The Invincible Loser's Counterattack System: The Invincible Loser's Counterattack System, #10

By Hou Ji Xian Ren

Zhou Fei, known as "the number one failure of Chang'an" at the academy in the great Tang Dynasty's Chang'an, is actually a young man with a special identity and background. After accidentally acquiring a "failure system," he miraculously embarked on the path to becoming a top master, despite originally being unable to cultivate.

Facing challenges from academy teachers and ridicule from the nobility's children, Zhou Fei handles them with ease, demonstrating his extraordinary strength. An unexpected lodging crisis further allowed him to reveal his unique treasures and extraordinary methods, making his image of a failure even more mysterious.

How will Zhou Fei, with the failure system, rise against the odds to become a top master among the elites in the academy, continuing his legendary journey?

I refuse the path through the mountain of books, and I won't sail the endless sea of learning. Being such a failure already, why must I be transformed into a supreme master?
 

 

 

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 Since returning to Chang'an, Zhou Fei has rarely visited the core of the formation, spending most of his time wandering the streets.

 It's not that he didn't want to visit the core, but he understood that without addressing the problems elsewhere, visiting the core would be futile.

 Of course, if the enemy really attacked Chang'an City, the core could still play a significant role.

 That would be to fully catalyze the formation, making the city and the enemy perish together.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zhou Yan
• Release date: May 25, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223052555

Book preview

Chapter 541: Following the Instinct

Since returning to Chang’an, Zhou Fei has rarely visited the core of the formation, spending most of his time wandering the streets.

It’s not that he didn’t want to visit the core, but he understood that without addressing the problems elsewhere, visiting the core would be futile.

Of course, if the enemy really attacked Chang’an City, the core could still play a significant role.

That would be to fully catalyze the formation, making the city and the enemy perish together.

However, Zhou Fei would not resort to this method unless absolutely necessary.

Moreover, even if it came to the point of national extinction, taking a whole city down with the enemy wasn’t really a good option.

The civilians are innocent; perhaps they don’t wish to perish with the Tang Dynasty, or maybe they feel that changing rulers wouldn’t make much difference.

So, Zhou Fei was unlikely to resort to this desperate strategy.

The boat quickly arrived above the core of the formation. According to his third senior brother’s instructions, the core was located at the bottom of the lake, a small stone formation personally created by Fu Zi.

Even masters of the Divine Treasury Realm could not dive to the core’s heart, only those holding the key to the formation could pass without hindrance.

Zhou Fei slowly stood up and began to undress.

It being winter, he wore thick clothes. Zhou Fei carefully folded each piece of clothing as he removed it, placing it at the front of the boat. When he was down to his undergarments, Zhou Fei stretched his arms and legs, then plunged into the water.

The lake water was icy, carrying a bone-chilling coldness.

But the water was also crystal clear, with very high visibility. Zhou Fei, with his eyes open underwater, could see the deep scenery.

The fat big fishes, startled, scattered in all directions.

Zhou Fei kept swimming towards the lake bed.

After about the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, he saw the core of the formation at the bottom of the lake.

This was the first time Zhou Fei had seen the complete form of the core.

A formation that, with his current level, he couldn’t fully comprehend.

Twelve large stones, plus dozens of smaller ones, were piled together, at first glance resembling the Bagua formation from the Three Kingdoms era.

It also resembles the Taiji Diagram.

Zhou Fei turned his eyes into a camera and his brain into a memory card, recording the complete form of the core from all angles.

Then he returned to the surface, used his inner strength to dry his body, and, after getting dressed, returned to his room.

Sitting on the recliner, Zhou Fei drank the red wine that Fu Zi disliked, his eyes blankly staring ahead.

However, his mind was filled with the shape of the core.

There was one thing Zhou Fei was absolutely certain of, and that was that there was no concept of Taiji in the Great Wilderness.

