"We've arrived."
Su Ling and Yun Ze reached the vicinity of the surging spiritual energy first. Even standing hundreds of meters away, they could feel the clashes of spiritual energy emanating from not far off!
Someone was fighting!
Yun Ze stood still, watching, and couldn't help but frown!
Someone else had arrived!
He didn't know if they were friend or foe. Instinctively, he drew his Mountain Demon, and soon saw eleven figures surrounding them.
Judging by their auras, these eleven purple-robed individuals were all around the ninth level of Qi Refining, though he didn't know their Qi Sea realms.
Fortunately, the other party didn't attack immediately but stood their ground and asked, "Who goes there!"
Su Ling didn't speak but tossed a token over!
The other party took the token, looked at it, and then threw it back, saying with some helplessness, "Why are you only arriving now? The Holy Son thought you were dead."
"I encountered some matters on the way, related to the changes in the secret realm."
Su Ling replied, then looked towards the area of spiritual energy fluctuations in the distance, "That guy... is fighting someone again?"
"Yes, his opponent is Gu Wudao, a successor of Cangluo from the Sacrificial Blade Tower. He just broke through to Foundation Establishment."
The other party replied, then turned to look at Yun Ze, frowning, "Why did you bring him along?"
"He discovered the changes in the secret realm. I brought him to explain."
Su Ling casually explained, then turned to look behind him, "More people will be arriving later. Don't rush to attack."
"Who?"
As the purple-robed man asked, he looked up at the sky.
Dan Chenyu had also arrived.
She held Wei Lanshu in one arm and the 'evidence' in the other, landing directly in front of everyone.
"I am."
Dan Chenyu replied, then placed Wei Lanshu and the 'evidence' aside and cupped her hands towards the eleven people, "Immortal Abode, Dan Chenyu."
The person who had replied earlier quickly cupped his hands in return, "Demonic Cave, Gui Zhan."
"Greetings, Daoist Gui Zhan."
Dan Chenyu replied and got straight to the point, "Now that the secret realm has greatly changed, perhaps only by combining the strength of the Immortal and Demonic paths can we break through this predicament. I ask Daoist Gui to summon Daoist Xiu first, so we can discuss matters."
"This..."
Gui Zhan hesitated for a moment. If his hood were to be lifted, one might see a very displeased face.
Legend had it that Xiu Yun was most fond of killing, and there were three things he detested the most.
The first was being interrupted during a fight. If anyone interfered or disturbed him, regardless of the reason or excuse, he would kill that person first out of anger!
"Let's wait for now."
Su Ling stepped forward to reply, his gaze fixed on the continuously expanding spiritual energy ahead, "They will likely be finished soon."
"...Very well."
Dan Chenyu had intended to refuse, but as if she thought of something, she actually agreed.
Yun Ze knew she wanted to help him weaken Gu Wudao's combat power, making it easier for him to deal with Gu Wudao if he came looking for trouble again.
He turned to look at the place where the two were fighting, and his heart trembled!
Every time Gu Wudao swung his blade, a blade shadow would be unleashed, each with the power of Foundation Establishment!
If it landed on the Jianyun Armor, it would be fine, but if Yun Ze had to take it head-on with his physical strength, he would likely be annihilated by a single strike!
On the other hand, Xiu Yun neither dodged nor hid, but simply drew his bow and shot!
Arrow after arrow was fired, each landing on a blade shadow and shattering it!
The attacks of the two were like a storm, with dozens of blade shadows unleashed almost every moment, and dozens of arrow shadows falling.
Yun Ze watched with a frown for dozens of breaths, not even seeing a single arrow shadow land on Gu Wudao, nor a blade shadow land on Xiu Yun.
But if he were in either of their positions, he would have been riddled with holes by now!
Is this the strength of top-tier prodigies?
Isn't that too terrifying!
Just as Yun Ze was marveling, Gu Wudao seemed to notice something and glanced over his shoulder in their direction.
Yun Ze felt himself locked onto by malice, and knew it was from Gu Wudao, but he was helpless and could only wait in place.
"Still daring to be distracted?"
Xiu Yun retorted with four words, his fingertip flicking across the bowstring!
Release!
A dazzling crimson arrow shot towards Gu Wudao!
Gu Wudao's heart trembled. He stopped unleashing blade shadows and took a step back, blocking with the flat of his blade!
The arrow landed squarely on the back of the blade, emitting a ringing sound!
Hum!
The arrow dissipated, and Gu Wudao's long saber fell, his arm trembling slightly. His brow furrowed, but he could only grit his teeth and cup his hands towards Xiu Yun.
"I lost."
This arrow had nearly crippled his right hand!
He was only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment in the eighth level of Qi Sea, having just recently established his foundation. His Qi Sea capacity was barely comparable to the ninth level of Qi Sea, and it was now almost depleted.
If the fight continued, it would inevitably lead to instability in his realm.
Xiu Yun's final arrow had also consumed most of his spiritual energy, and there was no need to fight further.
Moreover...
Gu Wudao turned to look at Yun Ze again.
The main character had arrived, so there was no need to waste more time!
He carried his long saber and slowly walked towards Yun Ze.
The eleven purple-robed men who had been surrounding Yun Ze acted with remarkable coordination. Seeing Gu Wudao approach, they made way for him in advance.
Yun Ze had expected this and was mentally prepared. Seeing Gu Wudao walk towards him slowly, he didn't panic, but stood with his hands behind his back, feeling the refreshing chill of the wind.
As Gu Wudao reached him, before he could even speak, Yun Ze said first, "I heard... you wanted to fight me?"
Gu Wudao was taken aback.
