Gu Chengming looked at the night view where the red clouds filled the sky, feeling quite emotional.
I guess this counts as forming a bond.
If this were one of those galgames he had played in his previous life, Elder Xiao Yu’s words just now would have officially signaled the start of her exclusive personal route. After all, even the dialogue options had popped up.
On the other side, Yu Wenqiu secretly glanced at Gu Chengming from the corner of her eye, feeling a bit annoyed with herself.
Under such a perfect view, the atmosphere had been just right. It was clearly a great opportunity to express her feelings.
If she had just been a bit more direct, even saying something like "I am willing to walk the path of the Dao with you," it would have been a hundred times better than that nonsense she just spouted.
You’re such a useless piece of trash, Yu Wenqiu!
What does "write storybooks for a lifetime" even mean? Who could understand that?!
Yu Wenqiu had a very deep understanding of her own tendency to drop the ball at critical moments and retreat like a coward. Seeing that Gu Chengming’s expression remained gentle after hearing those words, without showing any signs of realization or even a slight reddening of his ears, she felt even more frustrated.
As expected, Little Gu didn't understand her hidden meaning at all.
Sigh, forget it.
As the art of war says, the first drum encourages, the second flags, and the third exhausts. That courage she had borrowed from somewhere had long since been scattered by the evening wind. Now, Yu Wenqiu had completely regressed into an ostrich state, wanting nothing more than to bury her face in the sand and play dead.
Our sword cultivators should look to the road ahead.
As for the dangerous ordeal of confessing my feelings to Little Gu, I’ll leave that for a more stable opportunity in the future.
The little version of Yu Wenqiu in her mind was currently squatting on the ground drawing circles, comforting herself as she drew.
She coughed lightly, tucked her hands back into her wide sleeves, and spoke with feigned composure.
"Alright, it’s getting late. The wind at Lingyue Pavilion is making this elder feel a bit cold. It’s time to go home."
Hearing this, Gu Chengming smiled and responded.
"Okay, as you wish, Elder. Let’s head back."
Over the next few days, the sky over the capital was exceptionally clear. Gu Chengming and Yu Wenqiu enjoyed a rare period of peace.
However, the path of a cultivator does not ultimately lie in the prosperity of the secular world, and the schedule for returning to the sect was naturally placed on the agenda.
...
Several days later.
The trivial matters that needed to be handed over and handled in the capital finally came to a close. The aftershocks of the Tianque Secret Realm incident gradually subsided, and the decrees for rewards and honors were officially issued.
The name Gu Chengming caused quite a stir in both the Daqian court and the cultivation world. However, for Gu Chengming himself, these hollow titles were far less substantial than returning to the Wenjian Sect.
It was time to set off back to the sect.
Before leaving, Gu Chengming took half a day off to say goodbye to the various acquaintances he had made in the capital.
He first went to the Hidden Dragon Courtyard.
Li Dujiang, Song Qing, and his other colleagues pulled him along to drink several bowls of farewell wine. Everyone knew that his return to the sect for the grand examination was like a tiger returning to the mountains, and he would surely shine brilliantly before all the major sects. Their words were full of envy and admiration.
Then he went to the School of Medicine. Li Suizhuang was tending to spiritual herbs in the medicine garden. Upon hearing he was leaving, she only smiled gently and handed him several bottles of peak-grade healing pills she had personally refined, instructing him not to act recklessly just because his physical body was strong during combat.
As for Vice Commander Liu, he was busy with official duties. Gu Chengming only saw him from a distance, and they cupped their hands to each other, everything understood without words.
Finally, Gu Chengming made a special trip to the smithy in the back mountains of the Night Guard Division to bid farewell to Senior Qin Qing.
Unfortunately, although the furnace fire in the smithy was not extinguished, she was nowhere to be found. According to the apprentice helping out, Senior Qin had left a letter a few days ago saying she had a sudden inspiration and went out to travel and seek casting materials.
Although Gu Chengming felt regretful that he couldn't say goodbye in person, he knew that Senior Qin always acted casually, so he left a message and turned to leave.
At this point, all the various karmic ties in the capital had been properly settled.
Gu Chengming did not delay any longer. He and Yu Wenqiu headed to the rendezvous point outside the city and boarded the sect flying boat that had been waiting for a long time.
With the roar of the array core, the massive boat rose from the ground.
...
