The current situation was something Gu Chengming could well understand.
The 'Rebirth Revenge System' panel, hovering in the center of his vision and flashing with garish special effects, radiated a sense of cheap, low-quality parody no matter how he looked at it.
Gu Chengming didn't even need to probe; at a single glance, he saw through the fact that this so-called revenge system was absolutely a trick pulled by that 《Unfettered Freedom Art》 he had only just begun to grasp.
Unfortunately, while he could see through this shoddy disguise at a glance, a certain 'Heavenly Emperor' in his Sea of Consciousness lacked that same focus and insight. 【Hundred Bones Resonating stared at the new pop-up windows for a long moment, then erupted in wild joy: Emperor Gu, could we truly be the protagonists?】
—Not you, Lao Bai.
Ignoring the farce jointly orchestrated by these two mischievous techniques in his mind, Gu Chengming refocused his attention on the arena before him.
On the Main Peak Training Ground, the mountain wind whipped about.
Su Qingmeng saw Gu Chengming dispel that brief moment of astonishment, his aura settling once more into the calm of an abyss, and knew he was prepared.
"Daoist Gu, please favor me with your guidance."
The sword intent of the Daoning Gate was laid bare in that moment. Without a shred of wasted probing, the sword light, like a hanging galaxy, struck directly toward Gu Chengming's face.
Gu Chengming's wrist flicked slightly, and the standard-issue long sword at his waist slid from its sheath.
Come to think of it, ever since he had grown accustomed to using his fists to settle those rogue cultivators and demons in the Northern Border and the Tianque Secret Realm, it had been quite a long time since Gu Chengming had engaged in such a pure and orderly sword art duel.
"Clang."
The two swords clashed, and the crisp sound of metal striking metal echoed across the Training Ground.
Gu Chengming flipped his wrist, using a steady angle to neutralize the force on Su Qingmeng's blade.
Though he hadn't experienced this kind of pure sword-play contest for a long time, he felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
Su Qingmeng missed her first strike, but her sword momentum remained continuous.
Her figure moved lightly, circling Gu Chengming. The long sword in her hand transformed into a sky full of stars, thrusting from various tricky angles, while Gu Chengming calmly blocked them with his sword.
In the first few rounds of exchanges, he only defended without countering. However, as the fight deepened, Gu Chengming gradually sensed something unusual.
Su Qingmeng's sword moves became increasingly clear in his eyes. He could not only see the trajectory of the blade, but he could also intuitively see through those moves to the path of her spiritual power, her techniques for applying force, and even the true intent of the sword dao contained within that strike.
The moment this information entered Gu Chengming's mind, it was as if it had transformed into his own instinct. He only needed one look at the opponent's sword move to feel he had completely mastered it.
To verify his hypothesis, when Su Qingmeng once again unleashed a unique technique of the Daoning Gate, Gu Chengming chose not to use the Huiyuan Sword Manual to break it. He flicked his wrist, and his long sword traced an arc similar to the one Su Qingmeng had just used.
Two substantial sword qi beams collided in mid-air, canceling each other out and transforming into a sky full of scattered spiritual light.
Su Qingmeng's movements froze abruptly, and for the first time, an expression of astonishment appeared on her cold face.
How could the opponent casually use the secret, non-transmitted techniques of the Daoning Gate?
Gu Chengming understood in his heart: this was not his own sword dao talent, but rather the 《Unfettered Freedom Art》 working in the shadows.
The so-called 'unfettered' meant not being confined to any fixed moves or schools; using all things as the law, discarding the false to seek the truth.
This cultivation method required no tedious study. As long as he saw it once, he could copy the opponent's moves along with their internal sword intent, and even rely on Gu Chengming's own formidable physique to unleash even greater power.
This discovery sparked a sense of curiosity in Gu Chengming.
Seemingly wanting to test just how far this cultivation method could go, in the following trial, Gu Chengming completely abandoned his own reserve of sword moves. He turned himself entirely into a mirror; whatever moves Su Qingmeng used, he would use the same moves to counter.
When Su Qingmeng performed 'Cold River Lone Fishing', Gu Chengming replied with 'Cold River Lone Fishing', and his sword qi was even more restrained and profound; when Su Qingmeng changed her move to 'Flying Snow Covering the Sky', Gu Chengming followed closely with 'Flying Snow Covering the Sky', the sky full of sword colors even denser than hers.
Two figures crisscrossed on the arena, yet they used identical sword arts.
However, Gu Chengming appeared to be strolling in a leisurely garden, with ease and comfort; while Su Qingmeng, as the original owner, grew more alarmed the more she fought, and fine beads of sweat gradually began to seep from her forehead.
