The night was as cool as water, and as usual, the fragrance of wine drifted through the courtyard on the Back Mountain.
Gu Chengming held a wine cup, continuing to deepen his bond with the 《Cangxian Wine Sword Art》 through their nightly drinking sessions.
This technique loved to pontificate on the state of the world once it got tipsy, and Gu Chengming was more than happy to play the part of a supportive straight man.
During the day, he focused his mind, systematically deducing sword moves and consolidating his foundation.
Two more days passed, and his progress toward the great perfection of the Third Realm, Eighth Level reached its natural conclusion. The spiritual power within his dantian filled to the brink, and the dragon-shaped qi seed nestled in the center of his Sea of Qi grew another size, showing faint signs of a breakthrough. However, he decisively suppressed the urge—the barrier to the Fourth Realm was no small matter, and he needed to keep that Blood-Burning Breakthrough Pearl as a trump card. Now was not the time.
In his leisure time, Gu Chengming took out the artifact called the "Unborn Lotus," deciding to test this cultivation world version of a SKIP button.
He placed a kettle of cold water on a small red clay stove and activated the Unborn Lotus.
The water in the kettle boiled and surged in the blink of an eye, steam rising into the air. At the moment the technique took effect, the translucent petals of the Unborn Lotus bloomed briefly. Gu Chengming keenly noticed a faint, crimson-gold thread coiled around the stamen.
This color was exactly the same as the twisted, ancient karmic power found on the Red Dust Immortal.
The Red Dust Immortal’s karmic power had been sealed into the artifact, becoming the fuel that drove the skip function. Theoretically, it made perfect sense.
Karma was inherently the bridge connecting cause and effect. Cutting out the middle process to reach the end was essentially consuming karmic power to smooth out the ripples of time.
It seemed the price for skipping a process was the consumption of karmic power.
In the evening, just as his cultivation session ended, Yu Wenqiu stepped into the courtyard amidst the sunset glow.
She carried a food box, claiming she had just picked up some pastries while passing by the dining hall. However, the ribbon tied to the box was fashioned into an exceptionally exquisite knot, clearly showing she had practiced it for a long time.
The two sat at the stone table under the osmanthus tree.
Yu Wenqiu nibbled on the pastries while flipping through a newly acquired storybook, reading the interesting parts aloud to Gu Chengming.
She seemed unusually talkative today, reading three funny segments and even critiquing two action scenes she thought were poorly written.
“What is this author writing? A Second Realm cultivator turned a Fourth Realm evil cultivator into mincemeat with one punch? Does the author have no concept of power levels? The power scaling has completely collapsed!”
Gu Chengming didn't interrupt, merely watching her with a gentle smile.
He noticed that Yu Wenqiu was flipping the pages much faster than usual, and the segments she chose to read were all lighthearted and amusing, as if she were deliberately avoiding something.
The book happened to reach a scene where the male lead was about to go on a long journey, leaving the female lead behind to wait at home.
Halfway through reading, Yu Wenqiu’s voice came to a sudden halt. She slammed the book face-down on the table.
Gu Chengming looked over. Yu Wenqiu didn't say a word; she just quietly shifted her stone stool closer and gently rested her head on his shoulder.
The courtyard fell silent for a short while.
“Little Gu.”
“Hmm?”
“Going to the Cloud Moon Sect... roughly how long will you be gone?”
“It’s hard to say. At the earliest, half a month; at the latest, a month or two.”
Another silence followed.
“Then, before you leave...” Yu Wenqiu’s voice was muffled, directed entirely at his shoulder. “Can you stay with me a little longer?”
Gu Chengming didn't speak. He only tilted his head slightly to adjust his posture, letting her lean more comfortably.
A gentle breeze blew past, and osmanthus flowers rustled down.
One flower landed on the crown of Yu Wenqiu’s head, while another rested on Gu Chengming’s knee.
Gu Chengming reached out, picked the flower from her hair, and placed it on the stone table.
It seemed she truly couldn't bear to leave. The little Elder Yu lingered in the courtyard for another hour, even forgetting to take her storybook. Finally, she blurted out, “I’ll come get that tomorrow,” before hurriedly running off.
