In the sky, the White Jade Capital stands tall, akin to a celestial palace hovering in the air.

Below the nine hundred and ninety-nine steps, looking up, one can see a grand door of the Immortal Palace, shrouded in mist, reflecting the light of the clouds. Entering that door leads to the White Jade Academy.

Occasionally, cultivators wearing academy attire walk upon those steps.

Below the steps, some passersby occasionally stop and look up at the celestial palace, their hearts filled with admiration and reverence unconsciously revealed in their eyes, for that is the holy land of cultivation for the world.

The position of the White Jade Academy in the minds of cultivators surpasses that of the court. It is a place of 'teaching', imparting wisdom and skills, whereas the court represents 'might', exerting its authority over the world.

The area surrounding the White Jade Academy is extremely bustling, with taverns and inns standing everywhere. Those who wish to enter the academy for cultivation often stay around here, hence the abundance of talents. Even a casual passerby could be a prodigy from his sect, family, or city.

Therefore, some say that on this land, heroes are as numerous as fish crossing a river.

And today, more so than ever.

The 'Chaotian Pavilion' is one of the finest taverns in the area, with nine stories. The terrace at the very top is most famous, directly facing the steps of the White Jade Academy, offering a clear view of the celestial door.

At this moment, in the pavilion in the sky, many cultivators are enjoying fine wine. Each one, without exception, possesses an extraordinary aura.

Li Fan is among them. He has changed into a resplendent moon-white brocade robe that shimmers with light. A Golden Punishment Sword hangs at his waist, and his brows carry an intrinsic pride, reflecting the noble demeanor of a family's young master. With two beauties by his side, his extraordinary grace is even more pronounced.

Occasionally, someone would glance over at them, but it would only be a brief look. No one would linger, as everyone here is of exceptional background.

"I heard that three years ago, a young man arrived at the White Jade Academy, and now even the headmaster wants to take him as a disciple, but he refused." At this, a voice was heard, drawing many eyes toward its source, revealing a relatively young-looking man, seemingly in his early thirties. However, given his high cultivation talent, his actual age could be greater.

The founder of White Jade was called Master, and later generations dared not assume that title. Now, the head of White Jade Academy is referred to as the headmaster.

"I have also heard of this person; who is he, and what is his level of cultivation?" someone asked out of curiosity.

The person who had spoken earlier shook his head. "His origins are unknown. Rumors say he has no cultivation level, though this is rather absurd. Recently, the headmaster even allowed him to lecture, which, to some extent, means he's considered a teacher at White Jade Academy."

At the foremost academy in the Great Li World, a teacher must at least be at the later stage of the Dao Body realm; how could he have no cultivation?

"A teacher?" someone asked, puzzled. "How old is he?"

"His age is also uncertain. According to academy disciples, he appears very young. Since he first entered White Jade Academy, he spends all his time in the Book Collection Pavilion reading. In three years, he has nearly read through the entire collection at the academy."

"The Book Collection Pavilion at White Jade Academy holds millions of volumes. It would be difficult to finish even in thirty years." Someone doubted this claim. "However, since the headmaster wishes to take him as a disciple and lets him lecture, he must be a rare genius. Is he yet another extraordinary figure in the Great Li?"

"Do we know his name?"

"Only his surname—Mu—is known. Academy disciples call him Young Master."

"With Wen Ruyu from Li Mountain cutting down heroes, and now a new young master at White Jade Academy, the cultivation scene in the Great Li is becoming more intriguing," a middle-aged man said with a laugh as he drank.

"Qi Zhanyun, what brings you to Jade City?" a handsome young man asked, smiling at the speaker.

The people in the tavern looked surprised, glancing at the middle-aged man. It turned out to be Qi Zhanyun.

"With so many heroes gathering, how could I not come to see?" Qi Zhanyun replied with a smile. "Besides, if I meet that Wen Ruyu, I'd very much like to test the sword of Li Mountain."

Upon hearing this, the crowd did not think it was wild talk. Qi Zhanyun of Qi Tian Pavilion has long been renowned for his combat prowess, with many predicting he could become one of the future's strongest martial arts practitioners in the Great Li World.

"Many say that you will become the Great Li's strongest in martial arts. Do you think you could dominate the realm in the future?" the man continued to ask with a smile.

Qi Zhanyun gave him a glance and said, "I know who you are and what you think. In this world, many seniors stand at the pinnacle, and among my generation, some outshine me. While my name will be known in the future cultivation realm of Great Li, it does not belong solely to me."

"Who would have thought that Qi Zhanyun of Qi Tian Pavilion could be so humble? Who do you believe, in your generation, has the potential to be unrivaled?"

