Volume Two: Jianmen Academy
With the agreement sealed, Wei Xuan finally felt a weight lift from his chest.
He carefully placed the crimson jade slip into a black iron box, then tucked it securely into his sleeve. Half a month of effort had at last borne fruit.
Bowing deeply, he said solemnly, “On behalf of the Wang family of Shendu, Wei Xuan thanks Miss Zhou Man for her great kindness.”
Zhou Man, having seen such formality in her past life, found it hollow. “Let’s skip the courtesies. What about the other conditions I mentioned?”
She meant the cultivation technique, spirit stones, and elixirs.
Wei Xuan faltered.
Shang Lu frowned, surprised at her tone. “Elder Wei personally thanked you, you—”
Wei Xuan cut him off with a wave. “It is indeed our fault for borrowing this sword bone. Whatever attitude Miss Zhou Man adopts is appropriate.”
His humility impressed Zhou Man. Shang Lu could only swallow his anger.
Wei Xuan then produced four cultivation techniques, a thousand spirit stones, and three bottles of pills from his storage ring. “These three techniques are from the Wang family’s Langhuan Treasure Pavilion. But since you’ve already cultivated the Divine Illumination Scripture with notable progress, you may not need them. This one, however, is the Cold Cicada Sword Technique, created by Yu Dangwang three centuries ago. I selected it after hearing you wished to study swordsmanship.”
Zhou Man’s eyes lingered briefly on the manual.
“As for spirit stones and pills,” Wei Xuan continued, “you may not need them immediately, but once you enter the Sword Gate Academy, expenses will rise. We’ve prepared a thousand spirit stones. The three bottles are: Snow Melting Pills to heal internal injuries, Star Transforming Pills to calm the mind and strengthen spiritual power, and Poison Removal Pills to neutralize most toxins and miasma.”
Zhou Man had only expected a few pills to aid her cultivation, not a full set of the famed “Three Transformations.” Clearly, Wei Xuan feared for her safety at the academy.
Finally, he presented a light blue jade ring etched with dark gold patterns. “This Qingguang Ring of my Wang Clan functions as a Sumeru Ring. It can store items and offers minor protection in combat. Drip your blood to bind it.”
Zhou Man used the wound from her earlier ceremony, letting a drop of blood sink into the ring. It bound instantly. With a thought, she stored all the items inside.
“I have fulfilled your three conditions,” Wei Xuan said. “Are you satisfied?”
“For now,” Zhou Man replied. “But if I lack spirit stones or pills in the future…”
Wei Xuan gestured to Kong Wulu. “I am seldom in Shu Prefecture, but Steward Kong oversees the Wang Clan’s Ruoyu Hall in Xiaojian Ancient City. If you need funds or face danger, seek him. If he cannot resolve it, he will inform me, and I will come.”
Zhou Man smiled faintly. In her past life, he had spoken just as kindly—yet after her vow of love, Elder Wei vanished, leaving her to rot in a dungeon of snakes and vermin before her sword bones were torn from her in the Sword Cleansing Pool.
Always there when needed? Perhaps only until the truth revealed itself.
She arched an eyebrow at Kong Wulu. “Elder Wei’s arrangements are thorough. It seems I can go to the Sword Gate Academy with peace of mind.”
“There is only one thing you must be careful about—” Wei Xuan began.
“The sword bones?” Zhou Man interrupted with a knowing smile.
Wei Xuan was startled.
She continued coldly, “At the academy, I must never reveal my innate sword bones, nor take their tests again. Everything must remain secret, correct?”
“You already know this yourself,” Wei Xuan admitted.
Zhou Man sneered. “Don’t worry. One family borrowing sword bones is already enough. We can’t expect a second or third, can we?”
Her sarcasm left them speechless. They could only smile awkwardly.
Afterward, Zhou Man prepared herself, storing two bows and twenty arrows in her Qingguang Ring. Wei Xuan insisted on escorting her personally.
They left the village early, the streets still quiet. Only young Cheng Fangzhai, clutching a bowl of noodles, stood at his doorway, staring blankly as they passed.
Beyond the Little Sword Ancient City lay the Sword Gate Academy. Wei Xuan dismissed the others, then used the “Shrinking Earth to an Inch” technique with Zhou Man until a majestic mountain range loomed ahead. Dispelling the technique, they walked together.
Though Zhou Man knew of the Sword Pavilion’s fame in her past life, its details remained vague. “Today is the deadline for recruitment. Is everyone going to the academy?”
