Chapter Thirty-Nine: Soaring Through the Skies with the Sword

Night descended, the courtyard’s bonfire fading under the relentless rain. The oppressive darkness pressed down, suffocating. The long night shrouded all beneath the heavens, thunderclouds churned, and the sky threatened with violet lightning.

Two figures lay drunkenly in the woodshed, their minds clouded by wine. Xu Xing, his heart loosened by drink, spoke his mind.

“Old man, how do you always appear and vanish without a trace? I’ve always suspected you’re some reclusive master.”

Curled up on a straw mat, Xu Xing pulled the quilt over his stomach. Autumn had crept in silently, and the air was tinged with chill.

Kong Mo and Xu Xing tugged at the quilt, Xu Xing stubbornly refusing to yield even a corner.

“Hey, you rascal! Don’t you know my situation? And haven’t you learned to respect your elders? Hand over some of the quilt!”

Xu Xing clung to the covers, leaving only the edge for Kong Mo.

“Old man, that’s all you get. Take it or leave it.”

“Forget it, boy. Mark my words—this Freshman Assembly is your chance to turn things around.”

Unable to win the quilt, Kong Mo simply sat up and leaned against the bed, sighing.

Xu Xing was half-conscious, the wine Kong Mo had brought today was too potent; he barely registered his companion’s words. His head throbbed as if it would split. When Kong Mo finished, Xu Xing mumbled incoherently.

“What? Can’t even speak straight after a couple drinks.”

“I said… you old codger, when will you finally let me attend a banquet…”

Kong Mo’s eyes widened in surprise and he smacked Xu Xing on the back.

He knew Xu Xing was joking, but couldn’t help being annoyed. He retorted, “When you can walk out of here, then I’ll throw you a banquet.”

“You said it… I must come… to your banquet…”

“Idiot, not mine! I meant your wedding banquet!”

Xu Xing sprawled drunkenly on the bed, and Kong Mo snorted with laughter.

But as his gaze drifted to Xu Xing’s waist, a look of worry crept into his eyes, as if something troubled him deeply.

“Boy, do you want to outshine everyone at tomorrow’s Freshman Assembly?”

“Of course. How could I not? Senior Sister Ziyan’s been so good to me, I don’t want to disappoint her…”

Kong Mo stroked his white beard with satisfaction.

“Then call me ‘Big Brother’ and I’ll teach you everything.”

“You old codger…”

Xu Xing, drunk and unfiltered, said whatever came to mind.

“You brat, you’ll be the death of me. Fine, I won’t argue with you.”

“Listen well, I’m about to pass on my life’s greatest skill—my deepest insights. Remember them!”

Xu Xing smacked his lips, as if calling out someone’s name.

“The Five Elements and Eight Trigrams arise from the Infinite. What is the Infinite? It is the Great Dao, the supreme principle from which all else derives. If you contemplate this Dao, use it as your guide, you may grasp its truth. With it, you can develop powerful techniques, divine arts, secret methods, and more.”

“Watch closely: I’ll demonstrate for you the art of transforming Weak Water into a mighty river.”

But as Kong Mo watched Xu Xing, the latter’s snores thundered through the room, echoing in Kong Mo’s ears for a long while.

Kong Mo could only smile wryly at the sleeping Xu Xing—equal parts exasperated and amused.

“This boy is truly peculiar. What a strange one… but I do like him.”

The sky was a prism without light, black clouds swirling but gradually dispersing under the wind’s assault. The darkness softened; the night grew pale.

The cold air cleared, and the icy moonlight fell upon every red tile and green brick in the city.

Kong Mo gently covered Xu Xing with the quilt and tapped his back lightly.

Infusing a bit of spiritual energy, several dazzling golden rays burst from Xu Xing’s back, illuminating the room. Kong Mo nodded in satisfaction and stood to leave.

As he opened the door, Xu Xing’s voice sounded.

Kong Mo glanced back and saw Xu Xing deep in sleep, a faint smile on his lips.

