Ch. 848 - The Enemy In Seven Days

“The academy assigned a student over here and told me to bring him,” Li Menghe said, pushing Xu Zimo forward with a smile. “Meet your new junior disciple, Xu Zimo. This is Rock Solid, Venerable Nu’s personal disciple.”

“Greetings, Senior Brother.” Xu Zimo said, following local custom.

“Junior Brother Xu,” the burly young man Rock Solid was slightly taken aback. He then asked, “Was he recommended by the academy? Does Master know?”

“He should know,” Li Menghe nodded. “Otherwise they wouldn’t have told me to bring him.”

“Then wait here a moment, I’ll go report to Master,” Rock Solid replied quickly.

As she watched Rock Solid head deeper inside, Li Menghe explained, “Rock Solid is the last closed-door disciple Venerable Nu accepted, a hundred years ago. He personally enjoys forging weapons, and normally has a gentle temperament. But if he’s disturbed while forging, he becomes especially irritable.”

“So that’s why you waited over ten minutes without interrupting him,” Xu Zimo said with a nod.

“Yes. If you run into any problems while you’re here, you can always come to me,” Li Menghe said.

“Thank you, Senior Sister,” Xu Zimo said with a smile.

“We’re all from the same academy, no need for thanks,” Li Menghe waved it off. “Just remember the academy’s kindness in the future, and don’t become an ingrate.”

Xu Zimo felt her words carried some deeper meaning, but didn’t ask further.

Not long after, Rock Solid came running back quickly, looking a little troubled.

“What’s wrong?” Li Menghe asked.

“Master says he doesn’t want to see you,” Rock Solid replied hesitantly. “But he didn’t directly tell you to leave either.”

“Then what should we do? Should I go speak to the academy?” Li Menghe frowned.

“Don’t misunderstand, Master is just like this,” Rock Solid explained quickly. “I think it’s better for Junior Brother Xu to stay on Vermilion Bird Island for now, and I’ll slowly find an opportunity to introduce him to Master.”

“I suppose that’s all we can do,” Li Menghe said, turning to Xu Zimo. “Is that okay?”

“I don’t mind. I wasn’t expecting anyone to teach me anything anyway,” Xu Zimo shrugged.

“Alright. If you need anything, come find me at Bamboo Cloud Forest,” Li Menghe said. “I’ll head back to report.”

After bidding Li Menghe farewell, Rock Solid looked at Xu Zimo and said, “Junior Brother, I’ll take you to your quarters.”

Xu Zimo nodded.

Within Vermilion Bird Island, there was a valley. Flowers bloomed in full, all a vibrant red. Inside were many cave dwellings.

“Junior Brother, choose any vacant cave dwelling you like,” Rock Solid said. “You can take whichever is free.”

“Senior Brother, along the way here I didn’t see a single living creature on Vermilion Bird Island. Why is that?” Xu Zimo voiced his curiosity.

“This is the place where the Vermilion Bird fell. First, its beastly aura is too strong, so no creatures dare approach. Second, Master likes peace and quiet, and doesn’t want to be disturbed,” Rock Solid explained.

“I see,” Xu Zimo nodded.

He casually chose a cave dwelling in the valley. The environment was quite nice, with abundant spiritforce and good scenery.

But Xu Zimo’s real goal was the Nine-Curve God Flame. He looked at Rock Solid and asked, “I heard from Senior Sister Li Mengru that your favorite thing is forging weapons.”

“Yes,” Rock Solid’s expression brightened and he nodded quickly. “Seeing weapons and armor completed in my own hands gives a real sense of accomplishment. I also hope that one day, others will proudly wield weapons I’ve crafted.”

“Does Senior Brother use Southern Luminous Fire for forging?” Xu Zimo asked.

“Yes. Thanks to Master, the Southern Luminous Fire on Vermilion Bird Island is very close to us, so I find it easy to use,” Rock Solid nodded.

“But as far as I know, the best flame for forging weapons is the Nine-Curve God Flame, right?” Xu Zimo probed. “Why not go and obtain it?”

“Junior Brother, you’ve only just arrived at the academy, so there are some things you may not know,” Rock Solid said with a smile. “Of course I dream of having the Nine-Curve God Flame, but it’s not something anyone can just take.”

“What do you mean?” Xu Zimo asked curiously.

“The Nine-Curve God Flame once belonged to one of the academy’s ancestors, Patriarch Koudan. After he fell, he left the divine flame in the academy,” Rock Solid explained. “Only those who have made outstanding contributions to the academy can possess the divine flame.”

“So there’s such a rule,” Xu Zimo frowned slightly.

“Our Heavenly Dao Academy has a Treasure Tower that stores countless treasures. From the Desolate Era until now, it’s an unimaginable wealth,” Rock Solid nodded. “Those who contribute to the academy can enter the Treasure Tower once and take one item. The Nine-Curve God Flame is kept in the Treasure Tower.”

“I see,” Xu Zimo nodded.

He was just about to ask more about the Treasure Tower when a loud rumbling came from the sky.

Looking up, he saw the weather over the Heavenly Dao Academy suddenly change. Spiritforce was gathering and surging violently.

A giant hand tore through the thick clouds, ripping open the sky.

“What’s going on?” Xu Zimo asked in confusion.

“I don’t know,” Rock Solid’s face changed slightly and he shook his head.

With the appearance of the giant hand in the void, the entire Heavenly Dao Academy erupted into commotion. Students and teachers alike looked up.

A calm yet forceful voice rang out from deep within the academy.

“Who dares trespass in my Heavenly Dao Academy?”

Li Changhe appeared, dressed in a white robe, his white hair flowing, exuding the aura of an immortal, stepping through the air toward the disturbance.

“Brother Changhe, we meet again,” a light laugh came from the void.

From the crack torn open by the giant hand, a translucent figure emerged. His appearance couldn’t be seen clearly, but an overwhelming pressure radiated from him, enveloping the entire Heavenly Dao Academy. Everyone could feel the oppressive weight.

“To come to our Heavenly Dao Academy only to hide like a turtle, how pathetic,” Li Changhe mocked.

“Brother Changhe, don’t be angry,” the voice replied. “Seven days from now, you will see us again.”

“Then we’ll speak in seven days. What are you trying to do now, show off?” Li Changhe said coldly.

“I’m only thinking of old ties and want to give you and these children some advice,” the figure said calmly. “Leave the Heavenly Dao Academy and Heavenly Dao City as soon as possible. Otherwise, in seven days when we arrive, rivers of blood will flow.”

“Courting death,” Li Changhe roared.

The whisk in his hand turned into a streak of white light, carrying immense power toward the figure.

“No need to be so worked up, Brother. We will meet again.”

With a burst of laughter, the white light engulfed everything.

The sky returned once again to tranquility.

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