Chapter 400: Trip To The Tan House

“This kind of transformation actually happened.”

Li Xiaofei stared at the rusty sword in his hand. After the earth-shaking commotion, the energy sources of the ancient sword he had pulled from Liu Shaji’s body merged into the rusty sword that Qi Shisan had been peddling as a trick.

At this moment, the rusty sword appeared unchanged. It was still mottled with rust and looked like it might break apart in a few days as it continued to emit a pungent, metallic odor. One strike with this sword would surely give an opponent tetanus. A true Sword of Tetanus.

But to say it hadn’t changed at all wasn’t entirely accurate. Li Xiaofei could clearly feel that the sword now seemed to possess a kind of spirit. It was like it had come to life and was now connected to him in a strange, breathing-like manner.

“This rusty sword is indestructible and can cut through anything, greatly enhancing your combat strength,” Liu Shaji said, as he realigned his skeleton with a series of cracks. “It is likely the only sword on Earth to reach the level of a spiritual weapon. You will benefit immensely.”

“A spiritual weapon?” Li Xiaofei asked, “How is that classified?”

“Common weapons, sharp weapons, treasured weapons, spiritual weapons, sacred weapons, divine weapons...” Liu Shaji responded promptly, explaining, “In different universes, there are different classifications, but this is the general idea. Given Earth’s current standards, most weapons are common, and only powered weapons can be considered sharp weapons.”

“You actually know so much about Earth?” Li Xiaofei was a bit surprised.

Liu Shaji proudly lifted his deathly pale head and said, “I may be dead, but I’m not clueless. Information about Earth can be gathered through White Deer Academy.”

Li Xiaofei’s curiosity was reignited as he asked, “What’s the true story behind White Deer Academy? It once had a glorious history, but now it barely survives in the cracks.”

Liu Shaji replied, “It was once a place of great hope, a center of sacred light meant to ignite the torch of knowledge. But, unfortunately, its successors failed to live up to expectations and were outmaneuvered by their enemies. Now, its legacy is nearly severed. But no matter—we will intervene when the time comes.”

“We?” Li Xiaofei asked again.

Liu Shaji cracked his stiff neck as he said, “Many great beings stronger than me rest in this cemetery. They too fell in the past but were buried in the present, awaiting the day they can rise again and re-enter the battlefield in the future.”

Li Xiaofei recalled the tombstones with unfamiliar names. He realized that those seemingly unknown names might have once belonged to legendary figures who ruled over countless laws and dominated distant battlefields in the outer universe.

“Go back, kid. With you here, White Deer Academy won’t fall,” Liu Shaji warned. “Remember, be wary of the Star Council, and don’t trust people too easily.”

“And you?” asked Li Xiaofei. He wanted to know what Liu Shaji planned to do after being revived.

“I will be with you.” Liu Shaji leaned back into the stone coffin. The skeleton stretched out comfortably, crossing one leg over the other, and said, “Ah, the feeling of not having a sore backside is truly wonderful.”

As he spoke, the soil parted like water. The coffin lid closed by itself and sank back into the earth, which shifted and covered it once more.

Li Xiaofei looked at the rusty sword in his hand and then glanced around. At some point, the eerie fog in the cemetery had silently dissipated, as if nothing had ever happened.

After thinking it over, he decided to head back. His purpose for coming here had been fulfilled. He was confident Liu Shaji wouldn’t be haunting his sleep anymore. Holding the rusty sword, he began walking back along the path he came. There were no further obstacles and the powerful, mysterious gray-robed elder did not reappear.

When he returned to campus, he was met by an excited group led by Instructor Ding Yifeng and others who were escorting Li Junjie back to the Eastern Blue-Robe House.

“Big Brother.” Li Junjie spotted Li Xiaofei and immediately ran up to him, brimming with excitement. “I pulled a sword from the altar. Look! The principal says it’s a divine sword. I tested it—it's razor-sharp and cuts through anything. Big Brother, I’m giving it to you.”

Anything valuable always went to the boss first. That was the rule of the group.

“You mustn’t—” Ding Yifeng and the other instructors were taken aback.

This was the Guardian’s Sword, an exceedingly rare treasured weapon capable of going toe-to-toe with powered weaponry. How could it be given away so casually?

Fortunately, Li Xiaofei just glanced at it in disinterest as he said, “A piece of junk. Keep it for yourself.”

“Big Brother, it really is sharp,” Li Junjie said, a hint of disappointment in his voice.

Li Xiaofei patted him on the shoulder and said, “I know, but it suits you better. Keep it for yourself.”

“I understand,” Li Junjie replied thoughtfully. “A sword like this really isn’t worthy of you, Big Brother.”

Ding Yifeng and the other instructors nearby were filled with disbelief, their foreheads lined with exasperation. This kid’s talent and bloodline were indeed unparalleled; the grand display during his inheritance proved it. But he was too sincere and blindly devoted to his so-called Big Brother.

In the eyes of Ding Yifeng and the other instructors, this Big Brother had nothing of value. Everything about him combined was less significant than a single hair on Li Junjie’s head.

The Guardian’s Sword is a true treasure. A rare weapon of legend on Earth. Yet somehow, it was deemed unworthy? What a joke.

Over the next four days, classes continued as usual. The instructors primarily taught Innate Art, followed by techniques for the saber, sword, and spear.

As Li Xiaofei had suspected, the swordsmanship and spear techniques taught at White Deer Academy were high-martial arts, on par with the A Journey Begins technique, and would be considered mythical-level martial arts outside the academy.

Li Xiaofei paid close attention during lessons. After class, he privately tutored Li Junjie, who was now the undisputed freshman prodigy of White Deer Academy. Time and again, his expertise amazed the instructors and cemented Li Junjie’s reputation as their top talent.

Li Junjie, for his part, was generous and never held back. His years of experience in gang life had made him loyal and selfless. He willingly shared all his insights and knowledge with other students, tirelessly teaching and helping them.

In a short time, Li Junjie had established an incredible reputation among the students, earning everyone’s respect. Even Wang Xiaofan and Hou Ni were now trailing closely behind Li Junjie as his most devoted admirers.

Ximen Piaoxue was no exception. The slick young master clung tightly to this newfound connection, calling Li Junjie Big Brother. Little did he know that the main reason Li Junjie was even remotely welcoming to someone like him was his decent relationship with Li Xiaofei.

Finally, the first week of school came to an end. Li Xiaofei had fully refined the rusty sword, allowing him to store the spiritual weapon within his body. He could now wield it using the Sword Harnessing Technique, enabling him to fly with it.

On Saturday, Li Xiaofei left White Deer Academy in the morning. He rented a horse, rode to the bus station, and then took a bus to the city. After switching routes—

“Little Ying, I’m here.”

Li Xiaofei had found the address of the Tan family online and excitedly arrived at their doorstep. Finally, he could meet his girlfriend. Li Xiaofei was filled with anticipation for their reunion.