Zhou Fei had once mentioned the concept of Taiji to Fu Zi, who found it very interesting, but explicitly told Zhou Fei that the concept of Taiji had never appeared in the Great Wilderness. If Zhou Fei was willing to study it, perhaps he could develop and expand the concept of Taiji.

But the pattern of the core, the more Zhou Fei recalled it, the more he felt that it was exactly the same as the Taiji Diagram.

A concept that clearly had never existed, yet it appeared in this way in Chang’an’s most important formation.

Could this be what is called the will of heaven?

Zhou Fei put down his wine glass, took out paper and a pen, and began to draw.

He first roughly sketched out the shape of the core, and then, relying on his memory of the Taiji pattern, Zhou Fei tried to complete the Taiji Diagram of the core.

But no matter how Zhou Fei tried, it felt very awkward.

The core was already quite perfect in structure. After all, it was personally created by Fu Zi, and there was probably no one in the entire Great Wilderness who could add to or subtract from it.

However, when he saw the complete appearance of the core, Zhou Fei had a feeling in his heart that the core was not yet complete.

Perhaps Fu Zi had foreseen today’s situation back then, so he left room for the core to be completed.

Completing the core would solve the formation’s problems.

Of course, these were all Zhou Fei’s personal speculations. Only Fu Zi himself would know if this was the case.

Unconsciously, the sky had darkened.

Zhou Fei put down his pen and paper, rubbed his sore eyes, stood up and stretched, and walked out of the door onto the street.

Before the war, Chang’an was still quite lively after nightfall, with bright lights and bustling crowds.

Now, not to mention the streets, even the houses on both sides rarely show any lights.

The resources in Chang’an City have become quite scarce, and lighting a lamp has become a luxury for ordinary people.

In fact, not just for the common folk, even the lights in the imperial palace are diminishing day by day. Now, only a few important palaces still have lights shining; the rest are plunged into darkness.

Zhou Fei propelled himself into the air with spiritual energy, reaching a height where he could overlook the entirety of Chang’an City.

He rotated slowly in the air like a radar, observing Chang’an City from all angles - a habit Zhou Fei had developed. Previously, he always observed during the day, but tonight, on a whim, he decided to observe the city at night.

As he looked around, Zhou Fei’s fingers traced shapes in the air.

After seeing the full view of the core, an idea popped into Zhou Fei’s head: to see if the main streets of Chang’an City could be connected in some way to the pattern of the core.

However, unfortunately, this idea did not bear fruit.

After a while, Zhou Fei landed and sighed deeply.

You look quite disheartened, a voice came from behind him. Zhou Fei managed a bitter smile and turned to bow, Greetings to Master Tong.

Master Tong said, You’ve already done well enough.

Zhou Fei replied, There’s no need to comfort me, Master. I actually haven’t done anything.

You’ve done a lot, you just haven’t realized it, Master Tong said. Your presence alone is the greatest reassurance for the defenders of Chang’an City. Without you, there might have already been mutinies. Not everyone shares the determination to coexist with Chang’an. Many officials have reached a consensus to pressure His Majesty into surrendering to the Temple.

Zhou Fei clenched his teeth, These spineless people.

It’s human nature, Master Tong said. So, you see how significant your contribution has been.

Zhou Fei replied, What’s the use? If the formation isn’t repaired, Chang’an City will eventually fall. It’s been days since I’ve heard from my fellow students at the academy. I fear that the situation on the front lines is not optimistic, and it might even... Once the Temple’s forces join with those outside the city, the fall of Chang’an City will officially begin its countdown. I can’t change any of this; I’ve let down Fu Zi and my fellow students.

Suddenly, Master Tong asked, I saw you drawing in the air earlier. What were you drawing?

Zhou Fei shared some of his rudimentary thoughts.

