Chapter 62: Unexpected Silence and Rising Ambition

“Yun’er? Huh? Where is everyone? Chi Congyu?”

Ouyang Xiyue rushed back to his dorm, only to find that no one had come to greet his return today, which was highly unusual.

He recalled Chi Congyu having told him she would be staying in their dorm since she had nothing else to do for a while.

Given Chi Congyu’s usual demeanor, she would definitely be… Ouyang Xiyue reminisced.

“My dear wife! You’re back, hehe, you must be tired today. Come, let your husband have a good look, hehe, are you weary today? Come, quickly sit down, your husband will pour you some tea!”

Then Chi Congyu would embrace Ouyang Xiyue, rubbing against him wildly, while Shangguan Yun stood by, her face dark throughout the entire scene.

But today, strangely, no one was bothering him.

He wished he could make time stand still in this quiet moment, though he knew it was impossible.

Yet, to be honest, the silence today was somewhat unsettling.

Had the Pope already left? Or was he still undergoing treatment?

He must have left, as Ouyang Xiyue detected no magical fluctuations.

The divine resurrection spell was a legendary magic from ancient times, now essentially a forbidden art, long lost to the world.

Perhaps only the current Pope of the Holy Light Church possessed such a terrifying forbidden art and could even master its use—truly unfathomable.

The living room was empty, save for the ticking of a clock.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Ouyang Xiyue walked towards the bedroom and opened the door.

“Yun’er… I—”

Ouyang Xiyue had just begun to speak when he saw Shangguan Yun raise a finger to her lips, shushing him, causing him to immediately fall silent.

Glancing around, he confirmed that Chi Congyu, that persistent specter, was indeed still there.

The Pope was nowhere to be seen, but Yun’er was present, and also…

Moxuan, whom Ouyang Xiyue had frozen solid with absolute zero ice, along with her bed, now lay on Yun’er’s bed.

Her face was noticeably rosy, and a powerful aura of life emanated from her body.

Ouyang Xiyue’s previously ice-bound bed had already been tidied meticulously.

Shangguan Yun pointed towards the door, indicating they should speak outside.

Ouyang Xiyue nodded, then cast a glance at the sleeping Moxuan on the bed before heading to the living room.

After Ouyang Xiyue settled onto the sofa, Chi Congyu followed him out, taking a seat beside him.

Shangguan Yun gently closed the bedroom door, then respectfully stood to the side.

“Ah, Yun’er, there’s no need to be so formal with me. Just sit down,” Ouyang Xiyue said with a smile.

Shangguan Yun did not decline and took a seat.

“Lord Xiyue, His Holiness the Pope has completed the treatment,” Shangguan Yun reported, conveying the Pope’s message in a straightforward manner.

“When His Holiness left, he instructed us to ensure this girl rests well, as she might be very drowsy now.

Also, His Holiness mentioned he wishes to meet with you privately when you have time, as there’s something he needs to discuss.”

“Ah, Xiyue, there’s no rush,” Chi Congyu said with a beaming smile.

“Old Grandpa will likely need some time to recuperate as well, so let’s not disturb him for now.

I’ll go scout out the situation, and once he’s feeling better, we can go together.”

While her words seemed innocuous, her ‘salty pig hand’ had already found its way to Ouyang Xiyue’s hand, and her smile gradually turned exceedingly lewd.

“Cough, cough!”

Shangguan Yun coughed pointedly twice, then shot a glare at Chi Congyu.

Only then did Chi Congyu behave herself.

“Lord Xiyue, what did you go out for today?

You returned quite quickly.

Was it only an hour you were out? Did you find what you were looking for, or…?” Shangguan Yun asked, her curiosity piqued.

“You little rascal, do you really not want to see me?”

“Cough, Yun’er didn’t mean it that way.

My point… my point was…”

“Ah, it’s alright, I know you didn’t mean it like that, good girl,” Ouyang Xiyue said, rubbing his temple as he took a sip of tea.

“I went out today to learn a few things.

Yun’er, do you know about the Academy’s Heaven and Earth Rankings?

I hear it’s filled with experts, and it’s making my hands itch.

I’m eager to try my luck; it’s been too long since I stretched my muscles.

Lately, there’s been such a mountain of trivial matters, it’s quite frustrating.”

Ouyang Xiyue carried many burdens.

He still had to avenge his parents, and there were many things he had yet to accomplish, such as becoming a true powerhouse and standing at the pinnacle of the continent.

However, he had recently realized that the Eastern Continent was merely a tiny speck among countless worlds.

He yearned to venture out, to explore the wider world, to gain experience, and to enhance his own strength.

“The Heaven and Earth Rankings? Does Lord Xiyue mean to challenge them?” Shangguan Yun asked, scratching her head bashfully.

“It seems the Heaven and Earth Rankings are about to undergo a significant upheaval, hahaha.

Lord Xiyue, to be honest, I’m currently ranked seventeenth on the Earth Ranking.”

“Oh, not bad at all.

I wouldn’t have guessed you had such capabilities.

But speaking of which, Yun’er, with your strength, haven’t you reached the Heaven Ranking yet?”