The autumn air was crisp, and there wasn't a cloud for ten thousand miles.
A flying boat engraved with the emblem of the Wenjian Sect was currently breaking through the sea of clouds, speeding toward the south.
On the deck, Gu Chengming sat cross-legged, seemingly closing his eyes to breathe, but in reality, his sea of consciousness was very busy.
The Burial Sword Tomb he had forcefully refined was currently like a towering iron-gray island, steadily suspended several thousand feet in the high sky directly above the flying boat, maintaining absolute synchronization with it.
For cultivators with low cultivation or mortals, it was naturally impossible to see such a shocking sight due to the distance and the cover of the clouds. But for high-level cultivators of the Fourth and Fifth Realms, this massive mountain and the intense sword intent radiating from it were like a giant torch lit in the night sky, incredibly conspicuous.
Furthermore, to maintain the suspension of the Burial Sword Tomb and to gather its leaking sword intent as much as possible to avoid harming the innocent, Gu Chengming needed to constantly divide a large amount of his mind and spiritual power to maintain the disguise.
They had been flying for less than half a day, and Gu Chengming felt the spiritual power consumption in his body was like a floodgate had been opened, making it a bit difficult to bear.
In his sea of consciousness, the various techniques had different reactions.
【Hundred Bones Resonating was somewhat puzzled: Why is Emperor Gu being so secretive? Such a divine peak should be shown to the world so they can admire our invincible and peerless style!】
Quiet. Not everyone has a protagonist’s aura like you.
After complaining in his heart, Gu Chengming began to think.
The Burial Sword Tomb was simply too large. Using his own spiritual power to maintain the concealment disguise was not a long-term solution.
However, if he could buy thousands or tens of thousands of concealment talismans and stick them on all the array nodes of the Burial Sword Tomb, perhaps they could replace his own spiritual power consumption.
With a plan decided, Gu Chengming controlled the flying boat and found the nearest prosperous cultivation city below to slowly descend.
This city was named Falling Star City, the largest gathering place for rogue cultivators and merchant guilds within a radius of thousands of miles. Gu Chengming had Yu Wenqiu stay on the boat to rest while he changed into an inconspicuous gray robe and entered the city alone.
It took a full two hours for Gu Chengming to sweep through a dozen or so talisman shops in the city. Seeing his generous spending and that he was buying concealment talismans by the sackful, the shopkeepers all thought he was a deacon from some large sect purchasing consumables for a sect array and offered him the best prices.
Gu Chengming contentedly hung several storage pouches filled with concealment talismans from his waist, turned to walk out of the city gate, and was about to leap into the air to return to the flying boat parked in a hidden spot outside.
Just then, a somewhat gentle voice came naturally from his side.
"This fellow Daoist, please wait. Seeing your hurried appearance, could it be that you are also rushing back to your sect for the grand examination? Meeting is fate, I wonder which sect you belong to?"
Gu Chengming’s footsteps paused slightly, his heart stirring.
This person's breath-concealing technique was extremely high. If he hadn't taken the initiative to speak, Gu Chengming wouldn't have even noticed someone had approached so closely. To have such means, he was definitely no ordinary person.
After a rough estimation, the newcomer was at least at the peak of the Fourth Realm, and very likely a great cultivator who had stepped into the Fifth Realm.
Gu Chengming turned around calmly.
What came into view was an old man with white hair and a youthful face, wearing a washed-out green Daoist robe. The old man held a seemingly ordinary fly-whisk and looked at Gu Chengming with a smile, his eyes holding a bit of scrutiny but showing no hostility.
To be safe, Gu Chengming quietly activated the Red Dust Technique. After confirming that the other party’s aura was stable and there was indeed no malicious intent, Gu Chengming cupped his hands and replied politely and unyieldingly.
"In response to Senior, this junior is a disciple of the Wenjian Sect. May I ask your esteemed name?"
When the green-robed old man heard the words "Wenjian Sect," the smile on his face stiffened for a fraction of a second.
He calmly stroked the beard on his chin, thinking to himself that things had gone wrong.
This old man was none other than the Sword Finger Elder of the Guizang Gate branch of the Wenjian Sect, named Han Zhe.
Elder Han Zhe had been stuck at the peak of the Fifth Realm for decades. To seek the elusive opportunity to break through to the Sixth Realm, he traveled abroad all year round and rarely returned to the sect.