She felt an incomparable sense of defeat.
The sword dao she had bitterly cultivated for over a decade seemed like a transparent joke in front of the other person.
No matter how she changed her moves, no matter how she tried to suppress him with more exquisite sword logic, the opponent could always use the same moves to push her back with an even more perfect posture. This feeling of being crushed at a purely technical level by what she herself had learned was far harder to bear than being directly defeated by power.
By this time, Gu Chengming was completely immersed in the exploration of the 《Unfettered Freedom Art》, focusing all his attention on dismantling the endless stream of sword moves before him.
He fought with gusto, and the world in his eyes gradually faded, leaving only the trajectories of the sword moves and the circulation of spiritual power.
Just at this moment, Su Qingmeng gritted her teeth and decided to stake everything on one throw.
The spiritual power within her body erupted without reservation. Her long sword glowed with a blinding white light, and she merged with the sword, transforming into a sharp ray that pierced through the void.
Facing this sword, Gu Chengming, immersed in his testing, did not think much.
His body, driven by the 《Unfettered Freedom Art》, automatically made the optimal response.
He did not retreat, but instead took a step forward against that sharp ray, precisely cutting into the weakest node of Su Qingmeng's sword momentum. Gu Chengming completely forgot his original intention to stop once he had made his point, and he also forgot that the person opposite him was that dao child who deserved a bit of face. The long sword in his hand swung out accordingly.
"Thwack."
The spine of Gu Chengming's sword struck with absolute precision at the wrist joint of Su Qingmeng. Under the vibration of spiritual power, Su Qingmeng felt her right arm go numb, and her poised sword intent instantly dissipated. The long sword in her hand nearly flew out of her grip.
"Thwack."
Immediately following, Gu Chengming flipped his wrist, and the end of the sword hilt knocked downward, hitting the right shoulder of Su Qingmeng exactly. This blow was measured with perfect precision; it neither injured her bones nor did it brutally destroy her center of gravity.
"Thwack."
Su Qingmeng's figure staggered, and before she could steady herself, Gu Chengming's scabbard had swept across the back of her knees. Her legs, having lost their center of gravity, could no longer support her body, and Su Qingmeng fell backward uncontrollably.
"Thwack."
The instant before Su Qingmeng sat completely on the ground, the long sword in Gu Chengming's hand had already stopped steadily before her forehead, the hilt tapping lightly on her smooth forehead and making one last crisp, dull sound.
Thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack—four consecutive strikes.
Flowing like clouds and water, fast as lightning, without leaving the opponent any room to breathe or react.
Gu Chengming withdrew his sword and stood, his breathing as steady as before. But Su Qingmeng was completely stunned by these four taps.
She sat blankly on the bluestone floor, her neatly pinned black hair slightly disheveled, and the long sword she held dropped beside her. Those eyes, always cold and proud, were now filled with bewilderment and loss.
She hadn't even seen clearly how she had lost; she only remembered hearing four soft sounds by her ears, and then she had fallen onto the arena in such a bedraggled posture.
The entire Main Peak Training Ground was deathly silent at this moment.
The elders watching the battle below looked at each other in dismay; some had their mouths open, having forgotten to close them, while others didn't even notice their tea cups were tilting, warm tea spilling between their fingers. Someone whispered, "Is Chengming hitting a wooden fish?"
The senior brother beside him glared at him fiercely, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but twitch.
Gu Chengming snapped back from that profound state of enlightenment.
He looked at Su Qingmeng, who was sitting on the ground and clearly having lost her ability to think, and a sudden sense of apology welled up in his heart.
Oh no, I was too invested in testing the new cultivation method and didn't hold back.
If Elder Jingxuan of the Daoning Gate saw this, she would likely report him to the Sect Master again.
Just as he was thinking about how to open his mouth to salvage the situation, the pop-up window before his eyes jumped restlessly once more.
【Hundred Bones Resonating looks at you with great anticipation and a pathetic expression.】
【It is waiting for you! Waiting for you to recite that ultimate line that will draw a perfect conclusion to this face-slapping script of a broken engagement!】
Gu Chengming looked at Lao Bai in his Sea of Consciousness, who had the posture of someone saying, 'If you don't say this line, I'll cry for you today,' and only felt his scalp go numb.
Gu Chengming's eye twitched slightly.
If he really followed the wishes of this prankster system and Lao Bai to recite that line, it would definitely be a bit inappropriate.
He looked at Su Qingmeng, who was still somewhat dazed and appeared pitiful. Reason told him that the most correct thing to do now was to walk up, help her up, and then say a few polite phrases like 'You've yielded' or 'Daoist's sword art is exquisite, I was just lucky' to preserve the face of the Daoning Gate.
