Rise of the Sword Son-in-Law

Chapter 268: Imperial Academy

```

With the departure of Shangguan Lingyu, the Imperial Holy Refinement in the capital finally came to a complete end.

Xu Ping’an was the undisputed champion.

In addition, because Shangguan Lingyu gave up her spot, along with the three spots she gifted,

ultimately Long Zhan, Yu Chenglin, and Tang Qingyu also obtained spots.

Added to that was one spot from the Refining Alliance given to Song Lingxue, and another spot was said to have been given to a prodigy from the Heavenly Elixir Sect.

Thus, a total of ten spots.

This Holy Refinement could be described as a perfect conclusion.

And because of Xu Ping’an and Li Qingyi, the Beichen Sword Sect really made a name for itself.

Those who went to Beichen Sword Sect to seek apprenticeship almost broke down its mountain gate.

Time flew, and it was already the fifth day after the Holy Refinement.

Xu Ping’an and Li Qingyi had also recovered from their injuries by this time, with Li Qingyi having broken through to the Fifth Rank Sixth Layer Realm, and Xu Ping’an also having broken through to the Fifth Rank Second Layer Realm.

"Ping’an Junior Brother, have you almost recovered? Are you planning to collect your reward?" Li Qingyi asked with a smile as she approached.

"Mm, what about you, what reward are you planning to collect first?" Xu Ping’an asked with a smile.

He was the first place winner and was entitled to read in the Imperial Academy’s Scripture Pavilion for seven days, cultivate in the Hao Tian Secret Realm for seven days, and receive teachings from the emperor once.

Because Shangguan Lingyu left, Li Qingyi, who was originally fifth, also advanced to fourth place.

That meant she could read in the Imperial Academy for four days, cultivate in the Hao Tian Secret Realm for four days, and also receive teachings from the emperor once.

"Junior Brother Ping’an, where do you plan to go?" Li Qingyi asked in return.

"I plan to go to the academy, the Hao Tian Secret Realm is for improving cultivation, but my cultivation still needs some polish, as for the emperor’s teachings, I want to wait a bit longer," Xu Ping’an said.

"Good, then I’ll go to the Imperial Academy with Junior Brother Ping’an," Li Qingyi said.

Xu Ping’an nodded his head.

Going together was a good idea.

He might even help Li Qingyi choose some Cultivation Combat Techniques that suited her.

And he always felt that the academy was not exactly a place of goodwill; there would likely be trouble heading their way.

"Xu Brother, do you plan on heading to the academy? How about I act as your guide?"

Just then, a voice sounded.

Qin Mu walked in from outside the courtyard with a smile.

Qin Mu placed third in this Holy Refinement and had the right to receive a reward as well.

Xu Ping’an hadn’t expected Qin Mu to choose to go with him; it seemed he had been specifically waiting for Xu to finish his closed-door training so they could go together.

"Then I’ll trouble Tenth Prince," Xu Ping’an said with a smile.

Qin Mu was somewhat surprised; he had thought Xu Ping’an would refuse, but Xu actually agreed.

This made him overjoyed.

"Since that’s the case, I’ll wait outside for Brother Xu. There’s no hurry, take your time to get ready," Qin Mu said with a smile.

He then left Xu Ping’an’s residence.

"Junior Brother Ping’an, why did you agree to his request? His doing so will put you in danger, the Crown Prince will think you are his man," Li Qingyi said with a slight frown.

She didn’t want Xu Ping’an to be drawn into the imperial family’s struggle for the throne.

Given Xu Ping’an’s status as the first-place winner of the Holy Refinement, getting too close to the Tenth Prince would undoubtedly displease the Crown Prince and perhaps other princes as well.

Xu Ping’an might very well be in danger then.

She believed Xu Ping’an couldn’t possibly have failed to see this.

"I know, but since I’ve already won the first place in the Holy Refinement, it’s necessary for me to choose a side, and I decidedly cannot support the Crown Prince. So rather than that, I might as well support the familiar Tenth Prince," Xu Ping’an said with a smile.

Now that he was involved in this conflict, it was too late to back out.

The Crown Prince was ruthless and clearly not the ideal partner for Xu Ping’an’s collaboration.

For now, the Tenth Prince seemed not too bad.

