Xuanwu War Sovereign

At the entrance to the main hall of the Mountain and River City Mystic Master Guild.

"Young Friend Qin, you are now on the Mystic Master Guild’s Blue Ranking. From this day forward, you are an official Xuan Master. In the future, if you ever run into trouble, you can receive help from the Mystic Master Guild no matter which branch you go to!" Master Hall said with a gentle, beaming smile.

"This is the Mystic Master Robe that represents you as a First-grade Official Xuan Master. It is a symbol of your status. This standard-issue robe is specially made by our Mystic Master Guild, so don’t underestimate it. Not only does wearing it keep you clean for long periods, but the robe also has the effect of calming the mind and focusing the spirit. It allows its wearer to remain clear-headed for extended durations. Furthermore, this robe has some defensive capabilities and can even grant immunity to certain poisons!" Master Hall waved his hand slightly, and an attendant immediately approached, carrying a Jade Disc on which a beautiful black robe rested.

"In that case, thank you, Master Hall!" Qin Feng took the robe and nodded. He hadn’t expected an ordinary Mystic Master Robe to have so many enviable features. ’The Mystic Master Guild really has deep pockets,’ he thought in silent admiration.

Qin Feng casually put the robe away. The Black Robe was too exquisite, and the black badge on it, which signified his rank as a First-Grade Xuan Master, was especially eye-catching. Strutting around town wearing it would be far too high-profile.

"Young Friend Qin, won’t you stay for a few more days?" The white-browed old man beside them looked at Qin Feng with a strained smile, his gaze fixed on the white-robed youth.

At the hall entrance, a few young Black-robed Xuan Masters happened to be leaving the Mystic Master Guild together. They witnessed this scene, and their jaws nearly dropped to the floor. Their own dignified chairman, who usually loved to scold his subordinates at the drop of a hat, was actually making such an expression.

"What are you looking at! You little brats!" Seeing his subordinates witness his unseemly behavior, Zuo Song roared, flustered and exasperated.

The Black-robed Xuan Masters exchanged wry smiles and quickly scurried away.

Qin Feng shook his head, a faint, helpless smile in his eyes. Ever since seeing that Ancient Origin Array Map, this Old Zuo had been a little too enthusiastic. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

’To learn the Way in the morning and die in the evening without regret.’ This saying perfectly described Zuo Song, a white-haired, tireless old Xuan Master dedicated to the path of Profound Arrays.

Even a powerful Xuan Master like Zuo Song couldn’t resist the mysteries of the Ancient Origin Xuan Array.

In fact, Qin Feng had originally planned to leave the Mystic Master Guild right after recovering his strength and obtaining his Mystic Master Level badge. Who would have thought this Old Zuo would beat around the bush, finding countless excuses to delay him for hours until the sky had already grown dark.

How could Qin Feng not understand Zuo Song’s intentions? He just wanted to pry some secrets about the Ancient Origin Profound Array from him.

"Old Zuo, I have to participate in the second round of tests for the All Stars Academy in a day. Besides, I have a few subordinates waiting for me at the inn. If I stay at the Mystic Master Guild the whole time, I’m afraid..." Qin Feng rolled his eyes, which were filled with helplessness.

It wasn’t that Qin Feng was unwilling to stay at the Mystic Master Guild—exchanging insights on the path of Profound Arrays with these Xuan Masters would benefit him as well. But his thoughts were on the second round of tests for the All Stars Academy.

Getting tested for his Mystic Master Level was just a spur-of-the-moment decision. The most important thing was still passing the entrance exam for the All Stars Academy.

"Is that all? Young Friend Qin, you don’t need to worry at all. This old man can send someone to speak to the All Stars Academy on your behalf!" Hearing Qin Feng’s words, Zuo Song wasn’t troubled in the slightest; instead, he brightened up on the spot. The old man’s eyebrows and mustache practically curled up as he spoke, his eyes full of smiles.

"Young Friend Qin, if you just want to get into the All Stars Academy, then it’s no problem at all. You’re now an official Xuan Master of the Mystic Master Guild, and the All Stars Academy is desperate for official Xuan Masters like us! Just put on that Mystic Master Robe that symbolizes your Mystic Master Level, and I guarantee you won’t have to go through any of those pesky tests. That bunch of arrogant experts from the All Stars Academy will be crying and begging to accept you!"

"No way, is that really a thing?" Qin Feng was completely astonished.

Hearing this, Master Hall glanced at the white-robed youth with his aged eyes and smiled. "Qin Feng, Old Zuo is right. The status of a Xuan Master is higher than you can imagine. Moreover, in recent years, the people from All Stars Academy have been trying to establish more Mystic Master Guilds in the Domain of All Stars. If you reveal that you’re an official Xuan Master, getting into the All Stars Academy won’t be difficult at all!"

