The boy seemed to be in a dark abyss, as if a pair of invisible palms were holding his throat. The cold wind could not stop blowing into his heart, and the cool rain fell mercilessly on his young face, but he could not make a single cry, it was a painful ordeal.

Su Yongqiu sat alone in the bamboo hut and quietly watched the young man open his eyes. He had slept all day and night, and now new sunlight was shining through the window paper, dispelling the gloom in the room.

Xu Changfeng subconsciously covered his forehead with his palm, looked at Su Yongqiu in front of him, suddenly got up from the bed, and hurriedly exclaimed, "The imperial examination is over?"

"This hour should be over. Su Yongqiu said softly.

Xu Changfeng trembled, his heart was like blocking a mossy boulder, it was cold and hard, and he muttered with great difficulty: "Uncle Su, I ......"

Su Yongqiu said in a deep voice: "Your body, you should know better than me." ”

"My body?"

Xu Changfeng recalled that the reason why he was in a coma was because he touched the threshold of the broken mirror during the imperial examination, so he couldn't suppress the influx of aura. He quickly calmed down and ran the spiritual energy in his body along the meridians around his body for a week, but the spiritual energy did not increase, and the spiritual power in his body was still so fragile.

"The peak ...... of the marrow washing realm"

Xu Changfeng was a little disappointed, after paying so much, the result was only from the late stage of the Pulp Cleansing Realm to the peak level, which was indeed an unacceptable thing. But he soon found that the aura stored in his body had already reached saturation, and even if he continued to absorb the aura of heaven and earth, it would turn into green smoke and dissipate after entering his body.

This is an indisputable fact, the peak of the Purifying Soul Realm is destined to be the end of his cultivation path.

Xu Changfeng looked at Su Yongqiu in front of him with dull eyes, and he was speechless for a while, not knowing what to say.

Su Yongqiu also did not speak, which was indeed a cruel blow to him. No amount of comfort to him was useless, he needed to get through it himself.

Quietly in the bamboo hut, the atmosphere was suddenly broken by the young man's trembling words, "Uncle Su, is there really no other way?"

"Unless you can reshape the meridians, no amount of treatment will only be a symptom rather than a cure. Su Yongqiu shook his head and said, "Even if it costs a lot of money to make you forcibly break through the second order, or even the third order, what's the point? After all, you can't continue to take another step." ”

Su Yongqiu is very realistic, this is the reality that the teenager has to face.

Xu Changfeng got up from the bed, his body stiffened and said, "Uncle Su, I want to go out for a walk......

"Go for it......"

As one of the doors closed, the bamboo hut fell silent again. Su Yongqiu's loss at this moment is no less than that of Xu Changfeng. He was a dying man, with no disciples and no relatives. Now my biggest wish is to see Xu Changfeng show his skills at the Star Club before he dies.

The young man walked out of the Qingzhu Sword Academy all the way, and the students who rushed to the school one after another all looked at him with a cold eye.

Paper can never contain a fire, let alone a raging fire.

How ironic is it to wash the marrow overnight, but never take half a step out of the marrow washing realm?

Xu Changfeng seemed to have become numb to this feeling, and he lowered his head and walked forward, no longer paying attention to these gazes floating from afar.

"This is fate, my fate?"

He went from simply wanting to learn swords at the beginning to wanting to stand at the pinnacle of his cultivation path. He thought that with the wick of the ten years of lamps, he could change this fate, and only now did he know that he was wrong.

He seemed to be back to that rainy night, like a dream.

A dream woven by ten years of lamps and cold rain, when the lamp oil burned out and the rain dissipated, the dream woke up. He is still stuck in the same place, living in this imaginary world.

As he was walking, he suddenly bumped into something, and he quickly raised his head. I saw Wei Xueying staring at him with a tense face, and the young man in front of him was full of decadence and loss. When he faded away from the bright light he once had, he was just like an ordinary passer-by, coming and going in a hurry.

Xu Changfeng just wanted to apologize to her, but Wei Xueying bypassed him without saying a word, and his figure quickly disappeared into the green bamboo forest.

Wei Xueying's appearance only set off a small wave in his heart, and soon calmed down like the Dead Sea. After all, it's two passers-by, what else is there to say?

He walked out of the alley and stood on the streets of Chang'an, the sound of carriages under the morning sun was bustling, and the rivers and lakes were far away. He is like a lonely outsider, with other people's rivers and lakes in his eyes.

"Uncle Seven...... What should I do?" Xu Changfeng walked forward with a step, headless and thoughtless, "If it's you, what should you do?"

"I don't accept my fate. ”

Suddenly, a clear voice came from the noisy streets, and the tone was very familiar.

