Chapter 70: Jun Wushuang Arrives

Brother and sister? Jun Wushuang instantly thought of Liu Yiyi and Aman. When Master Wu brought them in, it was indeed them.

“Greetings, Young Master Jun!” Liu Yiyi led Aman and knelt directly to the ground.

“Because of our matter yesterday, you offended the Nangong family. We heard you were attacked last night, and felt uneasy, so we came to check on you,” Liu Yiyi’s voice was soft, so delicate it evoked pity.

“The grudge between me and the Nangong family did not arise because of you. You need not blame yourselves. Rise, please!” Jun Wushuang tried to help them up.

Yet Liu Yiyi and Aman did not move.

“Young Master Jun, we came today with another request,” Liu Yiyi glanced at Aman.

“I wish to become your disciple. Please accept me as your pupil!” Aman kowtowed respectfully, his voice unwavering.

Take a disciple? Jun Wushuang was slightly taken aback.

“Why do you want to apprentice under me?” Jun Wushuang fixed his gaze on Aman.

“I want to become stronger, so I can protect my sister!” Aman’s voice grew even more resolute.

Though he and Liu Yiyi were not siblings by blood, their bond was closer than kin; the two had depended on each other in the slums all their lives. To Aman, his sister was everything.

If not for Jun Wushuang’s intervention yesterday, his sister would surely have suffered humiliation. This left Aman filled with guilt and frustration.

He wanted strength—so his sister would never be bullied again.

“But why should I accept you?” Jun Wushuang looked at Aman with interest.

“From now on, my life belongs to you!” Aman lifted his head, his eyes shining as he stared at Jun Wushuang. “If you live, I live; if you die, I live on!” His words were concise, yet brimming with conviction.

Sincere, simple, yet tremendously powerful.

Was this an oath of fealty? Jun Wushuang found it somewhat amusing.

“This man is actually the Dean of Qingyun Martial Academy. If you wish to cultivate, you should ask him,” Jun Wushuang nodded toward Mo Xingyun.

“I trust only you!” Aman shook his head, eyes fixed intently on Jun Wushuang.

Living in the slums, Aman knew of Qingyun Martial Academy and Mo Xingyun, but had never thought of seeking a master. Jun Wushuang was different: not only had he saved their lives, but Aman had also heard of Jun Wushuang’s deeds. That was why he was so determined.

“My enemies are many—not only the Nangong family, but also the Royal Martial Academy. Becoming my disciple might mean death,” Jun Wushuang warned again.

“I am not afraid of death!” Aman spoke firmly, unwavering in his choice.

“Very well. Since you insist, I will accept you as a registered disciple,” Jun Wushuang agreed.

Aman’s sincerity and determination revealed the potential of a strong warrior. Most importantly, his wish to protect Liu Yiyi mattered. Liu Yiyi was the incarnation of one soul of the Azure Lotus Empress, crucial to Jun Wushuang. He could not always guard Liu Yiyi alone; with Aman by her side, her safety would be more assured.

“Disciple Aman greets Master!” Aman kowtowed respectfully, performing the ceremony of apprenticeship.

“From now on, you will reside at Qingyun Martial Academy. First, find Master Wu to recuperate your body and build your foundation,” Jun Wushuang instructed, deciding not to teach directly but to temper Aman’s character first.

Receiving his orders, Master Wu led Liu Yiyi and Aman away.

“The academy is growing livelier,” Mo Xingyun, who had watched silently, finally spoke with a smile as Jun Wushuang finished.

Since Jun Wushuang’s arrival, the once lifeless Qingyun Martial Academy had found new vitality. Mo Xingyun’s hope for Jun Wushuang’s future grew stronger.

Perhaps, Qingyun Martial Academy truly could rise again to its peak under Jun Wushuang’s leadership.

“Dean, does our academy have any cultivation sanctuaries?” Accepting Liu Yiyi and Aman was a trivial act for Jun Wushuang. Now that Mo Xingyun’s troubles were resolved, Jun Wushuang’s next focus was the duel of life and death.

And for such a duel, strength was paramount.

Jun Wushuang’s current realm was the eighth level of the Myriad Phenomena Stage. But with this level of power, in the Royal Martial Academy, he was only comparable to Yellow-rank students.

The Royal Martial Academy recruited prodigies from all over. Those below the Divine Sea Stage were Yellow-rank; only exceptional talents like Ji Qingchen and Nangong Lei gained special admission.

Xuan-rank students were all strong cultivators of the Divine Sea Stage. As for Earth-rank, they were at least sixth level of the Divine Sea Stage.

As for Heaven-rank, one needed the power of the Celestial Stage.

If Jun Wushuang wanted to win decisively in the duel, he had to at least break through to the Divine Sea Stage.

“Qingyun Martial Academy has declined—the cultivation sanctuaries have long been lost,” Mo Xingyun sighed.

The academy was but a shadow of its former self; not only were there no sanctuaries, even the grounds were in ruins.

“However, the prince secured some compensation for you. You may go to the Royal Martial Academy to cultivate.”

“There are four renowned sanctuaries in the Royal Martial Academy, coveted by all.”

“The Spirit Vein Grotto connects to a medium-grade spirit vein beneath the capital; its dense energy can help you ascend in realm.”

“The Thunderfire Inferno contains heavenly lightning and earthly flames, ideal for tempering the body.”

“The Scripture Pavilion holds one hundred and eight thousand martial techniques, from inferior Yellow-rank to inferior Earth-rank—everything imaginable.”

“The final sanctuary is the Black and White Millstone, which hones spiritual power.”

Spirit Vein Grotto, Thunderfire Inferno, Scripture Pavilion, Black and White Millstone—these were the illustrious four sanctuaries of the Royal Martial Academy. Each was enough to make thousands covet them. Even Royal Martial Academy students needed to spend considerable contribution points to gain entry.

“Except for the Scripture Pavilion, the other three would benefit me greatly,” Jun Wushuang decided.

“I’ll accompany you,” Mo Xingyun offered, concerned for Jun Wushuang’s safety at the Royal Martial Academy.

“In broad daylight, the Royal Martial Academy wouldn’t dare harm me. Dean, you’d best continue to absorb the medicinal effects—perhaps you’ll break through further,” Jun Wushuang replied confidently.

“Very well, take care!” Mo Xingyun did not insist, but crafted a Sun-Moon Sword Talisman for Jun Wushuang’s protection. It was forged at the cost of a year of Mo Xingyun’s lifespan, containing a Sun-Moon Reincarnation Slash; even against Jiang Taixu, it could withstand a blow.

Jun Wushuang put away the sword talisman and left the academy, heading alone toward the Royal Martial Academy.

Crossing nearly half the capital, Jun Wushuang arrived once more at the Royal Martial Academy.

The hundred-meter-high mound of human heads still stood, shocking all who saw it.

“Wait a little longer; soon, I’ll bring you all home,” Jun Wushuang gazed at the mound.

As a member of Qingyun Martial Academy, he felt both duty and obligation to bring these ancestors home.

Of course, the premise was to win the duel of life and death!

Passing the mound, Jun Wushuang strode toward the gates of the Royal Martial Academy.

Soon, a bell tolled, echoing through the entire academy.

“Jun Wushuang has arrived!”