Chapter 42: One Sword, Snow Falls

At the cliff’s edge, besides Li Hao’s group, many others had paused, glancing around occasionally.

Clearly, falling from the cliff meant utter destruction—such danger made many hesitate.

On the iron chain, seven or eight figures now moved forward, each employing their own methods with caution.

Some walked with calm composure, the swaying chain like ocean waves, yet it affected them not at all, their feet seemingly glued in place.

Others stretched out both arms, striving to maintain balance, testing each step slowly.

Some chose a method that was ugly but supremely stable: clinging to the chain, inching forward like a crawling insect.

Simply crawling across the chain was something nearly everyone here could manage, but this trial unquestionably tested courage.

Who, in ten thousand feet of air, wouldn’t tremble?

“If you lack even this much courage, how dare you face demons?”

Among the seven who had just passed, a young man in lavish robes, expression cold, leapt forward first and landed steadily on the chain.

Clearly, he chose an elegant path—walking straight across, hands clasped behind his back, radiating calm poise.

His action immediately drew attention from the onlookers, who stared in astonishment; soon, someone recognized him.

“The cloud patterns on his sleeve—he’s from the Su family of Yunzhou!”

“The Su family? I heard they’re one of Yunzhou’s three great clans, with deep roots.”

“No wonder this kid’s so bold—he’s probably trained his courage already, given how many demons haunt Yunzhou’s borders.”

Many murmured among themselves; some who had hesitated now showed signs of inner struggle.

“Big Brother Hao, let’s go too.”

Seeing someone go first, Li Yuanzhao felt uneasy and spoke to Li Hao.

Li Hao scanned the cliff’s edge but saw no one from the Tan Palace Academy—he felt a flicker of confusion.

Logically, the Tan Palace Academy should have sent someone to meet them here; otherwise, what was the point of the invitation?

“Fine.”

With no one arriving, Li Hao could only agree to Li Yuanzhao.

“Hmph, there’s no cheating in this trial.”

Si Xiaolan gave Li Hao a faint sneer—clearly, she was still angry that he’d slipped past the first trial through connections, feeling it was deeply unfair.

“Is that so?”

Li Hao looked at the girl in surprise—how dare she mock him? Didn’t she know who he was behind the scenes? Still, he didn’t deign to argue with a child.

“There’s a saying, isn’t there?”

Li Hao thought for a moment and replied: “Little sister, out in the world, it’s not just fists or who’s behind you that matters.”

“Huh?”

Si Xiaolan frowned—why did this sound so familiar?

“Because having someone behind you isn’t enough—you need someone in front of you too!”

Li Hao gave the girl a light smile, then lifted his head, his eyes holding a detached serenity as he murmured: “Brother, come!”

“Big Brother Hao, you want me to carry you?”

Li Yuanzhao understood instantly—he’d heard the elders say Li Hao had poor talent, only capable of body refinement, and had never seen him fight; he’d already anticipated this solution, determined not to embarrass Li Hao.

Li Hao smiled faintly and patted his shoulder.

Li Yuanzhao bowed his waist in response.

Li Hao didn’t hesitate—he leapt onto his back, then waved to the girl beside them, who stood gaping: “See you on the other side.”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Li Yuanzhao dashed forward, leaping dozens of meters and landing squarely on the chain.

The chain shook violently, yet Li Yuanzhao, carrying Li Hao, moved with it, his feet glued to the iron, never slipping.

Before the chain even steadied, Li Yuanzhao broke into a sprint, running as if on flat ground.

With his Zhou Tian realm fully cultivated, plus years of training in martial forms and standing Zhuang , this trial was child’s play to him.

Seeing the figure racing across the chain, everyone on the shore—except Si Xiaolan—stared wide-eyed. They’d seen show-offs, but never one this brutal—he treated the chain like solid ground?

And they couldn’t even run that fast on level ground!

And he was carrying someone!

When someone spotted their clothing, they recognized them instantly: the first family of Qingzhou. Shock rippled through the crowd—rumors never matched reality, and today’s sight surpassed even the wildest tales.

Soon, the young man in lavish robes who had gone first was overtaken by Li Yuanzhao’s sprint.

The former walked with hands behind his back, expression serene—until the wind of Li Yuanzhao’s passing brushed past him, then his face flickered with surprise.

Not long after, Li Yuanzhao reached the opposite shore.

The iron chain stretched a thousand zhang across the sky, threading through the mountain mist.

Li Yuanzhao’s sprinting form scattered the fog; when he landed, he immediately drew attention from nearby onlookers.

Li Hao patted his shoulder and leapt down, scanning the area.

Clearly, they weren’t early—the shore held many who had already passed earlier trials.

Before these “candidates” stood disciples of the Tan Palace Academy, all seventeen or eighteen, dressed in black-and-white robes that gave them an ethereal, otherworldly air.

Of course, this only worked on those who looked good—those with bulky frames or plain features looked awkward and out of place.

“Who’s that guy? So strong?”