A grave look flashed in Qin Feng’s eyes. Clearly, he had still underestimated the status of a Xuan Master in the hearts of Martial Artists.

"As for your subordinates?" Zuo Song glanced at Master Hall, who was putting on the appearance of an upstanding, dignified gentleman, and smiled helplessly. ’Sly old fox,’ he thought, before clearing his throat and saying, "You don’t need to worry about that either. I will personally accompany you to go and pick them up. Our Mystic Master Guild has a special place to accommodate visiting Xuan Masters. It’s called the Celestial Strategy Mansion. Compared to an inn, it’s not only more comfortable and convenient, but also safer!"

"Alright!" Qin Feng lowered his head and thought for a moment before finally nodding. Zuo Song’s last sentence had moved him. Qin Feng knew very well that he had offended quite a few people since arriving in Mountain and River City. Not to mention the Guan Family, just the grim look on Liu Xi’s face before he left earlier was enough to be certain that Liu Xi wouldn’t let things go so easily.

"Then let’s go!" Seeing Qin Feng agree, a fervent glint flashed in Zuo Song’s eyes as he stepped forward and grabbed Qin Feng’s arm to leave. He couldn’t wait to bring Qin Feng’s people back right away, then find a chance to get a glimpse into the mysteries of that unknown Ancient Origin Xuan Array.

Qin Feng’s hand shook slightly, and he gently broke free from the old man’s grip. Seeing Zuo Song turn around and look at him with a puzzled expression, Qin Feng glanced at the magnificent black Mystic Master Robe the old man was wearing and said with a helpless smile.

"Old man, isn’t it a bit too flashy to go out dressed like that?"

"Right, right! We need to be low-key!

Zuo Song followed Qin Feng’s gaze, looked down at himself, and had a sudden realization. He nodded repeatedly, hurriedly turned, and rushed back into the hall. A moment later, he came running out, smugly dressed in a magnificent red robe, looking like a walking ’red envelope.’ Qin Feng shook his head. ’This old man is so flamboyant,’ he thought. At least it wasn’t as conspicuous as the Mystic Master Robe.

The two of them walked out of the Mystic Master Guild, hailed a horse-drawn carriage at the entrance, and headed toward the inn.

...

The evening streets gave way to the late autumn night. A cool breeze touched the skin, and the pedestrians grew fewer and fewer. In a dark street corner, several figures clad in black night-crawling gear watched as a carriage approached, and they tightened their grips on their weapons.

"Here it comes. That’s the carriage. The brother on lookout said he saw Qin Feng and a flashy old man in a red robe get into this carriage right at the entrance of the Mystic Master Guild!" said a slender, horse-faced man in black in a grim tone.

He held a long, curved saber in his hand. His figure was hidden in the darkness as if he were one with it, and he exuded a thick, deathly aura.

"Are you sure it’s the target? And who is the other old man?" another masked man in black asked, his voice icy and devoid of warmth.

This masked man was tall and powerfully built, carrying an Iron-Clad Bow on his back. His arms were long like an ape’s, and his gaze was as sharp as an eagle’s.

The horse-faced man replied coldly, "According to the portrait provided by the Madam’s men, it’s undoubtedly Qin Feng. As for the other old man, the scout didn’t detect any trace of martial training on him. He’s dressed like some nouveau riche country bumpkin. The general assessment is that he’s an ordinary person with no Martial Arts Cultivation!"

A vicious glint flashed in the eagle-eyed, powerfully built man’s eyes. "Then let’s make our move. According to the Madam’s intel, that Qin Feng is just a Martial Artist at the Martial Arts Fourth Layer. Although he can kill enemies of a higher realm, his strength is comparable to the Martial Arts Sixth Heaven Realm at most. The four of us are all Martial Artists of the Martial Arts Seventh Layer Heaven. Even if that extra old man has Martial Arts Cultivation, we can just send one person to tie him down. The other three of us can kill a mere Martial Arts Fourth Layer brat. Killing him will be as easy as killing a dog!"

"Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go, kill him! The Madam has promised a great reward!" A cold, cruel laugh suddenly erupted.

"Heh heh heh, snuffing out a young, high-spirited genius... I’m so looking forward to it!"

"The brat’s head is mine!"

As the sinister words fell, four figures shot out from the darkness like cheetahs. A volley of arrows streaked through the sky like shooting stars. Fierce killing intent locked onto the speeding carriage from all directions. A devastating saber light swept over, and a piercing, cold aura stabbed into the carriage...