Xu Changfeng's heart trembled, and he hurriedly raised his head and looked around. It's a pity that he searched every alley and every stall around, but he never saw a man with seven swords on his back.

"Don't accept your fate?" Xu Changfeng muttered in a low voice, "Seventh Uncle, do you want to tell me not to accept my fate?"

If he is like ordinary people, even if he can't take half a step out of the marrow washing realm, he will also marry a wife and have children, find a job that can support his family, and live this life ordinarily.

However, his birth was destined to be extraordinary. There are still many things waiting for him to do, the people who should be killed have not been killed, and the people who should be saved have not been saved, this is what troubles him the most.

What can be done by cultivating in the marrow realm? Could it be that like in the heavenly prison before, let many people calm the troubles they have caused for themselves?

This is not the life he wants.

Just seek ordinary, but not bland.

He has never been a genius, but he has been forced to be a genius by others.

The singing and dancing in the Menghua Building is noisy, and the sound of the piano can be heard from afar. The sons and brothers who came and went were pulled in by the waist of the girl who invited guests at the door to eat and drink, this is a place that will never be deserted.

Xu Changfeng glanced up at the three words Menghualou, and couldn't help muttering in a low voice: "How did I get here......"

Xu Changfeng stood not far from the Menghua Building, quietly staring in the direction of the door. It was here that day that he saw Yao Xi coming out of it, and it was also here that he was taken into the Menghua Building by the half-sword.

He seemed to be distracted, and the whole person looked at the front like a piece of wood, and his appearance could no longer be described as embarrassed.

At some point, the sound stopped, and he came back to his senses, sighed helplessly, turned his head and walked back.

"Xu Gongzi, are you just leaving?"

He hadn't walked a few steps before suddenly a woman's voice came from behind him, with a bit of sadness in her tone.

Xu Changfeng looked back and saw Ming Ming standing behind him in a water blue gauze skirt, barefoot, and two small eyes staring at him intently.

"Obviously ......"

Xu Changfeng suddenly felt very embarrassed, and he didn't know how to face Mingming. Although not many people know about the meridians, the coma of the scientific expedition has already spread throughout Chang'an. What a shameful thing it is that the most promising candidate at the beginning has fallen into a failed list? This double burden is too heavy on the delicate shoulders of the young man.

"Let Ming Ming accompany you this time, okay?"

Obviously speaking, he walked to Xu Changfeng's side with small steps. Just now she was playing the piano on the stage, and when she was about to rest when she played a tune, Ruyue immediately told her that Xu Changfeng had been standing outside for a long time, and she was so anxious that she rushed out without even putting on her shoes.

She approached the boy, her little face pressed against his chest, and her hands slowly stretched out to hug his waist. Xu Changfeng's body trembled slightly, smelling the body fragrance emanating from her body, and her troubled heart suddenly calmed down, as if she had fallen into a gentle township. In this majestic ancient city, this may be the only warmth he can feel.

When he came back to his senses, he was already sitting in the Dream Flower Building. It's still the familiar room, only Ming Ming is by his side.

"Obviously......" Xu Changfeng whispered, looking at her with a serious face, as if he had made a bold decision, "Is there any wine?"

When he heard this, his little eyes flashed with surprise. She knew that this young man had always hated drinking, and Banjian's repeated persuasion that day only made him reluctantly have a drink. It is indeed incredible to hear him offer to drink now.

She understood the young man's mood at this time, and knew that wine was a good thing, although she had never drunk it, but she had seen it. She nodded hurriedly: "Well, I'll go get the wine." ”

Xu Changfeng stared at the back of Ming Ming's departure, and suddenly understood what Banjian said about drinking. The so-called drinking is just trying to talk to someone who can understand you.

With three glasses of liquor in his stomach, Xu Changfeng felt like his whole body was burning. Even though it wasn't the first time he had drunk this wine, he still felt like a knife was cutting flesh through his throat. Although this feeling was very uncomfortable, it made him feel a sense of relief that he had never felt before.

To hell with it if you practice or something!

"Mingming, pour me another glass. The young man hugged Mingming's small waist, and there was a little more alcohol in his words.

"Childe, you've drunk too much...... Ming Ming replied softly.

"But I still want to drink. The young man blushed and said in a slightly heavy tone, with water shining in the corners of his eyes.

In the past ten years, he has borne too much bitterness and suffering, and he can't wait to vent it at this moment. Xu Changfeng saw that he was obviously not moving, so he reached out and lifted the wine bottle by himself, and staggered and poured a full glass. He grabbed the wine glass, as if drinking tea, and tasted it bit by bit, every sip of wine in his throat was a different taste.

