I was a mineral prospector in Chengdu, who transmigrated into the body of a mortal sword immortal.

The black-clad swordsman's sword moved.

Without warning, without any preparation, the slender sword transformed into a streak of eerie blue light, piercing straight for Li Bai's throat. The sword's speed was astonishing, its tip whistling sharply through the air. The air in the room seemed to be sucked away by this single strike; the flame of the oil lamp flickered violently, casting two intertwined, distorted shadows on the wall.

Li Bai's pupils contracted.

He could feel the killing intent contained in that sword strike—cold, pure, and without any hesitation. This was not a test, not a warning, but a real killing blow meant to take his life. The sword tip rapidly magnified in his pupils, and the aura of death rushed towards him.

But he did not back down.

Because Yang Yuhuan was right behind him.

In the nick of time, Li Bai leaned slightly to the right, his left hand reaching for his waist—the broken Azure Nether Sword he had brought from the Western Mausoleum Divine Kingdom was now in his grasp. The blade was only about half a foot long, its jagged edge gleaming with a dark bronze luster under the moonlight. He didn't have time to draw the sword from its sheath; it was now held horizontally to his throat, scabbard and all.

"clang--!"

The sound of metal clashing against metal exploded in the silent night, so piercing it seemed to tear eardrums apart.

The tip of the rapier struck the broken scabbard with pinpoint accuracy, sparks flying. The immense impact traveled up the blade, and Li Bai felt a violent jolt in his hand, his entire left arm going numb. He used the force to slide back three steps, his shoes screeching against the wooden floor.

The flame of the oil lamp was almost extinguished by the strong wind, plunging the room into a moment of darkness.

Li Bai steadied himself, his right hand instinctively reaching for his waist—where the complete Qingming Sword should have been, but he had only brought this broken sword with him tonight. The scabbard felt cold to the touch, a faint white spot etched into its bronze surface. He looked up at the black-clad swordsman, who had already landed, his slender sword pointing diagonally at the ground, the tip trembling slightly like a viper flicking its tongue.

"Excellent swordsmanship," Li Bai said in a deep voice, his words echoing in the narrow room. "But you've been hiding your true identity, not even daring to reveal your name?"

The black-clad swordsman remained silent.

Above the veil, his eyes were cold and unyielding, devoid of any emotion. He slowly raised his left hand and gently stroked the blade. The rapier emitted a low hum, and the eerie blue light emanating from its blade intensified. The temperature in the room plummeted, and tiny ice crystals condensed in the air, shimmering in the moonlight.

Li Bai felt a chill run down his spine.

This was no ordinary sword energy—it was an icy sword intent formed by pushing water-attribute spiritual power to its limit. The opponent was not only at the Foundation Establishment stage, but also possessed profound skill in swordsmanship. What made him even more wary was that this swordsman had not uttered a single word or made a single extra sound since his appearance, and even his breathing was barely audible.

This is a highly trained killer.

Machines designed specifically to kill.

The thought had barely formed when the black-clad swordsman made his move.

This time, it wasn't a straight thrust, but a strange arc. The slender sword drew a dark blue trail in the air, like a venomous snake winding its way towards Li Bai's left ribs at a tricky angle. The sword speed was even faster than before; wherever the tip passed, the air condensed into tiny ice crystals that fell down in a rustling sound.

Li Bai dared not accept the offer directly.

He activated his Phantom Step technique at full power, his body transforming into three afterimages that scattered in three directions. The slender sword pierced through the middle afterimage, its tip grazing the hem of Li Bai's robes, raising a cloud of frost. The icy chill seeped into his skin through the fabric, and Li Bai felt a sharp pain in his left rib.

He rolled backwards, and with a flick of his left hand, the broken sword was drawn.

The bronze blade gleamed with a dark light under the moonlight, its broken edge jagged, as if it had been snapped by immense force. The blade was only about half a foot long; it was more like a broken blade than a sword. But the moment Li Bai held it in his hand, he could feel a faint resonance emanating from the depths of the blade—a response to the Azure Lotus Sword Intent.

The black-clad swordsman had clearly also noticed the broken sword.

His gaze lingered on the broken sword for a moment, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes. But his assassin's instincts spurred him on without hesitation; the slender sword thrust out again, this time in three consecutive strikes, sealing off all of Li Bai's escape routes.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

Li Bai parried with his broken sword, and the clanging of metal echoed throughout the room.

Each clash sent shivers down his spine. The broken sword was too short; he had to get close to his opponent to counterattack, but the black-clad swordsman's swordsmanship was unpredictable and cunning, giving him no chance to get close. The slender sword was like a nimble venomous snake, always striking from the most treacherous angles, forcing Li Bai to defend passively.