“Hmm… Lord Xiyue, was that a grammatically incorrect statement?

It just feels a bit off.

I’ll take it as a compliment, though.”

Shangguan Yun said earnestly, pouting slightly with a hint of indignation.

“The average first-year student in the academy is around Rank Three, which is about level thirty-something.

If I hadn’t followed Princess and had more resources for cultivation than others, and if Uncle Jian didn’t occasionally guide me, I’d probably only be one rank higher than most.

We’re only around fifteen, after all, still quite young.

Do you think everyone is like you, already unfathomable at fourteen, capable of fighting that monstrous pervert Night Xuehui to a standstill?”

“Cough, cough, I see.

You’re right, we are still young.

My apologies.

That person is indeed a prodigy, but let’s not dwell on her.”

“This week, I plan to first claim the top spot on the Heaven Ranking, then assess the situation.

I’ll observe for a bit, see how others react.

Honestly, it should be a minor challenge.

Do you know who currently holds the number one spot on the Heaven Ranking?”

“It’s a third-year senior, Ouyang Nan… He’s from the Ouyang family, a favored genius of the Ouyang family’s outer sect elders.

At a young age, he has already reached the peak of Rank Six, just a step away from Rank Seven.

His strength is formidable and not to be underestimated.”

“So, Lord Xiyue, perhaps… you should challenge someone lower-ranked first?” Shangguan Yun suggested weakly, knowing Ouyang Xiyue’s hatred for the Ouyang family.

“Someone from the Ouyang family… I see.”

Ouyang Xiyue clenched his fists tightly.

“Never mind.

For now, I must learn to endure while hiding my identity.

To avoid exposing myself prematurely, I’ll just challenge the tenth spot.

My goal isn’t the top of the Heaven Ranking anyway, but the Divine Ranking.

Since being in the top ten of the Heaven Ranking allows one to challenge the Divine Ranking, I can simply bypass him.”

Indeed, it was better to keep a low profile to avoid trouble and premature exposure.

‘Wait, how is that keeping a low profile?’ he thought.

‘Recalling my own actions – challenging a senior, and making a bet with Night Xuehui, that great devil.’

‘I am Ouyang Nan, does he pay attention to the first-year matters here?’

‘Never mind, this is the only way to do it.’

‘Though I felt a bit hesitant, a true man knew when to retreat and when to advance.’

‘Ouyang family, just you wait.

Sooner or later, I will make you pay a heavy price.’

‘Wait, it won’t be long.

You are merely stepping stones for me to enhance my strength.’

“The Divine Ranking? Lord Xiyue, are you serious?” Shangguan Yun asked, a hint of unease in her voice.

“The Divine Ranking is truly where the masters gather; the circle is vast, and it doesn’t seem easy to navigate.

What if… Lord Xiyue, please consider it carefully.

What if you get injured? How would I explain it to Princess?”

Ouyang Xiyue knew Shangguan Yun was worried about him, but he was confident in his own strength, so it was a minor concern.

This was simply a way to push himself and improve.

“I know you’re worried about me, but I’ve endured for so many years,” Ouyang Xiyue stated before turning and leaving.

“From the age of seven, I followed Master, bravely venturing into the Beast Forest.

By eight, I had mastered swordsmanship.

At nine, my swordsmanship reached the subtle realm, gradually forming a sword aura.

At ten, my sword aura was perfected.

At twelve, I comprehended sword intent.

At thirteen, my sword intent was complete, manifesting phenomena, leaving no trace with my heart sword.

This year, at fourteen, my sword heart has condensed, becoming indestructible and imbued with the Dao.”

“Only I truly know the effort and hardship I’ve poured into this over all these years.

Ouyang family, just you wait.”

“Hmm? Cough, Lord Xiyue, where are you going?” Shangguan Yun asked, snapping out of her momentary daze.

“To bathe.”

“Look, just look, Shangguan Yun, look!” Chi Congyu exclaimed, watching Ouyang Xiyue leave.

“Is what Xiyue saying even human?

This fellow is probably even more monstrous than Night Xuehui!

He’s only fourteen, yet he’s already reached the Grand Perfection of the Heart Realm in the Way of the Sword.

It’s terrifying!

What else could this be but an unparalleled genius?”

“Some people spend their entire lives just to form a sword aura, and then they stop progressing.

But this guy is only fourteen… Indeed, one cannot provoke ‘Wife-sama,’ otherwise, my life might not be safe in the future.

I’m out of here!”

Watching Chi Congyu depart, Shangguan Yun offered a helpless smile, thinking to herself.

‘How could you ever understand, that at such a young age, Lord Xiyue followed Uncle Jian daily, venturing into the Beast Forest, traveling across the continent, constantly feeling on the verge of death?’ she mused.

‘I’ve heard from my Heavy Sword Uncle that Lord Xiyue cultivates diligently every day, and he usually completes double the tasks assigned to him.’

‘Alas, in cultivation, besides a certain level of talent, one must also put in arduous effort.’

‘Lord Xiyue, you have toiled tirelessly all these years…’