That afternoon, a small party appeared on the official road outside the city.
There were only five people and five beasts in this group.
At the front rode a young man in his early twenties, dressed in noble black robes. His features were handsome and sharp, his eyes like lightning—imposing and full of authority.
Beneath him was a fire kirin, radiating a fearsome aura.
The kirin is king among beast demons and notoriously hard to tame. Though this fire kirin was only third-tier, its strength rivaled that of a Great Grandmaster.
To ride a fire kirin as a mount, there was only one person in all of Sanctum Martial Academy—Lance Xuanyuan.
Behind Lance Xuanyuan rode four others, each astride a fierce black tiger. These were also third-tier demon beasts, but still a notch below the fire kirin.
"Young Master Lingtian has returned from the frontier—quick, notify the academy leadership!"
A city wall officer, seeing this scene, ordered his men to inform those at the academy while he hurried down from the wall to greet Lance Xuanyuan.
Lance Xuanyuan, now twenty-four, was a living legend at Sanctum Martial Academy.
At sixteen, he reached the Grandmaster realm and condensed a Heaven-Rank Domain with a range of one hundred and nineteen meters.
At seventeen, he broke through to mid-Grandmaster.
At eighteen, he advanced to late Grandmaster.
At twenty, he reached early Great Grandmaster.
He became the youngest Great Grandmaster in the academy’s history.
At twenty-one, he used his early Great Grandmaster cultivation to break into the academy’s top ten advanced students.
At twenty-two, with mid-Great Grandmaster strength, he entered the top three among advanced students.
At twenty-three, he went to the frontier and joined the Human Race army.
Over the past two years, stories of his exploits have reached the academy—he’s racked up legendary battle achievements, killed more than a thousand Devil soldiers, and slain three Devil generals.
Even when he was away, tales of Lance Xuanyuan’s deeds echoed throughout the academy.
At the same time, he’s also the grandson of Dean Xander Xuanyuan.
Identity, looks, martial prowess, ability—he’s got it all. Any girl would probably fall for him.
Back when he was still at the academy, countless admirers confessed to him.
But he rejected every single one, never hesitating, and made it clear: he’d marry no one but Lynette Ji.
His devotion broke the hearts of many who loved him.
Even so, when word spread that he’d returned from the frontier, his admirers rushed to the city gate, dressed to impress.
Lance Xuanyuan’s return instantly became the biggest news at the academy.
And right after coming back, the first person Lance tried to see was Lynette Ji—but she gave him the cold shoulder.
Bang!
Inside a luxurious courtyard, Lance slammed his palm on the table, face full of anger. "Why? Why won’t she see me?"
"Young master, there’s something I’m not sure if I should say!"
A man in his early thirties spoke up cautiously.
This was Don Lawson, an early Great Grandmaster and one of the academy’s advanced students—also Lance’s loyal follower.
"Speak!"
Don became even more cautious: "From what I know, Senior Sister Ji booked all of Tianwu House the night before to host a private banquet for Leon Huang."
Lance’s eyes flashed sharply. "Who is this Leon Huang, and what makes him worthy of Lynette’s invitation?"
Don continued, "Young master, Leon Huang only joined Sanctum Martial Academy this year, but his talent is exceptional. He just broke through to Grandmaster a few days ago, and already formed a Heaven-Rank Domain. Even more incredible, he created a Five-Element Domain. During his breakthrough, three vice deans personally guarded him, and the dean himself met with him afterward. Right now, he’s the center of attention at the academy…"
"Enough!"
Lance cut Don off coldly, voice full of resentment. "So he’s just a Grandmaster. No matter how talented, he’s still just a junior Grandmaster. What gives him the right to make Lynette treat him differently? Go summon him for me—I want to see just what makes him think he can compete with me for her!"
"Young master, I’m afraid this isn’t wise. If the dean finds out—"
Lance’s tone turned stern. "Just go. If anything happens, I’ll take responsibility!"
"Yes, sir!"
Don saw that Lance wouldn’t be persuaded, so he could only obey, secretly regretting that he’d brought up Leon at all.
Elsewhere, in another courtyard.
Greenie looked at Lynette Ji, puzzled. "Princess, why won’t you see Lance Xuanyuan? If we could use him, surely—"
Lynette waved her hand, cutting Greenie off. "You think I don’t want to win him over? But he’s the dean’s grandson. If I get too close, I might expose my true identity. For now, I have to avoid him."
Back in his dorm, Leon Huang took out the sword-dao manual gifted by the Venerable Dragon Sword and began studying it again.
So he had no idea about Lance Xuanyuan’s return, nor that the legendary senior he’d never met already resented him.
Knock knock!
Someone knocked at the door.
Leon got up and opened the door, finding a plain-looking stranger in his early thirties standing outside.
"Can I help you?"
Don Lawson spoke gently, "Hello, Junior Brother Huang. I’m Don Lawson, an advanced student. Senior Brother Xuanyuan would like to see you—do you have time?"
Leon frowned slightly. "Who’s Senior Brother Xuanyuan?"
"You haven’t heard of Senior Brother Xuanyuan?" Don looked surprised, but then remembered Leon had only recently joined Sanctum, so it made sense he didn’t know Lance Xuanyuan’s reputation. He explained, "Senior Brother Xuanyuan’s full name is Lance Xuanyuan, the dean’s grandson. He left for the battlefield two years ago and just returned."
"What does he want with me?" Leon asked.
Don hesitated, then said, "Junior Brother Huang, let me give you some advice. When you meet Senior Brother Xuanyuan, don’t provoke him. And if he asks you to stay away from Lynette Ji, you’d best agree—it’s better for everyone that way!"
Leon was sharp; he instantly understood Don’s meaning. "So what you’re saying is, Senior Brother Xuanyuan is jealous about me and Senior Sister Lynette Ji?"
Don paused, then nodded. "Senior Brother Xuanyuan is fine in every way—except when it comes to love. He can’t tolerate rivals. If you just agree not to approach Senior Sister Ji, I doubt he’ll give you any trouble."
"Thanks for the heads-up, Senior Brother Don. I’ll keep it in mind!" Leon cupped his fists to Don, but thought to himself, Another poor guy bewitched by the fox princess.
Seeing Leon agree, Don finally relaxed.
He’d been worried that if Leon and Lance clashed, Lance might not come out on top—and could even get in trouble with the dean.
Fifteen minutes later.
Leon followed Don to a lavishly decorated courtyard.
A mighty fire kirin lay in the yard, while Lance Xuanyuan sat grandly in the center of the hall.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Xuanyuan."
Leon gave a slight bow to Lance Xuanyuan.
The moment Lance saw Leon, his anger flared. He’d chased Lynette Ji for years without ever getting a private moment with her, yet this junior had already gotten ahead of him. How could he accept that? He said coldly, "I thought the academy’s new rising star would be something special, but now that I see you, you’re nothing much."
Leon just smiled indifferently. "I’m definitely no match for you, Senior Brother Xuanyuan!"