Taiji? Master Tong was hearing this term for the first time and found it quite interesting. Sometimes intuition is very important. If you’ve got the right feeling, you might find the direction you’re looking for. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Even if you don’t succeed in the end, as long as you’ve done everything you can, you’ve already made a statement for Chang’an, for the Tang Dynasty.

Chapter 542: Complete Defeat

Master Tong’s words only offered Zhou Fei momentary comfort, for in this world, true empathy is rare.

The task of repairing the grand formation ultimately fell to Zhou Fei alone.

And so did the burden of that pressure.

The night deepened.

Dragging his weary body, Zhou Fei returned home. Despite his exhaustion, sleep eluded him. He sat on the terrace, lying on a lounger, gazing at the red moon in the sky.

Zhou Fei had repeated the same words many times before, so this time, he chose silence.

Simply watching in quiet.

The figure within the red moon seemed much more indifferent than before, this subtle change instilling fear in Zhou Fei.

A distinct figure meant that his teacher and Heaven’s Dao were locked in an indistinguishable battle; indifference implied both might have reached their limits.

No matter who won, it seemed unlikely the other could continue to exist in this world.

Such an intense confrontation, such a heavy toll on both his teacher and Heaven’s Dao, was a torturous experience.

While his teacher was still fighting, Zhou Fei was close to surrendering.

One glass of red wine followed another, and soon the bottle was nearly empty.

Zhou Fei’s complexion turned as dark as the wine.

He slowly stood up, swaying as he made his way to his liquor cabinet.

There were many bottles there.

Tonight, Zhou Fei wanted to forget everything and simply drown his sorrows in drink.

But as his hand reached for a bottle, a pale, cold hand covered his, cool as the night’s lake water.

Stop drinking, Song Fei said softly. You’re already drunk.

Zhou Fei looked at her with blurred vision and let out a belch: How did you get here?

Song Fei replied, I was feeling restless, so I came to check on you.

Still, Zhou Fei took down the bottle and grabbed an extra glass, staggering towards the terrace as he spoke, Since you’re here, join me for a couple of drinks. You’ve definitely never had anything like this before!

Song Fei let out a soft sigh and silently followed Zhou Fei.

They reached the terrace and sat down side by side. Although drunk, Zhou Fei’s hand was as steady as always as he poured half a glass of red wine for Song Fei and slowly pushed it in front of her: Come, try it.

Song Fei said, I don’t drink.

Zhou Fei raised a finger: Just one glass, okay?

Song Fei hesitated for a moment before picking up the glass and taking a tiny sip.

Zhou Fei leaned half his body towards Song Fei: How is it?

It tastes a bit strange, Song Fei replied.

That’s what Teacher said when he first drank red wine, Zhou Fei chuckled. People who’ve never had red wine will find it a bit strange, but after a few more glasses, they’ll get used to it. Come on, have some more.

Song Fei shook her head: No, I won’t.

Zhou Fei raised his eyebrows: You’re not giving me any face!

Zhou Fei! Song Fei’s expression darkened. Do you know what you’re doing? An entire city of people is waiting for you to save them. The entire Tang Dynasty has placed its hopes on you, yet here you are, drinking yourself into a stupor! Fu Zi and the teachers at the academy put so much faith in you, and how can you bear to betray their trust?

Zhou Fei said with a wry smile, I’m a good-for-nothing. I’m Chang’an’s number one good-for-nothing. I can’t handle such a big responsibility. Everyone expects me to step forward and turn the tide, but who has ever asked me if I can shoulder this responsibility, if I can withstand this pressure? Do you know how terrifying the pressure from the entire Tang Dynasty is?

So because the pressure is too great, you’re going to retreat, escape, and refuse to face it? Song Fei was so angry that she threw the wine right into Zhou Fei’s face. You’ve really disappointed me!

This splash of wine startled Zhou Fei awake, clearing his vision somewhat. However, the despair and helplessness hidden in his eyes still lingered.