What's more troublesome is that the commotion of the battle has begun to alert those outside.

Li Bai could hear hurried footsteps and faint shouts in the distance. The guards of the inn had been alerted. He had to act quickly, otherwise, if he were surrounded, in his current state, he would have no chance of survival.

In a flash, Li Bai made his decision.

He did not wish to continue the fight.

With a powerful stomp of his right foot against the floor, he staggered backward, simultaneously flicking his left hand. Three copper coins flew from his grasp, striking the black-clad swordsman's face, throat, and heart. The coins, imbued with true energy, emitted a sharp whistling sound as they pierced the air.

The black-clad swordsman flicked his slender sword, sending three sword shadows accurately knocking away the copper coins.

"Ding ding ding!"

The copper coin was shattered by the sword's energy, turning into copper dust that scattered in all directions. But this obstruction had bought Li Bai a chance to catch his breath. He ducked low and rushed towards the window like a shadow—the same window he had come from.

But the black-clad swordsman reacted even faster.

The slender sword drew a strange arc in the air, its tip striking first, aiming for Li Bai's back. The angle of this strike was extremely tricky; if Li Bai continued to charge forward, he would surely be pierced; if he stopped to block, he would be entangled again.

At the critical moment, Li Bai made an inexplicable move.

His body twisted abruptly in mid-air, his left foot tapping the windowsill, and he spun like a top, the broken sword drawing an arc as it spun, precisely parrying the rapier.

"clang!"

Sparks flew.

Using the force of the recoil, Li Bai leaped out of the window and landed on the bluestone slab in the courtyard. The night breeze rushed in, carrying the faint fragrance of withered chrysanthemums and the damp chill of the night dew. The moonlight, like water, illuminated the entire courtyard in a silvery white.

He glanced back at the room.

Yang Yuhuan was still hiding behind the bed, only her eyes showing, staring out the window in terror. In the instant their eyes met, Li Bai could see the worry in her eyes—not for herself, but for him.

This discovery warmed Li Bai's heart.

But he didn't have time to think about it.

The black-clad swordsman had already given chase.

The slender sword gleamed with a ghostly blue light in the moonlight, its tip pointing at Li Bai, exuding a chilling aura. He stood on the windowsill, looking down like a hawk eyeing its prey. The night wind ruffled his black robes, causing them to flutter loudly.

The courtyard was completely silent.

Only the approaching footsteps in the distance and the heavy killing intent between the two men could be heard.

Li Bai took a deep breath and gripped the broken sword in his hand tightly.

He knew that tonight's battle was unavoidable.

Since that's the case—

Then let's fight!

The thought had barely formed when the black-clad swordsman moved.

He leaped from the windowsill, his slender sword tracing three eerie blue lines in the air, aiming to strike Li Bai from above, below, and in the middle. His swordsmanship was even more ferocious than in the room, each strike carrying a chilling aura. Wherever the sword tip passed, the air condensed into ice crystals, shimmering in the moonlight.

Li Bai did not retreat but advanced.

He pushed his Phantom Steps to their limit, his body transforming into five afterimages that lunged at the black-clad swordsman from five directions. The broken sword twirled in his hand, its bronze blade tracing dark lines in the moonlight.

"Clang clang clang clang clang!"

A dense chorus of metal clanging resounded in the courtyard.

The two figures clashed, their swords flashing. The black-clad swordsman's rapier was as fast as lightning, each strike aimed at a vital point; Li Bai's broken sword, though short, was cunning, always managing to parry or counterattack from the most unexpected angles.

After several exchanges, Li Bai's heart grew heavier and heavier.

This swordsman's movements are too unpredictable.

Like a maggot clinging to his bone, it clung to him relentlessly. No matter how Li Bai dodged and weaved, his opponent always followed him like a shadow. What alarmed Li Bai even more was the opponent's swordsmanship—it wasn't the orthodox swordsmanship of the Central Plains.

Central Plains swordsmanship emphasizes moderation and balance, whether it is fierce and domineering or light and graceful, but it always has a sense of "righteousness". But the swordsman in black is strange and tricky, with unpredictable angles and an indescribable eeriness between his sword moves.

Like a venomous snake, like a scorpion, like all things venomous.

Moreover, Li Bai noticed a detail.

The black-clad swordsman's grip on his sword was not the common upright or reverse grip found in the Central Plains, but a strange slanted grip. The blade and his arm formed an odd angle, allowing him to thrust his sword from the most unpredictable angles.

Li Bai had only seen this way of holding a sword recorded in some ancient books.

That's swordsmanship from some small kingdoms in the Western Regions.