Looking at the young man's appearance, she couldn't help but feel a little sad, she hesitated for a while, and then asked in a low voice, "Xu Gongzi, do you have a girl you like?"

Xu Changfeng put down his wine glass and looked at Ming Ming with wide eyes, "How do you know ......?"

"Sister Ruyue said. She bit her lip lightly and made a mosquito-like sound, "Those emotionally troubled men come here to drink, and you are the way you are." ”

The young man blinked his eyes several times, laughed self-deprecatingly, shook his head and smiled helplessly, "But she doesn't like me......"

"Why?" I can't believe that Xu Gongzi is such an excellent man, and there are girls who don't like him?

Xu Changfeng stared at the wine glass on the table, and sighed in a low voice: "Me and her...... Some misunderstandings......"

"Is there a misunderstanding?" asked Ming Ming suspiciously, "Childe, why don't you go and make it clear to her?"

"I don't know how to say it, and I haven't had a chance to say it......"

Obviously anxious, he hurriedly said, "Childe, you can take the initiative to go to her." ”

"Take the initiative...... Will she listen?" Xu Changfeng asked in a daze, a little drunk.

"If you don't say it, she'll never hear ......"

It was the last thing he heard before he fell asleep, and he couldn't remember exactly what happened after that. I just vaguely feel like I've said a lot, but I don't know what I've said.

I only knew that when he woke up, it was already afternoon, and his head was like a big stone tied to it, and he was groggy and uncomfortable. It was the first time he had been drunk, and the first time he had experienced it.

He rubbed his eyes lightly, he was the only one left in the room at this time, he got up from the ground, and saw a bowl of soup and a note on the table: "Childe, remember to drink the decanting soup when you wake up, obviously you have to pick up guests, so you won't accompany Childe." What Childe said after drinking, he promised that no one would tell him. ”

After Xu Changfeng read the content of the note, he couldn't help but blush a little. Apparently he spit out a lot of thoughts with Ming Ming after he got drunk, and as for what he said, it doesn't matter anymore. At least to be sure, he didn't say anything about the Sky Sword Village.

He picked up the decanting soup on the table in both hands and drank it all.

This awakening, everything before seemed like a strange dream. In the dream, he experienced the most decadent moment in his life, and although he was not in a very good mood at this time, at least he had faded away from that embarrassing appearance.

He was lying on the edge of the window, and the location chosen by Menghualou was very good, from here you could just see the entire Chang'an City, and the scattered pavilions constituted a series of black dots on the chessboard. Living in Chang'an is equivalent to living on a chessboard.

The young man let the dazzling sunlight shine on his face, he clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, "Seventh Uncle, I finally understand what you mean!"

What about stopping at the Purifying Realm for the rest of his life? From the beginning, he didn't plan to be able to step into the Purifying Realm to cultivate, and the purpose of his coming to the Qingzhu Sword Academy was just to learn swords.

In every man's heart, there is a river and lake that belongs to him. This Chang'an City is the rivers and lakes in Xu Changfeng's heart.

At this moment, he understood a lot, he was indeed blinded by the aura of this genius, and thus lost his original heart. Now that he has at least stepped into the marrow washing realm, it is much better than the expected goal. He suddenly heard the words that were said in front of the Qingzhu Sword Courtyard that day: "I am here to learn swords." ”

It's just learning swords, not cultivating.

"Even if it is my destiny to be at the peak of the Cleansing Realm, why should I be afraid? I have nothing, but where I came from and where I go back!"

What if you lose Mr. Qin's face? Even if you can't be on the Xuandao list? People always have to live for themselves, not in the eyes of others.

The boy basks in the afternoon sun, as if he had been reborn.

Seeing through the shackles of fame and fortune in the world requires a lifetime of time for many people. Xu Changfeng was very lucky, it only took him half a day to understand this truth. Because he has nothing, he is not afraid to lose.

Those things that don't belong to him in the first place, no matter how persistent they are, are just bubbles in the water after all. It's enough to live in your own rivers and lakes and do what you want to do.

"Thank you. ”

Xu Changfeng muttered to himself in the empty wing, and then went out and walked downstairs. At this moment, she was obviously playing the piano on the stage, and when she saw that Xu Changfeng's complexion had become much more energetic, she couldn't help but feel a sense of joy in her heart.

She watched Xu Changfeng leave Menghualou and continue to concentrate on playing with the strings.

She is actually very envious of Xu Changfeng, even if he has nothing, he is always free. And she will be trapped in this small pavilion forever, and the cold xylophone under her fingertips is her lifelong companion.

Xu Changfeng returned to the Qingzhu Sword Academy, and the students on the sword training ground were all shocked when they saw his figure. Many people, like him, have long forgotten what this young man came to the Sword Academy for.