Zhou Fei collapsed back onto the chair, raised his hand towards the sky, and slowly spoke, You’re right, I chickened out. After all, I never thought that I would one day take on the role of a savior. I used to watch those hero movies, like Iron Man and Superman, and think they were so awesome. But when I actually started playing the part, I realized how tiring and miserable being a superhero is. Extraordinary deeds require extraordinary abilities, and I’ve come to find out that I just don’t have it.

You do. You just haven’t realized it yet, Song Fei countered. If you didn’t have the ability, why would I stay to help you? Don’t underestimate yourself, don’t sell yourself short.

Chicken soup for the soul? Zhou Fei cocked his head and looked at Song Fei. That doesn’t work on me.

Before Song Fei could reply, they suddenly heard a loud noise from outside, followed by the flare of flames bursting forth along the city walls.

Zhou Fei instantly sobered up and leapt out in a flash.

Song Fei followed closely behind.

They swiftly arrived at the city walls, where a battle was already underway with the army outside the city.

Zhou Fei randomly grabbed hold of a soldier and asked, What happened? Why did the fighting suddenly start?

Recognizing Zhou Fei, the soldier quickly replied, Sixth Master, the allied forces outside the city launched a surprise attack, and we were forced to fight back.

A surprise attack? Zhou Fei’s heart skipped a beat when he heard that. What he had worried about the most had finally happened.

The academy had fallen!

The allied forces would not have dared to launch an all-out attack on Chang’an City without orders from the Divine Hall.

The Divine Hall would not have dared to give such an order unless they had defeated the academy.

Have you seen First Senior Brother and the others? Zhou Fei asked.

The soldier shook his head.

Zhou Fei let him go, and the soldier hurriedly returned to his position, picking up his weapon to fight back against the enemy.

Relying on their superior firepower, the allied forces outside the city were quickly repelled, but not without paying a heavy price.

The defenders had also suffered significant casualties, however, as many soldiers had been caught off guard and killed by archers from the Chu and Zhao armies during the surprise attack.

Now that the battle was over, each squad began to count its losses, carrying the dead and severely wounded off the city walls. As for those who had only minor injuries, they bandaged themselves up and continued to defend their posts.

Zhou Fei and Song Fei walked around the city walls, comforting the wounded soldiers.

At the same time, Zhou Fei also silently calculated the remaining stock of firearms.

It was much less than he had expected.

These soldiers had ultimately failed to fully grasp the use of firearms, resulting in a lot of waste.

Based on their current stock, they should be able to withstand three or four more surprise attacks.

However, the main force of the Divine Hall’s army had yet to arrive, and they were the ones who would pose the real threat to the city.

One more thing filled Zhou Fei with worry.

The Temple Master.

If the academy had been defeated, it meant that the Temple Master had won.

As long as the Temple Master was not fatally wounded, he would definitely come to Chang’an City and destroy the City-Protecting Great Formation!

A weakened City-Protecting Great Formation would be no match for the Temple Master.

This city would fall.

Zhou Fei staggered, and Song Fei, who was behind him, swiftly supported him. What’s wrong?

Let’s go back to the academy, Zhou Fei said. The senior brothers must still be alive, they must be! If they’ve returned, they would only go to the academy.

Walk slowly, Song Fei advised. You’re in bad shape right now.

Zhou Fei replied, I can’t worry about that now.

With that, he once again displayed his light-footed skills, speeding towards the academy like a peregrine falcon hunting in the night sky, as fast as he could.

Song Fei sighed softly. She could understand Zhou Fei’s current state of mind, but she was not optimistic about the fate of the academy’s teachers.

After all, they were up against the Temple Master. Even her own teacher, Liu Jianbai, would only be considered a junior in the presence of the Temple Master.

Without Fu Zi, there was no one in the world who could stop the Temple Master.

He was a legend!

Zhou Fei hurried back to the academy, and just as he had surmised, most of the academy’s students had returned. Although the senior brothers and sisters on the second floor had all returned, each of them bore injuries.

