The Glory of the Sun and Moon in the Peerless Tang Sect

Brilliant bursts of fire erupted from the smoke, accompanied by the clanging of metal against metal. Xu Zihuang casually wielded his longsword Shark Tooth and short blade Whale Fang, but in Jing Ziyan's eyes, Xu Zihuang had already transformed into an elusive afterimage, blocking her explosive nine-section whip attack while closing in on her.

Xu Zihuang was able to unleash such astonishing speed thanks to his increasingly abnormal physical attributes.

Over the years, his Thunderous Hell Vine right leg bone and his external soul bone, the Radiant Dragon Claw, have been continuously evolving. The Thunderous Hell Vine right leg bone, needless to say, is undoubtedly one of the top-tier soul bones.

Although he did not use the Heavenly Lightning to temper the Thunderous Hell Vine's right leg bone during his exchange and study at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy in order to keep a low profile, the Thunderous Hell Vine's right leg bone was still subtly increasing in age to 80,000 years as it gradually absorbed his pure and powerful ultimate Thunder Soul Power.

In contrast, the Radiant Dragon Claw, as an external soul bone, evolved much more slowly, barely reaching the ten-thousand-year level.

However, the power of the Radiant Dragon Claw is extremely terrifying, and it is a very important trump card for Xu Zihuang to save his life. It's just that he doesn't dare to use the ability of this external soul bone at the moment, for fear of exposing his identity.

The increase in the age of these two soul bones naturally enhanced his physical attributes. Furthermore, the Thunderous Hell Vine's right leg bone significantly boosted the strength and speed of his right leg, allowing him to unleash a speed even more astonishing than many agility-based Soul Emperors in a short period, thanks to his own level 58 soul power.

Before Jing Ziyan could react, the explosive nine-section whip in her hand was knocked away by the short blade whale tooth that Xu Zihuang was holding in his left hand.

But this was a two-on-one contest. Just as Jing Ziyan was in danger, Ji Juechen's reinforcements arrived.

Ji Juechen had appeared behind Xu Zihuang without anyone noticing, gripping the sword hilt tightly with both hands and unleashing a slashing attack. The fierce sword intent soared to its peak, seemingly tearing apart space itself, and an extremely sharp aura raged wildly.

A dark halo shimmered on the meteorite sword from outer space, faintly condensing into a black dragon.

Xu Zihuang also made a very simple move. He thrust his sword straight forward, and the golden sword light also contained a kind of intent. But it was no longer the intent of ruling the world, but the sword intent that he had casually comprehended through his previous sparring with Ji Juechen.

If Ji Juechen's sword intent is filled with an overbearing arrogance, then Xu Zihuang's sword intent is the kind of proud arrogance that stands high above the clouds, looking down on all living beings.

Before the longsword Shark Tooth even made contact with the extraterrestrial meteorite sword, the collision had already begun. Space instantly twisted and collapsed, and cracks extended from the floor, which was infused with refined steel. Golden and black halos merged together, gradually becoming denser and more distorted.

After a standoff of about a second, a violent roar suddenly rang out.

"boom--"

The 50-meter-diameter floor collapsed instantly, as if time had frozen. After a brief pause, the shattered floor turned into countless fragments that fell to the ground.

Xu Zihuang stood proudly, his right hand holding the longsword Shark Tooth in a thrusting position, while his left hand held the short blade Whale Fang, which was pointed directly at Jing Ziyan's throat.

Jing Ziyan stood there stunned, the Exploding Nine-Section Whip landing not far behind her. Looking at Xu Zihuang, a strong sense of defeat welled up in her heart.

It wasn't just because he lost to Yu Tianhuang, but more so because of the methods Yu Tianhuang had displayed when facing Ji Juechen.

Ji Juechen, still in his original posture, couldn't help but take a few steps back. In this clash of sword intent, Xu Zihuang seemed to have only a slight advantage, but Jing Ziyan could see the huge gap between the two at a glance.

Back when she and Ji Juechen entered the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy in the same year, she had been keeping a close eye on Ji Juechen. It can be said that she personally witnessed Ji Juechen's entire journey from an inconspicuous student to the chief of the Soul Guidance Control Department of Mingde Hall.

They also clearly understood the immense effort Ji Juechen had put in to comprehend sword intent and reach this point.

But the sight of Yu Tianhuang before her made her realize the cruel reality once again.

The vast gap between these Soul Masters, whose martial spirit and cultivation talent are average, and true geniuses seems to be something that cannot be bridged by hard work alone.