Or rather, it was the swordsmanship of the Hu people.

In the blink of an eye, the black-clad swordsman's sword was already at his feet.

The slender sword transformed into seven sword shadows, like a blooming, ghostly blue flower, sealing off all of Li Bai's escape routes. The sword shadows were indistinguishable from reality, each carrying a chilling aura. The temperature in the courtyard plummeted, and a thin layer of frost condensed on the bluestone slabs.

Li Bai's pupils contracted.

He couldn't dodge that sword strike.

The only option is to take it head-on.

However, the broken sword was too short, making it nearly impossible to parry seven sword shadows. In desperation, Li Bai no longer hesitated—he unleashed the nascent Azure Lotus Sword Intent within his dantian with all his might!

hum-

A deep, resonant sword cry came from the depths of the broken sword.

It wasn't the vibration of the bronze sword blade, but some deeper resonance. A barely perceptible layer of blue light appeared on the broken sword—very faint, almost invisible, but under the moonlight, that blue color, different from the deep blue, could still be discerned.

Li Bai flicked his wrist.

The broken sword traced a simple trajectory in the air.

The first move of the Azure Lotus Sword Manual – Green Duckweed Skimming Water.

This is the most basic sword move in the sword manual, emphasizing breaking through the surface with a single point and using simplicity to overcome complexity. The move itself is not complicated; in fact, one could say it's almost rudimentary. However, driven by the Azure Lotus Sword Intent, the speed and power of this sword strike increase dramatically!

The tip of the broken sword precisely struck the center of the seven sword shadows.

That point was where the seven sword shadows converged, and it was also the weakest point of this sword strike.

"bite--!"

A crisp, clear sound rang out.

Like water droplets falling into a calm lake, the sound was soft, yet carried a strange penetrating power. In that instant, the seven dark blue sword shadows shattered simultaneously, transforming into countless ice crystals that shimmered in the moonlight before falling softly.

The black-clad swordsman's body suddenly froze.

He clearly hadn't expected Li Bai's sword strike to be so exquisite.

To penetrate the surface with a single point, to master complexity with simplicity—this embodies the highest realm of swordsmanship. What shocked him even more was the barely perceptible wisp of blue light on the broken sword. That wasn't ordinary sword energy, but something deeper.

Sword intent?

The moment that thought crossed his mind, the broken sword thrust forward.

The aftermath of Qingping's touch on the water—after touching the water, ripples spread. The tip of the broken sword drew an arc in the air, like ripples spreading on the water's surface, its trajectory mysterious and unpredictable.

The black-clad swordsman hastily raised his sword to parry.

But the angle of that sword strike was too tricky.

The broken sword grazed the blade of the slender sword, and the bronze blade precisely sliced ​​across the black-clad swordsman's left arm.

"laugh--"

The sound of fabric tearing.

A bloody gash appeared on the black-clad swordsman's left arm. The wound wasn't deep, merely a cut to the skin, but blood still seeped out quickly, staining his black sleeve crimson. The chilling sword energy seeped into the wound, numbing his entire left arm.

The black-clad swordsman grunted, his movements momentarily slowing.

It's now!

A glint of light flashed in Li Bai's eyes.

He unleashed the full power of his Phantom Steps, his body transforming into a true phantom as he retreated rapidly. Not in a straight line, but in a strange arc—circling the artificial hill, passing through the corridor, and weaving through the courtyard like a ghost.

By the time the black-clad swordsman realized what was happening, Li Bai had already distanced himself by three zhang.

He did not pursue them.

He simply clutched the wound on his left arm, his eyes coldly fixed on the direction where Li Bai had disappeared. In the moonlight, there was no anger or regret in his eyes, only pure, chilling killing intent.

The courtyard returned to silence.

Only the sound of footsteps growing closer in the distance, and the rustling of the night wind through the withered chrysanthemums.

The black-clad swordsman glanced down at the wound on his left arm.

Blood was still seeping out, staining his fingers red. The wound wasn't deep, but the peculiar power contained within the sword energy rendered his entire arm powerless. He tore off a piece of his sleeve, hastily bandaged the wound, and then looked up at the window of the second-floor room.

Yang Yuhuan was still hiding behind the bed, only her eyes were visible.

In the instant their eyes met, the black-clad swordsman could see the fear in her eyes—but strangely, that fear seemed to be mixed with a trace of other emotion. Like… worry?

Are you worried about the intruder?

A hint of doubt flashed in the black-clad swordsman's eyes.

But he didn't investigate further.

He turned, leaped over the wall, and disappeared into the night like a true shadow. From beginning to end, he didn't utter a single word or make a sound.