Gu Chengming looked at the face-down book on the stone table and couldn't help but smile.
...
The next morning, Gu Chengming officially went to the Main Peak to report his plans to visit the Cloud Moon Sect and the Hunyuan Sect to Sect Leader Shen Qianqiu and his master, Ren Wencai.
Shen Qianqiu readily agreed and immediately made a grand gesture, specially authorizing it as an official sect mission.
In truth, given Gu Chengming’s current achievements and cultivation, he was more than qualified to serve as a Wenjian Sect elder. The only drawback was his lack of seniority.
After all, by all accounts, it had been less than three years since he entered the Inner Sect.
Shen Qianqiu didn't state it explicitly, but the meaning was clear.
There had to be a formal transition.
Visiting the Cloud Moon Sect as a diplomatic envoy and a representative of the elite disciples was the perfect springboard.
When Gu Chengming accepted the mission, he suddenly recalled the time when Li Mozi from the Cloud Moon Sect had come for a 'friendly' sparring match while he was still in the Outer Sect.
This could be considered a case of 'thirty years on the east bank, thirty years on the west bank.'
Though, strictly speaking, it had only been a little over two years.
Oh, wait. After Brother Xiao said that, it took three years for him to slap their faces.
【《Hundred Bones Resonating》 heard this and immediately began rubbing its hands in excitement: Good! Emperor Gu, this Emperor has waited a long time for this day! Back then, that whatever-Mozi dared to set up a stage on our turf. This time, it's our turn to step on their faces!】
Gu Chengming found it amusing; Lao Bai was quite the grudge-holder.
But on second thought, for a xianxia protagonist, holding a grudge was a basic requirement.
Ren Wencai stroked his beard nearby. Once Gu Chengming finished accepting the mission, he suddenly added, “I’ve already written the introduction letter for the Hunyuan Sect. Although that old drunkard Hua Daiyi is unreliable, with him there, you won't have any trouble entering.”
He paused and then said, “As for the Cloud Moon Sect... go to the Hunyuan Sect first to get a clear picture of the situation. Don't be in a hurry to barge in.”
These words seemed like ordinary advice, but Gu Chengming keenly noticed that when his master said 'don't be in a hurry to barge in,' his gaze shifted slightly toward Shen Qianqiu.
And Shen Qianqiu happened to pick up his teacup at that exact moment.
It seemed the two elders had exchanged some information, but Gu Chengming didn't press for details.
...
That afternoon, the Sound Transmission Talisman from the Night Guard Division arrived.
The sender was the Director of the Night Guard Division, Zhou Qingmu.
“Has Commander Gu been well lately?”
“Everything is as usual in the capital, though it is quite inconvenient with one less capable person in the office.”
“When will you return to the capital?”
The concern was clear between the lines, indirectly asking about his recent movements while nudging him to return to the capital early.
After the pleasantries, Zhou Qingmu’s tone shifted. She revealed that she already knew about Gu Chengming’s upcoming trip to the Cloud Moon Sect and then directly issued a mission in her capacity as the Director.
“The Imperial Observatory has sensed anomalies in the direction of the Cuiping Mountains. The Night Guard is currently assessing whether to intervene. Since you happen to be passing through, I am issuing an investigation order in my name. Investigate the situation for the Night Guard on your way. This matter should have required a separate team, but since you are going that way, I’ll leave it to you. Your merits will be recorded and settled together upon your return.”
Gu Chengming put away the talisman, understanding the situation.
The timing of Zhou Qingmu’s mission was too coincidental; most likely, someone had tipped her off in advance.
Ji Yixi? Almost certainly.
But then again, with an official investigation order from the Night Guard in hand, he had an extra layer of official identity for this trip. When it came to questioning or investigating matters at the Cuiping Mountains, everything would be much more legitimate.
Director Zhou was reliable after all, even if her roundabout pleasantries felt like casual chatter.
...
Less than half an hour after Gu Chengming finished his communication with Zhou Qingmu.
Another Sound Transmission Talisman quietly connected two people.