Of course, besides looking for opportunities, his constant absence actually had some reasons that were not meant for outsiders.
This time, coinciding with the sect's decennial grand examination, he wanted to see the current situation of the Wenjian Sect for the others, so he flew back on his sword.
As a result, while passing over Falling Star City, he actually sensed the fluctuations of a Dao Throne.
He looked up and saw a massive, iron-gray mountain peak floating in the sky above the clouds. On that mountain, countless dharma swords radiating cold light were densely inserted, and the surroundings were enveloped in sword intent laws that were almost physical.
A Dao Throne phenomenon!
Han Zhe sucked in a breath of cold air at that moment. To be able to master and manifest such a complete Dao Throne phenomenon, one had to be a top-tier expert among those in the Fifth Realm.
According to the common sense of the cultivation world, after any cultivator was lucky enough to obtain and preliminary master a clue to a Dao Throne, the most important thing they should do is find a remote mountain forest where no one knows them and keep a low profile until the information of the Dao Throne is completely solidified.
But the one in the sky was different. Instead of hiding it, they treated this massive Dao Throne phenomenon like a flag, arrogantly parading it through the streets.
In all fairness, Han Zhe had traveled through Daqian for so many years and had seen arrogant and crazy people, but he had never seen anyone act so brazenly.
Driven by intense curiosity, Han Zhe emboldened himself and followed far behind.
In the end, he saw the mountain stop above Falling Star City.
And this madman who had refined a Dao Throne phenomenon and hung a mountain in the sky was now perfectly disguising his cultivation as a fledgling Third Realm cultivator!
You’ve already refined a Dao Throne phenomenon and displayed it so arrogantly, is there any point in disguising your realm?
Han Zhe was somewhat speechless, but he just took it as the other party's eccentricity.
Out of a desire to test him and to satisfy his own curiosity, he finally couldn't help but appear and take the initiative to talk.
Wait, if you're from the Wenjian Sect, then where am I from?
He didn't expose the other party. Thinking back to the series of strange behaviors just now, Han Zhe felt uneasy, thinking he might be being baited.
At this thought, Han Zhe's back was instantly drenched in cold sweat.
If he didn't know what was good for him and continued to stay here questioning, or accidentally exposed the fact that he was the real Wenjian Sect elder and debunked this old monster's lie, he might have to fight a battle.
In his current state, he couldn't fight anyone, especially someone in the same realm.
Han Zhe felt more and more alarmed the more he thought about it.
"So it is a talented disciple of the Wenjian Sect! My apologies, my apologies!"
Han Zhe cupped his hands repeatedly, but his feet were already involuntarily retreating. "This old man is just an anonymous rogue cultivator, a simple village man, not worth mentioning."
He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and spoke very quickly.
"I just remembered that I have a pot of hundred-year-old ganoderma soup stewing on the stove. If I return late, I’m afraid it will boil dry. I won't disturb your journey back to your sect. We shall meet again! Farewell! Farewell!"
Before his voice even faded, Han Zhe didn't even care about his dignified image and directly summoned his sword. With a flash of green light, this Sword Finger Elder of the Guizang Gate bolted into the sky like a beaten cur, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye.
Gu Chengming stood there, still holding two sacks of concealment talismans, looking at the fleeing sword light with utter bewilderment.
An autumn wind blew, swirling a few fallen leaves.
So, what exactly was that guy here for?
This expert’s way of doing things was truly incomprehensible.
Gu Chengming was confused. He checked himself several times but didn't find any restrictions or traps left by the other party. After confirming there were no other hidden experts testing him, he returned to the flying boat with some hesitation.
...
On the flying boat.
Yu Wenqiu was sitting bored in a rocking chair on the deck, holding a foxtail grass she had plucked from somewhere, teasing the snoring fat orange cat.
Seeing Gu Chengming return, she immediately sat up straight, her gaze falling on the bulging storage pouches at his waist.
"Why did it take so long just to buy some talismans? And you bought so many?" Yu Wenqiu asked curiously.
"There were many shops in the city, so I spent some time comparing prices." Gu Chengming said as he untied the storage pouches.
He remembered the strange occurrence just now and told it to Yu Wenqiu as a joke.
