Returning from the Northern Frontier to the Divine Capital, Liu Banbi stared at Wei Xu with some interest, as if finding it hard to comprehend that Wei Xu had stepped into the Nepenthe Realm.
Liu Banbi had ventured to the Northern Frontier very early on, and when he left the academy, he was not a sword immortal. Similarly, at that time, Wei Xu was just an ordinary scholar who had not reached this realm. He killed demons for many years in the Northern Frontier's wind and snow, finally stepping into the realm of Sword Immortal. It was an incredible achievement. However, he did not expect that Wei Xu, who had been quietly studying in the academy, would also step into this realm one day.
Over the years, Liu Banbi had not actively paid attention to the academy's developments. It was only today that he realized Wei Xu had reached this realm. Therefore, his earlier surprise was quite understandable.
Wei Xu did not have many nice things to say about this fellow apprentice. However, since he appeared here, Wei Xu understood that regardless of the purpose behind Liu Banbi's inquiry, whether intentional or not, the final outcome would no longer continue.
Turning to leave, Wei Xu was stopped by Liu Banbi's shout, "Wei Xu, care for a duel? You were not as good as me back then in studying, let's see if you're still inferior to me when it comes to fighting now?"
Liu Banbi looked at Wei Xu with a sly smile. At his waist, the Embracing Cicada trembled slightly at this moment. Although the sound was not loud, the sword qi was abundant, and the sword intent was fierce. In the midst of the snowstorm, with the sword qi surging, it seemed that the next moment, the flying sword would unsheathe, and spill the blood of this fellow disciple on the spot.
Feeling the pervasive sword intent between heaven and earth, Wei Xu showed no signs of fear. He just smiled slightly and said, "After returning to the academy, are you not paying Teacher a visit?"
Hearing this, Liu Banbi furrowed his brows slightly, but in the end, the sword intent that filled the sky dissipated completely at this moment.
Embracing Cicada was originally slightly out of the sheathw. At this moment, it returned to the sheathe completely.
Wei Xu did not say anything more and turned to leave.
Liu Banbi then walked towards Xie Nandu with a smile. After getting a clear look at the girl's face under the umbrella, he could not help but marvel sincerely, "When we hadn't met, Senior Brother always thought that since Little Junior Sister is a genius girl who later chose to practice the sword too, you might not be so perfect in other aspects. But who would have thought that Junior Sister's appearance is also extraordinarily beautiful? Senior Brother hasn't seen many women, but judging by Junior Sister's looks, you can be considered one of the most perfect women in the world."
Although Liu Banbi had studied under the Dean at the academy in his early years, after many years of practicing the sword in the snowy wilderness, he had lost all traces of being a scholar. Now, his way of speaking carried the taste of the howling winds and snow.
Xie Nandu looked at this senior brother she had never met before. From start to end, she only smiled slightly and nodded. She then politely replied, "Senior Brother is too kind in your praise."
After exchanging greetings with his junior sister, Liu Banbi turned his attention to Chen Chao, narrowing his eyes slightly. After some thought, he said, "During the Myriad Willow Convention's martial examination, you were the winner. I was traveling with a junior of the sword path on our way to the south, and we just separated outside the Divine Capital. He spoke quite a bit about you, saying you're not bad and that you're quite close with my junior sister?"
Chen Chao looked at this sword immortal in green, not knowing how to respond for a moment. He even felt a bit scared. If he openly said they were actually not close, but that I like your junior sister, would this green-robed sword immortal draw his sword and perform a few slashes on him?
Chen Chao had the intention of challenging Wei Xu, and naturally had some fighting spirit towards this green-robed sword immortal too. However, in reality, if the two decided to kill him, it would probably be as easy as squashing an ant.
The Nepenthe Realm was the highest level attainable by cultivators in the current world, filled with profound mysteries and divine abilities beyond the comprehension of ordinary cultivators.
Seeing Chen Chao remain silent, Liu Banbi became somewhat displeased and said, "What's the matter? Looking down on me? How about taking a look at my sword?"
Only then, did Chen Chao say helplessly, "The reputation of Sword Immortal Liu is so illustrious. How could this junior dare to look down upon you?"
Swords and arrows might be blocked, but flattery can pierce through all.
However, Liu Banbi expressed some disgust, saying, "Don't say something like that. The two types of people I hate most in my life are those like Wei Xu, a hypocrite who appears broad-minded on the surface but harbors deep thoughts, and the other kind is those who fawn over others mindlessly. Which type do you think you are?"
Chen Chao remained silent. He had patted the horse's leg instead of its back.[flattery failed and ended up offending instead] What could he do?
Suddenly, Liu Banbi burst into laughter, giving Chen Chao a pat on the shoulder. "You're not bad, kid. I've heard about the things you've done. If all the wardens in the Great Liang Dynasty were like you, the common people wouldn't suffer as much."
After saying this, Liu Banbi glanced at Xie Nandu and the latter continued, "Teacher is still at the academy. Senior Brother can go ahead on your own."
Being seen through by his little junior sister, Liu Banbi did not find it odd. But, he felt a bit panicky, and said, "Actually, I wanted Little Junior Sister to accompany me. Is Teacher's temper still the same as it used to be?"
Xie Nandu replied softly, "I don't know how Teacher was back then."
Liu Banbi rubbed his head and did not refute this statement. Having left the academy for many years to exterminate demons in the Northern Frontier, he did indeed do it for the sake of the people of Great Liang. However, in these years, he had not returned to the academy, and it was difficult to say whether it was because he did not dare to face the Dean. After all, before he switched to sword cultivation, the Dean had high expectations for him. At that time, Liu Banbi was probably similar to Xie Nandu now or Wei Xu in his earlier days.
But cultivating the sword was cultivating the sword. Now, even his junior sister was practicing the sword too. Although such a thing was uncommon, it was not considered too outrageous. What was truly outrageous was that after cultivating the sword, he had stopped studying altogether. That was the most disastrous part.
Thinking that he might have to face the disappointed eyes of his teacher, Liu Banbi, this sword immortal who had once gone on a massacre amidst the demon army, now felt a lack of confidence.
He glanced pitifully at his junior sister, but Xie Nandu did not spare a glance at her senior brother at the moment.
Her gaze had been fixed on Chen Chao all along.
Liu Banbi sighed, wondering if his careful guidance before had failed to make his junior sister grateful to him.
Liu Banbi who felt very hurt did not say anything. He turned around and left this sorrowful place.
After this sword cultivator in green left, Chen Chao finally breathed a sigh of relief. Liu Banbi seemed friendly, but in reality, when he spoke earlier, there was always a sword intent circulating around Chen Chao.
It was very dangerous.
Now that both senior brothers had left, Xie Nandu spoke, "Senior Brother Wei wouldn't have killed you earlier, whether I came out or not."
Chen Chao made a sound in acknowledgment and then said, "I know he was testing you."
Indeed, Wei Xu's stance was not testing Chen Chao but rather, testing Xie Nandu.
"In that case, you shouldn't have come out."
Chen Chao looked at Xie Nandu and said, "Revealing your weakness isn't a good thing."
Xie Nandu did not speak.