He closed the door. The moonlight drowned the courtyard, and from the woodshed came Xu Xing’s voice:

“Senior Sister Ziyan, please… don’t leave me.”

Kong Mo turned, his silver hair and beard dancing in the night breeze.

“This boy… so soon already…”

Though he could not see Xu Xing’s face, he smiled toward the woodshed.

Under the moon, Kong Mo vanished from the courtyard in a flash.

Above the Northern Sea, waves roared and surged. An old man stood beneath the moon, gazing across the void toward Mount Shu.

…

Warm morning light spilled across Xu Xing’s handsome face. Feeling its gentle warmth, he blinked, then sat up. He walked to the gauzy window and gazed outside, where the world buzzed with life.

Peeking out, the scene outside struck him speechless.

Countless people soared through the sky.

Above, the conical floating mountain beneath Mount Shu was crowded with an endless throng.

“So this is the Freshman Assembly. Has it begun? Why hasn’t Senior Sister Ziyan come to fetch me yet?”

Those flying above were all in pairs—new students and their guides.

Watching them, Xu Xing’s expression dimmed.

But where was Ziyan? Had she not promised to come for him today? Why hadn’t she arrived?

He gazed longingly at those soaring freely, tracing their flight to the floating conical mountain—the renowned Northern Sea Academy.

He waited for a long time, but no one else took flight toward the academy.

Xu Xing was disappointed. Ziyan still hadn’t come.

Had something happened to her?

He couldn’t go to the academy on his own.

But should he just give up? Give in halfway?

Thinking of the visions and ancestors from his recent coma, of all the dreams yet unfulfilled, how could he surrender now?

Birds crossed the distant sky.

“Then I’ll fly to the Northern Sea Academy myself!”

Xu Xing entered the courtyard and slung his sword onto his back.

Suddenly, the sword trembled violently. Xu Xing’s eyes lit up with excitement.

“You want to make a name for yourself at the academy too?”

People may lie, but a sword speaks the truth.

At his words, the sword’s shaking grew more intense.

Xu Xing gripped the hilt and wrenched it free; fallen leaves whirled, and puddles from last night’s rain quivered.

The blade was razor-sharp, polished bright as a mirror.

Gazing at his reflection, Xu Xing smiled. “Then let us set sail together!”

He poured spiritual energy into the sword, and it surged and shuddered, as if infused with new life.

The sword leapt into the air, dancing around the courtyard, swirling on the wind.

Xu Xing let out a great laugh.

So it really could understand him! He still had a chance!

Why wait for the wind when you can chase it yourself?

The sword whirled wildly, and Xu Xing laughed aloud.

When the sword finally stilled, it hovered before his feet.

Xu Xing stepped gently onto it, eyes fixed on the Northern Sea Academy, brimming with confidence.

Merging mind and blade, the secret arts he had cultivated made controlling the sword not too difficult; Xu Xing began to rise, inch by inch.

Crack!

Xu Xing toppled into the courtyard, soaking his clothes in the puddles. But he did not lose heart; he stood up again.

“So, sword-riding isn’t so easy after all. But I like a good challenge.”

Once, twice… five times… ten times.

No success.

Fifty, sixty… finally, on the ninety-third try, Xu Xing soared on his sword.

As he flew over the courtyard wall, reaching new heights, he cheered with joy:

“Northern Sea Academy, here I come!”

“Haha, I can fly now!”

Beneath the vast sky, a new dream-weaving youth joined the sword-flying ranks.

As Xu Xing departed, the courtyard fell silent. Not long after, Zhou Lingya returned.

She entered, seeing fish bones and ashes from the fire scattered about.

Furious beyond words, Zhou Lingya collapsed into her rocking chair, struggling to compose herself. Staring at the conical mountain, she fumed:

“That little reprobate ate all the spiritual herbs I’d been hoarding for cultivation!”

“It must have been Xu Xing. That brat—I’ll skin her alive!”