"I met a strange person at the city gate just now. That old man’s cultivation was extremely high, and his breath-concealing technique was top-notch. He came over to ask which sect I was from. As soon as he heard me say Wenjian Sect, he actually started sweating and made a very clumsy excuse before flying off so fast I couldn't even see his shadow. Elder, do you think there are really people in Daqian who can be scared witless just by hearing our sect’s name?"
After hearing this, Yu Wenqiu frowned slightly and thought for a moment while rubbing her chin.
"An old man with high cultivation and a top-notch breath-concealing technique? And he ran as soon as he heard Wenjian Sect?" Yu Wenqiu went through her memory and suddenly curled her lips.
"Don't mind him. The world is full of wonders, and there are plenty of rogue cultivators with holes in their brains."
Yu Wenqiu waved her hand, clearly not taking it to heart. "We’re going straight back to the Wenjian Sect. No matter who he is, he wouldn't dare to force his way in."
Gu Chengming laughed and agreed, then took the sacks and began working at the various array nodes of the Burial Sword Tomb.
As the concealment talismans were applied one by one, the towering iron-gray mountain gradually became transparent, eventually blending perfectly with the surrounding sea of clouds, no longer leaking even a bit of its aura.
The flying boat roared again, cutting through the sky toward the Wenjian Sect.
A few days later, the familiar mountain shadows finally leaped into view.
At the same time, in the deepest part of these mountains, a small disturbance was quietly brewing.
...
At the Wenjian Sect, the rolling mountains were hidden amidst the misty sea of clouds.
Outside the main peak hall, Sect Master Shen Qianqiu was standing by the cliff. The internal injuries he had sustained in the Tianque Secret Realm had stabilized, and he was currently facing the cold wind, planning the upcoming matters for the grand examination.
Just then, a sharp sound of breaking air came from the horizon. Before the sword qi arrived, the sharp edge came first, directly carving a long gap through the sea of clouds.
Shen Qianqiu looked up, his eyes suddenly brightening.
He was all too familiar with the newcomer's aura. It was the Sword Finger Elder of the Guizang Gate who had been traveling for many years, Han Zhe.
Speaking of this Elder Han, he definitely counted as a very high-ranking senior in the current Wenjian Sect.
Ever since the previous old Sect Master had left the sect with many senior elders and their whereabouts became unknown, the Wenjian Sect had entered a long period of transition.
There were only a handful of elders in the sect older than Shen Qianqiu, and Han Zhe was one of the few remaining.
Shen Qianqiu immediately straightened his clothes and was about to step forward to welcome him when a green sword light crashed to the ground.
Han Zhe looked travel-worn, and his landing even brought a somewhat panicked wind.
Seeing Shen Qianqiu walking toward him, he directly raised his hand and waved it forcefully, signaling to skip the formalities.
Shen Qianqiu stopped in his tracks and greeted him with a smile.
"Elder Han, you’ve finally decided to return to the sect. The Tianque Secret Realm incident has just concluded, and I was just worrying about the grand examination..."
He was about to explain the shocking changes that had occurred in the Tianque Secret Realm and Gu Chengming's situation in detail, but before he could even start, he was bluntly interrupted by Han Zhe.
"Never mind the secret realm for now!"
Han Zhe frowned, walked quickly to Shen Qianqiu, lowered his voice, and asked urgently.
"Tell me honestly, has our Wenjian Sect offended some incredible person outside recently?"
Shen Qianqiu was completely confused by the question and asked, "Offended someone? Besides those monsters from the Longevity Sect, our Wenjian Sect has always acted uprightly and hasn't made enemies with any great experts. Why do you say that, Elder Han?"
Hearing this, Han Zhe's expression didn't soften but became even more grim.
He took a deep breath and recounted his encounter outside Falling Star City.
"You don't know, I met an extremely bizarre fellow on my way back! That person's cultivation is unfathomable, and he actually has a sword mountain completely formed from a Dao Throne phenomenon hanging over his head!"
Han Zhe spoke faster as he felt more lingering fear. "Logically, which of those hidden experts who have mastered such an opportunity wouldn't hide it tightly? But that person not only arrogantly paraded around with the Dao Throne phenomenon, but he also very deliberately disguised his own realm as a mere Third Realm!"
As Shen Qianqiu listened, his expression began to turn strange. A sword mountain over his head? Disguised as a Third Realm? Why did this sound so familiar?