The boy ignored them and walked into the school with trepidation.

There were only three or five students in the school reading quietly, and he quickly stopped in his familiar position. Xu Changfeng took a deep breath and walked to Wei Xueying's side.

"Something?"

Wei Xueying raised her head and looked at the young man with a flat face.

"I have something I want to tell you, can you go out with me?" Xu Changfeng asked in a low voice.

Wei Xueying originally wanted to refuse directly, but after thinking about it, Xu Changfeng was already pitiful enough, if he refused again, would this be a bit too ruthless?

"Forget it, for his pity, promise him once. Wei Xueying thought to herself.

She got up from her seat, looked at the boy and said, "I'm busy, I'll only give you half a pillar of incense." ”

"Thank you. ”

"Don't think about it. Wei Xueying subconsciously replied, "You saved my life last time, and now we are clear." ”

After she finished speaking, she walked out of the school first.

Xu Changfeng looked at her back, looking a little helpless. When did he fall in love with her? he forgot, or he didn't even know.

The two walked through the sword training ground one after the other and walked into the green bamboo forest. There is a quiet atmosphere in the bamboo forest, and the sunlight shines through the bamboo leaves and scatters broken shadows all over the ground. They finally stopped in a pavilion, and Xu Changfeng was silent for a while before he whispered, "Jiang Li's matter ......"

"I know, she's your fiancée. The boy was only halfway through his sentence when she interrupted. If Xu Changfeng was just trying to explain this matter to her, then she didn't need to listen to it. This is the case, and no matter how much it is explained, it is superfluous nonsense.

"Not what you think. Xu Changfeng hurriedly shook his head and said, "I have nothing to do with her." ”

Wei Xueying said disappreciably: "What does this have to do with me?"

Xu Changfeng was anxious, and hurriedly explained: "I don't know her at all, and I don't like her either." ”

When Wei Xueying heard this, her light eyes couldn't help but stare at the young man, obviously questioning this.

"I ......"

Xu Changfeng was struggling for a long time, and finally swallowed the three words like you. He didn't know how to speak, and he didn't think it was appropriate to say it now.

"Then why did you still make a marriage contract with her?" Wei Xueying then asked.

"Because Dingjiang Wangfu ......" Xu Changfeng breathed a sigh of relief, and quickly told the ins and outs of this matter briefly. He just said that he could help Jiang Li dispel the cold, but he didn't say what the method was to dispel the cold.

After hearing this, Wei Xueying blinked her eyelids and asked, "So the Dingjiang Palace's marriage to Jiang Li Xu to you is regarded as a reward for you?"

"This ......" Xu Changfeng blushed a little, but still nodded, "That's pretty much it." ”

Wei Xueying thought for a moment and asked in a low voice, "You called me out just to talk about this?"

Xu Changfeng suddenly didn't know how to answer, just like Wei Xueying said, what does it have to do with her? But it's better to say it than to hold it in your heart.

Seeing that the boy did not reply for a long time, the girl did not pursue any further questions. She stretched out her little hand and gently folded a bamboo branch, playing with it casually in her hand. There was silence in the pavilion for a while, and then she spoke, "What are your plans for the future?"

The young man replied in a low voice, "Stay in the Sword Academy and continue to learn the sword." ”

"But you can only stay in the marrow washing realm forever. The girl looked at him earnestly.

In her opinion, Xu Changfeng's stay in the Sword Academy was just a waste of time. It's better to go out and learn a trade, so that you can support yourself in the future. She did have some crush on the teenager once, that's all. She will go further and further on this road, but the future of the teenager has been set, and it is impossible to make any waves.

The boy also replied seriously: "I still have something I want to do that I haven't realized, even if I'm destined to be just a waste of the marrow realm, I want to try it." ”

The girl didn't know what to say, but after thinking for a long time, she whispered, "I have an uncle who once told me that he would not accept his fate, and that he hoped that I would not accept it in the future." I am sending this sentence to you now, and I hope that you will also be able to achieve what you want to do in the future. ”

"Your uncle?" the young man asked hurriedly, stunned.

"Huh?" she nodded suspiciously, "My uncle has been walking outside and only comes home once a year, and every time he goes back, he brings me a lot of good food." The last time I lost a hairpin, he brought it back to me from Chang'an City in the year I washed the marrow. ”

Wei Xueying said, her tone couldn't help but be a little low.

And Xu Changfeng also had a complicated face, and in addition to shock, there was only surprise left in his heart.

He couldn't help but think of a childhood memory.

"Uncle Seven, where is your family?"

"They don't have a good relationship with me. ”

"Why?"

"They all hate me. ”

"Then why do you bring so many things home every year?"

"Because, I have a niece at home who is the same age as you......"