NOVPUBHe was like a lighthouse in the darkness,
Whenever you headed to Vermilion Bird Island, you could see him.
Tirelessly and steadfastly smithing iron.
What seemed to many a tedious and dull occupation, he found enjoyment in.
Watching Shi Jian’s every move, Xu Zimei slowly stepped forward.
"Junior Brother Xu," Shi Jian paused, taken aback.
"Senior Brother Shi, aren’t you resting?" Xu Zimei said with a smile.
"No hurry, the teacher has been busy recently. I’ve stayed on Vermilion Bird Island in case he needs my help," Shi Jian replied.
"I heard that Junior Brother Xu entered the realm of life and death; didn’t expect you to come out so quickly."
Xu Zimei nodded, not planning to share too much about the Book of Life and Death with others.
"Where are you from, Senior Brother Shi?" Xu Zimei asked casually.
"I’m from the Stone Race, quite different from you, Junior Brother," Shi Jian responded.
Hearing this, Xu Zimei was momentarily stunned.
How does that saying go? Unexpectedly, looking back, there she stands in the flickering lights.
Or is it like wearing out iron shoes in fruitless searching, only to find it effortlessly in the end?
The Sword Spirit of the broken sword had said before that if you want to rebuild the True Divine Sword, you must use the Supreme Hammer and the Nine-Bend Godly Flames.
The Nine-Bend Godly Flames were at Heavenly Dao Academy, and Xu Zimei originally had no clue about the whereabouts of the Stone Race’s Supreme Hammer.
To think that this person from the Stone Race had always been right before his eyes.
"Junior Brother Xu, what’s wrong?" Shi Jian asked, puzzled.
"It’s nothing," Xu Zimei shook his head slightly.
"The Stone Race is quite rare to see."
"We’re just a small race, Junior Brother Xu might not have even heard of us," Shi Jian said with a smile.
The two chatted for a while longer, with Xu Zimei not showing too much eagerness in his demeanor.
So as to not be suspected by others of having ulterior motives.
After bidding farewell to Shi Jian, Xu Zimei returned to his resting cave dwelling.
A night without words,
and with the dawn came the fresh morning dew, sparkling and clear, spring’s vitality reviving.
The students of Heavenly Dao Academy got up early, or some hadn’t slept all night.
Some were inhaling the purple qi between heaven and earth, which came from three thousand miles east.
Some flew on their swords, their robes fluttering, a pair to be envied like a match made in heaven.
However, from the day on, it seemed as if many voices had multiplied within the academy.
These voices, of unknown origin and spread by unknown people, just appeared in various places across the academy.
Some said that in a few days, an enemy would attack the academy, advising everyone to leave early.
Some hoped the academy would give an explanation.
And even more absurd was the claim that the academy planned to bury all the students with it.
...…
Anyway, the more people talked, the more people began to believe.
The voices grew louder and harder to suppress within the academy.
After all, it pertained to everyone’s safety, and they couldn’t help but take it seriously.
Xu Zimei stepped out of his cave dwelling to see the busy figure of Venerable Nu.
It seemed he was setting up a formation across the entire Vermilion Bird Island.
The formation was vast in power and scope.
Although Xu Zimei didn’t know what kind of formation it was, he could feel that it contained a powerful force of Fire Attribute energy.
If you looked closely, you would notice that the True Sunfire between heaven and earth was being absorbed bit by bit.
Merging with the Southern Luminous Flame that surrounded Vermilion Bird Island.
Despite the subtlety of this sensation, Xu Zimei’s spirit could not be fooled.
He had discussed with Venerable Nu, combining True Sunfire with Southern Luminous Flame, and adding the Leaf of Life.
On the night of the full moon three days later, at the extreme moment of Yin energy, would be the best time to revive the Vermilion Bird.
...
Seeing Xu Zimei walk out of his cave dwelling, Venerable Nu smiled at him.
"The formation should be completed by tomorrow night."
"I know," Xu Zimei looked around and nodded slightly.
He said, "Leave it to me when the time comes."
After parting with Venerable Nu, Zimo once again passed by Shi Jian’s forging shop.
"Senior Brother Shi, good morning," Zimo greeted him on the way.
After all, he would need his help in the future.
"Junior Brother Xu, I suggest you don’t go out today," Shi Jian hastily said.
"Just stay on Vermilion Bird Island."
"What happened?" Zimo asked, puzzled.
"Do you know of Ji Ruobing?" Shi Jian asked.
"Who?" Zimo shook his head slightly.
"It seems you really are unaware of the world outside," Shi Jian said with a laugh.
"Among this year’s newcomers to Heavenly Dao Academy, besides you and Mo Tianming, who have gained the most attention
for passing the tenth floor of the Tower of Heavenly Dao,
the remaining noteworthy individual is Ji Ruobing."
"What does that have to do with me?" Zimo asked, not understanding.
"You know about Ji Ruobing’s identity?" Shi Jian asked.
Watching Zimo shake his head, puzzled,
Shi Jian continued, "In this era, the Slaying Immortal Sect has a two-person rivalry to carry the Destiny.
One Saint Heir and one Saintess.
The Saint Heir was placed within the Sect Gate for cultivation, while the Saintess came to our Heavenly Dao Academy."
"Are you telling me that Ji Ruobing is the Slaying Immortal Sect’s Saintess?" Zimo replied.
"But what does that have to do with me?"
"Don’t rush, let me finish," Shi Jian replied.
"Ji Ruobing is a martial fanatic; though she is a woman, it is said that ever since she began her cultivation, she has been unstoppable.
Within the younger generation, she has never been defeated.
She often likes to challenge the strong among the young.
And when you first joined Heavenly Dao Academy, your fame spread far and wide due to the Tower of Heavenly Dao.
The day before yesterday, after defeating Ao Nan, you really made a name for yourself in our Heavenly Dao Academy."
"Are you saying she wants to challenge me?" Zimo said, surprised.
"She’s waiting just outside Vermilion Bird Island," Shi Jian lifted his head and pointed to the north.
"She even wanted to barge into Vermilion Bird Island, but I stopped her.
It’s up to you."
Zimo chuckled and said, "I think I’ll go out and take a look.
No need to be scared off by a woman and not dare to venture out."
"Be careful," Shi Jian warned.
"She’s not just any woman; she’s the Slaying Immortal Sect’s Saintess."
"Don’t worry," Zimo waved his hand dismissively.
He walked directly towards the outskirts of Vermilion Bird Island.
Stepping into the air, he passed through layers of Southern Luminous Flames’ covering, Zimo moved thousands of miles in one step, leaving Vermilion Bird Island.
At this moment, outside, a woman in purple sat cross-legged in midair.
Sensing someone coming out, the woman suddenly opened her eyes.
Her eyelashes were long, and a flash of Heaven Shaking majesty passed through her eyes.
She wore a wide-sleeved purple dress, with pleats and ribbons perfectly integrated.
The dress swayed gently with the breeze.
The purple-clad woman’s hair was all braided into tiny, fine whips, somewhat resembling dreadlocks.
A broadsword hung at her waist.
To call it a broadsword—the width was almost three meters.
Because a typical sword’s width is less than a meter.
Moreover, this sword was hollow in the middle, as if suspended with numerous barbs, it was quite prominent.
The woman’s gaze looked into the distance at the person who had just emerged.