It was Ren Wencai and Zhou Qingmu.
“On the road... please keep a bit of an extra eye on him, Director.”
“It is part of my duty,” Zhou Qingmu replied simply.
The transmission ended.
A few words, straight to the point.
A game centered around Gu Chengming seemed to be quietly unfolding through the tacit understanding of these two powerhouses.
As for what kind of game they were setting up, perhaps even the person involved was still kept in the dark.
...
At the break of dawn, Gu Chengming departed the sect on his sword.
He didn't look back, but as his sword light swept past the mountain gate of the Wenjian Sect, he caught a glimpse of a figure in the pavilion halfway up the mountain out of the corner of his eye.
A pair of peach-blossom eyes, a freshly picked osmanthus flower tucked behind her ear, and a package of crumpled pastries in her hands—clearly, she had woken up too early to even have breakfast.
Yu Wenqiu leaned against the railing, watching the sword light fly further and further away until it completely merged with the horizon.
She stood there for a long time.
It wasn't until the morning sun completely leaped out of the sea of clouds and the pastries in her hand had turned cold that she turned to walk back.
After a few steps, she stopped again and looked back at the empty horizon.
“...Idiot, why are you flying so fast?”
She muttered under her breath and took a bite of the slightly cold pastry.
...
The East Sea, deep within the Dragon Transformation Pool.
At this moment, within the dragon cave at the deepest part of this secret realm, Lord Fubai was coiled atop a black reef.
His body was massive, his Jiao-body covered in scales, and his dragon head held high. However, there was a shocking wound on his left rib, and a faint golden spiritual light still lingered around the edges of the wound—the handiwork of a human cultivator.
Lord Fubai’s Jiao-pupils narrowed slightly.
The covenant between the Jiao clan and Daqian began in ancient times. Back then, Daqian was in internal turmoil, myriad races were in conflict, and there was a sea eye deep in the East Sea connected to the outer realms, with exotic beasts frequently overflowing.
The Jiao clan used guarding the sea eye and suppressing the deep-sea beasts as leverage to exchange for recognition from the Daqian Imperial Family.
To put it bluntly, it was a transaction. Daqian didn't want to consume too much military power on the coast, and the Jiao clan needed a legal status to protect their rights to mine spiritual veins in the East Sea.
Both sides had their needs and got what they wanted.
But this transaction had a major prerequisite: the Daqian Imperial Family had to be strong enough—strong enough that the Jiao clan wouldn't dare break the covenant.
And now...
Lord Fubai let out a cold laugh in his heart.
That Emperor on the dragon throne had not shown his face for a very long time.
The outside world only knew the Emperor was in seclusion, but Lord Fubai knew through his own means that the so-called seclusion was likely not that simple.
This was also the source of his confidence when he dared to act in the shadows previously.
However, confidence was one thing; progress was another story.
The Dragon Transformation Pool opened once every hundred years, with only one slot each time. The four Dragon Lords had fought until they were bloodied, and he had won by half a move.
Then he failed to advance to the Sixth Realm...
The distance between a Jiao at the peak of the Fifth Realm and a true dragon of the Sixth Realm was a chasm deeper than the heavens.
He had cultivated bitterly in the pool for a full year, consuming the essence accumulated by the Jiao clan over thousands of years, only to fall short by a hair's breadth.
After the failed advancement, he had gone into seclusion in the dragon cave to heal, only to be ambushed.
The attacker acted with great secrecy and efficiency, clearly coming prepared. The person’s cultivation wasn't much higher than his, but they excelled in preparation, striking his weakened points where his old wounds had not yet healed.
Although Lord Fubai had repelled the opponent, he had gained new injuries.
He had yet to uncover the attacker’s identity, but during the exchange, he sensed a trace of Imperial Dragon Qi in the opponent’s aura.
Someone from the Daqian Imperial Family came to ambush a Dragon Lord of the Jiao clan?
This matter made him realize one problem—
His situation was even worse than he had imagined.
Failed advancement, unhealed old wounds, and now new ones.
At this moment, Lord Fubai was at his most pathetic state in nearly a thousand years.
And then he heard the news about Gu Chengming...
