The Imperial Preceptor of the Everpeace Empire appeared before the Grand Academy Hall, smiling: "Grand Rector, then I will presume to take the stage."
Warren Foyne followed behind him, scanning the crowd and frowning slightly: "Which one is my little junior brother?"
Quinn Shepherd had cured Her Majesty the Dowager Empress of the Thousand-Mechanism Poison, and Warren had glimpsed Quinn’s face through an insect’s eye. With so many people here, he couldn’t immediately spot Quinn in the crowd.
The Young Heavenly Demon Patriarch smiled: "You used to drop by from time to time as Grand Rector and give lectures to the scholars. It’s just that you haven’t come in recent years, so it’s hardly presumptuous. Please, go ahead."
The Imperial Preceptor walked to the steps, sweeping his gaze around, and said, "It’s hard to refuse the Grand Rector’s gracious invitation. Today I’ll open the altar and speak on the sword, but only for two days—nothing else."
Libationer Barrett muttered under his breath, "Wasn’t it supposed to be three days?"
The Young Heavenly Demon Patriarch glanced at him: "Dao Gate is only blocking our Academy gate for three days—half a day has already passed. If the Preceptor lectures for three full days, the chance will be lost."
Libationer Barrett sighed, "It’s a real shame—the Preceptor finally comes to teach, and yet can’t stay for two extra days… It’s as rare as the World-Honored One preaching at Great Thunderclap Temple, the Dao Lord transmitting the Dao, or the Cult Master of the Heavenly Demon personally conferring teachings. How precious is this?"
The Imperial Preceptor strolled down the steps, speaking leisurely: "What is a sword? Must its form and nature be fixed? I strongly disagree. Some say the sword has thousands of moves; others claim there are only fourteen: stab, lift, cloud, chop, cleave, point, crash, hang, flick, wipe, sweep, block, intercept, and flower. All nonsense!"
As he descended, the scholars below suddenly felt an immense pressure, as if a razor-sharp sword hung overhead, poised to strike—its unstoppable force seemed ready to tear open their bodies, their spirit embryos, their minds, and even their souls!