It was as if he had never been here.

……

Li Bai ran wildly through the streets and alleys of Chang'an.

The night wind whistled in his ears, carrying the chill of late autumn. His breathing was somewhat rapid; he had consumed nearly forty percent of his true energy, and his left arm was still throbbing—it was where he had been grazed by the sword energy.

But he dared not stop.

He ran for three blocks, making sure no one was chasing him, before stopping at the entrance of a quiet alley. Leaning against the cold brick wall, he gasped for breath. Moonlight slanted in from the alley entrance, casting long shadows on the ground.

He glanced down at the broken sword in his hand.

The azure light on the bronze sword had dissipated. But the faint resonance emanating from deep within the sword continued. He could sense that the nascent Azure Lotus Sword Intent seemed to have... solidified a bit during that battle.

Indeed, real-world experience is the best form of training.

But at this moment, Li Bai had no time to think about these things.

His mind was filled with the details of the battle just now.

The black-clad swordsman's swordsmanship was unpredictable, cunning, and carried an exotic air. His grip and the style of his swordplay were definitely not orthodox Central Plains techniques. Moreover, he was clearly a well-trained assassin; from his appearance to his disappearance, there wasn't a single unnecessary movement.

Why would someone like that lurk in Yang Yuhuan's residence?

Was it sent by Li Linfu?

Or was it Gao Lishi?

Or... other forces?

Li Bai frowned.

He recalled Yang Guifei's composure in the face of crisis—her skillful evasive maneuvers, her calmness even in the face of fear. This was not the reaction one would expect from a fifteen-year-old girl.

Unless... she has experienced something similar.

Or perhaps she has received some kind of training.

This thought made Li Bai's heart sink.

If that's the case, then Yang Yuhuan's situation might be more complicated than he imagined. She wasn't just a girl chosen to enter the palace; she might also be carrying other secrets.

And that swordsman in black.

The opponent could have pursued, but didn't.

Was it out of fear of Li Bai's swordsmanship?

Or... is there another reason?

Li Bai shook his head, temporarily suppressing these distracting thoughts.

The most important thing now is to get back to our lodgings safely. The night raid on the inn failed, we not only exposed some of our strength, but also attracted the attention of a mysterious Foundation Establishment stage swordsman. Tonight's operation can be considered a complete failure.

No.

It cannot be said to be a complete failure.

At least, he saw Yang Yuhuan.

At least, he confirmed her true feelings about not wanting to enter the palace.

At least, he knew that she... had a slight worry about him.

Thinking of this, a bitter smile appeared on Li Bai's lips.

What's wrong with me? I'm clearly in danger, my mission has failed, yet I'm still thinking about these romantic entanglements. A geological engineer in my past life, a sword immortal of Mount Shu in this one—with the experience of two lifetimes, how come I still can't escape the word "love"?

He took a deep breath and sheathed the broken sword at his waist.

The night wind blew through the alleyway, carrying the distant sound of the night watchman striking his clapper.

It's past midnight.

It's time to go back.

Li Bai straightened his tattered night clothes, making sure there were no obvious bloodstains, and then disappeared into the night like a shadow. He activated his Phantom Step technique again, his figure weaving through the streets and alleys, quickly vanishing into the vast darkness of Chang'an.

The moonlight remained as clear as water.

The light shines on the courtyard of the Yichun Academy, on the thin frost on the bluestone slabs, and on the open window of the second-floor room.

The oil lamp in the room had been relit.

Yang Yuhuan sat on the edge of the bed, holding a silk handkerchief in her hand, embroidered with a simple lotus flower. Her gaze was somewhat vacant as she stared at the moonlight outside the window, lost in thought.

After a long while, she lowered her head and looked at the silk handkerchief in her hand.

The silk handkerchief was the only keepsake her mother had left her. Her mother said that this handkerchief would protect her and keep her safe.

But... peace?

A bitter smile appeared on Yang Yuhuan's lips.

Once you enter the palace, that place that devours people without spitting out their bones, how can you expect to find peace?

She remembered the intruder from earlier.

The man who called himself "Li Bai".

His eyes were bright, like stars in the night sky. He spoke wildly, saying he wanted to change his fate. But… why did my heart beat so fast when he said those things?

Why am I so worried when he's in danger?

Yang Yuhuan shook her head, banishing these thoughts.

impossible.

She was destined to enter the palace, a concubine handpicked by His Majesty. She and that man were destined to be two parallel lines, never to intersect.

but……

She gripped the silk handkerchief in her hand tightly.

The lotus flowers on the silk handkerchief gleamed softly under the lamplight.

Like the blue hue on his sword.