William Lincoln's advancing steps paused slightly. He turned his head and glanced at him with a half-smile, half-not: “I wonder, if others find out that a student expelled from Ziyun Academy sets up a challenge stage right at the academy’s main gate, challenging all the students of Ziyun Academy, yet not a single student can defeat him—what kind of impact do you think that would have on the academy’s reputation? How will people view the leadership of this academy in the future?”

A threat—a blatant, open threat.

Upon hearing this, the vice dean’s previously confident expression finally changed. With William Lincoln’s ability to seriously injure a level-five swordsman with a single punch, if he really set up a challenge stage at the entrance of Ziyun Intermediate Academy, who in the entire academy could defeat him? If this incident truly blew up and someone with an agenda dug out the whole story, by that time...

“I’ll stay in Glory Sun City for one day. If I hear that Carrie Lincoln and Lincoln have been expelled from Ziyun Academy, I will absolutely keep my word and come to challenge you in person! Of course, you can try some underhanded tricks against me—assassinate me, or whatever. But don’t forget, I am a lord of the Haisen Empire, and also a collateral member of the The Lincoln Family. Although our branch has declined, if this matter gets out and the The Lincoln Family hears about it for the sake of face... hmph, the consequences... Just for my surname alone, it’s not something your little Ziyun Intermediate Academy can bear.” After speaking, William Lincoln strode out of the office, leaving behind the vice dean, still seething with anger yet at a complete loss.

“Charles Lincoln... the number one family in the Haisen Empire after the royal family—the outer disciples of the The Lincoln Family...” The vice dean’s face darkened.

The The Lincoln Family, that’s the number one family of a level-six civilization empire! With the influence of the The Lincoln Family, even if they don’t take action themselves, just a hint of their attitude would be enough to wipe Ziyun Intermediate Academy off the map. Even the illustrious Academy of Brilliance, one of the three top academies in the Ziyun Empire, would see its future development severely impacted... If they truly provoked the overwhelming wrath of the The Lincoln Family, not just the Academy of Brilliance, but the entire Ziyun Empire would be destroyed in the ensuing war.

The gap in strength between a level-six civilization empire and a declining level-three civilization empire is far more than just a little.

“Mason Lincoln Mentor, what do you think...” The vice dean felt the situation was becoming increasingly tricky. The originally perfect solution had developed such a major flaw. In the end, although they gained the upper hand, they also paid a price. After all, Charles Lincoln is a noble from a high-level empire—even if he’s at the very bottom, if something happens to him, it will still bring huge trouble to their Ziyun Intermediate Academy.

Mason Lincoln took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm: “Since the main culprit has already received the punishment he deserves, and that Carrie Lincoln seems to have learned his lesson as well, I think we should just let this matter go. After all, it’s not really appropriate for us elders to intervene in disputes between students...”

The vice dean secretly sneered. Why didn’t you say it was inappropriate to intervene at the beginning? Now that you know his identity, you’re scared into compromise... However, he wasn’t foolish enough to reveal the true extent of the Charles Lincoln family’s decline. Otherwise, if Mason Lincoln lost his scruples and forced him to expel Carrie Lincoln and Lincoln again, provoking a challenge from Charles Lincoln, then Ziyun Academy’s reputation would truly be ruined.

Volume One, Nine-Nine Supreme, Chapter Eleven: Wondrous Melody

William Lincoln quietly packed his already simple belongings and, without telling anyone, silently left Ziyun Intermediate Academy.

After leaving Ziyun Intermediate Academy, he immediately sought out the most famous blacksmith shop in Glory Sun City, handed over a set of blueprints he had long designed to the shop’s chief swordsmith, gave some guidance, and waited patiently for three days. When the time was right, a four-foot-long sword was forged.

Cultivators often say that weapons are external things, and carrying them is not conducive to personal cultivation. However, in William Lincoln’s view, cultivation itself is a process of using external forces to strengthen oneself. At first, one relies on the advantage of weapons; later, on the power of great trends; and ultimately, on the power of heaven and earth. Is there not a commonality among these three stages?

Moreover, as a sword cultivator, William Lincoln cultivated the Nine-Nine Supreme Sword Qi to condense a sword soul—a sword that fits his hand is absolutely essential. Can a sword cultivator without a sword still be called a sword cultivator? This was also why he stayed in the blacksmith shop for three whole days.

William Lincoln carefully examined the longsword he had forged, stretched out his right hand, bent his index finger, infused it with true energy, and flicked it lightly. A crisp sword hum echoed through the blacksmith shop.

Every sword has its own unique sound, and from its sound, one can tell the quality of the sword.

After listening intently for a moment, William Lincoln already had a general understanding of this sword. He looked at the sword levelly and nodded in approval: “The blade, tip, edge, pommel, spine, edge, guard, hilt, pommel cap, and scabbard are all excellent. Master, your craftsmanship is superb.”