“You killed the young master of the Lu Clan! Hurry and come with us to confess your crime!”

“It wasn’t me! Don’t come any closer, I don’t want to hurt you!” the girl said frantically, retreating step by step, her face pale with fear.

“Hurt us?” someone laughed mockingly.

“Little girl, that’s quite an arrogant tone you’ve got.”

“Enough talking,” the leader said coldly. “Grab her and bring her back. Let the lord handle it.”

The group closed in from all sides. Terrified, the girl curled up tightly, trembling.

One of the men reached out to grab her collar.

In that instant, a surge of powerful sword intent burst out from the girl’s body, slicing the man’s right hand into fragments.

“Ah!” the man screamed in agony, collapsing to the ground.

“What did you do to him?” the leader shouted, glaring fiercely at the girl.

“I told you not to come closer! I don’t want to hurt you, but I can’t control it!” she cried, panic rising in her voice.

Her plea went unheard. The leader waved his hand. “Everyone, attack! Take her down!”

The men lunged forward again.

The girl continued to back away. If one looked closely, they would see that her pupils had turned into the shape of swords, radiating an immortal, indestructible aura.

She was utterly overwhelmed by fear. Her long black hair suddenly hardened, transforming into countless sharp blades.

The frail-looking body became like an unsheathed divine sword, endless sword intent swirling violently around her.

The air itself trembled. The steps beneath her feet shattered into perfect square blocks, and the men surrounding her were torn apart by invisible blades of energy.

The sound of flesh being sliced and screams filled the air, a nightmarish chorus that echoed through the mountains.

When the sword intent finally dissipated, the girl regained her senses.

Bodies lay scattered everywhere, the ground drenched in blood.

She looked around in horror, shaking her head over and over.

“I didn’t mean to… I really didn’t mean to!”

At that moment, footsteps approached.

Xu Zimo and Xie Changliu emerged from the town of Azure Dragon.

The girl saw them and bolted downhill in terror.

But Xie Changliu raised his hand, his sword intent solidifying into a barrier that blocked her path.

“I mean you no harm,” Xie said gently. “Don’t be afraid.”

“You’re here to catch me too?” the girl asked, trembling.

“You possess the Eternal-Sword God-King Physique but cannot control its power,” Xie said calmly. “I only wish to take a look.”

“Eternal-Sword God-King Physique? What’s that?” she asked warily, both curious and defensive.

“It means you have a body of extraordinary power,” Xie explained. “Something far beyond ordinary mortals.

“I can help you control it, so you won’t hurt anyone again.”

“Why would you help me?” the girl asked.

“Let’s just say,” Xie replied with a faint smile, “I don’t like seeing a piece of flawless jade gather dust.”

“Can I trust you?” she asked, her wide eyes glimmering with uncertainty.

“That’s for you to decide,” Xie answered.

The girl hesitated briefly, then nodded firmly. “I trust you.”

Xie smiled. Raising his right hand, he gathered countless threads of sword energy around them.

The sword aura was not sharp this time, it was protective, calm.

He gently pointed a finger forward, and the energy surged toward the girl’s brow.

Her Eternal-Sword God-King Physique reacted instantly, trying to resist.

But Xie’s sword intent was far stronger, easily suppressing the rebellious power.

When all the energy had entered her forehead, the girl slowly opened her eyes again.

“It’s done,” Xie said. “I’ve temporarily sealed your sword body. The seal will last at most ten years. But as your physique grows on its own, it will eventually break free.”

“Is there any way for me to control it completely?” the girl asked.

“You’ve never cultivated before, have you?” Xie asked.

The girl shook her head.

“When your cultivation reaches a certain level,” Xie said, “you’ll not only control the Eternal-Sword God-King Physique, you’ll make it even stronger.”

“Then can you teach me?” she asked hopefully.

Xie shook his head slightly. “You’re not suited to follow me.”

“Come on,” he said to Xu Zimo. “Let’s go find the Celestial Sage Academy.”

They took a few steps, but soon realized the girl was silently following behind them.

When they walked, she walked. When they stopped, she stopped.

“You should find another teacher,” Xie told her. “Someone better suited to guide you.”

“I don’t trust anyone else,” she said stubbornly, shaking her head. “I only trust you.”

“Looks like you’ve picked up a troublesome follower,” Xu Zimo said with a chuckle.

“My only intention was to keep a God-King Physique from falling into ruin,” Xie sighed helplessly. “Come on, ignore her.”

The two of them returned to Azure Dragon Town.

Following the bustling main street under Xie’s lead, they stopped before a grand hall.

The building had no sign or name, but two young men in white robes stood guard at the entrance.

Xie retrieved a white jade token from his storage ring, smiling faintly. “I thought I’d never return here again. This token has become more of a keepsake than anything.”

He handed the token to the guards. “Please report, former student of the Class Number 7,000 of Celestial Sage Academy, Xie Changliu, requests reentry.”

“Please wait, senior brother,” one of the young men said politely, then hurried inside.

Moments later, an excited voice echoed from within.

“Changliu? Where is Changliu?”

Following the guard, a middle-aged man quickly came out.

“Teacher Lu! What are you doing here?” Xie said in surprise.

“You still remember me, huh? It’s been centuries since you left!” the man laughed.

“This time I’ve come seeking help,” Xie said with a smile. “I hope you won’t mind, Teacher Lu. Let me introduce you, this is my friend and benefactor, Xu Zimo. And this is my teacher from the academy, Lu Changyou.”

Xu Zimo and Lu Changyou exchanged polite smiles and nodded.

“I knew you wouldn’t come back without a reason,” Lu said with amusement. “Out with it, what do you need?”

“I’m looking for a Nine-Nether God-Grass,” Xie said honestly.

Lu hesitated for a moment.

“What’s wrong?” Xie asked quickly.

“If you’d come a few years earlier, it would’ve been easy,” Lu sighed. “But lately…”

He frowned. “The Blue-Parasol Ancient-Abyss has been in constant upheaval. The academy is struggling to keep it suppressed. The Nine-Nether God-Grass grows deep within the abyss, and no one dares venture that far anymore. It’s become nearly impossible to find.”

“What if we gather it ourselves?” Xu Zimo asked.

“I’ll have to discuss that with the Chancellor,” Lu replied seriously. “The Blue-Parasol Ancient-Abyss is too important to act on impulsively.”

“That’s understandable,” Xu Zimo nodded. “We’ll stay here in Azure Dragon Town for a few days. Let us know once you have an answer.”

Lu nodded. “Changliu, when you have time, visit the academy. Many of your old friends are still here.”