"I went up to test him, and he actually claimed to be a disciple of our Wenjian Sect without changing his expression!" Han Zhe slapped his thigh and reached a pained conclusion.
"That old monster must have an old grudge with our Wenjian Sect and is deliberately using our name to commit fraud and lure greedy people to attack so he can rob and kill them! If this continues, won't our Wenjian Sect's reputation be completely ruined? As the Sect Master, you must be extra vigilant!"
After hearing this passionate analysis, Shen Qianqiu opened his mouth and was about to explain when there was another movement from the horizon.
A flying boat engraved with the emblem of the Wenjian Sect slowly broke through the sea of clouds and descended toward the main peak square.
Han Zhe instinctively looked up, and in the next moment, his scalp went numb.
"That old monster actually followed us to the sect! Shen Qianqiu, quickly activate the sect-protecting array!"
Just as Han Zhe was facing a great enemy and preparing to draw his sword and fight for his life, the flying boat landed steadily.
The cabin door opened, and Gu Chengming walked out with Yu Wenqiu following behind him.
Han Zhe stared at Gu Chengming’s face, looking exactly as if he had seen a ghost in broad daylight.
Shen Qianqiu, on the other hand, did not activate the sect-protecting array but instead walked up with a face full of smiles and eyes full of praise.
"Chengming, Elder Yu, you’ve finally returned," Shen Qianqiu greeted them with a smile.
Gu Chengming and Yu Wenqiu came forward to pay their respects. Gu Chengming’s gaze swept casually and happened to land on the old man with the strange expression nearby.
He immediately recognized him as the strange person outside Falling Star City who had run away upon hearing the Wenjian Sect's name.
Gu Chengming realized that this wasn't some rogue cultivator, but a senior from his own sect.
He immediately bowed respectfully.
Shen Qianqiu turned around and introduced him to Han Zhe.
"Elder Han, let me introduce you. This is Elder Yu. As for this one... he is the outstanding disciple I wanted to mention to you, Gu Chengming, who performed exceptionally well in the Tianque Secret Realm."
He looked at Shen Qianqiu, then at Gu Chengming, and then up at the faintly visible Burial Sword Tomb in the sky, unable to react for a moment.
Seeing this, Shen Qianqiu recounted the events that had occurred in the Tianque Secret Realm.
From the thousand-year conspiracy of the Longevity Sect to how Gu Chengming had killed a Fifth Realm evil cultivator, how he had severed the inheritance link and turned the Dao Throne into the rules of world peace, and finally, how he had refined and brought back the entire Burial Sword Tomb.
Listening to Shen Qianqiu’s account of Gu Chengming's deeds, Han Zhe opened his mouth, feeling it was simply unbelievable.
Was the value of a Wenjian Sect disciple already this high these days?
Wait, I only left the sect for a few decades, didn't I?
Where did this monster come from?
...
After a brief daze, Han Zhe swallowed hard and finally managed to digest this absurd reality.
After Shen Qianqiu’s introduction, Han Zhe realized he had made a mistake.
But Han Zhe still grumbled in his heart. Who wouldn't have made such a mistake in this situation?
However, despite his grumbling, Han Zhe became more and more satisfied as he listened.
He had talent and the spirit of a sword cultivator, but it was a pity he wasn't in the sect... he hadn't discovered this fine jade earlier.
He wondered which lucky elder in the sect had such great fortune to take in such a disciple.
With this thought, the embarrassment on Han Zhe's face had long since vanished. He put on a kind smile of a senior and asked curiously.
"Ahem, Chengming, I wonder which elder in the Guizang Gate you have taken as your master?"
In his view, such a natural-born sword cultivator should and could only join the Guizang Gate within the Wenjian Sect.
Hearing this question, Shen Qianqiu, who had been smiling, suddenly looked a bit embarrassed.
He cleared his throat, seemingly unsure of how to speak.
Gu Chengming was straightforward. He bowed again and answered.
"In response to Elder Han, this disciple is from the Huiyuan Gate and is a student of Ren Wencai."
A draft blew through the square of the main peak hall.
The smile on Han Zhe's face completely froze. It took him a long time to come back to his senses, and as if doubting his ears, he asked hesitantly, "Who?"
Gu Chengming repeated it again.
After hearing the name clearly a second time, Han Zhe was almost driven to laughter by anger.
Others might not know Ren Wencai’s background, but Han Zhe knew it very well!