He hadn't let this young man go back then because of a soft heart, but because the timing was wrong.
At the time, he was competing for the slot in the Dragon Transformation Pool and had no time for distractions.
But looking back now, if he had acted then, a mere Second Realm cultivator could have been crushed like an ant.
And now?
With this young man’s growth rate, in a few more years—
No, in just a year or two, he might not even be able to win for sure even in his prime.
From killing you to avenge my offspring, to killing you to eliminate a future threat.
This person must die before he reaches the Fourth Realm.
Just then, a message came from the entrance of the dragon cave.
It was from the Longevity Sect.
Lord Fubai was not surprised.
The people of the Longevity Sect never did anything to help someone in need; they only appeared when someone else's interests aligned with their own.
Lord Fubai sneered.
He knew full well that the Longevity Sect had its own calculations, but on the matter of eliminating Gu Chengming, their interests happened to align.
They were in perfect agreement on getting rid of Gu Chengming.
Bound by the covenant, he couldn't act openly in the heart of Daqian.
And he needed Gu Chengming to leave the protection of the Wenjian Sect or the capital, and he also needed the other’s exact route.
He had seen too much infighting within human sects.
Gu Chengming was showing so much talent that there were countless people secretly jealous of him.
Sure enough, the secret lines he had planted soon provided a response.
Someone from within the Wenjian Sect had sent information.
The transaction had a clear price. Lord Fubai provided cultivation resources and promises, while the other party handed over the news that Gu Chengming was about to venture alone to the Hunyuan Sect and the Cloud Moon Sect, including his departure time and general route.
Lord Fubai stared at the jade slip before him, killing intent congealing in his Jiao-pupils.
He slowly stood up and brought out two long-buried, trump card treasures from the deepest part of the dragon cave.
This time, he would not allow another mistake.
...
On the third day of flying on his sword, the weather was clear and bright.
Gu Chengming traveled on the wind above the clouds. Below him were the vast rivers and mountains of the Daqian Central Plains, and above was a sky as clear as if it had been washed.
With no urgent missions to press him, no sect affairs to entangle him, and even the Sound Transmission Talisman sitting quietly at his waist without a peep—
This was likely the most leisurely journey he had had since his transmigration.
It was a rare moment of solitude, if one didn't count the group of never-idle techniques in his Sea of Consciousness.
【《Cangxian Wine Sword Art》 rarely took the initiative to speak while sober: “Young friend, do you know why this area of the Daqian Central Plains is called the ‘Land of the Nine Rivers’?”】
Gu Chengming thought for a moment. “Because there are nine great rivers?”
【《Cangxian Wine Sword Art》 shook its head: “On the surface, that's the case. But in reality, the name ‘Nine Rivers’ has nothing to do with rivers. In ancient times, there were nine sages who opened paths on this land, each leaving behind a ‘Dao River.’ Later generations named the land after these Dao Rivers, resulting in the name Nine Rivers. However, this explanation is only recorded in some very obscure ancient texts and isn't mentioned in official history.”】
【《Zhou Rites Heavenly Rectifying Art》: “This claim has no historical basis.”】
【《Cangxian Wine Sword Art》 said dismissively: “There are plenty of things not mentioned in official history.”】
The daily bickering between these two had become a recurring feature in the dialogue box, and Gu Chengming had learned not to get involved.
【《Hundred Bones Resonating》 listened and suddenly chimed in: “Nine Dao Rivers! Then if Emperor Gu also opens one, that’ll be ten! Perfect ten!”】
【《Qingxin Art》 considered it, then nodded with a smile: “It's not impossible. Land of the Ten Rivers... the name does sound better than Nine Rivers.”】
Gu Chengming was amused.
But jokes aside, the fact that the Cangxian Wine Sword Art was willing to chat while sober showed that the steady rise in favorability was indeed working.
According to this trend, by the time he reached the Hunyuan Sect and met the real Hua Daiyi, he might even trigger some special plotline.
Gu Chengming kept this thought in mind and continued his journey.
