"Which Sword Holder do you think poses the biggest threat to you?"

Le Yin glanced at Ning Xinyuan. It wasn't surprising that she knew about the Sword Seeking Succession—most teachers in the Imperial Academy were aware of it, although to varying degrees. The only teacher who might be unaware was Lou Yinhai, who didn't care.

"Do you know who the other Sword Holders are?"

"Teacher Niruo, Mie Tangya, the Thousand Faces who appeared on the scoreboard, and..." Ning Xinyuan hesitated: "Cai Nu and Yin mentioned by Xiao Yi."

Le Yin nodded and extended the shining light into a nearby clump of grass to check if any wild Blood Essence Stones were hidden there, casually saying, "I used to think it was Thousand Faces, but now I feel the threat level is the same for everyone."

"Why?"

"Previously, it was because Thousand Faces could transform into anybody at any time, potentially turning into someone around me to deal with me, or even use others' identities to create schemes." Le Yin said, "His strength isn't necessarily strong, but the destruction he causes is certainly the greatest."

"However, this is based on the premise that the relationship between Sword Holders is one of life and death."

Ning Xinyuan was startled: "Isn't that the case now?"

Le Yin shook his head: "I initially thought that the Sword Seeking Succession ultimately relied on violence to determine victory, even leading us to slaughter each other, but the Sword Master didn't do that. The first game was the Eye of Omniscience exam, and the second game was searching for Blood Essence Stones."

"Although we are competitors and there can only be one winner, it isn't about 'killing everyone else to win,' but rather 'achieving the goal is victory.' Fighting isn't necessary, and it even doesn't matter."

"Moreover, with the Sword Seeking Succession set in the Imperial Academy, the Sword Master would protect the safety of the Sword Holders. More importantly, Cha Huan is extremely protective..." Le Yin said lightly, "All environmental conditions are restricting Sword Holders from revealing their claws, which is proof of the Sword Master's attitude toward combat: no promotion, no support, no participation."

"What's more, from the beginning, he said that 'Sword Seeking Succession' is a game."

"We thought it was just a playful term, like 'a game of risking one's life.' But now, it seems it might really just be a game."

Ning Xinyuan crushed the fallen leaves on the road underfoot, softly saying, "Why would the Sword Master hold such a game?"

"Who knows, maybe he just wanted to do it this way, so he did."

The night wind blew, the leaves sang, birds danced, and the gentle moonlight, fragmented by the leaves, dotted the cobblestone path. Ning Xinyuan walked ahead, suddenly saying, "Perhaps he wanted to heal the seven Palace Masters."

"Heal?"

"Teacher Qin, when did you meet Shuiyun Palace?"

This question wasn't confidential, so Le Yin answered, "I only met them after they enrolled."

"The Glorious Imperial Family only has them seven left." Ning Xinyuan said, "Shuangli Palace, Shuiyun Palace, Chaoyan Palace... Regardless of whether they can eventually claim the throne, they are lonely now."

Le Yin was stunned.

Indeed, the Glorious Imperial Family only has them seven left. This means they must have siblings or even parents who died in the chaos in Yanjing in the past two years. Even if they aren't orphans, they must have lost close relatives.

They are only teenagers, with the eldest, Ming Shuangli, just twenty-one, and the youngest, Ming Chaoyan, only fifteen. In these short two years, they've faced endless separations, endured joy and sorrow, and taken on responsibilities that shouldn't belong to them.

However, Le Yin had never seen a defeated side of them. Ming Shuangli always seemed enthusiastic, Ming Shuiyun remained strong and diligent, and the other Palace Masters eagerly participated in campus life.

Certainly, they adjusted their mentality while participating in the Sword Seeking Succession, but the imperial academy's environment could best soothe their wounds: busy and rigorous studies, talented classmates with pleasant speech, the ultimate goal of Sword Seeking Succession, dorm life shared with sisters, and...

Forever trustworthy, never betraying, forever protecting them Sword Holders.

Tired of deceitful environments? Come to the Imperial Academy to make new friends.

Losing direction? Here's a small goal of becoming an emperor.

Lost close ones? The country assigns you one, and you can even keep them as your husband.

In a moment, Le Yin understood many previously incomprehensible doubts: "So that's how it is..."

"Joyfully spend their rightful youth at the Imperial Academy and incidentally choose a new emperor." Ning Xinyuan said, "Perhaps this is the meaning of Sword Seeking Succession."

