Two days had passed since the Strength Clan was annihilated.
At a street noodle stall.
Li Dixian, Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, Yu Tianheng, and their group of eight, occupied two square tables.
Across the street, in front of a tavern.
The Storyteller, having just recovered from a cold, had set up his stall again.
His folding fan snapped open, and he spoke with spittle flying.
"Esteemed listeners, pray lend an ear as this old man recounts a tale of the pugilistic world: 'Sword Wine Stained with Blood, the Strength Clan Overthrown'!"
The Azure Robed Storyteller's tone suddenly turned grim, like the low caw of a crow.
"It is said that Tai Tan, the clan head of the Strength Clan, in his desire to recruit Sword Wine into his clan, actually conceived a foolish notion! Relying on his seniority of more than sixty years, he sought to use his power to oppress him…"
"Tsk tsk!"
Yu Feng swallowed the noodle soup in his mouth and exclaimed:
"My idol, I now understand why you favor this noodle stall."
"The aroma of these noodles, accompanied by tales of the pugilistic world, truly has a unique flavor."
Yu Tianheng nodded in agreement:
"Li Dixian said that after a night of heavy drinking, a bowl of hot noodle soup is the most comforting, and it truly is so."
"When it comes to enjoying life, I've never seen anyone more adept than Li Dixian."
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling's gazes occasionally swept over the white-shirted young man who was applauding the Storyteller, a slight smile curving their lips.
Li Dixian's gaze swept over his group of friends, shaking his head and chuckling.
For his sake, these families had used their clan's power to annihilate the Strength Clan.
He naturally ought to host a banquet to thank them for this friendship.
Of course.
He, Li Dixian, would remember this favor even more deeply.
There would be ample time in the future to repay it handsomely.
Time flew like an arrow.
Three months had passed in a flash.
Beneath the gnarled branches of the plum tree in the courtyard.
Li Dixian sat cross-legged on a futon, his breathing long and steady.
With his every inhale and exhale, the fallen plum blossoms on the ground were drawn by an invisible rhythm, rising and falling.
Approximately half an hour later.
Li Dixian's eyes suddenly snapped open.
Two sharp sword qi shot out from his eyes, making the air shriek.
At the same time.
A powerful Soul Power spread out from within his body.
It lifted the plum petals scattered on the ground into the air, turning them into a rain of falling blossoms.
"I've reached level thirty-seven."
Li Dixian clenched his fist.
Feeling the surging Soul Power within his body, he nodded with satisfaction.
Over the past three months, besides diligently studying sword moves, he had been painstakingly cultivating his Soul Power.
The incident with Tai Tan served as a constant warning bell.
It made him deeply understand that:
While sword moves and techniques were indeed exceptionally sharp, the foundation of Soul Power was the true basis for a Spirit Master's standing.
And in his cultivation of the sword dao, he naturally hadn't slackened.
Li Dixian had always been most adept at comprehending the sword.
But this time… he had encountered an unprecedented bottleneck.
"Speaking of sword moves…"
"This fourth form of the Green Lotus Sword Song, I can't grasp it at all, I have no clue."
Li Dixian pointed his fingers like a sword, his fingertips slightly raised.
In an instant.
Starlight flickered, ice and fire intertwined, and a gentle breeze wrapped around them.
Three distinct sword intents swirled around his fingertips, and the plum petals that had yet to fall shattered upon contact.
"The first form is starlight, the second is ice and fire, the third is a gentle breeze…"
"Then what is the fourth form of the Green Lotus Sword Song?"
This bottleneck was different from previous ones.
While creating sword moves before had also been arduous.
Li Dixian always had a nascent form of sword intent emerging in his heart.
But this time, he was utterly perplexed, his mind shrouded in mist.
Li Dixian's brows furrowed into a knot.
"The three realms of the sword dao…"
"The Lower Sword slays others, the Middle Sword slays oneself, the Upper Sword slays the night."
"The first three forms of the Green Lotus Sword Song have all reached the realm of the Upper Sword slays the night."
"In the ethereal realm, I have a premonition that if I can comprehend this fourth form, perhaps… I might catch a glimpse of the threshold of that profound fourth realm of the sword dao."