In the afternoon, he passed through a small town and descended to restock on some dry rations and spirit wine—the latter being the rations prepared for the Cangxian Wine Sword Art, and also to maintain their daily drinking habit.
Seeing his sword cultivator attire, the shopkeeper enthusiastically recommended a jar of local osmanthus brew, saying it was the signature of their century-old shop.
Gu Chengming took a sip; the taste was decent.
【《Cangxian Wine Sword Art》 smacked its lips: “There’s still a gap compared to Elder Yu’s dowry wine.”】
【It spoke jokingly: “Young friend, you should enter the bridal chamber a few more times in the future so I can taste other people’s dowry wine as well.”】
—What is this fellow saying?
【《Yin Yang Creation Strategy》 raised its hand: I agree!】
Gu Chengming helplessly rubbed his forehead.
...
After buying his supplies, Gu Chengming tucked the spirit wine and dry rations into his storage pouch and flew back into the sky.
After leaving the town, the terrain began to change. The flat, open plains of the Central Plains were gradually replaced by rolling hills, and the mountains in the distance were much taller than before—the foothills of the Cuiping Mountains were already faintly visible.
At this pace, he would reach the territory of the Hunyuan Sect in another two days.
As the sun dipped in the west, the sky shifted from bright azure to the colors of dusk.
It was time to find a place to spend the night.
Although flying on a sword didn't consume much physical strength, the flow of spiritual energy in the wilderness became turbulent after nightfall, which could easily affect cultivation efficiency. Finding a place with abundant spiritual energy to settle down would allow him to meditate and cultivate for a round at night, killing two birds with one stone.
Gu Chengming’s gaze swept over the landscape below.
To the left, several low hills cradled a valley. A stream wound through it, and the spiritual energy seemed abundant enough—a good place to rest.
Just as he was about to descend, a dialogue box suddenly popped up in his Sea of Consciousness.
【《Red Dust Phantom Step》: ...Fellow Daoist Gu, wait.】
Gu Chengming paused, feeling puzzled.
“What is it?”
【《Red Dust Phantom Step》 went silent for two breaths, seemingly confirming repeatedly: The flow of spiritual energy on the ground is wrong.】
Gu Chengming steadied himself as instructed and looked out. The scenery was picturesque with evening breezes rustling the woods, and a few birds flew past the dusk—it was a perfectly normal sunset scene, with no signs of anything unusual.
“What’s wrong?”
【《Red Dust Phantom Step》 weighed its words: Natural spiritual energy should disperse naturally from high to low, but within a radius of dozens of miles... it is too even.】
In nature, the distribution of spiritual energy was always uneven—thick in valleys and thin on ridges; every piece of land had its own unique characteristics.
This area, however, was unnaturally even, as if someone had taken a leveler and flattened the fluctuations of heaven and earth’s spiritual energy.
He paused his descent, slowed his speed, and spread his spiritual sense slightly to investigate a ten-mile radius.
The feedback was identical to what his eyes saw, but that was precisely the biggest flaw.
He had flown over a hundred mountains, and the spiritual energy had always fluctuated. Why was it as precise as if it had been measured with a ruler here?
The person setting the trap was highly skilled, wiping away all traces. But because it was wiped too clean, it became a blank slate that revealed everything.
【《Red Dust Phantom Step》 added: I’ve measured the boundaries of this flattened area. It’s roughly... a circle with a radius of forty miles, centered on your current position.】
Gu Chengming’s eyes narrowed slightly.
It wasn't based on the terrain but on his flight path, which meant the trap was being adjusted dynamically.
The opponent had figured out his route and even predicted his resting point for tonight.
He calmly placed his hand on his storage pouch.
【《Red Dust Phantom Step》 whispered: In the hollow two miles to the southeast, there are faint spiritual energy residues under the soil. The pattern structure resembles an array foundation.】
Gu Chengming quickly scanned his list of enemies in his mind. There were only a handful of people who dared to set such a large trap to take his life within the borders of Daqian.
The Longevity Sect? Or that Lord Fubai?
The blood feud from killing the Jiao offspring hadn't been settled yet. Ji Yixi had previously mentioned the old Jiao was in seclusion, but what if he had come out?
