Under a tall tree, a youth in gray was seated cross-legged. His black hair was tied up neatly, with some strands drooping on the sides of his face. He radiated elegance, his temperament nicely matching his handsome face. His skin was as fair as a baby’s, making him look only 15 or 16 years old. His eyes were shut in rest, and a crude sword lay on his legs. No sharp aura could be detected from him. He looked like a completely ordinary sword cultivator.
This was Baili Yixiao, the Dragon Phoenix Academy’s number one disciple, the Smiling Swordsman.
He had a good reputation in the academy. He was always polite, and he had a mild temper with a kind heart. Because of that, the moment he founded the Sword Society, numerous disciples joined him, making the Sword Society the biggest faction in the academy.
In truth, establishing the Sword Society was not his idea in the first place. Rather, he did it under the persuasion of his best friend, Long Shi. Like Wang Yufeng, Long Shi had a high-grade eight-star physique. He had impressive combat strength, and he practically ran the Sword Society.
Long Shi was a tall and buff male; his body was sturdy while his face was firm. He somewhat resembled Zhan Wushuang physically, but he was slightly less muscular. He was clad in high-grade armor and wielded a massive sword in his hand. His eyes constantly radiated arrogance, as if he disdained the entire world.
Long Shi was already an eighth-stage Dragon Ascension Realm cultivator, comparable to Han Chenfei. He occupied the ninth spot on the Dragon Phoenix List and was only weaker than the academy’s eight freaks. He was much stronger than Green Youth Ye Linshan, Lady Violence An Lulu, and the others on their level. He wouldn’t be qualified to become the Sword Society’s deputy master otherwise.
Currently, he was leading a group of 500 who were standing on guard around Baili Yixiao. Although a majority of the Sword Society members were sword wielders, some wielded other weapons. They weren’t so inflexible that they would only recruit sword wielders.
When the twins arrived with the others, Baili Yixiao slowly opened his eyes. His eyes were slightly curved, akin to a pair of crescent moons. His lips were slightly curled as a genial smile formed on his face. The moment he smiled, the world around him seemed to come alive. The change was extremely striking.
“Human heaven unity!” the many disciples cried out in alarm when they saw that.
Only upon reaching the human heaven unity would one be able to influence one’s surroundings with one’s emotions, and it was something all cultivators pursued. It was completely different from the profundity of power that focused on the manipulation and control of powers.
On the other hand, the human heaven unity focused on one’s comprehension of the dao, and it was a state rarely seen in a cultivator. Even if one managed to enter this state, one would only be able to stay in it for a limited period of time. If one was interrupted, it wouldn’t be so easy to enter the state another time. Everything relied on one’s fortune and perception.
Baili Yixiao had not only entered the state in front of so many people—he could also enter and leave it as he wished. It was clear how proficient he was at it.
When He Yuyuan saw that Baili Yixiao had awakened, she quickly stepped forth and said, “Society master, they are here.”
Baili Yixiao waved his hand at her and stepped forward. He cupped his hands in greeting and smiled as he said, “Thank you for coming, fellow disciples. My apologies for troubling you all to make this trip.”
Xiang Shaoyun had never imagined Baili Yixiao to be such a polite person. He looked completely sincere, as though he fully meant each word.
“Baili Yixiao, your politeness is always annoying,” said Zhan Wushuang, showing no politeness. Of the people present, Zhan Wushuang was the only one who dared to speak like that to Baili Yixiao.
Baili Yixiao did not mind. He replied, “Brother Wushuang, looks like I have embarrassed myself before you. There must be some misunderstanding. I don’t want to slow everyone’s search down. That was why I had Yuyuan and Ziyuan invite you all here. This place happens to be closer to the secret door.”
“What? You already found the secret door?” Lei Bao asked in shock.
Lei Bao and the others had the keys in their possession, but they still had no idea where the secret door was. And yet Baili Yixiao had found it before them. It was truly shocking.
“I don’t know the exact position, but my instincts are telling me it is near,” said Baili Yixiao with a calm tone.
Although he used an uncertain tone, everyone found his words believable.
“Since that is the case, please take your key out,” said Lei Bao.
“Here,” said Baili Yixiao. With a flick of his wrist, a stone key appeared in his head.
World within sleeve! Everyone could see the depth of the trick Baili Yixiao had just used, but they could not understand how that trick had managed to seal the key. There had to be some secret they were unaware of at work here. They did not care much about the trick, as they cared more about the secret door.
“Take all the keys out, and we will probably be able to locate the secret door,” said Lei Bao.
Right this moment, Xiang Shaoyun said, “Hold on. Don’t you think that those without a key should move away now?”
His words were clearly aimed at Huang Tianji. Huang Tianji’s expression shifted greatly. He knew very well that the people here were making a move on the battleground’s most desired secret. If he couldn’t partake, it would be a great loss. It might even be a turning point pulling all the other geniuses far ahead of him. He wasn’t willing to see this opportunity slip from his hands.
Hence, he countered shamelessly, “I don’t have a key, but I have formed an alliance with Brother Ziyang. It’s enough for him to have a key.”
Such shamelessness from a prince caught Yu Ziyang by surprise. He sighed inwardly, To achieve major feats, one truly can’t be too mindful about matters of little significance.
“But you still need to gain our permission. Am I right, Brother Lei?” said Xiang Shaoyun.
Lei Bao nodded. “That’s right. Each of us holds a key, and it is only rightful that our five parties are the ones to share the secret. Everyone else should leave.”
He spoke without holding anything back, showing Huang Tianji no respect. His response caused Huang Tianji’s face to turn ghastly, but the only thing Huang Tianji could do was look pleadingly at Yu Ziyang.
Before Yu Ziyang could say anything, Baili Yixiao said, “Don’t continue to argue. All fellow academy disciples have the right to share in the secret.”
