NOVPUBFrom a great distance, Xu Zimei had already spotted the other party.
But he did not pay attention to them, instead continuing to tread through the air straight ahead.
With a "clang," the sound of a sword chant rose all around.
An extremely powerful Sword Intent, like a torrent, slashed down a meter in front of Xu Zimei.
The explosive sound of "rumble" followed.
The firmament seemed to rip open, creating a brief chasm in front of him.
It blocked Xu Zimei’s departing figure.
Xu Zimei looked up, facing the other party.
"Fight me," the woman said proudly, chest puffed out.
"I’m not interested—are we that familiar?" Xu Zimei responded.
"The strong should seek to compete with the stronger, always climbing higher into the clouds to become even more powerful."
This woman was none other than Ji Ruobing.
Her eyes burning as she looked at Xu Zimei, "You seem rather afraid of death."
"I just think you’re too weak," Xu Zimei shook his head, laughing softly.
"I’m worried I might kill you, and then your Slaying Immortal Sect would bother me.
I hate trouble the most."
"Don’t worry, my Sect Gate won’t interfere,"
Ji Ruobing said indifferently.
"Fight me, if you win, I’ll agree unconditionally to one thing you ask.
And if I win, you won’t have to give anything in return.
How about that?"
"You’re that confident?" Xu Zimei smiled faintly.
Her manner suggested that she wouldn’t rest until they had fought.
And she was very confident in her own strength, verging on arrogance, to make such a proposal.
"This is just how I, Ji Ruobing, conduct myself.
You don’t have to, and I won’t ask for a life-death pact, just a normal sparring.
Of course, if you manage to kill me, I won’t have any complaints."
"You think if you challenge me, I must accept? Wouldn’t that seem like I’m losing face?"
Xu Zimei said with a smile.
"What would you suggest then?" Ji Ruobing asked seriously.
"Do you know Mo Tianming?" asked Xu Zimei.
"Yes," Ji Ruobing responded without hesitation, nodding.
"One of the Talented Disciples who passed the tenth floor of the Tower of Heavenly Dao with you."
"You challenge him, and if you can beat him, then you’ll be qualified to fight me," Xu Zimei said.
"You said it yourself," Ji Ruobing huffed.
"I was thinking the same thing."
With her status as the Saintess of the Slaying Immortal Sect, she had already challenged the Saint Heirs and Saintesses of other Imperial Rule Immortal Sects across the Supreme Domain.
They were no strangers to her.
Instead, it was newcomers like Xu Zimei and Mo Tianming who stirred her urge to compete.
"Martial fanatic," he observed the figure striding away through the air in the distance.
Xu Zimei chuckled to himself, "She really is easy to fool, but I guess Mo Tianming will have to bear the inconvenience."
He rose into the air and headed directly for the inside of the Heavenly Dao Academy.
Within the academy lay a Library specifically for housing books.
These so-called books naturally included Cultivation Techniques, Vein Skills, secret techniques, and various eclectic tales…
In short, all the books within the Heavenly Dao Academy were housed here.
As the largest academy of the human race, the volume of books recorded here was massive.
It was incomparable to any power, even the Imperial Rule Immortal Sects.
Xu Zimei needed to prepare some matters, but first, he had to understand some things in advance.
He had previously checked at the True Martial Holy Sect, but unfortunately, the True Martial Holy Sect did not have these kinds of books.
Xu Zimei could only try to find what he needed within the Heavenly Dao Academy.
As he walked into the Academy, the area inside was immensely vast.
Dozens of grand halls rose from the ground, towering majestically upon the earth, each hall featuring a distinct style.
On some halls, dragons coiled, Green Lions roared, and the wind howled in unison.
On others, scholars held scrolls, suggesting "Infinite scrolls, endless roads, boundless sea of learning."
Some halls were enveloped in mist, where, amidst the vague murkiness, it seemed as though Immortals ascended and Supreme beings descended.
In short, each hall boasted a unique decorative style.
Inside the Academy, people came and went, numerous students entering and exiting, discussing in groups.
At the main entrance of the Academy, there was a lounge chair.
On the chair, an old man dressed in a brownish green shirt lay with a book covering his face.
Xu Zimei tapped the armrest of the chair.
The old man sat up and yawned, looking at Xu Zimei.
"What is it?"
"I am looking for some books and wanted to consult you," said Xu Zimei.
"Regarding what?" the old man asked.
"The great emperor’s downfall battle," replied Xu Zimei.
Xu Zimei was quite familiar with the Great Emperor’s Downfall—it involved a battle concerning the Divine Emperor.
The Divine Emperor had attempted to rule over the entire Yuan Central Continent and had not hesitated to annihilate several Imperial Rule Immortal Sects.
Ultimately, he angered others, and on that day, three Great Emperors forcefully descended onto the Yuan Central Continent and ultimately obliterated the Divine Emperor’s Destiny.
It was also the first recorded instance in the history of the Yuan Central Continent, where a Great Emperor had fallen for this reason.
Similarly, it was the first instance recorded where Great Emperors had descended from Heaven Beyond Heavens.
Perhaps even the Divine Emperor was unaware of some matters.
What Xu Zimei sought were these lesser-known aspects of that battle.
These matters were crucial as they would directly impact his subsequent plans.
"The emperor’s downfall battle?" The old man paused.
He then looked perplexedly at Xu Zimei.
"Do you have the dean’s Token?"
"Can’t I see it?" Xu Zimei asked.
"Ordinary students naturally don’t have the authorization to access such information," the old man shook his head slightly.
"You can only read books from the first five halls; the Emperor’s Downfall Battle is in the eighteenth hall—you’re new to the academy, aren’t you?"
Hearing the old man’s words, Xu Zimei frowned slightly.
He left the Academy planning to go to Vermilion Bird Island to think of a solution with Venerable Nu.
He had not considered this issue before.
However, as he was halfway there, the girl in the white dress who had been persistently following him caught up again.
"I’m not in the mood to make deals with you right now," Xu Zimei said indifferently.
"Don’t bother me."
"I didn’t say I wanted to make a deal," the girl in the white dress smiled.
"I was actually thinking about helping you enter the Academy, but it seems you don’t need it now."
"You have a way?" Xu Zimei asked, frowning.
He began to suspect that the woman must hold a high position within the Heavenly Dao Academy.
The woman in the white dress extended her hand, and a white Token swayed gently on her fair arm.
"Look, the dean’s Token," she said, looking up with a smile.
"How do you have that?" Xu Zimei asked, puzzled.
"That’s none of your business," the woman in the white dress laughed.
"Just tell me, do you want it or not?"
"If you’re giving it for free, I’ll take it," Xu Zimei said.
"I don’t accept any conditional deals."
Hearing Xu Zimei’s words, the woman in the white dress paused, then scrutinized him seriously.
"What’s the matter?" Xu Zimei asked, confused.
"I know I’m very handsome, but you don’t have to stare."