He confirmed the position of the "Unborn Lotus" in his robes; the spiritual resonance was smooth, ready to be activated at any time.
But he neither turned back nor detoured.
If a Fifth Realm great demon had personally come, their perception range would be far more than just dozens of miles.
Since this forty-mile "blank slate" had already boxed him in, it meant he was already a fish in the net. It was too late to run now.
Since there was no escape, he might as well see what kind of tricks were hidden in this net.
Just as he thought this, in the next moment, the weather changed abruptly!
Violent winds swept in from all directions—not natural wind, but a spiritual energy storm carrying massive demonic power.
In just a few breaths, the clouds gathered and surged, turning from white to gray, and then to a massive black curtain that blotted out the sun. Dull thunder rolled deep within the clouds, but strangely, not a single flash of lightning was seen.
This wasn't heavenly thunder; it was dragon pressure.
Gu Chengming’s pupils constricted, and his mind rapidly launched a tactical assessment.
The concentration of demonic power, the coverage area, and the precision of the suppression—this was no ordinary great demon. It was at least the foundation of the peak Fifth Realm.
The surrounding ground cracked under the crushing dragon pressure, and the animals within dozens of miles had long since fled in terror.
Immediately after, four array patterns lit up in unison at the front, back, left, and right—the Dragon-Trapping Array.
This wasn't a spur-of-the-moment assassination, but a long-planned hunt. The opponent had not only figured out his route but even the specific time he would pass and his resting point. The array must have been set at least three days in advance, with high-grade spiritual materials, and the array foundations were precisely placed at the most suitable terrain nodes on his route.
The opponent knew his itinerary like the back of their hand.
【《Red Dust Phantom Step》 instantly tensed up: Fifth Realm or above, demon race, Jiao species, a premeditated ambush.】
【《Hundred Bones Resonating》 became excited instead: Perfect! Emperor Gu, someone has come to our door to be our practice target!】
The moment the Dragon-Trapping Array closed, a figure slowly descended from the black clouds.
Dragon pressure condensed into visible air vortexes around that figure, distorting the air and causing the spiritual energy to boil.
It was Lord Fubai.
He didn't reveal his Jiao-body but maintained the human form of a middle-aged man. His deep green vertical pupils held a freezing coldness. He wore a deep sea-colored scaled robe, and the demonic power around him was as heavy as an abyss.
In his hand, he held a black spear that emitted a bone-chilling cold light—the Jiao clan’s royal artifact, "Abyss Swallower," a true peak Fifth Realm treasure. And on his left wrist, a thin silver chain was wrapped, with three ancient tokens hanging from it—the "Spirit-Binding Tokens" used by the Jiao clan specifically to seal a prey’s spiritual power.
Three tokens meant three layers of locking.
The Dragon-Trapping Array locked space, the Spirit-Binding Tokens locked spiritual power, and the Fifth Realm dragon pressure locked fighting intent.
With these layers, even an ordinary peak Fourth Realm cultivator would find it impossible to escape. This Dragon Lord was truly determined to eliminate him here.
Of course, being 'flattered' was out of the question.
Gu Chengming steadied his mind, his gaze quickly scanning the structure of the array to find a weak point.
Lord Fubai’s aura was strong, but there was a hint of instability deep within.
Unhealed old wounds. The failed advancement plus the aftermath of the previous ambush had clearly not fully subsided. While Lord Fubai was strong right now, he was definitely not in his prime.
At the same time, Lord Fubai was also sizing up Gu Chengming.
He could truly feel the foundation within this Third Realm cultivator—
The spiritual power density, the meridian capacity, and even the physical strength were all so immense that they defied common sense, far exceeding cultivators of the same rank.
To put it bluntly, it was the combat power of a half-step Fifth Realm.
Lord Fubai’s Jiao-pupils narrowed, his killing intent growing even more intense.
This child must not be allowed to live.
“Gu Chengming,” Lord Fubai spoke, his voice low and carrying the raspy resonance unique to the Jiao clan. “You must be puzzled as to why your whereabouts were leaked.”
Gu Chengming didn't answer, merely watching him quietly.
