I Have a Sword

Jimo Lan nervously twisted the hem of her clothes, her anxious and vulnerable appearance evoking sympathy in anyone who saw her.

Even the most hard-hearted person would find it difficult to refuse her at this moment. She was well aware that requesting to join Guanxuan Academy at this time was shameless, but she had no other choice—she had to do it.

For the Jimo Clan, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Missing it would make the clan's return to glory nearly impossible. So even though she knew that her actions were disgraceful, she still stepped forward, both for her clan and for herself.

Li Han and Hengshan Ying exchanged glances but remained silent.

However, they looked amused at the sight.

Ye Guan looked at the pitiful Jimo Lan before him and smiled, "Lady Jimo, you're putting me in a difficult position here."

Jimo Lan looked up at Ye Guan, and her eyes were misty as she said, "Young Master Ye, the Jimo Clan sincerely wishes to join Guanxuan Academy. Please give us a chance."

With that, she bowed deeply.

Ye Guan shook his head.

Jimo Lan bit her lip. "Young Master Ye, is it because I didn't help you earlier? I—"

Ye Guan interrupted, "Lady Jimo, you're overthinking it. If the Jimo Clan had helped me, I would remember it and repay the favor. The Jimo Clan had chosen not to help me, and it's understandable—I wouldn’t nurse a grudge over it."

Jimo Lan's large eyes became filled with tears that were about to overflow. "Then..."

"Lady Jimo," Ye Guan said, walking up to her and patting her shoulder. "Don’t play these mind games with me. You’re not experienced enough to do so."

With that, he turned around and walked away.

Jimo Lan's expression froze.

"If honey trapping works on him, you'd never have a turn," Hengshan Ying said. Then, she snorted coldly and left.

Li Han looked at Jimo Lan and shook his head slightly. "The biggest mistake in life is being insincere in kindness and not being thorough against enemies. You actually dared to play mind games with Ye Guan? What were you thinking?"

From the very first day he met Ye Guan, Li Han knew that dealing with him required sincerity. Ye Guan had more tricks up his sleeve than there were hairs on Li Han's head. To gain Ye Guan's trust, one had to be genuine.

Of course, this principle applied to everyone—mind games could only deceive someone for a short time, not for a lifetime.

Standing there, Jimo Lan lowered her head, remaining silent for a long time before smiling bitterly and turning around to leave.

Soon, the Clan Leader of the Jimo Clan and a group of elders appeared before her. The Clan Leader glared at Jimo Lan and demanded, "Hand over the Founding Ancestor's Protection."

Jimo Lan didn’t resist and handed it over.

The clan leader’s face remained expressionless as he waved her away dismissively.

Jimo Lan’s expression darkened before she turned around and left.

Once Jimo Lan was out of her sight, the Clan Leader of the Jimo Clan could no longer suppress his rage and roared, "That short-sighted wench has doomed the Jimo Clan!"

The faces of the other elders were equally grim. The only reason he entrusted Jimo Lan with the Founding Ancestor’s Protection was that she claimed she would support Ye Guan. He never imagined that she'd hesitate and fail.

After the anger came the confusion. The people backing Ye Guan could easily suppress the Tianxing Flame; just how powerful were they?

Moreover, someone from the Tianxing Civilization seemed pretty familiar with Ye Guan.

If Jimo Lan had chosen Ye Guan, the Jimo Clan's return to prominence would have been guaranteed—no, perhaps they could surpass their glory days, but now…

It was now impossible.

***

Ye Guan walked up to the Coffin Emperor.

The Coffin Emperor dropped to his knees with a thud and trembled. "Young Master Ye, I’m sorry!"

Everyone was speechless.

Ye Guan was stunned, as he hadn’t expected such a display.

The Coffin Emperor hurriedly removed his storage ring and handed it to Ye Guan. His voice was shaking as he said, "Young Master Ye, I just came here to show off—no, I mean, I just wanted to see the world.

"I truly had no ill intentions... Please, Young Master Ye, give me a chance to make amends! I’ll even kowtow!"

With that, the Coffin Emperor kowtowed.

Ye Guan lifted him up with his right hand and suggested, "How about this? I need people at the Guanxuan Academy. How about you join us for a hundred years?"

The Coffin Emperor was overjoyed. "Sure, sure, I'll join!"

Ye Guan nodded and then bade farewell to everyone. After parting with them, he didn't leave the Ascension World but ventured into the Fourth Heaven instead.