```

"But... this way, the Crown Prince will probably want to kill you," said Li Qingyi.

"I have already offended him. Even if I don’t choose to support Qin Mu, he will still make a move against me. Rather than that, it’s better to ally with someone like Qin Mu. As for the Crown Prince’s revenge, I’m not afraid. The only thing I worry about is him targeting you. Cooperating with Qin Mu is also to hope he can protect your safety when I am unable to do so," Xu Ping’an said gravely.

Li Qingyi was taken aback, suddenly feeling a rush of emotions within her.

She hadn’t expected Xu Ping’an to be so considerate of her.

"Thank you, Junior Brother Ping’an," Li Qingyi said, moved.

"What are you thanking me for? Besides, aren’t you mine now?" Xu Ping’an said with a smile, wrapping his arms around Li Qingyi’s slender waist.

A delicate body nestled in his embrace, soft and boneless, with a faint dark fragrance emanating from her body, which was unique to her.

It must be said that Li Qingyi was truly a rare beauty to come by in this world.

Even Xu Ping’an, who had lived two lifetimes, was somewhat captivated.

Li Qingyi was bashful, as this was the first time she had been so close to a man.

Thus, she felt somewhat flustered at the moment, but she did not pull away from Xu Ping’an. Instead, she looked willing to be plucked.

Xu Ping’an chuckled and pinched a certain ample spot on Li Qingyi.

Then, with a smile, he said, "Let’s go. Don’t keep Qin Mu waiting."

Only then did Li Qingyi open her eyes, her face blushing so much it looked ready to drip with water.

She felt both embarrassed and annoyed in her heart.

But she still followed him.

...

Soon, the two of them arrived at the Imperial Academy, led by Qin Mu.

The Imperial Academy was much more understated than Xu Ping’an had imagined.

The gates of the Imperial Academy were not luxurious; instead, they looked somewhat plain and worn.

The entire architecture of the academy exuded an extremely ancient, scholarly atmosphere.

"This is the academy?" Xu Ping’an looked at the Academy’s entrance before him, feeling an unusual sense of tranquility in his heart.

Especially that plaque above the gate, the characters for "academy" brought a pleasant feeling to Xu Ping’an’s heart and mind.

A Dao Principle Realm powerhouse!

The person who wrote this plaque was definitely a Dao Principle Realm powerhouse.

Such powerhouses are also known as immortals.

Upon seeing the characters on the plaque, Xu Ping’an could feel a Power of Dao Principles.

Tranquility!

Yes, it was this Power of Dao Principles that could naturally calm one’s heart.

Looking at the characters on the plaque, it was obvious they were very ancient.

At least several thousand years old.

Today, the plaque still exudes the Power of Dao Principles, which shows how powerful the original writer must have been.

According to Xu Ping’an’s estimation, if the writer of this plaque was not of Immortal Emperor Level, then they were very close to it.

"It seems the foundation of this academy is much deeper than I had imagined," Xu Ping’an murmured to himself.

"This plaque was left by the academy’s first master. It is said that he roamed the four corners of the world, and it has been over six thousand years since he left. It is unknown whether he has passed away," Qin Mu said.

Xu Ping’an nodded without commenting.

Such a strong person, unless killed, would find it difficult to die of old age.

Therefore, it’s very likely that this founding master is still alive.

If he is still alive, being very strong six thousand years ago, by now he must be at least of Twelfth Rank.

An Immortal Emperor Level existence.

Xu Ping’an couldn’t help but become solemn.

How many Immortal Emperors are there in this world, after all?