In someone's heart.

"Hey, Gui, are you there? Say something!"

“…”

"Are you still sleeping?"

A long-silent voice suddenly sounded, "...Zhao Ziyu, can you lower your voice for me?"

Zhao Rong nodded, and said angrily: "Oh, you woke up again? How can you sleep? In your state, how can you sleep in your state..."

The sword spirit interrupted and said, "I think my current state is quite good."

Zhao Rong: “…”

Gui yawned and said lazily, "Well, I've thought it through. Anyway, I can't rush it, and it's not good to put too much pressure on you. It's better to let you practice on your own. When you reach the Fuyao realm, call me."

Zhao Rong scratched his nose and said, "Ahem, I feel a little embarrassed when you say that. It's just one meridian that's missing. I will rush it right away."

Gui said calmly, "Oh, come on, take your time, there's no rush."

Zhao Rong frowned, "...Uh, Gui, are you okay?"

Gui's voice was a little hoarse. "I'm fine. I just figured it out. By the way, are you okay? I'm going to sleep now."

"Lao Gui, don't scare me. There's something wrong with your mental state."

"All that is right and wrong is an illusion."

“…”

Why is there a sudden depth?

Zhao Rong raised his eyebrows, was silent for a while, and then asked tentatively: "All phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, and shadows, like dew and lightning. Should we view them in this way?"

Gui: “……???”

The sword spirit was stuck, wondering for a moment how to connect.

Zhao Rong was in a good mood and didn't wait for it.

He continued to be witty, saying seriously: "Just like the lotus flower that does not touch the water, and the sun and the moon that do not stay in the sky..."

Gui interrupted quickly, "Alright, alright, you are awesome, stop talking."

Zhao Rong sighed, "Didn't you come here first? Let's talk properly. Who would bring up this... I couldn't help myself."

Guiyi sighed, "Alright, alright, I won't talk to you about this anymore. By the way, what are you doing recently?"

Zhao Rong told it about going to Dali for the assessment.

"Fengshan?" Gui said in a tone of lack of interest, "It's boring to perform Fengshan for a small dynasty under a mountain. I'm going to sleep now. Come and call me when you get to Fuyao."

Zhao Rong was about to speak but stopped.

Gui said directly: "Before that, well, if you are going to be killed, before you die, remember to call me and let me see which hero is doing justice for the heaven."

Zhao Rong's face turned dark.

In? Can you stop being such a pessimist?

But the sword spirit didn't wait for Zhao Rong to say anything, and just said "I'm going to sleep", and then fell silent.

Zhao Rong curled his lips and rubbed his face.

He cultivated his own sword spirit into such a Buddhist one, which was unique.

…

It was a sunny day. Zhao Rong packed his luggage early in the morning and rushed to the ceremonial hall.

There he met up with Gu Yiwu and other students from the Justice Hall.

Everyone received their brand new jade tokens in the ceremonial hall and completed the necessary procedures to leave the academy.

Afterwards, the manager of the Ceremonial Hall informed them that Meng Xuezhen was very busy preparing for the mid-month exams, and that there were also ritual arts examinations being held at the Confucian Temple in the academy, so she would not be accompanying the students to Dali for the time being.

Instead, let them set off first and rush to the capital of Dali. By then, there will be corresponding people from Dali to pick them up.

However, Meng Zhengjun would also take time out to rush to Dali before Zhao Rong, Gu Yiwu and other students performed the Fengshan ceremony.

The specific time depends on the situation, so let them go first.

Afterwards, the steward of the ceremonial hall gave some instructions on what to pay attention to when going out, and then let everyone leave.

Dali is not far away, and the travel expenses will be reimbursed by the academy.

Then Zhao Rong and twenty other students left the academy leisurely.

Everyone stayed in Duyou City for a while and got ready to go.

Zhao Rong also met Xiao Qian'er and Li Bai at the agreed place.

Zhao Rong had previously reported the identities of these two people. Xiao Qian'er was a maid and Li Bai was a guard.

Most of the students of Justice Hall, such as Gu Yiwu, also brought their attendants such as maids and guards, so Zhao Rong did not attract much attention.

The school's auditorium had no objection to this.

In the afternoon, Zhao Rong and twenty other students gathered together, and after confirming that everything was correct, they set off.

When Zhao Rong just set out to Duyou City at the beginning of the year, the huge disturbance caused by the rebellion of the great monster in Zhishui Kingdom has gradually subsided on this late autumn day, leaving only some minor ripples that have left some far-reaching impact on Wangquezhou Mountain.

Nowadays, transportation in the mountains in the northern part of Wangquezhou has been largely restored.

Since the most convenient Li Du is a one-way street, Zhao Rong and others took the Yunhai ferry.

Starting from outside Duyou City, they soon arrived at Xiaoyaojin on the border of Dali.

Everyone got off the boat here and walked into Dali according to the itinerary planned by Zhao Rong.

…

That day, it was evening.

In the afterglow of the setting sun, there is a small town nestled beside green mountains and clear waters.

