Library of Heaven's Path 2: Eternal Fate of the Heavens

"Flies?"

Hopping off the horse, Yu Xiaoyu hurriedly checked the belly of Suxiang and indeed saw a swarm of flies buzzing around. She then looked at the coachman not far away with a puzzled face: "What's going on here?"

Waving his hand to disperse the excrement-loving flies, Zhang Xuan remained unruffled: "Reporting to Miss Yu, the recent humid weather of the southward sky is heavy, and besides, I didn't expect that right at the prestigious School's entrance, there would be such things. It's probably because their sanitation is not up to scratch, and it's quite normal to have some of these creatures..."

First, push away the blame, then speak. After all, without bending down to sniff carefully, no one could be certain.

Yu Feng frowned: "You mean this only started after we arrived here?"

Zhang Xuan nodded, his face full of sorrow: "Is Young Master Yu questioning us subordinates? I clean and wipe the Suxiang Horse every day, even bathing it with fresh flowers. It has always been clean; otherwise, it wouldn't be fitting for Miss Yu of such precious birth to ride on..."

Yu Xiaoyu: "Brother, he's right. Suxiang is a thousand-li horse. It only consumes the finest feed and resides in its own special area, not messy like an ordinary horse. It definitely doesn't smell, and I've been riding it all the way here. It absolutely must be the School's issue."

"Hmm... I will report this to the student affairs office later and have the teachers deal with it."

Seeing his sister speak up, Yu Feng did not pursue the matter further and immediately smiled: "These are minor issues. Let's go, let's enter the campus first! Once you pass the assessment, I'll help you choose a teacher..."

Yu Xiaoyu nodded, just about to call out to Mo Yanxue, when she heard a slightly mocking voice coming over.

"There are many kinds of horses, but not every one that is a bit larger or looks a bit more handsome can be called a thousand-li horse or be qualified as one."

At that moment, a tall girl, also riding a splendid horse, slowly approached.

This horse was an entire head taller than Suxiang, with a coat of light black fur that shone brilliantly, a slender neck, powerful hooves, and bright, expressive eyes. The sound of its hoofs clicking on the Risegreen Rock floor went "clack clack clack", and even before it came into view, it exerted a strong sense of oppression.

Recognizing the other party's identity, Yu Xiaoyu's eyebrows lifted: "Liu Mingyue, what do you mean by that!"

The girl across from her was named Liu Mingyue, the daughter of the Liu Clan head among the Three Premier Clans of Baiyan City. She was known alongside Mo Yanxue and Yu Xiaoyu as one of Baiyan City's three great beauties, always eager to compete with them. They would inevitably quarrel every time they met.

The reason she insisted on riding Suxiang this time was to appear even more imposing, in hopes of overshadowing the other when they met. Unexpectedly, this girl had brought an even taller and more impressive horse. Compared in size and presence, hers was decidedly superior.

"Can't you see?"

Liu Mingyue pulled on the reins, lifting her white chin to reveal a curve like that of a swan's neck: "My Dao Li is the real thousand-li horse. Yours, at best, is just a foal and dares to falsely claim the title of a thousand-li horse?"

"That's nonsense..."

Clenching her silver teeth, Yu Xiaoyu's face flushed with anger, wanting to refute, but she was at a loss for words, only puffing her cheeks without being able to speak.

In front of other horses, Suxiang was indeed incomparably grand, but next to her Dao Li, it really did seem like just a foal, not impressive at all.

"Not convinced? If so, do you dare to let your horse have a contest with my Dao Li? If you win, I will acknowledge it as a thousand-li horse. Otherwise, you should admit on your own that you came to the School riding a foal."

Liu Mingyue looked over with a smile brimming in her eyes.

"How should we compete?"

Unintimidated, Yu Xiaoyu placed her hands on her hips.

Seeing her take the bait, Liu Mingyue said: "It's simple. The Source Pool evaluation is about to begin, and it's not realistic to have them run a thousand li... However, any true thousand-li horse is also a formidable warhorse, not only strong in body but also decidedly firm in soul energy."