In particular, the second senior brother was the most gravely wounded.

As for the junior brothers on the first floor, their number had been reduced by more than half compared to when Zhou Fei had left.

Upon seeing Zhou Fei, the junior brothers hardly reacted.

Their eyes were vacant, their faces pale, clearly still in shock.

Zhou Fei first comforted the juniors on the first floor before finally approaching his senior brothers.

Are you all right? Zhou Fei asked, his voice trembling.

Yue Chen looked up at Zhou Fei, his lips twitched feebly into what could be considered a smile, but he didn’t respond.

Tu Wanyue opened his mouth but ultimately just sighed.

Ji Zixing was the first to speak, Qinglian was severely injured by the Temple Master. The eldest senior brother used all his strength to get us back here.

Zhou Fei’s gaze fell on the second senior brother, whose left arm was missing.

The Temple Master had actually amputated the second senior brother’s arm!

Losing this arm was the only way to barely save his life, Ji Zixing said. After all, the Temple Master is the Temple Master, unmatched under the heavens and above the earth, except by our teacher.

As he spoke, the eldest senior brother coughed up a mouthful of blood.

Zhou Fei hurried over, placing a hand on the eldest senior brother’s back, and like it was free of charge, he frantically infused spiritual energy into the eldest senior brother’s body.

The eldest senior brother offered a gentle smile and said, Don’t waste your spiritual energy on me.

Zhou Fei shook his head stubbornly, It’s not a waste. Eldest senior brother, you must hang in there. You’ll get better.

The eldest senior brother then asked, How’s the formation?

Zhou Fei’s hands trembled slightly, I’m sorry, eldest senior brother, I wasn’t able to repair the formation.

In turn, the eldest senior brother patted Zhou Fei on the shoulder, It’s alright, you’ve done your best.

Zhou Fei said, Eldest senior brother, I’ve let you all down, I’m sorry.

Ji Zixing approached and said, Nonsense, young man. Without you, Chang’an City wouldn’t have held out for so long. When I entered the city, I already felt that the formation was declining slower than I thought. That’s all your doing!

Zhou Fei quickly pushed Song Fei forward, It’s all Miss Song’s merit, I dare not take credit for someone else’s achievements.

The eldest senior brother looked at Song Fei, showing a warm smile, Thank you, Miss Song. In such times, for you to stand with the Tang Dynasty, with Chang’an, with the academy, I know it takes great courage. Rest assured, when Chang’an City falls, I will make sure you are safely escorted out, and no one will know you had helped us.

Is that so?

A voice suddenly interjected, causing everyone in the academy to tense up.

Yue Chen reacted most strongly, almost lunging forward to shield his fellow brothers behind him.

Even though Zhou Fei didn’t turn back and had never heard this voice before, the reaction of his senior brothers told him all he needed to know about the speaker’s identity.

The Temple Master, Yue Jingyu!

Have you come to stop me even now? Yue Jingyu looked indifferently at Yue Chen. Are you still unwilling to let go of your obsession?

Yue Chen trembled all over, struggling to utter a complete sentence, yet he stubbornly stood in front of everyone, showing no intention of stepping aside.

Yue Jingyu stated, Do you realize your actions could be considered traitorous? I could kill you for this.

Yue Chen’s lower lip quivered uncontrollably, but his eyes gradually turned resolute. I just wanted to do something for the academy.

You consider the academy your home? Yue Jingyu asked.

Yes.

What about Zhiyue Temple?

Yue Chen slowly said, That’s also home.

Then why differentiate between them? Yue Jingyu questioned.

Yue Chen clenched his fists tightly, The choice is difficult; I can only follow my heart’s desire.

Chapter 543: The Heart’s Desire

Yue Jingyu paused for a moment, then nodded and said, Well said, ‘from heart’s desire’. These past years, I truly haven’t understood you as well as I thought. I didn’t expect you to have already reached this stage.

