s lips moved, but no sound came out.

Mystic energy voice transmission!

Whatever Nan Ling Zhao heard, she was shocked to the core, staggering back several steps with an expression of disbelief.

Zeng He stared at Nan Ling Zhao, “By order of the Inner Cabinet, Nan Ling Zhao, you are immediately suspended for one month of leave.”

After speaking, he turned and disappeared.

At that moment, the sky above the three was suddenly torn open by a sword light, and an old man in white robes arrived riding a sword.

Pei Buleng was also surprised, “Master!”

The white-robed old man didn’t speak. His gaze fell on Ye Tianming, and he opened his palm. The Sword Sect token on Ye Tianming’s body flew out and landed in his hand.

The white-robed old man turned to look at Pei Buleng, “Return to the sect immediately.”

Pei Buleng said solemnly, “Master, why is this…”

The white-robed old man also used mystic energy voice transmission. Whatever Pei Buleng heard, his pupils suddenly contracted, and like Nan Ling Zhao, his face was filled with disbelief.

The white-robed old man said, “Let’s go.”

After speaking, he waved his sleeve and disappeared with Pei Buleng.

At the same time, a series of voices suddenly echoed throughout heaven and earth:

“All Guanxuan Realm Law Enforcement Guards return to the realm immediately! No exceptions!”

“All Supervision Guards return to the Guanxuan Realm immediately! No exceptions!”

“All Patrol Guards return to the Guanxuan Realm immediately! No exceptions!”

“All Imperial Guards return to the Guanxuan Realm immediately! No exceptions!”

“All Guanxuan Guards return to the Guanxuan Realm immediately! No exceptions!”

“All Sword Sect disciples return to the sect immediately, immediately!”

“…”

Within moments, all the powerful experts from the Guanxuan Realm had completely withdrawn.

Ye Tianming clenched his fists tightly, his body trembling.

Nan Ling Zhao slowly turned around. She looked at Ye Tianming, her face somewhat pale, and said with a trembling voice, “I’m sorry, this justice… I cannot seek it for you.”

Ye Tianming looked at her. He knew that there must be an extremely powerful figure standing on the Xiao family’s side, causing both the Sword Sect and the Inspection Academy to decisively abandon the case and no longer pursue it.

And this powerful figure must be incredibly terrifying.

After a long silence, he asked, “What must I do to meet the Guanxuan Sword Master?”

Nan Ling Zhao looked at him, “Win first place in the Ten Provinces Competition, and you’ll have a chance to meet him.”

Ye Tianming nodded, “I understand.”

With that, he turned and left, “I will definitely win first place in the Ten Provinces Competition. I must meet the Guanxuan Sword Master and ask him if this order of his is even worth existing anymore.”