The mountains here are beautiful, the scenery is charming, the clouds are lingering, and the waterfalls are like silk.

It is a place of great natural beauty.

The name of the town is Xingzi. It is surrounded by water on three sides and has mountains behind it and a lake on its side.

Facing Xingzi Lake.

According to legend, in ancient times, a star fell into the lake.

The name of the lake and the town come from this.

At this time, the sun was setting in the west, and the dim orange setting sun covered the bluestone slabs of a street along the water on the east side of Xingzi Town.

Night was about to fall, and most of the buildings on both sides of the street had not yet turned on the lights.

Dark buildings stand on both sides of the street, like black mountains in the distance.

So at this moment, in the eyes of Zhao Rong, who was standing at the corner at the end of the street, there was a gold-inlaid avenue in front of him, paved with gold-like floor tiles.

The golden road leads to the dark things in the distance, mysterious and depressing.

However, Zhao Rong knew that this was just an illusion, a brief silence before the bustling city on the lake in this small star town began at night.

Just like the light of dawn, hidden in the deep darkness before dawn.

Because they arrived at this star town yesterday evening and had a rough idea of ​​its prosperity after sunset.

I just arrived in a hurry yesterday and rested directly in the inn where I stayed without going out for sightseeing.

Today, Zhao Rong and Li Bai were dragged out shopping by Zhao Qianer.

At this time, Zhao Rong retracted his gaze and looked at the setting sun which was about to fall behind the mountains behind him.

Then, he looked around, passing over the man with a sword who was also waiting beside him, and looked at the increasing number of pedestrians on the street.

This Xingzi town is very interesting.

During the day, it looks like an ordinary and quiet town located in a remote area among green mountains and clear waters.

If Zhao Rong and others had not looked through the map of mountains and rivers in the north of Wangque, they would probably have mistaken Xingzi Town for any other mortal town and passed by it in a hurry.

Once night falls, Xingzi Town will present another lively scene.

This is half of the mountain market, and it is called half because it is only open at night.

Whenever night falls, it attracts monks from the mountains of several counties to come here to buy things for their practice or set up stalls to sell their unused items.

Many businesses on the mountain also set up shops here and open at night.

So, every time the sun sets in the west, night falls.

The several streets along the lake in Xingzi Town, together with the numerous large and small boats on Xingzi Lake that are as bright as stars, form a fairyland-like bustling city on the mountain.

It flourishes all night long, and then disperses spontaneously before the first light of dawn.

After Zhao Rong, Gu Yiwu and other students from the Justice Hall entered Dali, they traveled for several days and arrived at the small town of Xingzi. It was not far from the capital of Dali, so they decided to rest for two days.

At this moment, Zhao Rong and Li Bai were accompanying Xiao Qian'er out shopping in the evening.

The little girl ran into a store selling women's items without looking back.

It was not convenient for Zhao Rong and Li Bai to go in, so they had to stand outside the door on the street and wait, looking around.

God knows why women like shopping, but according to Zhao Rong's observation, even the quiet and peaceful Qingjun seems to be no exception.

Sometimes she would get together with Qian'er, fiddling with some interesting jewelry items in front of a counter. The two girls would whisper to each other, leaving Zhao Rong aside to fend for himself.

So Zhao Rong said that he could understand the burning flames of fighting spirit in Qian'er's peach blossom eyes when the little girl mentioned shopping.

However, the man holding a sword next to him was no longer lazy as he was before going out. Instead, he looked around with great energy, examining the shops on the busy street.

She seems to understand the joy of shopping.

Zhao Rong glanced at the bachelor and was a little confused.

"Xiaobai, have you found a wife?"

Li Bai didn't bother to look at him, "How many times have I told you, little brat, call me uncle?"

Zhao Rong nodded and said sternly, "Xiao Bai, what did you call me? Please pay attention to the title. I am your uncle, don't be disrespectful."

Li Bai suddenly waved his hand, and Zhao Rong jumped back swiftly, avoiding the disaster with his head.

Zhao Rong blinked.

When I was a kid, I often quarreled with Uncle Xiaobai and he often slapped my forehead. So many years have passed, and the man holding the sword in front of me seems to have not changed at all... Well, that's not entirely true. He seems to be neater and more energetic, not as sloppy as the drunkard he used to be. I don't know why, but does he really have a wife?

However, Zhao Rong had already grown up, so how could he let Li Bai pat him on the forehead? That would be very embarrassing.

Zhao Rong smiled in a slapping manner, imitating someone's catchphrase, "It's too bad, too bad, even the sneak attack didn't hit. Oh, it's getting worse and worse."

He sighed and shook his head.

Li Bai glanced at him, withdrew his hand, tightened the sword in his arms, and said nothing.

I continued to look around with interest at the bustling streets around me.

Zhao Rong glanced inside the store, and there was still no sign of the little girl coming out.

He sighed softly, then glanced calmly at the sword Li Bai was holding.