Li Dixian, whose mood was vexed due to his setback in comprehending the sword.
Invited Xue Qinghe, as well as the Royal Fight's seven members who had finished their special training.
In his secluded small courtyard.
Everyone sat around, exchanging toasts and chatting cheerfully.
After a few cups of wine, Yu Tianheng became somewhat tipsy, suddenly put down his wine glass, and said seriously:
"Li Dixian, the Soul Master Competition is less than three months away."
"Our Royal Fight Team's progress has been limited by our arduous training at the academy."
"The Blue Lightning Clan's simulated training ground holds unique mysteries, so we need to return to the Blue Lightning Clan to cultivate for some time."
His gaze was burning as he looked at Li Dixian.
"Why don't you come with us to the Blue Lightning Clan as a guest?"
"My old man always uses you as an example to lecture me; it's a good chance for him to see you with his own eyes!"
As soon as these words were spoken.
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling's beautiful eyes lit up, and they looked at Li Dixian expectantly.
They naturally hoped to travel with Li Dixian.
"Go to the Blue Lightning Clan?"
Li Dixian's sword-like brows slightly arched.
He had already been thinking of revisiting the Seven Great Sects to comprehend the sword through travel.
But the other clans were far less familiar than the Wind Sword Sect.
The Blue Lightning Clan was indeed an excellent choice.
"The Wind Sword Sect, one of the Lower Four Sects, still has a unique place like the Wind Eye."
"The Blue Lightning Clan, one of the Upper Three Sects, will only have a deeper foundation, and there must be extraordinary places worth exploring."
"Moreover, during the Strength Clan incident last time, Yu Tianheng's grandfather, Thunder Douluo, also took action."
"He is different from Senior Dugu; after all, they are not very familiar, and I should pay him a visit to express my gratitude."
In a flash of thought.
Li Dixian found he had no reason to refuse.
Under the joyful gazes of Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling.
Li Dixian smiled and said:
"If you don't mind the trouble, I'll go with you."
"Hahahahaha, how could we mind the trouble, we'd be delighted!"
Yu Tianheng punched Li Dixian on the shoulder.
Yu Feng, Oslo, and the Shi Brothers all showed their delight.
Amidst the general jubilation.
Only Xue Qinghe, though a faint smile lingered on her lips, did not seem very enthusiastic.
Li Dixian's drinking motion paused.
Then he extended his arm and put it around Xue Qinghe's shoulder.
"What's wrong?"
"Are you afraid that if I leave, no one will accompany you fishing to relieve boredom?"
This action was done in public.
Xue Qinghe's heart gave a sudden leap.
Her hand, hidden under the table, pinched Li Dixian's waist, but her face maintained the dignity of a Crown Prince, and she said calmly:
"Heh, you can go ahead."
"The joy of fishing can be enjoyed at any time."
"It's just that this Crown Prince has been entangled in government affairs recently and is worried about being unable to be in two places at once."
Yu Tianheng and the other five saw this scene.
They only thought it was deep brotherly affection and didn't think much of it.
Although… to casually embrace His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's neck like that.
Besides Li Dixian, there was no one else.
But Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling exchanged glances, both seeing a hint of surprise in each other's eyes.
Li Dixian's next action.
Made them widen their eyes in astonishment even more.
They saw Li Dixian suddenly turn his head, lean close to Xue Qinghe's ear, and whisper a sentence.
Xue Qinghe immediately broke into a joyful smile.
"This… this…"
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling pointed at the two of them.
For a moment, they were speechless.
Li Dixian still had his arm around Xue Qinghe, raising an eyebrow and scoffing.
"What 'this' what 'this'? So easily surprised, haven't you seen close brothers saying a few private words?"
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling's pretty faces stiffened.
Yu Tianheng and the other five were still laughing, unconcerned.
Normal.
Too normal.
How normal for buddies to have a good relationship.
Xue Qinghe lowered her gaze.
Her fingertips caressed the rim of her cup as she took a small sip of wine.
Her earlier low spirits had vanished without a trace.
Only because Li Dixian had said in her ear:
"Before going to the Blue Lightning Clan, I want to see Qian Renxue."