Lord Fubai let out a cold laugh. “When you humans fight among yourselves, you are far more ruthless than the demon race. You think that because you are advancing rapidly in your sect, everyone will be happy for you? Within your Wenjian Sect, there are plenty of people who wish you would die out here.”
As these words fell, Gu Chengming did feel a sense of subtlety in his heart.
The people within the Wenjian Sect who knew the exact time and route of his journey were, at most, two.
One was Sect Leader Shen Qianqiu, and the other was his master, Ren Wencai. As for anyone else...
Before this thought could fully expand, a sound of breaking air suddenly exploded across the world.
A sword light abruptly erupted from the northeastern horizon.
The speed of that sword light was fast beyond belief, taking less than two breaths from appearing on the horizon to arriving at the battlefield.
Astride the sword light was a figure flying at high speed, with graying temples, a resolute face, and robes fluttering in the wind.
Ren Wencai.
He made his entrance without a single word of nonsense, not even a shout.
He raised his hand and let his sword fall.
Crisp, efficient, and without a trace of hesitation.
Lord Fubai’s Jiao-pupils constricted violently.
This single strike clearly told him that the newcomer had already figured out the array’s structure and knew exactly where the array foundations were.
This wasn't someone who had rushed here to rescue; this was someone who had been lying in wait nearby for a long time!
Lord Fubai’s face darkened.
He began to realize something, but before he could think it through, the second wave of attack arrived.
It wasn't a sword light, but a blade intent.
The sky changed once again as a blade strike slashed down from the firmament, the blade light spanning across the vast sky.
The world changed color, and the entire sky was directly 'severed' by this single strike!
Lord Fubai’s expression changed completely because he recognized this strike.
The Director of the Night Guard Division, Zhou Qingmu.
—Night Severance.
“Audacious demon.”
Zhou Qingmu’s voice came from high above the sky.
She descended with her blade, her black hair flying wildly in the wind generated by the strike.
“You dare to assassinate a prodigy within the borders of Daqian! Have you grown tired of living?”
The phrasing of this sentence was very deliberate.
She didn't say "Lord Fubai," but "demon."
Because Lord Fubai was currently appearing in human form, with no Jiao clan insignia displayed, and his artifact had its spiritual features hidden.
She only needed to insist that this was an "unidentified Fifth Realm demon" who dared to ambush a prodigy disciple of the Wenjian Sect within Daqian.
Once this label was applied, Lord Fubai was immediately caught in a dilemma.
Reveal his identity? That would be admitting the Jiao clan had violated the covenant by acting against a human cultivator within Daqian.
Not reveal his identity? Haha, then perfect—stay here and be beaten to death by two Fifth Realm great cultivators.
No matter what he chose, Lord Fubai would lose.
So, did Director Zhou who was "passing by" and Master Ren who "happened" to be nearby agree to go for a stroll together?
On the other side, a dialogue box popped up at the right time.
【《Hundred Bones Resonating》 was stunned for a moment upon seeing Ren Wencai appear, then it rejoiced: Reinforcements! Emperor Gu’s reinforcements are here!】
Then, seeing Zhou Qingmu’s "Night Severance" slash down:
【《Hundred Bones Resonating》 cheered even louder: What a strong strike! As expected of Emperor Gu’s subordinate!】
In Lao Bai’s cognitive system, anyone who came to help Gu Chengming was automatically one of Emperor Gu’s subordinates.
The tag-team match didn't last long.
Ren Wencai’s sword momentum was fierce and peerless, but the old man clearly had no intention of making a solo kill; he was only responsible for keeping the opponent pinned down.
The real main source of damage was the blade in Zhou Qingmu’s hand.
Lord Fubai gritted his teeth, desperately parrying for two or three rounds. A blade strike landed, and hot demon blood seeped out from the gaps in his scales.
A single move affected the whole body, and his movements involuntarily slowed by half a beat.
Ren Wencai was waiting for this exact half-beat.
A sword light cut in from the flank at a tricky angle, bypassing the gap in his right arm’s defense. The sword qi entered the scales and exploded right at the shoulder blade.