"The Sword Master is using us Sword Holders as tools." Le Yin laughed.

"Are you angry about it?" Ning Xinyuan asked.

Le Yin blinked and shook his head: "No... I shouldn't be."

With 'Ice Blood Physique,' Le Yin wasn't capable of the emotion of anger. He had known from the start he was being used by the Sword Master, but he was also using the Sword Seeking Succession—everyone was a fox, let's not discuss ghost stories.

Perhaps he had nurtured feelings, although he usually seemed to dislike Ming Shuiyun. If he returned to the night of the Holy Sword contract, he probably would still save Ming Shuiyun from Nirvana Blade.

After walking a while, Ning Xinyuan asked again, "If the Sword Holders end up fighting, who do you think poses the biggest threat to you?"

"Yin!" Le Yin answered without hesitation: "If it comes down to the final battle, the fighting ability of Thousand Faces is negligible. Even if others have hidden cards, they are at best equals to me. The only one who could crush and defeat me is Yin, who is like an Instant Annihilator!"

Ning Xinyuan felt fulfilled, nothing beats the recognition from an opponent as the highest praise. She casually asked, "Then how do you plan to deal with Yin?"

Le Yin: "Uh-huh, I can't tell you that. But when that time comes, it will probably be just Yin and I left standing, and I'll have my own way of winning."

Ning Xinyuan raised her eyebrows: "You mean... you've already formed an alliance with Yin, planning to join forces to clear out the other Sword Holders?"

Le Yin looked at her in surprise and cryptically said, "Guess?"

"But even if you survive until the end, what can you do against Instant Annihilator?" Ning Xinyuan said, "In the face of absolute strength, what meaning does scheming have?"

Le Yin said, "Teacher Ning, you're really curious, huh."

Ning Xinyuan nodded, "After all, that's the Instant Annihilator that even Wu Zhu has to bow down to. Teacher Qin, you said you can handle the Instant Annihilator, of course, I'm very curious."

Although Le Yin doesn't like socializing, especially with beautiful women, Ning Xinyuan hit the nail on the head this time. Le Yin hesitated for a moment but couldn't help showing off: "You might find it unbelievable, but I've become close friends with Yin."

Ning Xinyuan: "…Wow, that's impressive. How did you do it?"

"I communicate with Yin every night, chatting with her daily. Over time, the relationship naturally becomes closer," Le Yin seemed a bit smug. "If a showdown occurs, I can form an alliance with Yin, not only to eliminate other sword sheaths but also to make Yin believe I'm surrendering, thus luring her out."

Ning Xinyuan widened her eyes: "What if she refuses to come out?"

"Then I'm still not at a loss. At least by leveraging Yin's power to clean up other sword sheaths, the chances of victory increase from one-seventh to one-half," Le Yin said with a smug smile. "Anyway, I only need to spend ten minutes a day to win over such a powerful ally, perhaps even backstab her, there's no better deal than this."

"In the entire quest for the sword, I believe the two best things I've done are organizing the Matchless Killing Research Society for Shuiyun Palace, giving them something to do, so they bother me less; and forming an alliance with Yin. Both are low-cost, high-return decisions that may even become important foreshadows in the future to help me turn the tables!"

Ning Xinyuan asked quietly: "If Yin really trusts you and you choose to deceive her, won't your conscience be troubled?"

"Conscience? That word doesn't exist in the Silver Blood vocabulary," Le Yin laughed. "I don't intend to deceive; it's just that no one really knows the real me. If Yin truly trusts my deception, it only proves I achieved a level of victory that her intellect should not allow her to know."

Le Yin didn't notice that Ning Xinyuan had unknowingly lagged half a step behind him, her shoulders trembling with anger, glaring at the back of his neck, wishing she could take off her belt, turn it into the Overlord Butterfly long gun, and shoot this scoundrel.

She took a deep breath and said, "We've gone too far, let's head back."

They came to the ruins of the old teaching building, not far from the gathering place for the Immortal Palace Plan. Beyond that, it was an area without streetlights, and they could not proceed further.

Le Yin pondered for a moment, walked under the streetlight, and said, "Let's stay here for half an hour and listen for any other movements."

Ning Xinyuan looked around: "This is a bit far from the main campus, could it be dangerous?"

Le Yin wasn't worried: "Don't worry, the Immortal Palace gathering is tomorrow, nothing will happen tonight."