However, Lao Bai's pathetic posture was truly impossible to refuse.
Gu Chengming sighed long and deep in his heart, trying his best to make his tone sound sincere enough:
"Daoist Su, no need to be discouraged."
Su Qingmeng's unfocused eyes moved slightly, as if she had finally regained a bit of spirit, and she looked up at him blankly.
Gu Chengming met her gaze, bit the bullet, and threw out that extremely classic line.
"The so-called thirty years in the east, thirty years in the west."
Gu Chengming paused for a moment, then naturally added the final blow:
"You should go back and work hard for thirty years; perhaps you might also be like me."
In the pavilion above the Training Ground, exclusively for the sect's high-level members to watch the battle, Shen Qianqiu only felt his eyes go dark after hearing this sonorous declaration, and he couldn't help but raise his hand and slap his own forehead hard.
This child has talent, great combat strength, and acts steadily; he never muddies the waters when it comes to matters of principle. But why, in matters that require social tact and a bit of care for the emotions of fellow disciples, could he be so ridiculously straightforward?!
...
On the Main Peak Training Ground, there was only the sound of the late autumn wind brushing against the bluestone floor.
Su Qingmeng sat on the cold ground, her sword uniform stained with a little dust, the astonishment in her eyes gradually turning into clarity.
She didn't pay attention to the elders around the Training Ground. After a brief moment of loss, Su Qingmeng picked up the sword she had dropped, flipped her wrist, and deftly sheathed it.
Then, she braced her hands on the ground and slowly stood up.
There were no furious accusations, no embarrassment from losing face, and she didn't even show a shred of the grievance one would expect from a heaven-gifted daughter being crushed in public. Su Qingmeng just solemnly raised her hands and made a deep bow.
"Daoist Gu's sword art is god-like; Qingmeng is completely convinced."
Her voice remained crisp, having shed the sharpness from when she first stepped onto the arena, becoming steady and humble:
"In the past, I thought that closed-door cultivation was enough to reach the peak of sword dao; now I realize it was sitting in a well looking at the sky. I truly underestimated the heroes of the world; this decade of cultivation, in the end, still wasn't enough. Thank you, Daoist Gu, for your generous guidance today."
This concession could be called absolute openness, showing the integrity of a sword cultivator to the fullest.
Gu Chengming stood where he was, looking at her sincere appearance, and the apology he had felt earlier because of his heavy-handedness turned into even more respect.
He was just about to raise his hand to return the bow and say a few polite words to ease the atmosphere, when the pop-up window popped out again.
【Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the task, completely crushing the target, and successfully making her feel despair!】
【Task reward: Ten revenge points have been issued.】
【Friendly reminder: When revenge points accumulate to a certain stage, the system will grant the host brand-new phased exclusive rewards, helping the host return to the peak, stomp on gods and demons, and achieve supreme hegemony!】
Gu Chengming looked at this bold text, which was exaggerated to the extreme, and his eye twitched wildly a few times.
—You really are addicted to acting, aren't you?
Completely ignoring the prank that was trying to force a script upon him, Gu Chengming composed his thoughts and bowed back to Su Qingmeng: "Daoist Su, you are too modest. Your sword heart is clear and bright; with time, you will surely be able to make further progress."
The two of them exchanged a few polite compliments like this, and the trial—which everyone thought would be a dragon-and-tiger fight but turned into a one-sided crushing—finally came to an end.
Above the pavilion, Elder Jingxuan of the Daoning Gate sighed with a rather complex expression.
As the leader of the Daoning Gate, watching the dao child they had spent countless efforts to cultivate be knocked about without any power to resist in front of everyone, her face naturally couldn't hold up. But Elder Jingxuan was, after all, a senior who had weathered many storms. In the world of sword cultivators, the capable always come first; if one's skills are inferior, they are inferior. The Daoning Gate was always proud, but they were by no means a rogue who couldn't afford to lose.
Elder Jingxuan moved her figure slightly, turning into a long rainbow that landed steadily on the arena.
She first nodded slightly to Gu Chengming with a cold but polite expression, acknowledging the strength of this junior, then turned her head and looked in the direction of Sect Master Shen Qianqiu, saying loudly:
"Sect Master, the Huiyuan Gate having such a peerless talent is truly a great fortune for our Wenjian Sect. Regarding Gu Chengming leading the grand competition, my Daoning Gate has no further objections."
After saying this, Elder Jingxuan didn't stay any longer. With a wave of her sleeve, she took Su Qingmeng and turned into sword light, flying straight toward the snow-covered peak of the Daoning Gate.