That Ren Wencai had mediocre talent and lackluster swordsmanship. He had survived purely by relying on a ruthlessness that no one could match and extremely shameless survival methods. When he encountered a strong enemy, he would throw lime, toss poison mist, or dig a tunnel to escape. When he encountered a weak one, he would hide in the dark and knock them out with a club.
To let such a sinister little fellow teach a fine jade like Gu Chengming? The heavens were truly blind.
Of course, although Han Zhe had a straightforward personality, he was an old fox who had lived for over a hundred years after all.
He naturally couldn't bring himself to do something as classless as insulting someone’s master as a sinister scoundrel in front of their disciple.
His mouth twitched as he forced a very strained smile, turned his head, and glared fiercely at Shen Qianqiu. The meaning in his eyes couldn't be clearer.
As the Sect Master of the Wenjian Sect, you just watched such a fine jade fall into the hands of that old fellow Ren Wencai and be wasted?! How are you even the Sect Master?!
Shen Qianqiu felt uncomfortable being glared at and could only sigh helplessly, lowering his voice to defend Ren Wencai. "Elder Han, please calm down. Elder Ren... he found an opportunity on the outskirts of the Tianque Secret Realm and has now broken through to the Fifth Realm."
Shen Qianqiu’s implication was clear. Ren Wencai was now a genuine Fifth Realm great cultivator after all.
Having a Fifth Realm expert as a master could not be considered a disgrace to Gu Chengming no matter what.
Hearing this, Han Zhe was somewhat surprised and grumbled under his breath.
"He really did have some dog shit luck."
...
Regardless of the fact that his master's reputation seemed to be consistent everywhere.
The conversation in the hall didn't last long. After all, as high-level members of the sect, Shen Qianqiu and Han Zhe naturally had many confidential matters related to the grand examination to discuss behind closed doors.
Seeing this, Gu Chengming was perceptive enough to find an excuse to take his leave.
After saying goodbye to Shen Qianqiu and Han Zhe, the news of Gu Chengming's quiet return to the Wenjian Sect was not widely publicized within the sect.
Except for a few core high-level members, ordinary disciples had no idea that this fellow disciple, who was now famous in the outside world, had returned to the mountain.
Gu Chengming was happy to have some peace and quiet. He walked along the familiar mountain paths alone to visit a few old acquaintances.
He first went to the Merit Hall and saw Elder Liu Enchuan. This senior, who had taken great care of Gu Chengming in the beginning, said "good" several times when he saw that Gu Chengming was safe and that his cultivation had greatly improved, his words full of relief.
Then, Gu Chengming went to the vicinity of the Training Ground and found Jiang Lu, who was currently instructing new disciples.
After not seeing him for a few years, Jiang Lu’s stature had grown a bit taller, the youthful innocence had faded from his brow, and he had gained a bit more composure.
The spiritual power fluctuations around him were very stable; he had already stepped into the Second Realm.
To be honest, for an ordinary disciple whose talent was not top-tier, being able to break through to the Second Realm in just a few years was already considered quite fast.
In previous years of the Sect Disciple Grand Examination, this would definitely be a result that could shine and attract the attention of many elders.
When Jiang Lu saw Gu Chengming appear, he was first stunned, and then a very surprised smile broke out on his face.
He walked forward quickly, wanting to exchange pleasantries and casually share the good news with this senior brother he had always admired. However, as soon as he saw that Gu Chengming was already nearing the middle stage of the Third Realm, his bit of self-satisfaction was instantly wiped out.
Although he had long known that his talent was incomparable to Senior Brother Gu’s, this feeling of being unable to even see his back was still a bit disheartening.
Of course, Jiang Lu was still very happy for Gu Chengming.
"Senior Brother Gu!"
Jiang Lu bowed solemnly, his smile incredibly sincere.
"Senior brother’s current cultivation and reputation are truly admirable to us fellow disciples. It’s wonderful that senior brother could return safely!"
Gu Chengming patted Jiang Lu’s shoulder and gave his old friend a few words of encouragement. The two looked at each other and smiled, everything understood without words.
...
The sun set behind the western mountains, and the sunset glow dyed the rolling peaks of the Wenjian Sect with a layer of brilliant golden-red.
Gu Chengming bid farewell to Jiang Lu and walked alone along the winding stone steps back to the small courtyard in the back mountains of the Huiyuan Gate.
