Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 1998: Chapter 1993: Sword Pavilion Fourth Floor, Three-Sword Style

”It seems like it’s going to snow.”

As the saying goes, one can predict the weather by observing the clouds. After a moment, Fu Qian finally withdrew his gaze from the cloudless sky and marveled aloud to himself.

Of course, the logic in this was undoubtedly mind-boggling.

For instance, Old Master Veron, who was watching from behind, didn’t need Fu Qian to turn around to feel the weight of his mood.

But Fu Qian still turned his head.

For a demigod, this distance was more than enough not to miss the earlier exclamation.

Old Master Veron’s expression was grave, but he eventually restrained himself from showing any confusion.

Clearly, after much experience, he had come to a life conclusion: when facing Heaven Commencement’s Temporary Leader, silence is golden.

Even if the other party spoke, one should think thrice before responding—

Unfortunately, Professor Fu seemed to have no intention of speaking either, replacing words with body language.

His gaze didn’t linger on Old Master Veron; with a crisp sound, Fu Qian’s arm unexpectedly elongated and shattered the window behind him with a slap.

This grand and majestic building instantly followed in the footsteps of the Benevolence Institute.

Rip—

Professor Fu’s actions didn’t stop there. His arm reached inside forcefully, and when he withdrew it, he had already pulled down a thick, luxurious-looking deep brown curtain.

Skillfully draping it over himself and wrapping it around, he covered the blood garment he wore. Without another glance at the chaotic scene behind him, Fu Qian left directly.

And this time, more people watched him depart.

Apart from Old Master Veron and the few who had initially noticed, more elites from the Divine Ashes Institute, drawn by the noise, only managed to catch a glimpse of his tall silhouette.

No one attempted to stop him, and one could even hear Old Master Veron’s cold reprimand for others to turn back.

Today, the Divine Ashes Institute was evidently extremely magnanimous.

...

”Professor Fu, are you planning to go inside and take a look today?”

Despite the bizarre attire, it was far less eye-catching than the original blood garment.

Fu Qian wasn’t in a hurry to return to the laboratory either, continuing to wander through the winter afternoon at the Academy.

Leisurely and unhurried, soon enough a structure even more familiar than the Divine Ashes Institute appeared before him.

The Sword Pavilion.

The multi-layered eaves stood quietly, far from the annual opening day, yet the demeanor of the gatekeeper remained serious.

Intently watching the bizarrely dressed person approaching, he recognized him before he got close. In the next moment, a mix of surprise and respect, the gatekeeper greeted Professor Fu proactively.

He even took the initiative to ask if he wanted to visit the forbidden area? The attitude was notably different compared to the Divine Ashes Institute, given the similarly proud nature of the individuals.

”Can I enter?”

Since the other party had proactively offered, Fu Qian asked out of curiosity.

”Of course you can. Director Li specifically instructed that the Sword Pavilion is open to you at any time.”

Professor Fu’s tone was amicable, yet the gatekeeper dared not be neglectful, answering with utmost respect.

Oh... look at the demeanor of the Swordsmanship Department.

Li Weixuan had granted such a special privilege to an outsider, an honor that was rare throughout the entire Academy.

Clearly, in fostering institutional friendships, Heaven Commencement and the Swordsmanship Department had been more successful.

After Cass returns, perhaps he could suggest reciprocal access to certain areas of Heaven Commencement—if the Swordsmanship Department’s faculty and students were not averse to the idea.

”Yes, I was just planning to enter, please open the door.”

Regardless of whether they were averse or not, Fu Qian indicated he wasn’t, nodding in acknowledgment as he stood by the door.

...

The dark doors silently opened, and familiar scenes and a chilling atmosphere rushed forth.

”Professor Fu can freely enter and exit each level; if there’s any issue, please call me anytime.”

The gatekeeper maintained the demeanor of a Sword Dao monk, guiding Fu Qian inside without a word, particularly emphasizing that there were no movement restrictions, before quietly withdrawing.

”Thank you.”

With such enthusiasm, how could Fu Qian not uphold Heaven’s Commencement’s decorum? Thanking gracefully, he proceeded deeper into the Sword Pavilion, and moments later stood before a black longsword.

The familiar rugged appearance, but devoid of that unusual aura, clearly indicating it had been replaced by the original, no longer the Fungus Sword from before.

Indeed, it was the one Professor Luo Bu had secretly manipulated.

Though the replica was lifelike, even possessing an extra sinister vibe due to the unique material used, it ultimately lacked some essence compared to the original.

Yet it wasn’t what he was looking for.

Fu Qian continued forward, ascending the stairs to the second floor... indeed, it was a dazzling array, heroic spirit rampant.

Perhaps the rankings weren’t that high, but it truly represented the accumulated richness of the ”cultivation” path.

Fu Qian used his words carefully, as mentioned earlier, it wasn’t just swords among the weapons here.

As he appreciated them along the way, Fu Qian couldn’t help but reminisce about those glorious days, wrapped in sword intent, mastering hundreds of techniques.

Reflecting on them today, those memories were hard to bear.

Crack!

In the next moment, he reached out, taking a medium-length straight sword from its pedestal, scrutinizing it closely.

Confirming that the vermilion hilt matched well with his new attire, Fu Qian contentedly passed it to his other hand and continued up another level—taking another sword in passing.

This time, the selection principle wasn’t due to the hilt’s color, but although the sword was long a collectible, its blade still shone like autumn water, clearly reflecting his form, usable as a mirror.

Clang!

With a toss, he dropped the box he had been carrying on the floor, taking out the Ji Family’s Incense Fire Axe, casually biting it between his teeth, the remaining two swords crossed into a cross formation.

Even maintaining this rather embarrassing stance, he moved to the top floor of the Sword Pavilion.

...

”A young man is unaware of the taste of worry... falls in love with the high tower...”

The three-sword style wasn’t easy, but Fu Qian still maintained an astonishing momentum, uttering indistinct words.

The area remained empty; clearly, no instructors at the Swordsmanship Department were practicing here today.

But it didn’t matter; there was a Heaven’s Commencement Instructor present.

With a manner of haughty indifference, Fu Qian finally changed his pose, slanting the twin swords to the sides, arms extending, regarding the myriad ancient sword path relics as nothing, as if to unleash the Tornado Slash—

Within the chaotic sound of shattering, a storm of blades truly erupted in this Sanctuary of the Swordsmanship Department.

Not only were numerous precious collections swept away momentarily, but the relentless sweep engulfed everything, tearing the ancient building from within.

Screaming seemed to arise, but it completely failed to stop Fu Qian’s sword-wielding hand—until the next moment when the latter ceased to exist.

As the edge grazed a chaos-throwing short sword, without any sound, the weapon in Fu Qian’s hand disintegrated into sand, spreading upward, consuming the fingers, hand, arm...

The flesh’s strength of the second-order extraordinary did not manifest in the slightest.