Chapter 589: Tonight the Stars Shine Bright
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Liang Xiaoxiao, a disciple of Lishan Sword Sect, was once one of the Seven Laws of the Divine Kingdom.
Because of hatred, this young genius, who should have had a boundless and bright future, ultimately chose the path of betraying humanity, colluding with the demon race, stirring up bloodshed and storms within Zhou Garden, attempting to assassinate Chen Changsheng and Qijian and others. Even after his failure, he refused to relent, using his own death to unleash his most ruthless means.
But as Su Li returned to Lishan, the internal strife within the sect came to an end. Chen Changsheng returned to the capital, and Zhuang Huanyu committed suicide out of guilt. All disputes and suspicions ceased abruptly. From then on, Liang Xiaoxiao became Lishan’s greatest shame, or rather, its most vulnerable point of attack—just as that expert from the Heartless Sect had done earlier.
The Lishan Sword Sect’s response was firm and clear.
According to the sect’s rules, Liang Xiaoxiao was dead and had been expelled from the mountain, no longer regarded as a disciple of Lishan. But in the eyes of Gou Hanshi and the others, that once brilliant young swordsman was still their fellow disciple, let alone the fact that Liang Banhu was his own blood brother.
Hatred and disdain were one thing, but after ten years of studying together, how could they forget so quickly?
Tang Thirty-Six said with confusion, “Don’t tell me you think they weren’t targeting you.”
Liang Xiaoxiao died outside Zhou Garden in Hanqiu City, by his own blade. But from another perspective, wasn’t it as if he had died under Chen Changsheng’s sword?
Just like Zhuang Huanyu, who committed suicide by the well at the Heavenly Dao Academy. The teachers and students there, including the esteemed Guan Bai, would still hold that grudge against Chen Changsheng.
No one said Chen Changsheng had done anything wrong in this matter, but as mentioned before, the lines of favor and enmity were stark and unreasonable.
Tang Thirty-Six thought of this and thus warned Chen Changsheng.
Chen Changsheng shook his head and said, “Perhaps… it’s just remembrance.”
Tang Thirty-Six raised an eyebrow slightly, not quite believing that explanation.
Zhe Xiu said, “Chen Changsheng means that if you died, no matter how, he wouldn’t forget you. He might occasionally use the Wenshui Three Swords to commemorate you.”
Tang Thirty-Six glared at him and said, “Since when did you become so talkative?”
…
…
Tianliang Commandery had a long-standing feud with the Lishan Sword Sect. That was why Hu Shusheng and his men had taken the initiative to challenge them, only to lose three matches in a row. Cultivators from other places naturally wouldn’t seek trouble, and the scene grew somewhat quiet.
Then, Zhong Hui stepped forward.
It was a very natural thing, so natural that the watching crowd, seeing him walk to the field and look at Gou Hanshi, unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief.
At last year’s Grand Examination, Chen Changsheng was first, Gou Hanshi second, and Zhong Hui third. On the newly issued Golden Roll, Zhong Hui still closely followed these two.
In the year and a half since the Grand Examination ended, Zhong Hui had progressed rapidly, reaching the peak of the Penetrating Darkness realm. Compared to his somewhat lucky third place on the first list, his position on the Golden Roll truly reflected his current standing among the younger generation of cultivators. But he was still below Chen Changsheng and Gou Hanshi. So, of course, he would challenge Gou Hanshi at the Stone Boiling Assembly, and then Chen Changsheng.
He looked calmly at Gou Hanshi, his peripheral vision resting on Chen Changsheng.
This calmness represented confidence.
Guan Feibai was also confident, and very proud. He had always looked down on Zhong Hui, thinking this scholar from Huaiyuan was putting on a facade of calm. He sneered twice and prepared to step out to meet the challenge.
Gou Hanshi stopped his junior brother. Zhong Hui hadn’t spoken, but everyone knew he was challenging him. He wanted to give the man due respect.
The lake breeze gently brushed Zhong Hui’s robes and the fine sand on the stone platform.
Gou Hanshi walked across the surface of the fine sand, leaving shallow footprints.
Zhong Hui looked at him, his expression calm, even somewhat wooden, as he drew the sword from its sheath.
With his movement, his robes instantly stilled. Because the wind blowing from the lake had stopped, cut into shreds by the sword intent he radiated, vanishing into the air.
Gou Hanshi raised an eyebrow slightly, surprised.
Rumors and firsthand observation were ultimately different.
It was said that Zhong Hui had already reached the peak of Penetrating Darkness, and might even become the second extraordinary figure after Qiushan Jun to achieve Star Gathering. But only by seeing it with their own eyes, feeling the vanished lake breeze, could people confirm that his sword intent had indeed become so powerful, just one step away from that threshold.
Gou Hanshi’s expression grew serious.
The atmosphere on the field also became tense.
However, contrary to what people imagined, Gou Hanshi’s seriousness wasn’t because he realized he might lose, but because he thought he could no longer hide his strength.
Without much deliberation, he made his decision.
A faint, barely perceptible aura emanated from him.
The lake breeze that had dissipated in the air seemed to be summoned by some force, slowly yet clearly forming again, drifting ethereally around him.
At this moment, the sun blazed overhead. Though it was the summit of a high, cold peak, the temperature was gradually warming. The intense light fell on the lake and the stones, refracting and scattering, somewhat dazzling.
Those bright rays couldn’t directly reach Gou Hanshi.
Because around him drifted wisps and threads of the lake breeze.
The light refracted again, then scattered. It was still bright, but no longer so dazzling. Cut by the lake breeze into countless specks of light, they reflected on his blue robes, like scenery in a forest.
Or very much like countless stars.
That faint, barely perceptible aura suddenly became pure and clear. Countless star-dust gently danced between his brows and on his robes, yet didn’t drift away.
The stone platform by the lake fell into dead silence.
For a long time, no one spoke.
From the moment those star-dust began to dance, Zhong Hui’s expression had changed.
His calm, even somewhat wooden look was instantly replaced by shock and a sense of defeat.
His face turned very pale, devoid of any trace of blood.
No one knew how long it took before he finally came to his senses and said in a trembling voice, “I have lost.”
When he spoke these three words, he seemed in great pain.
But after saying them, he appeared much more relaxed. He sheathed his sword and turned to leave.
The stone platform by the lake remained silent.
A gentle voice sounded.
“Congratulations, Senior Brother.”
The speaker was Xu Yourong.
Many had already guessed or understood why Zhong Hui conceded, but only after she spoke did those people dare to truly believe it, because it was indeed somewhat unbelievable.
The entire venue was silent, and the quiet had lasted a long time.
So Gou Hanshi had already succeeded in Star Gathering.
His own expression was very calm. The disciples of Lishan Sword Sect naturally couldn’t hide their pride. Guan Feibai still wore that deadpan face, but the look in his eyes when he glanced at the National Academy crowd was clearly different.
Chen Changsheng said with emotion, “Admirable.”
Zhe Xiu said, “Second fastest.”
Among the younger generation, Gou Hanshi’s speed in achieving Star Gathering ranked second. Mo Yu and Tianhai Shengxue were both older than him when they succeeded.
As for the one in first place, it was naturally still Qiushan Jun.
Tang Thirty-Six’s face was expressionless as he said in a low voice, “You need to hurry up.”
This was naturally directed at Chen Changsheng.
Gou Hanshi looked toward the National Academy crowd, gazing at Chen Changsheng as he slowly nodded.
He didn’t speak, but Chen Changsheng understood his meaning.
Chen Changsheng was silent for a moment, then stood up.
The field erupted in an uproar.