Chapter 42: One Sword, Snow Falls

At the cliff’s edge, besides Li Hao and his group, several others stood watching, occasionally glancing toward the abyss.

Clearly, falling from here would mean certain death—so treacherous that many hesitated.

Yet on the Iron Chain stretching across the chasm, seven or eight figures were already making their way forward, each displaying their own skill.

Some moved with calm composure, walking steadily as the chain swayed like waves on the sea—unshaken, their feet seemingly glued to the metal links.

Others stretched out their arms, struggling to maintain balance, taking cautious, deliberate steps.

Still others chose a method that looked clumsy but incredibly stable: gripping the chain links one by one, crawling forward slowly, inch by inch.

Passing over the links alone wouldn’t be hard—most here could do it.

But this trial wasn’t about physical strength. It was a test of courage.

At ten thousand feet above the ground, who wouldn’t feel their legs tremble?

“With no courage at all, how can you face a Spirit Beast?”

Among those who had just passed, a youth in fine robes stood coolly, his expression distant. Without hesitation, he leapt forward, landing smoothly on the chain with perfect poise.

He chose the elegant path—walking straight across, hands clasped behind his back, radiating effortless calm.

His move instantly drew attention. A murmur rose among the onlookers, and soon, someone recognized him.

“Look—the cloud pattern on his sleeve… he’s from the Su Family of Yunzhou!”

“The Su Family? One of the Three Great Houses of Yunzhou, with deep roots.”

“No wonder he’s so fearless. The frontier regions of Yunzhou are rife with Spirit Beasts—probably trained in this kind of thing since childhood.”

Whispers spread. Some of the hesitant began to waver, torn between fear and ambition.

“Hao Ge, let’s go,” Li Yuanzhao said, shifting uncomfortably. Seeing someone take the lead, he turned to Li Hao.

Li Hao scanned the area, but saw no sign of the Tan Palace Academy delegation. A flicker of confusion crossed his mind.

Logically, they should have sent someone to meet them. Otherwise, what was the point of sending the invitation?

“Alright,” Li Hao sighed. With no one coming, he had no choice but to agree.

“Hmph. There’s no cheating this one,” Si Xiaolan sneered at Li Hao, her tone laced with resentment. She still resented the way he’d breezed through the first trial using his connections—she found it deeply unfair.

“Is that so?” Li Hao raised an eyebrow, surprised. Did she really not know who I am?

But he didn’t bother arguing with a child.

“Here’s a saying,” he mused, turning to her. “Little sister, when you’re out in the world, strength isn’t just about fists—or having someone behind you.”

“Huh?” Si Xiaolan narrowed her brows. That sounded oddly familiar…

“Because having someone behind you isn’t enough,” Li Hao smiled faintly, his eyes distant, serene. “You’ve got to have people in front of you, too.”

He gave her a light chuckle, then looked up at the sky, as if gazing beyond the world.

“Brother, I’m coming.”

“Hao Ge, should I carry you?” Li Yuanzhao instantly understood. Having heard the elders say Li Hao had poor cultivation potential—only capable of Body Cultivation—he’d long thought of this solution. He wasn’t about to let Li Hao be humiliated.

Li Hao smiled, patting his shoulder.

Li Yuanzhao bent down without hesitation.

Li Hao didn’t waste a word. He simply leapt onto his back, then waved casually at the stunned girl beside them.

“See you on the other side.”

Before she could react, Li Yuanzhao surged forward—launching himself across the chasm in a single, fluid leap, landing firmly on the Iron Chain.

The chain trembled violently, yet Li Yuanzhao, bearing Li Hao’s weight, swayed with it like a tree in the wind—his feet locked onto the metal, never losing grip.

Without waiting for the chain to settle, he broke into a sprint, moving as if running on solid ground.

Peak Zhou Tian Realm, combined with years of rigorous training in the Combat Scripture and the foundational stance drills from the Training Ground—this challenge was child’s play.

The sight of a man dashing across the chain, carrying another, left everyone—except Si Xiaolan—stunned.

They’d seen show-offs before, but never someone so brazen—acting as if the chain were a straight, flat road!

Even on level ground, few could match that speed.

And he was carrying someone!

When the onlookers caught sight of their clothes, one sharp-eyed observer gasped.

“Wait… those are the First Family of Qingzhou!”

The realization hit like a thunderclap.

They’d heard the rumors—but seeing it with their own eyes? The truth surpassed all tales.

Soon, the noble youth in fine robes—who had walked the chain with effortless grace—was overtaken by Li Yuanzhao’s furious pace.

The youth, still composed, only showed the faintest flicker of surprise as the blur of motion flashed past him.

Before long, Li Yuanzhao reached the far bank.

The Iron Chain, stretching a thousand zhang across the sky, wove through white mountain mist.

His sprint had blown the fog apart in its wake.

As he landed on the other side, he immediately drew attention from nearby figures.

Li Hao patted his back, stepped down, and looked around.

Clearly, they weren’t the first to arrive—others who had passed the earlier trials were already gathered.