Lord Fubai let out a muffled groan, his right arm suddenly sagging, and the power of the Abyss Swallower spear instantly diminished by thirty percent.
Zhou Qingmu naturally wouldn't miss such a golden opportunity.
She held the Night Severance blade high above her head. The qi swirling around the blade reached its peak in an instant, and she slashed down.
Lord Fubai nearly crushed his silver teeth, holding his spear horizontally to block desperately, but he was forced down by the overwhelming blade momentum until his knees buckled, slamming into the ground.
New wounds on top of old ones; under the brutal impact of the blade qi, they all flared up at once, and the flow of demonic power in his body turned into a chaotic mess.
If this continued, death was certain.
Lord Fubai steeled his heart, decisively letting go of the Abyss Swallower with his left hand and pulling out a secret treasure from deep within his Jiao-scales.
This was the Jiao clan’s ultimate life-saving charm, with only three remaining in the entire clan. He had specifically brought one this time just in case.
However, a split second before he could crush the escape charm, Zhou Qingmu’s second strike followed like a shadow.
Lord Fubai had no time to defend. The domineering blade qi tore through the scales on his left rib like rotten wood, rampaging through his internal organs before finally dissipating. A large mouthful of demon blood spilled from his lips, and his green Jiao-pupils instantly constricted into thin lines.
A blinding spiritual light exploded, leaving only a lifelike afterimage in place.
Lord Fubai’s true body had turned into a streak of black light, diving into the depths of the earth without looking back, fleeing frantically toward the East Sea.
The two powerhouses had severely wounded Lord Fubai. Knowing he would be gravely weakened and unable to cause any more trouble for a short time even if he survived, they chose not to pursue.
With the destruction of the eastern and northern array foundations, the Dragon-Trapping Array was completely paralyzed, and that stifling dragon pressure also receded like a tide.
Gu Chengming’s expression was subtle as he likely guessed what had happened, and he stepped forward to meet them.
“Master.” He first bowed to Ren Wencai.
“Director Zhou.” Then he cupped his hands to Zhou Qingmu, his heart feeling quite strange.
As if sensing what Gu Chengming was thinking.
Zhou Qingmu calmly sheathed her blade, lightly brushing off non-existent dust from her robes, her tone casual. “It was all official business. I was just passing by.”
Meanwhile, Ren Wencai carefully sized up Gu Chengming. After confirming the boy was in one piece, he finally let out a long breath and spoke with a tone of disappointment, “You silly boy, you already sensed an ambush, so why did you still dare to barge in?”
Gu Chengming felt a bit awkward. I was actually thinking about whether I could get a solo kill.
But who could have expected that it was you, Master, who set the trap?
He turned to look at Zhou Qingmu, thinking to himself that the older generation’s way of fighting was truly cautious.
Even when setting an ambush, they still called in a heavy-hitter who could guarantee a kill.
“Master is right to scold me; your disciple will certainly be more prudent in the future.”
He honestly bowed his head and admitted his mistake, his skill at playing along already at the peak. “If Master and Director Zhou hadn't happened to pass by today, your disciple might have truly suffered a great loss.”
Ren Wencai snorted. He had intended to maintain his masterly air and lecture him some more, but seeing Gu Chengming’s obedient and submissive appearance, the harsh words at the tip of his tongue were swallowed back. Finally, he just waved his hand dismissively.
“Fine, stop acting so well-behaved in front of me.”
The old man huffed. “The waters at the Cloud Moon Sect and the Hunyuan Sect are very deep. Keep your wits about you and don't think that just because you know a few sword moves, you’re invincible. If you run into a tough opponent you can't beat, just run. It’s not embarrassing!”
Zhou Qingmu re-hung her Night Severance blade, giving Gu Chengming a half-smile. Without saying more, her figure turned into a streak of light, and she truly left as if she were just "passing by."
Gu Chengming watched the direction Zhou Qingmu had left, then looked at his master who was once again bringing out his flying sword to return to the sect, and let out a long breath.
Well, the hidden sub-quest of solo-killing the old Jiao was forcibly taken over by his elders.
Rate on N.U.