It's been seven days since the night Li Ying drained the blood.

In these seven days, two Immortal Palace gatherings have been held. Cha Huan still walks in with his head held high every time, trembling and relying on Le Yin to support him out. Ming Shuangli, Niruo, and Mietangya stopped attending the Immortal Palace gatherings; although they didn't know about the soul imprint, the weakness caused by offering Primordial Spirit was too dangerous, so they didn't dare take the risk.

At both gatherings, someone obtained Immortal Blood, but Le Yin didn't know who. He and Li Ying attended every time. Li Ying was beyond saving, while Le Yin wanted to investigate more information, but didn't achieve much.

Although they didn't know when the National Relief Association would act, Le Yin discussed with everyone and agreed it would be on the night of the Immortal Palace gathering—that's when everyone became weak due to offering Primordial Spirit, especially since Cha Huan was almost incapacitated; it was definitely the best time.

And apart from the dangerous days of the Immortal Palace gatherings, naturally, the days were safe.

However, Ning Xinyuan now didn't want to talk to Le Yin anymore. She reluctantly walked to the streetlight, crossed her arms in front of her chest, turned her head aside to sulk, and her chest heaved with anger.

Now it was Le Yin's turn to have an excitement for conversation, hardly getting someone with no vested interest, who also knew about the quest for the sword; finally, he could share his exciting maneuvers: "Let me tell you, in the Eye of Omniscience exam's coalition alliance, that was like a cow flying to heaven…"

Just then, Le Yin and Ning Xinyuan's expressions simultaneously changed, both reached out to grab each other's arms, stepping back, and shouted:

"Watch out!"

Boom!

The ground where Le Yin and Ning Xinyuan stood suddenly exploded, and a pair of furry beast claws burst from the ground and swiped fiercely, directly breaking the lamppost Le Yin was leaning against, toppling it at an angle, raising dust and dirt!

A gray-robed figure crawled out of the pit, under the moonlight appearing blurry, his voice was hoarse and unpleasant like a broken gong: "You actually avoided it… The sword sheaths aren't so easy to kill after all."

When he stood on the ground, Le Yin and Ning Xinyuan finally realized his immense size: even hunched over, the gray-robed figure was two meters tall, his palms like palm fans, eyes as large as gongs. Just standing there, he gave Le Yin and Ning Xinyuan an overwhelming sense of being stared at by a natural predator!

Clearly, he had his back to the streetlight, yet the light seemed to bend, illuminating his strange appearance: dripping feet, furry claws, round eyes, large ears, flat nose, bulging forehead, hairy face, withered appearance, sharp beak, drawn cheeks, he was unmistakably a…

"Savage!" Ning Xinyuan exclaimed in shock, "A savage appeared in the Imperial Academy!?"

Le Yin suddenly felt his palm a bit wet, realizing he was holding Ning Xinyuan's hand. They had been mutually offering assistance just now and ended up holding hands.

But compared to a savage appearing in the Imperial Academy, he was more concerned about what the gray-robed savage had said: 'Sword sheaths aren't so easy to kill'…

Ning Xinyuan suddenly untied her waist belt, and the exquisitely patterned belt straightened and solidified mid-air, transforming into a long gun in a blink of an eye!

In Le Yin's view, Ning Xinyuan suddenly became ethereal—although visible, tangible, in his spiritual feedback, Ning Xinyuan's presence was so low it was almost nonexistent, as if she had no emotions or thoughts at all!

"This is definitely not an opponent we can underestimate; go all out, Qin Le Yin."

"It's really you!" Seeing this scene, Le Yin could guess the truth: "You were fishing for information when you asked me those questions, weren't you?"

"No, it doesn't even bother me; it makes me want to laugh a bit." Ning Xinyuan's pupils suddenly contracted, and her killing intent burst forth!

A gunshot sounded!

Bang!

"Half a second, little girl, still far off."

The voice came from above them, Le Yin looked up and saw the gray-robed savage launching an attack.

Suddenly other areas turned pitch black, as if the streetlights, moonlight all disappeared. In the eyes of Le Yin and Ning Xinyuan, the flowing light-like explosion wrapped in the gray-robed savage's hands became the only light in the entire world!

Stealing daylight, covering skies, such was the display of a terrestrial immortal phenomenon!

This savage was actually...Peak of Perfection!

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