Before them stood the disciples of Tan Palace Academy, all teens of seventeen or eighteen, clad in elegant black-and-white robes that gave them an air of ethereal grace.

Of course, it only looked that way on those with slender frames and refined features.

Others—those bulkier or less handsome—stood out, somewhat awkwardly.

“Who’s that? That guy’s terrifying!”

“Did he just run in? And carried someone?”

“One dared to carry, the other dared to be carried!”

“Shh—be careful. They’re from the General’s Mansion Li Family…”

The crowd buzzed with speculation.

Li Yuanzhao stepped forward, approaching one of the academy youths.

“Is there another trial here?”

“Yes,” the youth replied, recognizing him instantly. Having studied in Qingzhou City for years, and living near the Divine General’s Residence, it was impossible not to know the Li Family name.

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

If the first trial tested basic skills, and the second tested courage, this third one… seemed designed to humble the newcomers.

Li Yuanzhao’s small eyes flashed with eager determination.

“Please, grant me the honor!”

He bowed formally, then stepped back, assuming a fighting stance.

“You may choose a weapon,” the youth said with a smile.

“No need,” Li Yuanzhao replied. “Just one round.”

The youth’s eyes flickered. A hint of offense. But recalling the legends of the Li Clan—prodigies raised on endless resources—he didn’t press it. Instead, curiosity stirred within him.

He dropped his sword, stepping forward with a punch.

Wind roared from his fist—like a tiger pouncing, a wolf biting. The attack was fierce.

But Li Yuanzhao shifted his foot like a eel slipping through mud—fluid, sudden—then spun and fired a counter-punch.

Boom!

The two fists collided. The youth staggered back three steps.

Li Yuanzhao, meanwhile, only sank slightly into the ground—then stood firm.

The youth’s face paled.

He hadn’t used full strength, but that punch carried over ten thousand catties of power—equivalent to a Third Level of Cosmic Circulation.

Far beyond the beginner threshold of Strength Consolidation Peak.

And yet… he nearly lost?

At least Fifth Level of Celestial Circulation… maybe even Seventh or Eighth. Or perhaps he’s mastered a top-tier Circulation Technique, or Meridian Opening Method.

The youth’s expression hardened. The rumors were true—Li Clan heirs were prodigies, nurtured on resources far beyond their peers.

The onlookers stared, stunned.

Was this really the prodigy from the Divine General’s Residence?

At that moment, the chain swayed again.

More figures leapt onto it—first the Yunzhou Su Family youth, then Si Xiaolan and the others.

The Tan Palace Academy disciples quickly explained the rules. Hearing them, their expressions darkened.

Even they, as proven talents, knew this would be no easy task. Their opponent had trained for years.

Si Xiaolan’s gaze flicked to Li Hao. Seeing him still standing there, she couldn’t help but scowl.

She knew he had an invitation. This trial would likely be skipped for him.

While they’d struggled through every obstacle, he’d just… walked in.

That’s the difference a birthright makes.

“Your turn,” a broad-shouldered youth said to Li Hao.

Li Hao smiled faintly.

As Si Xiaolan’s expression turned triumphant—“I knew it!”—Li Hao calmly pulled out the invitation.

“I have an invitation.”

He wasn’t about to waste energy like Li Yuanzhao. Not when he could bypass the effort entirely.

“Invitation?”

The crowd turned, eyes wide—some shocked, others envious.

The youth blinked, then frowned. He’d heard rumors. After a moment’s hesitation, he took the invitation, studied it briefly, then returned it.

“Even with an invitation, basic trials still stand. I’ll hold back a little.”

Li Hao froze.

The youth who had tested Li Yuanzhao, and the other academy disciples nearby, silently groaned.

Oh no. Not this one again.

“Then let’s begin,” the broad youth said, his Qi flowing through his body, ready to strike.

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

“I said I’ll hold back,” the youth replied firmly. “You still need to show something. Otherwise, people will think we’re letting powerful aristocrats walk through the door without merit.”

Li Hao stared, speechless.

Some people really come in all shapes and sizes. This one’s clearly the stubborn type.

“Pfft—” Si Xiaolan burst out laughing. Her bright eyes sparkled with amusement.

She’d thought he’d slip through easily… but now he’d met a real one. Even the brute’s rough look seemed… almost handsome now.

“Anything you want,” the youth said seriously, pointing to the weapon rack nearby.

Li Hao sighed, not angry—just a little weary.

But he respected the man’s integrity.

He walked to the rack, drew a sword, and returned to face the youth.

“Using a sword?” The youth nodded. “Then you go first.”

He drew his own blade, eyes sharpening—his stance radiating the solemn focus of a Sword Saint.

“No,” Li Hao said. “You go first.”

“I go first, you won’t get a chance,” the youth said firmly.

“…Alright,” Li Hao exhaled.

He raised the sword, and with a casual flick—

Snowfall.

A single, silent motion.

The air turned cold.

Si Xiaolan blinked—then froze.

For a moment, it felt like snow had begun to fall.

She looked up, startled.

“Autumn’s not even here… why is it snowing?”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end