After days of intense competition, the crème de la crème of each sect had emerged.
Among the younger generation, there were over a hundred individuals at the Hua Jing (化境) realm or above.
Of these, no less than ten were at the peak of Hua Jing.
These ten were all destined to be future Quasi-Masters!
Gu Liang, witnessing this, was filled with emotion. “With these youngsters, the martial arts world will not decline!”
“Indeed!”
He was very satisfied with the recent competitions.
In the evening, Gu Liang hosted a banquet for the sect leaders of the Thirty-Six Sects at the Gu Sect.
Most of the individuals seated there were at the Master realm, with the lowest being Half-step Warrior.
Gu Liang surveyed the room and spoke calmly, “Everyone, the competition has reached this point. I believe it’s time to conclude and take a break!”
“What do you all think?”
The thirty-six sect masters present were mostly seasoned veterans, and they understood that his words carried a deeper meaning.
“Sect Leader Gu, do you have something to tell us?”
“Yes!”
“We feel there’s more to your words!”
“Just say it directly!”
“There’s no need to hide anything from us!”
“That’s right…”
Hearing this, Gu Liang chuckled. “Since that’s the case, I shall reveal a secret about the martial arts world!”
Upon hearing this, everyone became serious.
What secret could they possibly not know?
Gu Liang continued, “Before this, I spoke to you about Dragon Blood, about the existence of Kunlong Island (困龙岛). As for Dragon Blood, it remains a mystery. I wonder if you are willing to join the Gu Sect and explore Kunlong Island to uncover the truth?”
Kunlong Island?
Most of the elders present wore solemn expressions!
“Wh-what? It actually exists?”
“This… I thought it was just a gimmick!”
“Yes, I thought so too!”
“My knowledge of the secrets of Kunlong Island is very limited, so I can only tell you this much!” Gu Liang stated calmly.
“If anyone is willing to go, you may. If not, that’s fine!”
“You can all consider it yourselves!”
“Also, there are risks in going to Kunlong Island. It is best that not all the strong members of a sect go, to avoid the lineage being broken!”
This time, Gu Liang had made his intentions very clear.
Whether to go or not was entirely up to their own will.
There was no compulsion.
It was as if a window had been opened for an honest discussion.
After learning of this secret, the old sect masters of the Thirty-Six Sects were somewhat moved. Although they were unsure if Dragon Blood truly existed, they still wanted to explore it.
After a moment, voices began to ring out.
“We are willing to go!”
“That’s right, our Hundred Flowers Sect is willing to go!”
“Qingshan Sect is willing to go!”
“Wuxing Sect will go!”
…
…
And so on!
Most of them were willing to go!
At this moment, the old sect leader of Wu Sect, Wu Daozi, slowly spoke, “Sect Leader Gu, so the competitions were actually to select future successors for each sect!”
“Heh heh… this is quite a roundabout way of doing things!”
Gu Liang smiled. “If we older generation don’t return alive, and there are no suitable successors, wouldn’t our sects fall into chaos?”
“Indeed!”
“That makes sense!”
“Mm… Sect Leader Gu has considered this thoroughly. We are willing to go!”
“Very well, let us old fellows cooperate to try and uncover the secrets of Kunlong Island,” Gu Liang said with a smile, calmly.
“No problem…”