Wei Xuan shook his head. “No. Only you.”
“Only me?”
“The academy recruits from March to April. All chosen from the six states and one kingdom have already arrived. You are the last.”
Zhou Man chuckled softly. “That doesn’t sound like good news.”
Wei Xuan’s smile faded. “The Sword Gate Academy is not as simple as it appears. The four sects of Shu Province are local powers, their disputes internal. The chosen from the six provinces and one kingdom rarely cause trouble at first. But the three great families… their roots run deep, their influence stretches across provinces and kingdoms. Outwardly united, inwardly divided, their relationships are intricate and dangerous.”
Zhou Man asked, “Then should I use the Wang family’s quota?”
“I will tell others you are a prodigy chosen by the Wang family, recommended to the Sword Pavilion for training. You will be known as a guest elder of the Wang family. This identity will bring advantages, but also inevitable trouble.”
In her previous life in the capital, Zhou Man had long known that the three great families were far from united. Feuds and entanglements between the six states and one kingdom were constant. Now, with so many prodigies and nobles gathered at the Sword Gate Academy, the drama to come was easy to imagine.
The Wang family stood at the head of the three great families. With Zhou Man entering under their quota, how could things not become complicated?
But she felt no fear.
The more trouble, the better within the Sword Gate Academy.
“Thank you for your guidance, Elder,” Zhou Man said calmly. After a pause, she asked, “But there are only nineteen people! Eight from the four sects of Shu Prefecture, seven from the six prefectures and one kingdom, four from the three great families. The academy admits twenty each year. What about the last spot?”
Wei Xuan replied, “It is reserved for the Medicine King, Master Yiming.”
Zhou Man’s eyes widened. “Master Yiming—the legendary Medical Sage of this generation?”
Wei Xuan nodded. “Indeed. His position is unique. Countless sects seek his favor, and each reserves a place for him. The Sword Gate Academy is no different. Whoever he recommends may enter, without exception.”
Hearing this, Zhou Man felt a pang of envy. So this is the power of medical cultivation. No wonder they are the wealthiest and most connected. Even the Sword Gate Academy bows to them. For a fleeting moment, she wondered—why didn’t I choose a more lucrative path in this second life?
But the thought vanished as her gaze lifted.
Before her stretched the myriad peaks of Mount Shu, encircling the continent like a sea of swords. The two tallest peaks in the west leaned toward each other, forming the majestic Sword Gate Pass.
Stone plank roads clung to cliffs, bird paths wound from Mount Emei, withered pines hung upside down, and green moss coiled thick. Even cranes could not fly across; even apes could barely climb.
Beside her, Wei Xuan sighed, “The road to Shu is difficult…”
Zhou Man’s heart swelled with awe and desolation. She recalled the tale of the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal, who once carved the words The Road to Shu is Difficult into the cliff after slaying four hundred bandits at this very pass.
Ahead, perched on the cliff’s edge, stood the Sword Pavilion—majestic, towering, its golden bell rusted and silent, watching centuries of sunrise and cloud.
“That must be the Sword Pavilion,” Wei Xuan said.
They passed through the narrow sword gate, where only one could slip sideways, and the view opened into a vast valley. Palaces and pavilions dotted the misty expanse, clouds drifting like veils. A massive stone bore the vermilion characters: Sword Pavilion Academy.
They had arrived.
After winding through corridors, they reached Jieyun Hall. An elderly cultivator in green robes rose in surprise. “Elder Wei, you came in person! Had I known, I would have informed the Chancellor.”
Wei Xuan waved it off. “The Chancellor is busy. No need to disturb him. I am only here to see someone off.”
Manager Yang turned to Zhou Man. “So this is the one recommended by the Wang family.” His eyes lingered on the black cloth wrapped around her little finger, his brow furrowing slightly, though he said nothing. Instead, he smiled and handed her a token.
“This is your pass to enter and exit the academy. Keep it safe.”
Zhou Man’s eyelids twitched. The deep black, pentagonal token was all too familiar—the very Xuan Tie Sword Token she had once seen with Jin Buhuan and on the clay Buddha’s table.
An ominous premonition stirred in her chest.
Before she could think further, a frivolous laugh echoed from the corridor.
“Oh, Steward Yang is busy, isn’t he? Looks like our academy’s last arrival has finally come.”
That casual, mocking voice—
Zhou Man turned, and as expected, saw Jin Buhuan, clad in his ostentatiously wealthy attire.
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