Pushing open the courtyard gate, the sight that met his eyes was quite unexpected.
He had thought that after being away from the sect for several years, this remote courtyard would be overgrown with weeds and covered in dust. But to his surprise, the bluestone floor in the courtyard was as clean as ever, the spiritual bamboo in the corner was neatly trimmed, and even the patterns on the stone table were clearly visible without a trace of dust.
Opening the door to the house, the furnishings inside remained exactly as they were when he left. The bedding on the bed was neatly folded, and the air even held a faint, fresh scent of something that had been dried in the sun.
Clearly, during the years he was away, someone had been diligently cleaning this residence for him.
Gu Chengming stood in the middle of the room, looking at everything familiar and warm before him, feeling many emotions in his heart.
After being away for so long, there was still someone silently cleaning this courtyard for him. Such sentiment was truly moving.
Night fell, and the mountain wind brushed through the bamboo forest, making a rustling sound.
Gu Chengming sat cross-legged on the bed, completely settling his mind.
Since he was now back in the safest sect, with no more evil cultivators around and all trivial matters handled, he could finally take the time to slowly study the system in his mind.
He closed his eyes, and his consciousness instantly sank into the depths of his sea of consciousness.
Activate 【Laboratory of Love】!
With a thought, Gu Chengming’s vision was once again replaced by a pure white space. He walked steadily on the corridor paved with gray mist, his gaze sweeping across both sides.
Because the prerequisite conditions had been met, the ancient bronze locks on the two previously locked doors, 【Qingxin Art of Love】 and 【Hundred Bones Resonating of Love】, had quietly dissipated. The gray mist receded, and they were now in a state where he could push the doors open and begin the challenge at any time.
Gu Chengming stood in the middle of the corridor, lost in thought.
Ever since the bond mission for the Zhou Rites Heavenly Rectifying Art was completed, Hundred Bones Resonating had been acting strange, constantly shouting about wanting to defeat powerful enemies with Gu Chengming.
Now that things had finally calmed down again, he could finally try to challenge 【Hundred Bones Resonating of Love】.
The Qingxin Art was also very eager to challenge her own room, but seeing Hundred Bones Resonating’s even more urgent state, she just chuckled and gave the opportunity to Hundred Bones Resonating.
From this point of view, this woman's tolerance was terrifyingly high.
【《Hundred Bones Resonating》 shouted: Emperor Gu! The time has come! Follow me to crush the powerful enemy in that room!】
Gu Chengming smiled helplessly, walked to the door of 【Hundred Bones Resonating of Love】, and pushed open the heavy door.
The moment he stepped over the threshold, the surrounding environment changed abruptly.
This was not the stone platform suspended over an endless abyss that he had seen in the room for the Huiyuan Sword Manual of Love.
Instead, it was a vast, desolate training ground devoid of vegetation and covered in dark red rocks. The sky was an oppressive iron-gray, and a fierce wind howled, kicking up sand and dust, filled with a solemn and wild aura.
Gu Chengming settled his mind and looked ahead.
In the very center of the training ground, a figure stood quietly.
This time, the opponent was not a pale light figure whose features were indistinguishable, as in the room for the Huiyuan Sword Manual. Her image was quite clear and detailed. She wore a tight-fitting martial outfit, her long hair tied high and flying wildly in the fierce wind. Her face was full of heroic spirit, and her brow held an air of arrogance that looked down upon the world.
When Gu Chengming saw this figure, his expression instantly became very interesting.
Isn't this Emperor Bai?
At this time, the original 《Hundred Bones Resonating》 staying in his sea of consciousness was furious after seeing the appearance of that phantom.
【《Hundred Bones Resonating》 was fuming with rage: Unacceptable! A mere phantom dares to use this Emperor’s appearance to show off here?! How can there be such a shameless imposter?! Emperor Gu, beat her up for me!】
Gu Chengming clenched his fists, and the bones throughout his body made a series of popping sounds like roasting beans. The surging blood qi power in his body was instantly activated to the limit.
With his previous experience challenging the Huiyuan Sword Manual, he knew very well that the guardian in this room was definitely the theoretical strongest form that the technique could reach after setting aside all external limitations.
Facing such a powerful enemy, he could not afford the slightest carelessness.