The Emperor of the Great Zhou and his people returned to the Great Zhou, along with the Heavenly Ruler Demon and the others followed. Their goal was to make contact with the Guanxuan Universe and secure guest elder positions.

Somewhere in the starry sky above the Ascension World, Li Han and his ancestor, Li Ming, were walking slowly among the devastated stars.

Li Ming suddenly praised, "You did well."

"It’s all thanks to your guidance, Ancestor."

"Hahaha." Li Ming laughed heartily, "That flattery lacks finesse."

Li Han chuckled.

Li Ming suddenly grew serious. "Have you investigated the Guanxuan Academy?"

"Yes, I have," Li Han replied. Then, he shared the information that he had gathered about the Guanxuan Academy.

After listening, Li Ming’s expression grew solemn. "So their goal is to unify the vast expanse?"

"Indeed. It's a shocking goal; the vast expanse is boundless, after all, so such a feat seems impossible, but now…" Li Han trailed off before continuing, "Now, it doesn’t seem so impossible."

"Indeed," Li Ming gazed into the distant starry sky and said, "If nothing goes wrong, the vast expanse will soon undergo drastic changes. You’ve done well by bringing the Li Clan into their academy—it gives us a head start."

"I’m glad you understand me, Ancestor."

Li Ming’s eyes flashed with a complex light. "I was once a proud man, believing myself to be at the pinnacle of the Dao until I encountered the Tianxing Civilization.

"It was then that I realized that there are always higher peaks. After witnessing the might of that white-robed man and the lady in the plain skirt, I realized that what I once considered the pinnacle is trivial in the eyes of certain existences."

Li Han remained silent.

Li Ming looked at Li Han and added, "This alliance between our Li Clan and the Guanxuan Academy is a tremendous opportunity, but you must ensure that the clan will behave—don’t let them cause trouble and waste this chance.

"Also, we must fully support the Guanxuan Academy in establishing a brand-new Order. Whenever there’s a need for someone to lead, our Li Clan should be the first to step forward. In short, we must solidify this alliance."

"I’ve already instructed our people to start copying the Guanxuan Law. It will gradually replace our clan’s laws."

"Hahaha!"

Li Ming laughed heartily. With such descendants, the clan will surely prosper.

Li Ming patted Li Han’s shoulder and said, "The clan is in your hands now."

With that, his figure started fading away.

Li Han bowed deeply. "Farewell, Ancestor."

Li Ming took one last look at the brilliant starry sky. There was a trace of regret in his eyes as he faded away.

***

At the entrance of the imperial palace of the Great Zhou, Zhou Fan was dressed in a light yellow phoenix gown. She seemed anxious, seemingly waiting for something.

When she learned that Dao Emperor Zhaowu had attacked Ye Guan, she wanted to rush to the Ascension World to fight alongside him. However, she knew that she wouldn’t be able to help him and would only be a burden.

Thus, she waited. Waiting was torture—each day felt like a year.

Swoosh!

The Emperor of the Great Zhou suddenly appeared before her.

Seeing him, Zhou Fan’s face lit up with a smile.

The Emperor of the Great Zhou's arrival meant that they had won.

Zhou Fan hurriedly asked, "Where is he?"

The Emperor of the Great Zhou was slightly displeased, "What do you mean, 'where is he'? Can’t you see that I’m covered in wounds?"

Zhou Fan had no idea what to say.

The Emperor of the Great Zhou sighed inwardly. Daughters really are hard to keep close.

Seeing Zhou Fan’s anxious face, the Emperor of Great Zhou’s heart softened, and he explained, "He has some matters to attend to, but he’ll return after they’re settled. Don’t worry about him."

"Okay."

"There are some things that I need to tell you," said the Emperor of the Great Zhou. Then, he recounted the events in the Ascension World.

When Zhou Fan heard about Dao Emperor Zhaowu's instant defeat, her expression became unprecedentedly solemn.

A complex expression suffused the Emperor of the Great Zhou’s face.

The incident had shaken him deeply.

He thought that the Path Creation Realm was the pinnacle of the vast expanse, but to his surprise, even cultivators at the Path Creation Realm were insignificant in the face of that lady in a plain skirt.

Not just Path Creation Realm cultivators—even Path Annihilation Realm cultivators were as insignificant as an ant before her.

It was too absurd, and his mind was shaken by the revelation.

Nonetheless, he acknowledged that there was much to be gained from this incident.

He could now see a new ceiling, and with it, his hope was renewed. While he couldn’t claim that he could catch up to the lady in a plain skirt, he at least knew where to go.