High in the sky, the gale howled.
Elder Jingxuan stepped on her flying sword, but her peripheral vision remained worriedly on her disciple beside her.
This girl had been sailing smoothly since she entered the sect, never having suffered such a painful setback. Although she appeared graceful and poised on the arena just now, who knew if she had forcibly swallowed all the grievances and humiliation?
If this repressed anger wasn't resolved, it would easily breed demons and ruin the foundation of her future Great Dao.
"Qingmeng..."
Elder Jingxuan weighed her words, her tone softening, trying to offer comfort: "The cultivation world is vast and boundless. It is common to have an occasional freak of nature descend upon the world. Gu Chengming's methods were so fast that even I couldn't see them clearly. Losing to him is not a crime of war. Do not take today's events too much to heart."
Elder Jingxuan waited for a moment, but didn't hear a response from her disciple.
Her heart tightened, and she turned her head hurriedly, fearing she would see a picture of her disciple grieving or weeping silently.
However, what greeted Elder Jingxuan's eyes was a scene that made her jaw drop.
Su Qingmeng not only had no depression after being frustrated, but instead stood straight. Her cold face was flushed with an unnatural redness, and those eyes, which were usually like an ancient well, were now shining with unprecedented brilliance.
She was even breathing slightly, her hands gripping the sword hilt so tightly that her knuckles were white.
"Master," Su Qingmeng raised her head, her tone quite subtle, mixed with a hint of excitement: "You misunderstood, disciple does not feel aggrieved."
Su Qingmeng's gaze looked toward the distant sea of clouds, as if she were still savoring every exchange on the arena just now:
"Daoist Gu's sword is too incredible. Every move and every style he unleashed was clearly the unique skill of my Daoning Gate, yet it was somehow more perfect than mine."
Elder Jingxuan listened to this almost obsessed speech from her disciple and felt a chill crawl up her back.
She opened her mouth, wanting to persuade her disciple to be calm, but found she couldn't get a word in.
"I originally thought the sword art of the Daoning Gate was already rounded and perfect, but today, after taking those four taps, I suddenly realized! It turns out that at the joints of the sword art, there was still such a vast world hidden!"
Crazy.
Elder Jingxuan took a deep breath, and for a moment, she didn't know whether to be gratified by her disciple's devotion to the Dao, or worried if this girl had been beaten into some kind of unspeakable illness by Gu Chengming.
In the end, she said nothing and focused on flying her sword.
On the other side, following the departure of the Daoning Gate master and disciple, Gu Chengming declined the small talk of other elders, using the excuse that he had consumed too much and needed to recover, and quickly slipped back to his residence.
...
That night, the small courtyard in the back mountains of the Huiyuan Gate.
The mountain wind brushed through the spiritual bamboo, making a rustling sound. Gu Chengming sat cross-legged on the couch, not in a hurry to meditate and practice, but focusing all his attention on the system panel that only he could see.
Today on the arena, he was busy dealing with Su Qingmeng and Elder Jingxuan, having no time to bother with this prank of a cultivation method. Now that it was late at night, it was the perfect time to study exactly what kind of situation the 《Unfettered Freedom Art》 had created.
With a movement of his consciousness, he opened the extremely crude UI interface.
At the top of the interface, the words 'Rebirth Revenge System' hung in glittering gold. Below was an extremely rudimentary status bar.
【Host: Gu Chengming】
【Current Realm: Third Realm, Fifth Level】
【Revenge Points: 10】
No product list, no exchange options—so what exactly were these points for?
【Hundred Bones Resonating cheered: Ten revenge points! Emperor Gu, when shall we go to accept the next mission?】
Gu Chengming didn't even have the energy to complain. Lao Bai's character, which was so easily duped, would likely be sold and still be counting spirit stones for someone else if it were left alone to roam the cultivation world.
So how exactly did it manage to become a Heavenly Emperor every time in the illusion?
He put away the gaudy panel, closed his eyes again, and sank his consciousness into his dantian, feeling the lingering charm left in his sea of qi by the 《Unfettered Freedom Art》.
He had intended to take advantage of the night to contemplate the 《Unfettered Freedom Art》 again, but the revenge system flashing in his mind really left him with no interest.
Furthermore, the experience of 'what you see is what you get' on the arena today made him vaguely realize that the operation of this cultivation method was actually more mentally draining than he had imagined. Under the immersed state, he had even forgotten his original identity, leaving only a pure exploration of the sword moves themselves.
If the enemy had been an opponent who knew better how to take advantage of his vulnerability, this point might have become a hidden danger.
Gu Chengming silently noted this question in his heart and gently closed his eyes.