The sword is about three feet long, with a lot of gray and white cloth wrapped around the scabbard. It is tattered and old, with a simple appearance.

There is a hidden meaning.

I wonder what kind of sharpness is hidden in the scabbard.

But the hilt of this sword... made Zhao Rong frown slightly.

At this moment, he suddenly said, "Hey, Li Bai, have you got married yet? Are you still single? It's been so many years and I've already got a wife. That's too bad."

Li Bai suddenly wanted to drink. He lowered his head, raised his foot, and kicked a stone on the ground into the river beside the street.

The man holding the sword suddenly looked up, smiled and said, "Wife? It will only slow down my speed of drawing the sword. You know nothing, you little brat. A master doesn't need a wife."

Zhao Rong thought about it and said nothing. He smiled and said, "Is Uncle Xiaobai really a master?"

Li Bai sneered, raised his head and looked straight ahead. He did not look at Zhao Rong, nor did he answer.

The meaning is obvious.

You little bastard, aren't you talking nonsense?

Zhao Rong glanced at the man in front of him who was holding a sword, facing him sideways, and looking up at the bright moon.

Zhao Rong couldn't help but raise his eyebrows and nodded slowly.

This look, in the vernacular novel, would most likely be that of a master.

However, Zhao Rong always felt that something was missing, but he couldn't remember what was wrong for a while.

Zhao Rong shook his head and stopped worrying about it.

He looked at the master Li Bai for a while, and suddenly stretched out his index finger, pointing at the sword in the man's arms.

Zhao Rong frowned and said seriously, "Then Uncle Xiaobai's sword must be very powerful, right?"

Li Bai heard this and nodded.

The man holding the sword also had a serious face and said seriously: "Very powerful, the kind that can split Wangquezhou in half with one sword."

Zhao Rong took a deep breath and his expression became serious.

Li Bai also had a serious expression.

Just like that, both of them had stern faces and stared at each other, and the atmosphere suddenly became quiet.

So, at this corner of the street, such a strange scene appeared: two men, one big and one small, looked at each other, motionless.

But in the next second, Zhao Rong's expression changed.

He shrugged his eyelids and curled his lips, saying, "I don't believe it."

Li Bai laughed and said loudly, "Don't believe it? Then take a look for yourself."

As soon as he finished speaking, his arms suddenly relaxed and he threw the sword in his arms directly to the brat who had been eyeing it for a long time.

Zhao Rong was slightly stunned. So happy?

However, he subconsciously caught the flying sword with both hands, and his expression remained unchanged.

Zhao Rong raised his eyes to glance at Li Bai, who had a calm expression, and then weighed the ancient sword in his right hand, finding it slightly heavy.

He had been suspicious for a long time.

At this time, Zhao Rong held the sword in both hands and looked intently with his eyes lowered.

The style of the hilt of this sword is not only ordinary, but also very common.

It is the hilt of an ordinary sword that you often see when walking on the street.

In the Xuanhuang Realm, there are several sword styles that have almost become templates for swords that are popular throughout the world. At present, the hilt of this sword is like this, and it is one of the most popular ones. It is not as novel as the style of Zhao Rong's sword.

The current hilt of the sword looks good, but it is nothing new because everyone is using it.

But this is just the appearance of the sword. The true quality of this sword depends on its inner...

He was quiet for a while, holding the cloth-wrapped scabbard in his left hand and the hilt in his right hand.

The next moment, he exerted force with his right hand and pulled out most of the sword.

Zhao Rong held his breath and looked at the sword...

The blade of the ancient sword was plain and its style was still ordinary, just like the hilt, and they were even matched very harmoniously, making it look very familiar to him.

Because looking at it as a whole, it is clearly the style of the three-foot green sword that is popular at the foot of the mountain.

It is one of the earliest ancient swords and has been popular in the Xuanhuang Realm for tens of thousands of years. You can find a blacksmith shop at the foot of the mountain and buy a three-foot green sword of this style on the spot without having to customize it. It is already the most common standard.

Is this the style of the Elector's Sword?

Zhao Rong frowned, but didn't say anything.

He did not give up hope. He searched again and again on this ordinary sword, but... he did not find the inscription of the two words he was thinking of.

Instead, he found a strange and unfamiliar text on the sword near the hilt, which was very strange.

But they were not the two words Zhao Rong was looking for.

Immediately, he pulled the sword out of the scabbard completely, looked it over carefully from top to bottom, and found nothing else.

Zhao Rong clearly remembered that when he was in Zhongnan Kingdom, Lin Wenruo mentioned Zhao Qingyi to him.

Gui Zeng mentioned this to Zhao Rong in order to dispel his doubts.

Every Elector's Sword is engraved with its glorious true name, which cannot be hidden.

After the fall of the Elector's Palace in Kundu, Western Fuyao Continent, the Elector's Sword disappeared along with Zhao Qingyi. Its real name was... Taihuang.

These two words will be engraved on the sword...

Not long.

Zhao Rong's brows relaxed.

Without the two-word inscription, this sword is not too wild.