Chapter 45: The Stairway of Trials

When Xia Jiuxuan emerged from the Grand Profound Cavern, it was already the next day.

On the plaza, hundreds of youths stood in neat rows; these were all apprentices of the Nirvana Academy. At that moment, they were undergoing an intense combat drill under the guidance of an instructor. In truth, the so-called practice consisted merely of lining up in two rows and trading punches—blow for blow—until one of them collapsed.

Xia Jiuxuan glanced over and saw that every youth was bloodied and battered, yet not a single one dared utter a sound.

“Hey, isn’t that Xia Jiuxuan?”

“How did he get out?”

“He actually escaped? Hurry, report this to the chief instructor!”

The boys who recognized him erupted in commotion. By the head instructor’s orders, Xia Jiuxuan was supposed to be locked away, so how was he strolling out after just a day as if nothing had happened?

“Stop right there!” The instructor, seeing Xia Jiuxuan, immediately flew over to block his way.

“Out of my way.” Xia Jiuxuan uttered the word softly and continued on his leisurely path. He walked all the way to the main gate before the instructor’s expression darkened, intent on giving Xia Jiuxuan a lesson. But after taking only a few steps, a terrifying sword aura enveloped him, rooting him to the spot, powerless to move. He could only watch helplessly as Xia Jiuxuan’s figure disappeared beyond the gate.

“This aura… could it be... the old Headmaster has returned?” The instructor, drenched in cold sweat, whispered in astonishment and delight.

By the time he regained his composure, dozens of formidable figures had arrived from all sides of the Nirvana Academy, landing on the plaza and fixing their gazes skyward.

“Master, is it you who has returned?” The man at the forefront, a middle-aged man, was now the Headmaster of Nirvana Academy, his cultivation at the pinnacle of the ninth level of the Sealed Spirit Realm.

As soon as he finished speaking, a figure appeared in the sky, striding forward. With every step upon the air, sword patterns rippled outward. In everyone’s eyes, he resembled nothing less than a peerless sword incarnate.

“It truly is Master—he hasn’t changed since twenty years ago!”

The middle-aged man’s face lit up with joy. He hurriedly knelt. “Disciple Li Huaifeng greets Master. Congratulations on your supreme accomplishment!” As Su Hongde’s disciple, he knew well his master’s old vow: unless he mastered the Thirteen Swords of Grand Profundity, he would not emerge from seclusion.

“Rise, all of you.” Su Hongde waved his hand lightly, allowing the kneeling powerhouses to stand.

“Who is the chief instructor of the academy now?” Su Hongde wasted no words, asking directly—Xia Jiuxuan had already given him a task on the way out.

“Reporting to the former Headmaster, it is I, Wei Guhai.” The chief instructor quickly stepped forward and bowed, inwardly imagining that since the old Headmaster called him by name as soon as he returned, perhaps fortune was about to smile upon him.

“Someone, cripple his cultivation and expel him from this academy immediately.” Su Hongde’s tone was icy as a blade, stunning everyone present.

“Former Headmaster, why—what have I done wrong?” Wei Guhai immediately knelt, his face twisted in misery, voice trembling with tears.

“Did you not hear me? Or do you all believe this old man’s words now carry no weight?” Su Hongde offered no explanation, but unleashed his aura. Everyone felt as though a sharp sword pressed to their throats—a terror beyond description.

“Former Headmaster, your disciple admits his fault and begs your forgiveness!” Wei Guhai, terrified beyond measure, kowtowed and pleaded for mercy—even though he had no idea what mistake he had made, he had no choice but to confess guilt and beg.

“Hmph, enough.” Su Hongde grunted coldly.

At these words, Wei Guhai felt as if he’d been granted a royal pardon and quickly gave thanks.

“But I shall see to your punishment myself!” Su Hongde finished.

Wei Guhai stared, dumbfounded, his mind a blank.

In the next instant, Su Hongde flicked his finger; several streams of sword intent shot forth, severing all of Wei Guhai’s meridians and piercing his dantian.

“Aaah!” Wei Guhai rolled on the ground in agony. From this moment on, he was utterly crippled—a fate worse than death. To the last, he still did not understand what fault he had committed.

“Throw Wei Guhai out. Let him beg on the streets of the imperial capital—no one is to offer him the slightest aid,” ordered Headmaster Li Huaifeng. He understood the situation well: with his master’s unfathomable power, anyone his master decreed punishment for deserved it—and he would only intensify it.

“Injustice, Headmaster…” Wei Guhai pleaded weakly until he was dragged off and thrown into the street.

“Headmaster, yesterday a boy named Xia Jiuxuan was punished and confined in the Grand Profound Cavern, but today he escaped. What should we do?” The instructor who had been overseeing the plaza shouted his report to Li Huaifeng.

“Just bring him back,” Li Huaifeng replied indifferently.

“No need.” Su Hongde descended from the sky, saying, “Yesterday that boy was punished and confined, but at the very moment I fully mastered the Thirteen Swords of Grand Profundity, my spirits soared, and I pardoned his offense. Huaifeng, surely you wouldn’t want to make things difficult for your Headmaster?”

At these words, Li Huaifeng quickly bowed, delighted. “I would not dare. That boy was fortunate to witness Master’s supreme achievement—truly his greatest blessing. Your pardon is only right. Master, today is a day of joy. I suggest we pardon ten other outstanding youths in celebration of your return. What do you think?”

“Very well, see it done.” Su Hongde nodded slightly in assent.

“But Headmaster, that boy has fled. What if he doesn’t come back?” the instructor pressed, steeling himself.

Smack! Li Huaifeng sent him flying with a slap. “The Headmaster has returned—what great fortune! Yet you can’t even celebrate, but instead trouble us with trifles? What are your intentions? Begone! From this moment, you are no longer of Nirvana Academy!”

“Ah?” The instructor clutched his face in aggrieved astonishment, departing in utter dejection.

Su Hongde nodded slightly. “Huaifeng, you truly haven’t changed. You understand me well. You are indeed my most valued disciple.”

Li Huaifeng beamed. “It is my duty to serve Master in all things.”

“Good, very good.” Su Hongde was thoroughly pleased with his disciple.

…

Leaving Nirvana Academy, Xia Jiuxuan made straight for the Azure Lotus Sword Academy, where Yao Yunya resided, to see how Xia Ran was faring.

“That little girl—if she hasn’t seen me for a day and a night, will she be crying for her second father?” Xia Jiuxuan mused as he walked, picturing Xia Ran tearfully searching for him.

Soon, he entered the grounds of the Azure Lotus Sword Academy.

The vast plaza was crowded with disciples of the academy. At the front of the plaza was a staircase rising a hundred feet high, with many people laboriously climbing its steps.

“Yang Yi, you’ve gone too far! She’s only five years old—how could you send her up the trial stairs on your own authority? Are you trying to kill her?”

No sooner had he reached the front than Xia Jiuxuan heard Yao Yunya’s furious rebuke.