"The young master you just mentioned, to be so valued by the academy headmaster, must be exceptional. Aside from him, there are at least three others in White Jade Academy more renowned than me." Qi Zhanyun raised his cup and drank it all in one go. "Furthermore, that Wen Ruyu of Li Mountain, being a descendant of the Haoran Sword and disciple of the Canglan Blade, has already surpassed me with his aura of commanding dauntless courage."

"Despite my self-confidence, I am aware of my limits. If it's about fighting, I fear none, but if it's about naming the extraordinary figures of Great Li, it won't be me, Qi Zhanyun."

"How noble," the handsome young man replied, smiling and raising his glass in a toast. "To speak of extraordinary figures in this world, there is one in White Jade Academy who unquestionably belongs at the forefront."

The crowd nodded in agreement, fully aware of whom he meant.

Xiao Lv of White Jade Academy is universally acclaimed as a prodigy of the age. His Daoist skills are unrivaled, and his sword aura reaches the heavens. Though the world has never seen him in action, all the geniuses within White Jade Academy bow to him.

Rumor has it that Xiao Lv has already reached the pinnacle of the Dao Body realm, and some say he can challenge the Seventh Realm.

"With you saying that, there aren't many in the Great Li World who can be considered his equal," someone laughed, noting that Xiao Lv is considered a rare genius, and those who could be mentioned alongside him are few.

"Can a certain prince be considered among them?" someone asked with a smile.

"Certainly," the crowd agreed with renewed interest.

"Lingxiao Pavilion's Saint Heir, Jiang Taie of the Jiang Family, the youngest Dao Body cultivator in Great Li history, with an Innate Sword Body, unrivaled among Lingxiao Pavilion disciples, can he be considered one?" another asked.

"Indeed, Jiang Taie of Lingxiao Pavilion. Some say that in ten years, the Great Li World will produce another top Great Sword Cultivator, and one day, he may become the leader of the Sword Dao, ascending to the peak of the Sword Saint List."

"I heard that in the Imperial City, there are a few noble family prodigies of unparalleled grace. Should they be considered?"

"Perhaps Warm Jade of Li Mountain, who cut down many heroes with his sword, now that the White Jade Academy has emerged a young master, the cultivation world in Great Li is getting more and more exciting," a middle-aged man said with a smile as he drank.

"Qi Zhanyun, what brings you to Jade City?" a handsome young man asked with a smile, looking at the speaking man.

The people in the tavern looked at the middle-aged man with surprise. It was Qi Zhanyun.

"With heroes gathered from all realms, how could I not come to see it?" Qi Zhanyun laughed. "Moreover, if I see that Wen Ruyu, I would love to test the sword of Li Mountain."

The crowd did not see his words as arrogance. Qi Zhanyun of Qi Tian Pavilion is already renowned for his battle prowess, with many predicting he will become one of the strongest Martial Arts Practitioners in the Great Li World.

"People say you will become the future's strongest in the Great Li World in martial arts. Do you believe you can stand out above all?" the smiling young man continued to ask.

Qi Zhanyun looked at him and said, "I know who you are and what you think. In today's world, many seniors stand on the peak, and among my generation, some are more outstanding than I am. My name will be among those in the future cultivation world of Great Li, but it does not belong to me alone."

"Surprising that the Qi Tian Pavilion's Qi Zhanyun can be so humble. Whom do you think, in this generation of the Great Li World, has the makings of an unparalleled figure?"

The young master you mentioned earlier, since he is held in such high regard by the headmaster, he must be extraordinary. Besides him, there are at least three people in White Jade Academy whose names are far superior to mine," Qi Zhanyun said, toasting with his cup and downing it boldly. "Moreover, that Wen Ruyu from Li Mountain is a descendant of the Haoran Sword, and he has apprenticed under Canglan Blade. Cutting down numerous prodigies with his sword, his spirit far surpasses mine."

"Although I do not claim to be mediocre, I am also realistic about my own abilities. If it comes to combat, I fear no one, but if it's about selecting the figures of prominence in the Great Li, it's not my place to overshadow them."

"Such magnanimity," the young man said with a smile, raising his glass in toast. "To speak of the extraordinary figures in this world, White Jade Academy harbors one who deserves the foremost place."

The crowd nodded in agreement. They naturally thought of one person who deserved the title.

In White Jade Academy, there's one such person who is the leader of the era, unmatched by any seen to have taken action yet. All the aspiring talents training at the academy admire him deeply.