The incident humbled everyone.

Those who had seen the world tended to be humble and low-key, and it was all because they knew that there would always be someone stronger than anyone.

In contrast, those who had seen little of the world tended to get carried away and look down on others.

The Emperor of Great Zhou pulled himself out of his thoughts and said, “We must become a part of the Guanxuan Academy as soon as possible.

"Right now, we still have some advantages. Compared to the other forces within the academy, our Great Zhou is pretty strong, so we can assist the academy in many ways.

"In other words, they will certainly find us more valuable than the others.

"However, that might change in the future.”

Zhou Fan nodded slightly. “I understand. I’ve already spread the Guanxuan Law throughout Great Zhou. Gradually, the Guanxuan Law will completely replace our imperial laws. Of course, there are some voices of opposition…”

A cold gleam flashed in the Emperor of the Great Zhou's eyes. “First, try to persuade them. If they don’t listen, then cut them down. We can’t let a few shortsighted individuals affect the bigger picture.”

“I understand.”

When two civilizations merge, there was bound to be many issues. At times like this, hesitation was the biggest taboo. Therefore, Zhou Fan had been suppressing many dissenting voices. Of course, those unwilling to align with Guanxuan Academy could leave the Great Zhou, and she wouldn’t stop them.

The Emperor of the Great Zhou added, “There’s one more thing—Little Guan is improving rapidly.”

Zhou Fan remained silent.

The Emperor of the Great Zhou sighed in his heart.

The gap between Ye Guan and Zhou Fan would only widen as time went on.

Zhou Fan suddenly smiled and said, “That’s a good thing.”

The Emperor of Great Zhou looked at Zhou Fan.

Zhou Fan sighed and said, “Father, in the near future, the vast expanse's landscape will undergo earth-shattering changes. Throughout history, no one has ever united the vast expanse and all its civilizations...”

"But I believe he can do it," Zhou Fan said, looking excited, "We will witness that day. As for me and him... as long as he is strong enough, what does it matter if I become a mere trophy?

"Of course, I'm also going to work hard to catch up to him.”

The Emperor of Great Zhou nodded. “From now on, you are the Empress of Great Zhou.”

With that, the Emperor of the Great Zhou officially abdicated as the emperor.

***

A maid walked out from a grand hall somewhere inside Abyssal Hell.

Stretching lazily, she grinned and remarked, “I can finally start cultivating.”

Just then, she saw a man standing not far away from her.

The man was staring at her, so the maid curiously asked, “Are you new here?”

The man nodded slightly. “Mmhm.”

“Really? Let me introduce myself, then. I’m a maid of the Reincarnation Lord. My name is Ah Shu. You?”

The man replied, “Little Yong.”

“No need to be nervous. The Reincarnation Lord is easy to get along with…” Ah Shu walked up to Little Yong and patted his shoulder with a smile. “Really, no need to be nervous.”

Little Yong lowered his head and whispered, “I am not nervous.”

Ah Shu laughed, “Then why do you keep lowering your head? Am I that ugly?”

Little Yong shook his head.

Ah Shu covered her mouth and chuckled, “You’re interesting for a newcomer. From now on, stick with me.”

“Okay.”

“Do you know how to cultivate?”

Little Yong shook his head.

Ah Shu said seriously, “That won’t do. If you don’t know how to cultivate, you’ll suffer in the future. The ghosts here like to bully newcomers.”

Little Yong asked, “Do you know how to cultivate?”

“Of course! I secretly learned a cultivation method, and I can even fly now!”

“Can I cultivate with you?”

Ah Shu thought for a moment and muttered, “Hm, you can…”

“How about this?" Ah Shu suggested. "From now on, call me 'Sister,' and I’ll look out for you.”

Little Yong immediately looked down as his vision rapidly blurred.

Ah Shu asked, “Deal?”

Little Yong nodded vigorously.

Ah Shu beamed and grabbed Little Yong’s hand before leading him into the distance. As they walked, Ah Su said, “Little Yong, you must work hard and cultivate with me. This world is full of bad ghosts. If you're weak, you’ll get bullied. So you must work hard to become successful, do you understand?”

Little Yong trembled slightly, and his aura suddenly underwent an earth-shattering transformation...

In a hidden corner, a voice filled with shock echoed. “Path Annihilation? How is this possible?”

Ah Shu led the man away, and they soon disappeared into the night.

“I’m already successful, Big Sis…" A voice as faint as a mosquito’s droning echoed. No one heard the voice except for the wind.