We're all human, yet there's such a vast difference between us. Some people spend decades cultivating themselves, yet they still can't achieve the same level of enlightenment as others in a single moment.

"I lost."

Ji Juechen's face was somewhat pale, but when he looked up at Xu Zihuang, his eyes were full of composure and fervor.

"Your sword intent is very strong."

“But this is not my path.” Xu Zihuang replied calmly, then sheathed his longsword Shark Tooth and broken-blade Whale Fang and left.

There's nothing to boast about, because he never considered Ji Juechen as an opponent on equal footing with him.

Chapter 285 Separation and a Mysterious New Life

Jing Ziyan picked up the shattered nine-section whip from the ground and came to Ji Juechen's side with a bitter expression.

Even the frustration accumulated from repeated defeats at the hands of Xu Zihuang in the past was far less intense than it was today.

They see Yu Tianhuang as a target to be emulated, but in Yu Tianhuang's eyes, they are not even qualified to be stepping stones on his path to growth.

“Juechen, perhaps it was a mistake to make him our target,” Jing Ziyan said with a bitter smile.

Juechen remained silent for a long time, looking down at the extraterrestrial meteorite iron sword in his hand with a firm gaze.

"Some gaps cannot be bridged simply by wanting to. Just let things take their course, do your best, and have a clear conscience."

However, his cool expression didn't last long before it was interrupted by the arrival of four security guards.

The entire exchange between Xu Zihuang and his two companions, from the start of the fight to the final outcome, lasted only a few seconds. By the time the guards reacted, the once-smooth ground was already a complete mess.

The head gatekeeper looked at Ji Juechen and said helplessly, "The academy has clear regulations that fighting with soul tools is prohibited outside the soul tool testing area. Ji, it's not that we don't respect you, but the traces you left today are too obvious."

The guards naturally recognized this sword fanatic, who was famous even at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy.

"I'll pay for the road repairs." Ji Juechen's expression stiffened, then he surveyed the surrounding area. The ground within a fifty-meter radius had sunk half a meter deep, clearly revealing the steel bars mixed in. A rough estimate suggested the repair costs would be over ten thousand gold soul coins.

He spends his days with his sword, and since he's not a Soul Master, he has no extra income. His daily expenses are covered by the Mingde Hall subsidy, which he certainly can't afford.

He didn't say anything more, and just quietly looked at Jing Ziyan beside him.

Jing Ziyan, who was already feeling frustrated, got angry when she saw Ji Juechen's expression.

"You always cause a bunch of trouble and I have to clean up your mess, right?"

Despite her grumbling and complaining, she ultimately paid for Ji Juechen's repairs.

"Thanks, Ziyan." After finishing his notes, Ji Juechen walked out of the guardhouse. Having gained some insights, he greeted Jing Ziyan and then impatiently turned and left with the Heavenly Meteorite Iron Sword on his back.

Jing Ziyan was left standing alone in the wind, her eyes wide with disarray, scratching her hair in frustration.

"I can't take it anymore! Can't you be a little more perceptive, you blockhead?!"

Xu Zihuang, on the other side, also returned to his dormitory.

As was his usual practice, he met with He Caitou, who lived in the next dormitory.

At this moment, He Caitou was making some small parts for soul tools on the soul tool experiment table in his dormitory. When he saw Xu Zihuang, he seemed to remember something, and with a simple smile, he took out a stack of letters from his soul tool and handed them to Xu Zihuang.

"By the way, Tianhuang. The academy sent a letter today; these are all for you."

"Senior Brother He, I'll head over now." Xu Zihuang smiled slightly, took the letter, and left He Caitou's dormitory. He also closed the door for He Caitou as he did so.

He placed the letters on the bedside table and read through them one by one.

The first letters were from Beibei, Xu Sanshi, and Tang Ya.

Xu Zihuang had a close relationship with all three of them and they often communicated. Jiang Nannan, on the other hand, was more introverted, and her relationship with him was only that of a teammate who had fought side by side and an ordinary senior-junior relationship. She wouldn't take the initiative to do such a thing.

The letters from Bei Bei and the other two mostly inquired about his recent situation and recounted some recent events in the inner courtyard, especially the cultivation progress of Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen. Tang Ya, on the other hand, mentioned Ning Tian several times in her letters, and even used a half-joking, half-serious tone to urge him not to do anything to betray Ning Tian at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy.

Xu Zihuang smiled knowingly, able to imagine Tang Ya's coquettish appearance with her hands on her hips just from the words.