“Ran across? And carried someone? One dares carry, the other dares be carried!”

“Shh, be careful—they’re from the Divine General’s Li family…”

Dozens of onlookers murmured among themselves.

Li Yuanzhao stepped forward to a young Tan Palace disciple and asked: “Are there more trials here?”

“Correct. This is the final trial.”

The youth clearly recognized Li Yuanzhao—after years studying in Qingzhou City, so close to the Divine General’s Mansion, it was impossible not to know.

“To pass, you must survive one round against us.”

If the first trial tested fundamentals and the second tested courage, this third trial felt like a warning to newcomers.

Hearing this, Li Yuanzhao’s small eyes blazed with eager combat spirit: “I accept your challenge!”

He bowed in military salute, then stepped back several paces, assuming a fighting stance.

“You may choose a weapon,” the youth smiled, reminding him.

“One round—no need,” Li Yuanzhao said.

The youth’s eyes flickered slightly—he felt slighted, but remembered the Li family’s reputation for prodigies, so he let it pass, secretly curious to test him.

He abandoned his sword, raised his fist, and charged forward.

His punch whipped the air like a tiger pouncing or a wolf biting—ferocious and relentless.

Li Yuanzhao shifted his step like an eel retreating into its burrow, fluid and smooth, then spun back with a sudden, direct punch.

CRASH! Their fists collided—the youth staggered back three steps, while Li Yuanzhao merely sank his stance and held his ground.

The youth’s face showed shock—he hadn’t used full strength, yet his punch still carried over ten thousand jin of force—equivalent to a normal Zhou Tian third-layer cultivator!

This far exceeded the entrance standard, which only required completion of Tongli realm.

He’d nearly embarrassed himself? “At least Zhou Tian fifth-layer, maybe seventh or eighth—or he’s trained a top-tier qi circulation or meridian-opening method!”

The youth’s gaze turned grave—rumors were true: Li family heirs were monsters, drowning in resources, far surpassing their peers.

Others, seeing the youth fall on the defensive, stared in disbelief, gazing at Li Yuanzhao as if he were a monster—was this the Divine General’s Mansion’s prodigy? Just then, the chain swayed as several figures leapt onto shore: the young man from the Su family of Yunzhou, Si Xiaolan, and others.

The other Tan Palace disciples quickly explained the rules; upon hearing them, the newcomers’ expressions grew solemn.

After all, anyone who reached this point was at least a talent, and the opponent had trained for years—this move wouldn’t be easy to counter.

Si Xiaolan’s eyes flickered to Li Hao beside her; seeing he was still there, she felt a fresh pang of irritation—she knew he had an invitation, so he’d likely bypass this trial entirely.

Compared to those who’d braved peril to pass, he was simply lying down—this was the gap of birthright.

“Your turn.”

At that moment, a burly youth beside them spoke to Li Hao.

Li Hao smiled faintly; as Si Xiaolan’s face read “I knew it,” he pulled out his invitation: “I have an invitation.”

He had no intention of exhausting himself here like Li Yuanzhao, bullying others.

“Invitation?”

All eyes turned, filled with shock and envy.

The burly youth froze—he’d heard rumors. He frowned, took the invitation, studied it briefly, then returned it: “Even with an invitation, you must still pass a basic trial. I’ll hold back a little.”

Li Hao blinked.

The youth who tested Li Yuanzhao and several other Tan Palace disciples silently pressed their foreheads—this was bad. The stubborn fool was at it again.

“Come on,” the burly youth said, qi swirling around him, ready to strike.

Li Hao asked: “Do you even know what an invitation means?”

“I said I’ll hold back—you still need to show something. Otherwise, people will think the Tan Palace Academy clings to power and gives backdoor access,” the youth replied earnestly, stubbornly.

Li Hao fell silent.

They say people come in a thousand forms—this burly youth was clearly one of those rigid, uncompromising types.

“Pfft…” Si Xiaolan couldn’t help laughing, her bright eyes gleaming with malicious delight as she watched Li Hao.

She’d thought he’d slip through easily, but now she’d met a peculiar soul—she even found the burly youth’s coarse appearance slightly handsome.

“You may choose any weapon.”

The burly youth’s expression was serious as he pointed to the weapon rack.

Li Hao felt slightly exasperated, but he bore no anger toward the boy—after all, being earnest wasn’t a flaw.

He walked over to the weapon rack, drew a sword, and returned before the burly youth.

“Using a sword?” The burly youth’s gaze flickered, then he nodded. “Then you strike first.”

He also drew the sword at his back, his eyes filled with the seriousness of a swordsman.

“You go first,” Li Hao said.

“If I strike first, you won’t get a chance,” the burly youth said slowly.

“...Fine.”

Li Hao sighed and casually twirled a sword flourish.

Sword technique... Falling Snow.

“Huh?” Shi Xiaolan suddenly felt snowflakes drifting before her eyes, a chill and frosty cold creeping over her skin; she looked up. “It’s only autumn—why is it snowing?”

(End of Chapter)