The Sword God of the Universe

Chapter 409: Zhang Family 409 Chapter 409: Zhang Family 409 The news that South Peak had been defeated by North Peak at the Double Mountain Conference spread throughout Dao Yi Academy within just two hours!

Some students who had not been present at the battle revealed puzzled expressions upon hearing the news.

Although the duration of the Double Mountain Conference is not long, it’s a decennial event and garners a lot of attention within Dao Yi Academy.

Before the conference, many students had analyzed the possible outcomes, and they all believed that this time, North Peak would be defeated again.

Thus, when they learned that the result was contrary to their conjectures, they were all surprised and taken aback.

They soon learned that the key to North Peak’s victory over South Peak in this Double Mountain Conference was Jing Yan, who had been promoted to the Inner Court more than a year earlier!

Representing North Peak, Jing Yan fought against Deng Qing of South Peak in the third battle.

Deng Qing’s reputation was significant, recognized by both the Inner and Outer Courts of Dao Yi Academy.

However, Jing Yan managed to kill Deng Qing, who was at the Late Dao Spirit Realm cultivation, with just three sword strikes.

The impact of this news could only be imagined.

After Jing Yan arrived at the Affairs Hall, Hall Master Lin Yan met with him promptly.

Lin Yan had always treated Jing Yan fairly well, even speaking on his behalf when the Criminal Punishment Hall was about to sanction him.

However, back then, Lin Yan’s attitude towards Jing Yan still carried somewhat of a superior’s air.

It wasn’t that Lin Yan deliberately put on airs; it was just the way things were.

Lin Yan was the Hall Master of the Affairs Hall and a Lower Elder of Dao Yi Academy, how could he treat Jing Yan, an Outer Court student, as an equal?

However, this time when Lin Yan met with Jing Yan, there was a hint of equality in his attitude.

He already knew about Jing Yan’s feat of killing Deng Qing with three sword strikes, which suggested that Jing Yan’s strength might even surpass his own.

Lin Yan admitted to himself that even if he were to confront Deng Qing, it would be difficult to slay him easily.

The most important thing was Jing Yan’s rapid progression in Martial Arts, which could only be described as divine speed.

In just over a year, Jing Yan had grown to such a fearsome extent.

What would happen if several more years were to pass?

Jing Yan was currently at the Early Dao Spirit Realm cultivation.

Should he break through to the Middle or Late Dao Spirit Realm, who within the area of Lanqu County City could contend with him amongst Dao Spirit Martial Artists?

It could be said that in the next ten years, Jing Yan might grow to be among the top Martial Artists in the entire Lanqu County City region.

“Hall Master Lin Yan!”

“Jing Yan!”

The two of them greeted each other with a bow in the room.

“I’ve come to the Affairs Hall this time to request help in querying information about Sister Apprentice Zhang Min,” Jing Yan said, stating his purpose directly.

“It’s a trivial matter; I’ll have someone fetch Zhang Min’s records right away,” Lin Yan replied with a wave of his hand.

Not to mention such a small request, even if it were something more difficult, Lin Yan would try his best should Jing Yan ask for it.

Lin Yan instructed Deacon He Kun from the Affairs Hall to retrieve Zhang Min’s registered information and then personally handed it to Jing Yan.

After reading it, Jing Yan learned that Zhang Min was from a city within Lanqu County City’s region called Haofeng City.

“Haofeng City is located in the eastern part of Lanqu County City’s territory; it’s quite remote.

Zhang Min is a member of the Zhang Family from Haofeng City, and this Zhang Family must wield some influence there,” Lin Yan mentioned as he saw the records in Jing Yan’s hands.

“Hm!

I plan to make a trip to Haofeng City to bring Sister Apprentice Zhang Min’s remains back,” Jing Yan nodded and said.

“If it’s such a small matter, someone else could be dispatched to handle it,” Lin Yan remarked.

What he meant was that Jing Yan didn’t need to personally attend to this task, as any random individual sent by Dao Yi Academy could complete this mission.

“There’s not much I can do for Sister Apprentice Zhang Min; I would rather go there myself,” Jing Yan said, shaking his head.

After leaving the Affairs Hall, Jing Yan headed to the Criminal Punishment Hall.

The people of the Criminal Punishment Hall didn’t seem too pleased to see Jing Yan coming.

However, when he stated that he wanted to take Zhang Min’s remains, they readily agreed.

It seemed that the Criminal Punishment Hall was not keen on becoming overly entangled with Jing Yan.

Indeed, even Punishment Hall Master Ying Youque could do nothing against Jing Yan, so what could these minor figures do to trouble him?

Unless they wished for death.

Provoking Jing Yan, who could kill with a single sword strike, was not something they could withstand.

The next day, Jing Yan left Dao Yi Academy and Lanqu County City, heading towards Haofeng City in the east.

Several days later, he arrived at Haofeng City.

Haofeng City wasn’t very large but was somewhat bigger than Donglin City.

Within the territory of Lanqu County City, there were hundreds of cities.

If these cities were to be categorized, Donglin City would certainly be among the lowest tier.

Haofeng City might be one level higher than Donglin City, but compared to larger cities like Jade City, there was a significant difference.

Upon entering Haofeng City, Jing Yan easily inquired about the Zhang Family.

The records Zhang Min left at Dao Yi Academy’s Affairs Hall showed she was a member of the Zhang Family, but the files didn’t provide any detailed description of the Zhang Family.

Only after entering Haofeng City and learning about the Zhang Family did Jing Yan get a clear picture.

In Haofeng City, the Zhang Family was considered a second-tier clan.

However, a second-tier clan in Haofeng City would definitely be top-tier in Donglin City.

Before the battle between the Jing Family and the Zhao Family, their overall strength was much the same as the Zhang Family in Haofeng City.

Before arriving at the Zhang Family mansion.

“I am Dao Yi Academy student Jing Yan; I seek an audience with the Zhang Family Patriarch,” Jing Yan said to the guard at the Zhang Family gate with a bow.

A few Zhang Family guards scrutinized Jing Yan.

Naturally, they had never seen Jing Yan before, but once he mentioned he was a student from Dao Yi Academy, they didn’t dare to neglect him.

The name of Dao Yi Academy commanded respect in any city, not to mention the renowned Three Major Academies of Lanqu County City.

“Please wait; I will inform the Patriarch,” one guard said to Jing Yan courteously.

The guard turned and entered the mansion, while Jing Yan waited patiently.

His heart was rather heavy.

He was at the Zhang Family to bring back Zhang Min’s remains, and he did not know what the reception from the Zhang Family would be.

Since the Zhang Family Patriarch had heard that a student from Dao Yi Academy had arrived, it seemed to be a matter of some importance.

Jing Yan only waited the time it took to drink a cup of tea before the guard came back out, respectfully inviting him in.

Jing Yan was brought to the Zhang Family’s guest hall, where after a short wait, a few older Martial Artists entered the room.

“Are you the young friend from Dao Yi Academy?”

Leading the group, the man looked at Jing Yan and asked with a bow.

“My name is Jing Yan, indeed from Dao Yi Academy in the Lanqu County City region,” Jing Yan stood up and returned the gesture.