Next came Ning Tian's letter. Ning Tian had maintained a frequency of writing him a letter every month. The letters expressed his longing for him, yet he always kept a certain distance in his writing.

In today's letter, she wrote that she had originally planned to visit him in Mingdu during this holiday, but unfortunately, she had entered a crucial stage in her cultivation and had to abandon the idea. She also mentioned the soul tools Xu Zihuang had sent her. Finally, they discussed their more private matters.

Xu Zihuang wrote a reply before turning to the last letter. The writer of this letter was none other than Zhang Lexuan, the senior disciple of the Inner Court.

The letter inquired about his recent spiritual practice and the difficulties he had encountered.

Xu Zihuang frowned slightly. Although Zhang Lexuan's letter was written in a relatively peaceful and gentle tone, he still keenly sensed a subtle, inexplicable meaning. It seemed somewhat urgent, yet also carried a hint of melancholy.

He remained silent at his desk for a long time, then composed himself and wrote a reply to Zhang Lexuan.

After doing all this, he sat cross-legged on the bed and entered a meditative state.

……

The following morning, in a valley fifty kilometers south of Mingdu.

While the Sun Moon Empire's soul-guided technology has indeed developed rapidly, its land development has been limited. This is generally the case throughout the entire Douluo Continent.

The Douluo Continent is vast. At least for several thousand years, its sparsely populated nature will remain unchanged.

Apart from a few veins containing rare metals that are being continuously mined, the vast majority of the area around Mingdu retains its original ecological environment.

Between two not-so-high mountain ranges lies a barrier lake formed by a river valley collapse. The deep blue surface of the lake shimmers with golden light.

Two figures overlapped under the rising sun, embracing each other by the lake. It was Xu Zihuang and Ye Guyi.

Today, Ye Guyi wore a form-fitting white dress that accentuated her graceful figure. Her full chest rose and fell slightly, and her long golden hair flowed in the wind, the fragrance of her hair mingling with the sweet scent of her breath.

Ye Guyi, clearly aroused, watched with a smile as Xu Zihuang withdrew his right hand from her clothes, his eyes full of provocation.

"What, you're not going to continue? If you're willing to speak up, I can stay a few days longer."

Although Xu Zihuang's inner hurdle has gradually faded, he still feels psychologically vulnerable when facing Ye Guyi. Conversely, Ye Guyi tends to be the more dominant one when interacting with Xu Zihuang.

This is a result of their experiences together during their childhood.

Xu Zihuang shook his head sheepishly. Little did he know that Ye Guyi was also putting on a brave face, her body feeling numb and weak.

Ye Guyi stopped teasing him and simply held Xu Zihuang's arm, looking at the clear lake in front of them, watching the golden sun rise in the east.

Both of them gradually calmed down.

"Wait for me to come back. I'll come to Shrek Academy to find you a year from now." Ye Guyi tiptoed and touched Xu Zihuang's lips, giving him a deep, earnest instruction.

"When I'm not around, your safety is the top priority, understand?"

“I understand, Sister Lingyi,” Xu Zihuang replied seriously.

"Sister Lingyi, when you break through to level 70, we'll go to that place. That soul beast should be very suitable as your seventh soul ring."

Having seen Xu Zihuang's memories, Ye Guyi naturally knew where Xu Zihuang was referring to, and simply nodded silently.

The fiery apricot blossom, with a cultivation of 100,000 years, was the only soul beast in that place that resonated with her Holy Angel Martial Soul.

If her Sun Sword could be enhanced with the ultimate fire attribute, its destructive power would reach an extremely terrifying level.

He didn't ask Xu Zihuang why he was so confident that she could absorb a 100,000-year-level spirit ring when she reached her seventh spirit ring. Because she had absolute trust in Xu Zihuang.

Immediately, Ye Guyi waved to Nana in the distant woods.

Mingdu is located in the north-central part of the Sun Moon Empire, with a predominantly temperate climate. This forest consists of temperate coniferous forests, offering a relatively open view.

Just now, out of curiosity, Nana saw the two of them interacting intimately several times.

Having witnessed all of this firsthand, she experienced some unusual sensations in her body.

Nana's pretty face flushed red as she approached the two men and lowered her head uncomfortably.

"Master, mistress."

"Let's go, Nana." Ye Guyi regained her usual dignified and aloof demeanor, taking out a thin, metallic wing from her storage soul tool. It was a brilliant gold color. This was a level six flying soul tool personally crafted by Xu Zihuang, using the latest technology from Mingde Hall.

"Yes, Mistress." Nana replied respectfully, and took out a level 5 flying soul tool from her storage soul tool.