Father, Yue Chen said, Must it be this way?

You’ve already stood in front of me and made your decision. Since it was from your heart’s desire, does your question now even have any meaning? Yue Jingyu said indifferently.

This time, it was Yue Chen’s turn to fall silent.

After the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, Yue Chen raised his head. Since that’s the case, then I ask Father for your guidance.

You’re not qualified for me to impart guidance. Yue Jingyu mercilessly criticized his son. In my eyes, your strength doesn’t even measure up to an ant.

Being criticized by his own father made Yue Chen somewhat dispirited, but this mood only lasted for a moment or two as he quickly regained his resolve. His eyes were sharp, and his figure was as upright as a pine tree. He struck a starting posture and said, I ask Father for your guidance.

This time, he roared it out.

Yue Jingyu let out a cold laugh. So be it. Let me see just how much you’ve learned from Fu Zi these last few years.

Father, I will only use the martial arts of Zhiyue Temple, Yue Chen stated.

Ignorance, Yue Jingyu said indifferently.

Yue Chen changed his hand gestures.

Elegant-as-a-startling-swan palm!

This was the most profound martial art he had learned from Zhiyue Temple.

But this time, he was going to use it against his own father, the very creator of this martial art.

So Yue Chen’s hands trembled slightly.

No matter the time, fratricide was an especially cruel thing. That’s why Zhou Fei wanted to step forward and stop it.

Instructor Tong silently grabbed Zhou Fei’s sleeve.

Let him go, Instructor Tong said. The academy and Zhiyue Temple are both existences that Xiao Yue Yue can’t bear to part with, but now the two sides have reached an impasse. He has to overcome this tribulation himself, or else even if he survives, his whole life will be destroyed.

Zhou Fei’s footsteps faltered.

Instructor Tong’s words were even more cruel than the prospect of fratricide.

He looked at Yue Chen’s back and clenched his fists silently.

Xiao Yue Yue had always been carefree, as though no worries could ever linger in his mind for more than a day.

With the academy and the temple at war, he must be the one in the most pain.

Now, the pain had reached its peak.

Xiao Yue Yue was about to face his own father in combat.

Regardless of the outcome, his pain would be immense.

In a trance, Yue Chen and Yue Jingyu, the father and son duo, had already clashed.

Both were using the Elegant-as-a-Startling-swan Palm.

However, it was clear to the discerning eye that the Temple Master was not using his full strength.

He was observing Yue Chen, watching his own son.

The essence of the Elegant-as-a-Startling-swan Palm lies in its need for agility and fluidity during execution. Any sense of obstruction would render it unworthy of its name.

Another key aspect is the startling aspect of the swan.

What defines the startling aspect?

It is like hearing thunder in a silent place.

Yue Chen had executed the Elegant-as-a-Startling-swan Palm many times, but this time was undoubtedly the most perfect.

Unfortunately, it still wasn’t enough.

Because he was facing the creator of this martial art!

Yue Jingyu nodded slightly, quite approving of his son’s performance.

When Fu Zi had taken Yue Chen back to the academy, Yue Jingyu had not objected. He too was eager to see how his son could grow under Fu Zi’s tutelage.

Now, it seemed his son’s progress had exceeded his expectations.

Then a light punishment would suffice.

After all, Yue Jingyu couldn’t bring himself to severely harm his own son. His original plan was to incapacitate Yue Chen and then drag him back to Zhiyue Temple.

Just as Yue Chen’s palm strike was about to reach Yue Jingyu, Yue Jingyu moved.

Like a Wandering Dragon Step.

He dodged the palm strike with his footwork and then neutralized the attack with his own palm strike.

Yue Chen was powerless to retaliate and was directly struck to the ground.

A mouthful of blood spurted out, staining the earth before him red.

At that moment, a snowflake fell from the sky, landing precisely on the blood Yue Chen had spat out.