However, unlike the pale figure in the room for the Huiyuan Sword Manual of Love, who launched a thunderous attack as soon as they met, this "Hundred Bones Resonating Phantom" seemed quite uninterested after seeing Gu Chengming’s ready stance.
She stood casually in place, not even bothered to take a starting stance. She only tilted her chin slightly to glance at Gu Chengming, then slowly raised her right hand and beckoned him with a finger.
【The 《Hundred Bones Resonating》 in his sea of consciousness was even more furious upon seeing this: Although she has some of this Emperor’s style, humiliating Emperor Gu in front of me is the same as humiliating me!】
【Emperor Gu! No need to hold back! Let’s go! Use that move! Let this imposter see what true power is!】
Gu Chengming naturally knew which move 《Hundred Bones Resonating》 was referring to.
It was the exclusive CG finishing move that had performed miraculously in the northern border with a terrifying multiplier.
"Emperor Bai, help me!"
However, Gu Chengming felt quite puzzled and even slightly uneasy in his heart.
Although this move, "Emperor Bai, help me!", had earth-shaking power, its biggest weakness was that the preparation time was too long. Facing an opponent who represented the theoretical limit of 《Hundred Bones Resonating》, would she just watch him finish the charge for his ultimate move? Could it really be used now?
Just as Gu Chengming was hesitating, the "Hundred Bones Resonating Phantom" ahead seemed to see through his thoughts.
She let out a bored sigh and then directly stood up straight.
She slowly brushed the non-existent dust from the collar of her martial outfit and then opened her arms.
This gesture clearly meant: I’ll just stand here, not dodging or blocking, hit me however you want.
Seeing the other party being so overconfident and leaving all her openings completely exposed, Gu Chengming did not doubt her.
Since you dare to take it, then I dare to hit!
"In that case, then as you wish!"
Gu Chengming roared, no longer suppressing the power in his body.
His legs exerted force, and the dark red rocks beneath his feet shattered into powder. Using this terrifying counter-force, Gu Chengming’s body was like a cannonball, instantly crossing a distance of dozens of yards.
At the same time, he sent out that very familiar call in his heart.
"Emperor Bai, help me!"
The light of the exclusive CG instantly exploded on his right fist, and in the void, it seemed as if countless ancient and vast imperial phantoms were superimposed on this single punch. The power of his blood qi was like a volcanic eruption, carrying a terrifying, world-destroying power as it smashed toward the phantom’s chest!
The fierce wind was forcefully torn apart before this peerless punch, making a piercing sonic boom.
However, facing this punch that was enough to seriously injure an ordinary Fifth Realm cultivator, the "Hundred Bones Resonating Phantom" truly fulfilled her gesture.
Just as the fist burning with terrifying blood qi was about to touch her chest, the phantom only casually raised one hand, not even fully opening her fingers.
Boom!
A very dull sound of impact exploded over the training ground.
There was no earth-shaking explosion, and no shockwaves scattering in all directions. Gu Chengming’s ultimate move, which concentrated all his essence, energy, and spirit with a maximized multiplier, was like hitting an immovable sacred mountain. The moment all the power touched the phantom’s palm, it was like a mud cow entering the sea, disappearing without a trace.
The phantom caught this punch extremely easily with her bare hand.
Even the rocks beneath her feet did not show a single crack.
The phantom slowly lowered her head, looking at Gu Chengming’s fist stopped in her palm, and a disappointed expression appeared on her heroic face.
Then, the phantom’s other hand hanging at her side casually formed a fist. Without even deliberately gathering power, she just lightly and very casually threw a punch forward.
Boom!
Gu Chengming couldn't even see the trajectory of that punch. He only felt a terrifying power that could not be described in words, a power that even transcended the concept of power itself, instantly pour into his body.
His vision fell into absolute darkness in an instant.
In the next instant, Gu Chengming suddenly opened his eyes.
He found himself slumped on the bed, panting heavily, his forehead covered in cold sweat.
Around him were the familiar rooms in the back mountains of the Huiyuan Gate. There was no iron-gray sky or dark red training ground.
He had actually been knocked directly out of the CG interface of the 【Laboratory of Love】 by that single punch.
【《Hundred Bones Resonating》 was also completely stunned.】
【It spoke stutteringly: Emperor Gu, this thing seems truly invincible.】
【How are we supposed to deal with this next?】
Gu Chengming wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
Damn, it's the ultimate DPS check.
Rate on N.U.