As she spoke, she took out a piece of grayish-green stone and held it in her palm: "I have here a Moyun jade stone, which I happened to acquire on the battlefield, soaked in soldier's blood, it contains a rich killing intent. Once activated, it can simulate the battlefield environment, startling the heart. If it's a genuine thousand-li horse, it would move within a ten-meter radius unaffected, while a regular horse might not be so lucky and could become frightened and panic… Do you dare let your horse give it a try?"

"Moyun jade stone contains a dense killing intent. Once released, it has the effect of honing the minds of cultivators and boosting soul energy."

"To take out something so precious just to test a horse, you truly live up to the Liu Clan heiress's reputation, so magnanimous!"

"It doesn't really matter though, it's just a use, won't waste too much of the sinister energy, and as long as it's sealed afterward, it can still be used later."

"That's true..."

The surrounding students began discussing amongst themselves.

"Um..."

Yu Xiaoyu did not agree directly but frowned slightly with some hesitation. After all, this wasn't her horse, and it wasn't really her place to decide.

"What's wrong, don't you dare?"

A snicker came, and Liu Mingyue smoothed her bangs on her forehead, "If you don't dare, just boldly admit that you're not as good as me, riding a young horse to the School..."

"You..."

Yu Xiaoyu pursed her lips.

If she really admitted it, she would never be able to lift her head in front of the other person again.

Not knowing how to respond, a faint voice came from inside the carriage, "Why wouldn't I dare!"

The carriage curtains were drawn open, Mo Yanxue stepped out.

Dressed in white, her slightly chilly facial features complemented by her tall, slender figure made all the young men present light up their eyes.

The battle of the three great beauties was too pleasing to the eye.

Liu Mingyue suddenly realized, "I get it, that must be your Suxiang, right? But it looks so listless, doesn't seem all that impressive!"

Mo Yanxue, "How can you know before testing it! But... just getting your acknowledgment means nothing, let's raise the stakes!"

Liu Mingyue, "What should we wager?"

Mo Yanxue, "Simple, the loser must apologize to Xiaoyu in public, apologize to my Suxiang, and then shout three times, 'I was wrong!'"

Liu Mingyue, "Alright! But then, it won't be as simple as a test. I want Suxiang and Dao Li to compete against the killing intent, the one who resists more wins!"

Seeing that there was some confusion about the rules, Liu Mingyue continued, "The closer you are to the Moyun jade stone, the more violent the killing intent. In other words, whichever of the two horses is closer wins! What do you say? Are you in?"

"This..." Mo Yanxue furrowed her brows.

Although Suxiang was a thousand-li horse, it was young and had an irritable temperament. Plus, it hadn't experienced life and death battles. Entering within a ten-meter perimeter would be fine, but the outcome of a competition with the other horse was hard to predict.

While pondering, something suddenly dawned on her, and she turned her head to look at the coachman not far away.

If this guy could make Suxiang obedient and resist the killing intent, he could probably do it, right!

"Zhang Xuan, Suxiang has always been under your care, to compete or not is up to you!"

"Me?"

Zhang Xuan was momentarily taken aback as he was unexpectedly called out by the young lady. He then began to ponder his situation.

To outsiders, the scene might seem like a competition, but it was actually the young ladies taking the opportunity to put each other down. With his current identity, no matter who won or lost, there was no real benefit for him. Plus, it would make him too conspicuous, contrary to a low-key, reserved image...

Considering this, there was no need to get involved. With that thought, he quickly bowed, "Forgive me, miss, I am but a coachman, not worthy..."

Before he could finish, Mo Yanxue interrupted him, "Since I've asked you to decide, your status doesn't matter. You have the right to make the decision!"

"This..."

Zhang Xuan looked troubled, "I only know how to care for horses, I don't understand anything else, the young lady flatters me, I'm afraid..."

Mo Yanxue interrupted again, "If you win, you'll be rewarded 100 Origin Currency..."

"Good!"

Before the words were out, the coachman, who had just shown difficulty on his face, spread his hand decisively, his face revealing resolve, "We must compete, why wouldn't we!"