The snowflake turned red and then melted away.

More and more snowflakes began to fall from the sky.

This was Chang’an City’s first snowfall after entering winter, arriving so fiercely and swiftly.

Yue Chen slowly sat up, his lips stained with blood, tears hanging from his eyes, looking as aggrieved as a child whose candy had been stolen.

Yue Jingyu’s admiration for his son only lasted for the moment they had just fought. Seeing him now crying so unrestrainedly, his eyes filled with disgust once again. He couldn’t understand how he could have fathered a son who was prone to crying.

Yet, such a weak character chose to stand up against him at the most dangerous time for the academy.

Zhou Fei walked over to Yue Chen’s side, crouched down, and patted his shoulder: Don’t cry, you’ve done very well.

Yue Chen looked up at Zhou Fei with a sobbing, puckered lip.

Zhou Fei couldn’t help but laugh at his silly expression.

Yue Jingyu looked at Zhou Fei, truly seeing him for the first time. This young man, who had once walked alongside Heaven’s Dao for many days, whose name had been hard to find in the Heavenly Dao Secret Record, who had almost turned the Great Wilderness upside down, looked like this.

Zhou Fei rubbed his nose and stood up, saying, Master, don’t look at me like that.

Is there a problem? Yue Jingyu asked.

I’m afraid you’ll fall in love with me, Zhou Fei said.

Yue Jingyu’s gaze turned icy: Seeking death.

At that moment, Instructor Tong flashed in front of Zhou Fei, blocking Yue Jingyu’s lethal strike for him.

Zhou Fei also silently swallowed his saliva.

He had just impulsively blurted out something without thinking, forgetting that he was facing the most powerful person in the Great Wilderness.

The entire academy combined wouldn’t be enough for his torment; yet, he dared to tease him. It was like lighting a lamp in a latrine - seeking death.

However, Instructor Tong’s skills genuinely surprised Zhou Fei.

Not just Zhou Fei was taken aback, but Yue Jingyu was quite astonished as well.

Who are you?

Instructor Tong said, With the Master overseeing countless affairs daily, how could he remember a minor character like me?

You are not a minor character, Yue Jingyu stated. I should recognize you, and I definitely do.

From ‘should’ to ‘definitely,’ Instructor Tong’s identity had already begun to take a rough shape in Yue Jingyu’s mind.

Back in the day, Fu Zi traveled across the Great Wilderness and happened upon a Pearl Diver Lady by the seaside. This lady possessed an extraordinary ability to accurately find shells containing top-grade pearls. Curious, Fu Zi decided to stay by the seaside to understand how the Pearl Diver Lady had cultivated such a skill. Over time, they became good friends, and when Fu Zi returned to the academy, he brought the Pearl Diver Lady with him.

The official story was that Fu Zi had specially invited her from Qi Kingdom to teach, even capable of teaching students on the second floor. However, back then, the Pearl Diver Lady didn’t have such abilities; she was just a girl who knew how to collect pearls. Coming from a seaside fishing village in the outskirts to Chang’an made her feel frightened and uncomfortable. If not for Fu Zi’s comfort, the Pearl Diver Lady might have run away long ago.

As Yue Jingyu slowly narrated, the mouths of everyone in the academy grew wider and wider.

From Yue Jingyu’s story, it was clear that Instructor Tong and Fu Zi... were actually a couple!

Instructor Tong’s expression softened, and her gaze became incredibly gentle. She looked up at the red moon in the sky and murmured, That old ghost, he ultimately left me behind.

With these words, the relationship between Instructor Tong and Fu Zi was firmly established.

Even the eldest disciple, known for his calm nature, was shocked by this revelation.

Instructor Tong had been in the academy for many years but had never mentioned her relationship with the teacher, nor had the teacher ever spoken about Instructor Tong’s identity in front of the students.

Their secrecy was exceptionally well-maintained.

