Chapter Sixty-Eight: The One-Word Seal of Annihilating the Dao

Even though Yu Lang took a few days to recuperate before returning from the frontier, worried that his gaunt appearance might frighten Qingqing, it was impossible to regain his lost weight so quickly. Moreover, he had traveled day and night without much rest, leaving him looking even more haggard.
Yu Lang's heart was deeply troubled by Li Chun's safety. He had promised to protect Li Chun, and besides, Li Chun had been captured by Kuduza in order to save Qingqing.
Li Dahuo tried to reassure him, saying, "You don't need to worry too much. Kuduza only has himself to blame for kidnapping Li Chun. If he had known Li Chun was Li Linfu's son, he wouldn't have dared touch him even with ten times the courage. The matter of rescuing him will naturally be handled by Li Yu; you needn't fret."
The two exchanged a complicated glance, both aware that Kuduza had a penchant for men. If he were to do anything inappropriate to Li Chun, it would be utterly disgusting, and they would never find peace again.
Yu Lang comforted himself by thinking that Kuduza was likely a submissive type and should not trouble Li Chun. What he did not expect was that Kuduza had taken Li Chun not for lust, but to impart his arts and the Dao seal—though his intentions were far from pure.
Regardless of when Li Yu acted, Yu Lang was determined to find Li Chun and recover his Sharpening Stone Knife before Li Yu did. He would not break the three-year pact he made with the senior Wukong in the desert; it would be unacceptable to fail to present the Sharpening Stone Knife when the time came.
Xie Zhiqian's voice echoed in the distance, "Why are you two here? Hurry back to Washing Moon Academy—something has happened... Eh? Lang, you're back!"
Inside Washing Moon Academy, Wu Songru had lost. He and Yi Ningyuan were evenly matched in strength, but his desire to win was not as fierce as Yi Ningyuan's. That final, decisive sword struck like the wind dispersing the clouds, shattering his artistry and resolve.
Instructor Song jumped three feet in excitement, clamoring to take down the gilded plaque proclaiming "Southeast's Finest" from the Tree Hall of Washing Moon Academy and bring it back to his own academy.
Instructor Zhang was more reserved, praising Yi Ningyuan a few times and then calmly waiting for Washing Moon Academy's response.
Chen Wuning's deep sigh came from within the Tree Hall, "If you all wish, take the plaque with you."
Instructor Song strode forward as if Yi Ningyuan, who had just triumphed, was his own prized student at White Hole Academy. Yet as he reached the entrance to the Tree Hall, he was halted by a vast, oceanic presence that made it impossible to take another step. "Dean Chen, what do you mean by this?"
"I permit you to come in and take the plaque, but whether you can actually remove it depends on your own abilities."
Instructor Song's gaze grew dark, "Are you trying to play tough with us? If the academy can't produce good students, it should yield its position. Just because your personal strength is high doesn't mean you can cheat!"
"And what if I insist on cheating? You’ve swaggered around my Washing Moon Academy these days, showing off everywhere, never showing a shred of respect. You refuse to give me face—why should I give you any in return?"
Instructor Zhang tugged at Song's sleeve, "Don't be reckless. Chen Wuning's strength is among the world's best within Washing Moon Academy. We are no match for him. If you provoke him, and he cripples us both, who would dare come here and seek justice for us?"

Instructor Song was cunning and quick-witted; his small eyes darted about as he devised another plan. He walked up to Wu Songru and, with a smile plastered on his face, asked, "You just lost to Yi Ningyuan by one move. Do you admit defeat?"
Wu Songru, raised to never lie, replied solemnly, "I admit defeat."
Satisfied, Instructor Song nodded and turned to the other Washing Moon students. "Your Dean Chen is cheating and refusing to accept the loss. Aren’t you ashamed?"
Though the Washing Moon students disliked Instructor Song's character, they were all bold and straightforward. They despised Chen Wuning’s shamelessness and had long harbored resentment toward him. Zhang Chengxing stepped forward, "Hmph! Hiding outside like a turtle, only acting tough at home—such a dean is beneath us!"
"Good, good, good." Instructor Song repeated three times, his tone rising and falling. He immediately urged Zhang Chengxing to go into the Tree Hall and take down the "Southeast's Finest" plaque.
Impulsive by nature, Zhang Chengxing was riled up by Instructor Song's words and charged toward the Tree Hall with neck stiff and righteous indignation.
A sly smile appeared on Instructor Song's face. He was eager to see if Chen Wuning would dare lay a hand on his own academy's student. If he didn’t, the plaque would go to Tianxing Academy; if he did—well, the scandal of a dean attacking a student would forever shame Washing Moon Academy. This was a venomous scheme to force Chen Wuning into a dilemma, making it wrong whether he acted or not.
"Zhang Chengxing, stop!"
"No one can stop me—Lang... Lang!" Zhang Chengxing halted in delight.
Yu Lang smiled; after all, Zhang Chengxing was still willing to listen to him.
Instructor Song naturally disliked the young man who intervened, "Where did this pauper come from? Get out of the way."
With that, Instructor Song covertly pushed Yu Lang with internal force, intending to teach the frail youth a lesson. Unexpectedly, his strength vanished like a clay ox sinking into the sea.
Instructor Zhang also noticed Yu Lang was not ordinary, "Are you Yu Lang, one of the Washing Moon Double Wonders?"
"I am."
"Excellent. That way, the rumor won’t spread that Tianxing Academy only stirred trouble when the Double Wonders of Washing Moon were away. Yu Lang, do you dare face our academy’s outstanding student, Yi Ningyuan?"
"No need. I’m a bit tired today and don’t wish to hurt anyone." Yu Lang yawned lazily.

Instructor Zhang was so angry he took two deep breaths before recovering, "Boasting nonsense! You, a mere junior at the Void-Breaking stage, have no right to look down on Enlightenment!"
Though more good-hearted than Instructor Song, Instructor Zhang was simpler and lacked such deep scheming. Yu Lang's indifferent tone ignited his fury, and he attacked Yu Lang heedless of status.
Yu Lang easily neutralized Instructor Zhang’s offensive, then countered with a push, forcing Instructor Zhang back several steps before he could steady himself.
When masters exchange moves, insight comes quickly. Even in a single push and block, Instructor Zhang realized his technique was inferior to Yu Lang’s.
Unable to match Yu Lang's skill, Instructor Zhang sought to suppress him with his level, sending the White Tiger Dao Seal straight toward Yu Lang’s crown.
This White Tiger Dao Seal was far more solid than the Dao Seals of Yi Ningyuan and Wu Songru earlier; Instructor Zhang’s cultivation had been stable at mid-Enlightenment for years.
Suddenly, Instructor Zhang realized he was attacking a junior who had not yet entered Enlightenment. Striking his crown with a Dao Seal might destroy the young man's consciousness. Yet there was no turning back now.
Inside the Tree Hall, Chen Wuning nearly lost control, ready to intervene and save Yu Lang.
Yu Lang uttered the word "Extinguish," and the White Tiger Dao Seal vanished with a roar.
Instructor Song furrowed his brow. Even old Zhang had fallen to this youth; Yi Ningyuan had no qualification to challenge now.
Instructor Zhang was incredulous, "Enlightenment without a Dao Seal..."
Enlightenment without a Dao Seal meant that, though one had yet to condense a Dao Seal, one's realm had already advanced into Enlightenment—a rarity through the ages.
An era of chaos was approaching, and prodigies would surely appear: once there was Li Bi entering Enlightenment with three Dao Seals, now there was Yu Lang, who could extinguish a Dao Seal with a single word.