The next morning, early.
Gu Chengming had just finished washing and was preparing to practice in the courtyard when a very soft and rhythmic knocking came from the door.
At this hour, who would be visiting? Jiang Lu was usually on the Training Ground guiding new disciples, and the Sect Master would certainly not run to the back mountains early in the morning.
Gu Chengming, carrying his confusion, walked slowly to the courtyard gate and pulled open the wooden door.
Standing outside the door was Su Qingmeng, dressed in plain white sword uniform with her black hair pinned high. Su Qingmeng today seemed quite different from the cold and arrogant figure on the arena yesterday.
Her eye sockets were slightly red, and her eyes held a trace of obvious fatigue, clearly having not rested well last night. But in stark contrast to this fatigue were her star-like bright eyes, which flashed with a certain eagerness that made Gu Chengming feel a bit of a chill in his heart.
Having just been pressed down and tapped on the head four times by himself on the arena yesterday, and coming to his door so early today—was this dao child of the Daoning Gate broad-minded, or was there another story?
Before he could even ask, his Sea of Consciousness exploded.
【Hundred Bones Resonating acts as if facing a great enemy: Could it be that she is showing weakness on the surface, but has actually secretly contacted all the masters in the sect, and is currently lying in ambush outside the small courtyard, just waiting for her to break a cup as a signal to swarm in and take revenge?! Emperor Gu, quickly circulate your blood qi and prepare to fight!】
Lao Bai, this is in the Wenjian Sect's own territory; who would dare to ambush assassins here and break a cup as a signal?
—Wait, it seems I told Lao Bai that.
While complaining, Gu Chengming suddenly recalled that when he was in the Market City, he had bluffed Lao Bai, saying that the sect was very dangerous and that people would kill to seize treasures, and couldn't help but feel a bit guilty.
On the other side, seemingly noticing that Su Qingmeng's arrival triggered a key condition, the 《Unfettered Freedom Art》, which was disguised as a system, began to stir up trouble again.
【Ding! Rebirth Revenge System has been activated!】
【Plot branch triggered! Facing your wicked fiancée who was humiliated yesterday, is resentful today, and has come to find trouble with you again, as the fated son of heaven reborn, your choice is:】【Task One: Humiliate her severely, trample her underfoot and curse her, making her understand the chasm between you. Reward: Twenty revenge points.】
【Task Two: In front of her, summon your current girlfriend, Yu Wenqiu, and engage in loving dual cultivation, completely breaking her psychological defense and driving her mad with jealousy and regret. Reward: Thirty revenge points.】
【Task Three: Demonstrate supreme divine might, completely subdue her, and take Su Qingmeng as a slave to serve you day and night. Reward: Fifty revenge points.】
—No, what kind of setting is a fiancée?
And also, how big of an obsession do you have with taking people as slaves?
Gu Chengming took a deep breath, moved his gaze away from that unreliable panel, and landed it back on Su Qingmeng.
"Daoist Su, visiting early in the morning, may I ask what you are here for?"
"Daoist Gu," Su Qingmeng said with some shyness: "I've come to spar with you again."
Before he could ask, Su Qingmeng continued, speaking rapidly:
"Since our last sparring session, I have benefited greatly. After returning, whenever I close my eyes, my mind is full of the trajectories of your sword swings. I couldn't sleep for a long time, and after sitting silently in the quiet room all night, I finally realized a few principles."
Hearing this, the sense of discord in Gu Chengming's heart grew heavier.
Before he could politely refuse, Su Qingmeng actually took a step forward.
A strange flush appeared on her usually fair face, and she stared at him with burning eyes, her tone suppressing a certain expectation: "So, I came here specially today, hoping that you could favor me with your guidance once more."
"When you make your move later, please do not hold back. The heavier the hand, the better..."
A cold morning breeze blew through the small courtyard, stirring up a few withered bamboo leaves.
The whole courtyard fell into a long and strange silence.
Listening to this rather terrible line that easily led to countless misunderstandings, Gu Chengming was somewhat dazed.
The Hundred Bones Resonating and the Unfettered Freedom Art in the dialogue box fell silent simultaneously.
But the latter, being a prankster cultivation method, quickly reacted. Following that, a cheerful prompt sound rang out in Gu Chengming's mind.
【Ding! Detected that the target has actively lowered her posture and requested the host to treat her roughly!】
【Congratulations to the host! Successfully completed the task, demonstrated absolute dominance, and subdued Su Qingmeng as a slave!】
【Reward: Fifty revenge points issued!】
【Current Revenge Points: 60】
—This works too?
You two have come together to coordinate this, haven't you?
Rate on N.U.
