Chapter 203 – Li Zixuan Wants to Enter Seclusion to Avenge Her Master!

The next day, early morning.

Library.

Cold and empty, the nearby shops remained vacant, with few pedestrians on the streets.

Although several days had passed since the Beast Tide…

The overwhelming joy was quickly followed by profound sorrow as news of the Jianghai Sword God’s departure spread continuously. Everyone was still struggling to recover from the emotional whiplash.

Jianghai City remained somewhat subdued.

“Beep—”

“Punched in. Qin Yang. Work time: 7:57 AM.”

After clocking in.

Qin Yang retrieved his Employee Card, glancing at the prompt on the attendance machine.

He felt a sense of relief.

Good.

He finally wasn’t the first one here.

Since news of the Beast Tide’s end spread,

Employees had been gradually returning to work. Though only a few had come back so far, it was still a positive start.

Soon enough,

The library would regain its bustling atmosphere.

“Otherwise, without colleagues working nearby, even slacking off feels boring…”

While pondering,

Qin Yang carried Xiaobai to the Zone 1 lounge, idly passing time as his consciousness sank into the Enlightenment Space.

He began creating new martial techniques!

After his previous battle with that Supreme Realm Demonkin,

His gains had been substantial.

Even though he was outmatched in cultivation realm, he had ultimately gained new insights.

Particularly in the Sword Dao, having been tempered through life-and-death situations, his comprehension of Sword Intent had become more transparent, reaching a higher level.

“It’s about time.”

“Let’s merge Sword Opens Heaven’s Gate with Sky-Slicing Sword Draw.”

Qin Yang immersed himself in the space, coalescing two distinct streams of Sword Qi.

One radiated sharp brilliance, while the other contained all its edge within.

Sword Opens Heaven’s Gate pursued the majestic momentum capable of cleaving open the Sky Gate, easily able to topple mountains and flatten rivers.

In comparison,

Sky-Slicing Sword Draw was slightly different.

This was a technique that gathered all its brilliance to a single point. Though it required slightly longer preparation, the power unleashed after accumulation was a hundred times greater than Sword Opens Heaven’s Gate!!

Precisely because of their differences,

In a certain sense, weren’t they complementary?

Qin Yang contemplated.

If the two were merged,

Using Sky-Slicing Sword Draw as Sword Opens Heaven’s Gate…

Wouldn’t that be like using an ultimate move as a basic attack?

……….

Time passed in this manner.

Approaching noon,

Qin Yang slowly opened his eyes, emerging from his enlightenment state. Sensing Li Qinghe approaching, she soon arrived before him.

“Qin…”

Li Qinghe held a Formation Diagram Calculation Draft, cheerfully pulling out a chair to sit down: “I knew you’d be slacking off here.”

“What did you just call me?”

Qin Yang glanced at her, saying irritably: “It’s only been a few days, and you’ve already forgotten respect for teachers? Have I spoiled you into developing bad habits again?”

After he spoke,

“……”

Li Qinghe remained silent, quietly studying Qin Yang, observing his expression.

Her use of “Qin” earlier wasn’t meant to pick a fight, but rather to test Qin Yang’s reaction and attitude.

From what she saw now,

He showed no fluctuation.

Still as casual and nonchalant as before.

As the grand-disciple of her master, facing her master’s death with such calmness…

Didn’t this confirm her speculation?!

With this thought,

“Just as I thought! I guessed right!Li Qinghe’s lips curved upward, her pride swelling uncontrollably as she eagerly said: “Master, you’ve managed to deceive everyone…”

“?”Qin Yang frowned slightly at this, turning his body sideways to face her. “What do you mean, tricked? Did the beast tide knock your brains loose?”

“Hmph… I’m not stupid! This young lady is clever!”

Upon hearing this, Li Qinghe’s lips curved higher. “Tell me one thing honestly, Master…”

As she spoke, she sat down across the table and began triumphantly, “My grandmaster isn’t dead, is he? He’s still alive somewhere, right?”

As her words fell.

“Where did you hear that rumor?”

Qin Yang slightly furrowed his brows, deflecting the question. “Everyone saw it with their own eyes yesterday – he self-destructed in the air above the city wall with the demonkin, leaving not even a trace behind.”

“Oh? Is that really how it was…”

Li Qinghe’s lips curled into a sly smile,

“I don’t think so, Master?”

“If Grandmaster is really dead, why aren’t you the least bit sad? Instead, you’re here slacking off, sitting calmly as if fishing?”

“Tsk, this is called cultivation. Is there a problem with sitting steadily? There aren’t many people in the hall right now, so it’s normal to take a break, isn’t it?”

Qin Yang stroked Xiaobai while looking at the street outside the window. “Besides, I’ve always been emotionless. What’s there to be sad about just because my master died?”

“Since the old man has passed away, I should pull myself together even more, carry forward our school’s legacy, and pass down my master’s skills!”

As his words fell.

This series of eloquent responses

immediately left Li Qinghe at a loss!

Good heavens!

He’s raising the moral standard so high!

She almost got tangled in his reasoning!

“Stop pretending, Master, you’re killing me… You, emotionless? When you clearly care about everyone but act like you don’t.”

Li Qinghe burst out laughing, looking at Qin Yang softly. “Since you don’t want to say it, this young lady will just speak plainly.”

“Earlier, I gave you a copy of ‘Mutual Destruction with Heaven and Earth,’ and you passed it to Grandmaster, right? That self-destruction during the beast tide was actually Grandmaster’s clone going to self-destruct with that heretical cultist, wasn’t it?”

“……”

Hearing this.