"As for other individuals in the Great Li who can match him, there aren't many," someone said with a smile. Xiao Lv is praised as a unique genius, and those who can rival him are not numerous."

"Of course," the crowd showed interest and chimed in.

"Lingxiao Pavilion's Saint Heir, a member of the Jiang Family, and his brilliance surpasses all others in the pavilion; can we consider him a peer?" someone asked again.

"Yes, Jiang Taie of Lingxiao Pavilion. It is said that in ten years, he could reach unprecedented heights in the Great Li World's cultivation scene, standing at the pinnacle of the Sword Saint List."

"I hear that in the Imperial City, there are a few noble family prodigies whose elegance is unparalleled. Can they be considered as well?"

"Can we consider Li Mountain's Wen Ruyu, who wields the Haoran Sword and has cut down many a genius? With another young master appearing at White Jade Academy, the Great Li cultivation world is becoming ever more fascinating," the middle-aged man said with a smile.

"Qi Zhanyun, what brings you to Jade City?" a gentle-faced young man asked the speaking middle-aged man with a smile.

The crowd in the tavern showed a change in expression, glancing at the middle-aged man. It was Qi Zhanyun.

"With so many heroes gathered, how could I not come and see for myself?" Qi Zhanyun replied with a smile. "Besides, if I meet Wen Ruyu, I'd love to have a taste of Li Mountain's sword."

The crowd did not take those words as boasting, for Qi Zhanyun of Qi Tian Pavilion has long been famous for his combat prowess, and many consider that he could become one of the strongest martial arts practitioners in the future of the Great Li World.

"People say you may become the strongest in martial arts in the Great Li's future, but do you think you can overshadow all others?" the young man continued to ask with a smile.

Qi Zhanyun gave him a look, "I know who you are, and your thoughts. There are many seniors standing at the pinnacle today, and among my generation, some are more outstanding than I am. While my name will be known in the future cultivation world of Great Li, it will not belong solely to me."

"Who would have thought that Qi Zhanyun from Qi Tian Pavilion would show such humility? Who, in your opinion, has the potential to be a peerless figure in this generation of the Great Li cultivation world?"

"The young master you just mentioned, being favored by the academy head, is already extraordinary. Besides him, there are at least three people in White Jade Academy whose fame greatly surpasses mine." Qi Zhanyun raised his glass and drained it boldly, saying, "Moreover, Wen Ruyu from Li Mountain is a descendant of the Haoran Sword and disciple of Canglan Blade, who sliced through many geniuses. Such spirit already surpasses mine."

"Though I don't consider myself ordinary, I do have self-awareness. If it's about battle, I fear no one, but if we're talking about the Great Li's extraordinary figures, it isn't my turn yet to be named among them."

"What grace." The youthful-looking man smiled, raising his glass in a toast. "To speak of the world's extraordinary figures, there is one in White Jade Academy who unarguably deserves that title."

The crowd nodded in agreement. Of course, they naturally thought of someone noteworthy.

Within the White Jade Academy, there is one person who deserves the forefront, without contention," he said. The remarkable Xiao Lv is renowned as a world-class talent. Though nobody in the world has seen him take action, all the prodigies practicing at White Jade Academy bow to him.

"Considering that, there aren't many in the Great Li World who can match him," someone laughed and said. Xiao Lv is praised as a world-class genius, and those who can rival him are very few indeed."

"Among them is a figure from the Imperial Palace, two from the Lingxiao Pavilion, and one from White Jade Academy. Could Wen Ruyu of Li Mountain, with the Haoran Sword and as a disciple of Canglan Blade, be considered one?" someone added.

"Definitely. Jiang Taie of Lingxiao Pavilion, some say in another decade, he will become the strongest martial artist in the Great Li World and stand at the pinnacle of the Sword Saint List."

"I know there are still a few noble family prodigies in that Imperial City of Great Li, with peerless dignity. Can they also be considered?"

"Could Wen Ruyu of Li Mountain, who amazes with his sword and has cut down many prodigies, also be considered?"

The crowd paused for a moment to think, and someone said, "Wen Ruyu's swordsmanship is shocking, having defeated several prodigies. With another young master at White Jade Academy, the cultivation circle of the Great Li is becoming increasingly exciting."

"What do you think?" At a table in the middle, two people were sitting opposite each other. One of them asked the other, who had his head lowered and seemed to be drinking silently, not participating in the conversation around him.

"Me?" The man appeared thoughtful. "There are two in the Imperial Palace, one in Lingxiao Pavilion, and one in White Jade Academy. In the Jade City, there are some noble family prodigies with matchless presence. If you can defeat that Wen Ruyu, then you could be included."

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