Moreover, there was no need to hide such a thing.

Why wouldn’t the teacher speak up?

Because the Pearl Diver Lady’s identity is very special, Yue Jingyu continued. In the last Ice Age, there were three people who survived: a carpenter, a blacksmith, and a woman.

The jaws of everyone in the academy almost hit the floor.

This woman was the Pearl Diver Lady. She used a very special method to survive the harsh winter. But she paid a heavy price for it—not only was her ability completely destroyed, but even her appearance and memory were reversed. However, she was one of the people who survived the harsh winter. Given enough time, her abilities and memories would gradually return.

All these years, I have been searching for those three people, but I never imagined you were hiding in the academy. If I hadn’t seen you with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have been able to connect you to the Pearl Diver Lady from back then.

Instructor Tong turned around to face Yue Jingyu again: Master, I admire your skill.

Yue Jingyu said, Back then, you managed to evade Heaven’s Dao’s punishment. I wonder if you can dodge my attack today?

Instructor Tong smiled slightly: I would also like to experience the master’s prowess.

The master slowly advanced, and the winds and snow in front of him formed several small tornadoes, imbued with the power of Heaven’s Dao, making him even more formidable and invincible.

Instructor Tong’s silver hair was lifted by the wind and snow, and the wrinkles on her face slowly smoothed out. If one observed carefully, they would see she was becoming younger.

Those wrinkles weren’t just stretching; they were disappearing.

By the time the master reached within a meter of Instructor Tong, she had already become at least ten years younger!

Among her silver hair, strands of black started to appear.

Reversing aging, Yue Jingyu remarked indifferently. Is this the ability you relied on to escape Heaven’s Dao’s punishment back then?

If you want to know, verify it yourself. Instructor Tong continued to smile.

Yue Jingyu unleashed a casual palm strike.

Instructor Tong clasped her hands together and formed a hand seal.

Yue Jingyu’s palm force struck the seal but then quietly disappeared.

Yue Jingyu didn’t hesitate and unleashed another palm strike.

Instructor Tong changed her hand seal again.

This time, the seal didn’t absorb the master’s palm force but transferred it elsewhere.

In various corners of Chang’an City, buildings began to collapse, followed by the screams of the people.

Instructor Tong’s expression showed a hint of reluctance.

She couldn’t control where the palm force would ultimately land, so it was inevitable that innocent people would get caught up in it.

But if the academy were gone, everyone in the city would become slaves. She could only focus on the greater good and ignore the smaller concerns.

Instructor Tong blocked two consecutive attacks, and Yue Jingyu couldn’t help but be a little surprised. As expected of someone who had survived the Ice Age, her individual abilities and combat experience were incredibly rich.

However, she still wouldn’t be able to stop him.

This was the master’s confidence, an unshakeable confidence.

Just when the master was about to unleash his third palm strike, the eldest disciple, who had been standing by the side, suddenly moved.

A fishing rod appeared in his hand.

The fishing rod that Fu Zi had used.

The eldest disciple held the fishing rod, made of spotted bamboo, and appeared before the master like a bolt of lightning, raising his hand to strike.

The master slid his feet to the right, executing a Like a Wandering Dragon Step.

He immediately followed up with a palm strike, blocking all of the eldest disciple’s attack paths.

At the same time, Instructor Tong’s hand seal began to change rapidly. With each change, the wind and snow in the world became more and more terrifying.

By the time she finished changing the seal, the accumulated snow in the entire academy had already reached people’s thighs.

Rise!

With a soft shout from Instructor Tong, the wind and snow surged, and the world changed color.

The eldest disciple, Instructor Tong, and the master also disappeared into the wind and snow at the same time.

Chapter 544: Snowstorm Hits Chang’an

The streets outside the academy were filled with the ringing of bells.

The sound of the Grand Bell Toll, like snowflakes, blossomed in everyone’s ears.

If one listened carefully, other sounds could be