Qin Yang pondered for a moment.

He wasn’t particularly surprised in his heart,

as this was basically ninety percent accurate.

Indeed.

This girl was naturally clever and unconventional.

Much harder to fool than Zi Xuan’s outwardly cold but simple-minded nature.

Moreover.

He had borrowed ‘Mutual Destruction with Heaven and Earth’ from Li Qinghe in the first place.

Following the logical sequence, regarding the Jianghai Sword God’s sacrificial explosion, she only needed to sort through the details slightly to figure out the whole story from beginning to end.

Why should he keep hiding it?

With this thought, Qin Yang nodded:

“You do have some cleverness about you.”

As his words fell.

The previously excited Li Qinghe quieted down.

She clenched her hands tightly, suppressing the excitement in her heart.

Just as expected!

This young lady’s guess was correct!

Li Qinghe patted her chest, looking at Qin Yang as she promised:

“Don’t worry, Master, I absolutely won’t tell anyone about this!”

……….

Finally having obtained the information she wanted, Li Qinghe left satisfied.

The hall returned to peace once more.

Qin Yang closed his eyes again, attempting to merge sword techniques.

Two strands of sword qi intertwined, clashing fiercely.

But not long after she left, a faint ripple suddenly appeared in his mental domain.

It was Xia He.He walked in through the door, his face clouded with worry, heading straight for the lounge.

…

“Why are you here too?”

Qin Yang was somewhat speechless; today, familiar faces kept appearing one after another.

“I was in the area, so I came to see you… Don’t be too sad.”

Xia He placed a hand on Qin Yang’s shoulder, carefully choosing his words, but in the end, it all turned into a heavy sigh. “My condolences, Old Qin…”

“I’m fine.”

Hearing this, Qin Yang held up his phone screen to reflect his face. “Do I look sad to you right now?”

“Hey, Old Qin, don’t force yourself. We’re brothers… I know you.”

Xia He continued to comfort him, “If anything comes up these days, just let me know. One call and I’ll be here. Don’t bear it alone—it’ll all pass…”

As he spoke,

he sighed, “I was also on city guard duty the night the Sword God self-destructed. To be honest, he saved my life too. Otherwise, during the Beast Tide, I—”

“You went to fight too?”

Qin Yang frowned. “You weren’t badly hurt, were you?”

He had a clear understanding of Xia He’s abilities.

They were basically like a chicken rib—barely useful—but with how fierce the Beast Tide had been, getting injured was almost inevitable.

“Yeah, a little. I got hit by a Star Beast while clearing the battlefield.”

Xia He said softly, rubbing his chest. “It’s nothing serious, just lately when I sleep—”

Before he could finish,

Qin Yang cut in:

“Breathing unevenly, waking up startled in the middle of the night, chest tightness and dull pain… That’s about it, right?”

“Huh?!”

Hearing this, Xia He froze.

“Old Qin, I haven’t even said anything. How did you know—”

“Your energy is unstable.”

Qin Yang said gravely, directly reaching out to press his fingers against Xia He’s right wrist pulse.

That hit from the Beast Tide didn’t seem simple; it had already caused some hidden injuries. If left to develop, it might lead to serious issues.

Since he’d noticed it, there was no reason to let it slide.

With that thought,

Qin Yang held Xia He’s hand,

pouring in robust Star Power, gentle as a spring breeze and nourishing rain.

It revitalized his body.

In an instant, the injuries were completely healed.

A few seconds later.

“How do you feel?”

Qin Yang released his hand.

“Whoa, much better!”

Xia He touched his chest, overjoyed, but soon his expression shifted again.

“Wait a minute…”

“Old Qin! I was supposed to be comforting you, but now you’re the one comforting me?!”

…

In the afternoon.

The setting sun slanted low, the sky tinged with the pale white of a fish belly.

A light drizzle and gentle breeze swept through Jianghai City, causing the temperature to drop sharply.

Qin Yang carried groceries as he and Xiaobai hurried back to the villa. The two walked leisurely under an umbrella, one man and one fox, strolling down the street.

“Master, you really fooled them all, huh.”

Xiaobai wagged her fox tail. “Is it really okay not to tell them?”

“You don’t understand.”

Qin Yang said leisurely, “The departure of the Jianghai Sword God might not be a bad thing for them.”

“Hey, Master, someone’s waiting for you.”

Just then, Xiaobai suddenly pointed toward the entrance.

As soon as she spoke,

Qin Yang followed her gaze.

He immediately saw Li Zixuan waiting at the door, dressed in funeral black, her face gloomy and somber.

“Senior Brother…”

As soon as Li Zixuan saw Qin Yang, she threw herself into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. In moments, her tears turned into loud, heart-wrenching wails.

“It’s alright…”

Qin Yang gently patted her back, comforting her. “It’ll all pass.”

With that,

he didn’t offer any further explanation.Nowadays, there are too many people across the nation eyeing the title of “Sword God.”

A tall tree catches the wind—whether for those around him or for Jianghai City.

Now that the Sword God is “dead,” perhaps it can avoid a lot of trouble.

Sometimes, the dead are more useful than the living.

But just then.

“Senior Brother…”

Li Zixuan raised her head, wiped away her tears with her sleeve, and struggled to stop sobbing, her voice trembling as she said:

“I’ve decided, Senior Brother, starting today, I will go into seclusion.”

“Seclusion?”

Qin Yang was taken aback.

But he saw Li Zixuan lift her tear-streaked face, her tone resolute.

“From now on, I will kill every Beast God Sect member I see!”

“One day, I will ensure the Beast God Sect is completely eradicated!”

(End of Chapter)