But considering this person was the legendary fourth direct disciple of Emperor Guowu, it was normal to have some arrogance.
He frowned, casually planted his long saber in front of him, and blade energy instantly erupted!
"Your senior sister insulted my master. While we agreed not to kill you, we didn't say we couldn't challenge you."
"Yun Ze, do you dare to accept the challenge?"
"Ridiculous!"
Yun Ze felt the blade energy and panicked inwardly, but still feigned composure, "What is there to fear? It's just... hehe, are all the people from the Sacrificial Blade Tower fools!"
"You! You're seeking death!"
Gu Wudao, upon hearing Yun Ze insult his sect, raised his hand and drew his saber, intending to strike!
But Yun Ze didn't dodge or evade, instead walking forward to meet him!
"Come! Kill me! Let's see if you dare to kill me!"
The long saber descended but stopped three inches above his head!
The blade energy slashed down, but only cut off a few of his hairs.
Yun Ze's heart immediately relaxed!
It would be a lie to say he wasn't afraid!
If he hadn't had the "Immortal Shadow" jade pendant given by Senior Sister Mu for protection, he would never have dared to gamble on whether Gu Wudao dared to strike!
Fortunately!
Gu Wudao truly dared not.
Mu Si Yue was one thing, and the legendary Emperor Guowu was another.
Yun Ze had not yet accepted the challenge. If he were injured now, it would anger Mu Si Yue. If he were to truly kill him, it would be disrespecting Emperor Guowu!
If Mu Si Yue were angered, at most only their lineage would die. But if Emperor Guowu were disrespected...
The Sacrificial Blade Tower would likely be reduced to ruins!
Gu Wudao could only grip his long saber and continue to provoke Yun Ze, "Yun Ze, if you're a man, draw your sword, and let us have a fair fight?"
"Fair? Do you even qualify to say that word?"
Yun Ze retorted twice.
When that saber hung above his head, he knew the other party dared not kill him!
Since he dared not kill, then everything was negotiable!
He took another step forward, less than half a meter away from Gu Wudao.
Gu Wudao was over two meters tall, a standard burly man, half a head taller than Yun Ze, who was still in his developmental stage.
Yun Ze could only look up at him, "Gu Wudao, why did you wait until you broke through to Foundation Establishment to find me? Don't you have any idea?"
"I..."
Gu Wudao had actually wanted to find Yun Ze as soon as he entered the secret realm.
But his master had instructed him that the disciples of Emperor Guowu were all monstrous talents!
If he were to find Yun Ze at the Qi Refining stage, he would only become a laughingstock. He had to break through to Foundation Establishment first!
Now that Yun Ze had brought it up in front of the prodigies of both the Immortal and Demonic paths, Gu Wudao naturally couldn't reveal the truth, or the Sacrificial Blade Tower's reputation would be utterly disgraced!
"Let's not talk about realms for now."
Yun Ze walked directly out from under Gu Wudao's saber and came to Dan Chenyu's side. He picked up the 'evidence' and threw it in front of Gu Wudao, "First, open your eyes and see what this thing is!"
With that, he raised his hand and struck the 'evidence' with a sword, then flicked a ball of spiritual energy.
Everyone present was startled!
It was common to heal injuries with spiritual energy, but this speed of recovery, this efficiency of absorbing spiritual energy... even a Golden Core cultivator might not be able to achieve it!
"Hmm?"
Xiu Yun let out a sound of confusion. He had arrived before Gu Wudao's blade fell and had been standing by, wanting to see how things would unfold.
Seeing this thing now, he became instantly interested. He leaned in to examine it for a while and then asked in confusion, "What is this thing?"
Yun Ze turned to look at Dan Chenyu. He had intended for the professional to explain.
But when he turned, he saw Dan Chenyu looking at him as well, as if expecting him to explain.
A flicker of confusion flashed in Yun Ze's eyes. He gestured for her to speak, but Dan Chenyu... she seemed to have misunderstood.
"Ahem."
Dan Chenyu coughed twice and stepped forward to Yun Ze's side, "Since everyone has questions, my junior uncle will introduce it to you all."
Yun Ze: ???
I gave you a look to introduce it so I could slip away and be a nobody, not to highlight me and have me continue introducing this darn thing!
Unfortunately, among the Great Daos Dan Chenyu cultivated, none allowed her to read minds. Yun Ze's unspoken words were inaudible to her.
Yun Ze glanced around and found everyone looking at him with curiosity, even Gu Wudao.
The arrow was already on the string, and there was no turning back. Otherwise, the persona he had built might crumble!
"Alright, Xiao Yu, you help me supplement."
Yun Ze replied and had no choice but to steel himself and continue the introduction, "We found this thing about five hundred li to the southwest, along with thirty-five similar corpses and thirty-six spirit beasts at the ninth level of Qi Refining.
The spirit beasts had their core nuclei dug out, and these thirty-five corpses all had the same bizarre characteristic..."
Just as Yun Ze was introducing the monk Du Zhi, Gu Wudao's voice suddenly rang out.
"Wait a moment!"
As Gu Wudao spoke, everyone's attention turned to him.
"The monk Du Zhi you mentioned, was he with his eyes closed, emitting golden light all over, wearing a tattered kasaya, and emanating a hazy green glow?"
"Hmm?"
Yun Ze hadn't even gotten to the part where Du Zhi's eyes were gouged out. How did he know he had his eyes closed? "Apart from the green glow, everything else is similar, but how did you know?"
Gu Wudao raised his hand and pointed behind the crowd.
"Look, isn't that him?"
Yun Ze's heart trembled and he immediately turned to look behind him!
Du Zhi!
It was indeed him!
However, he was indeed emanating a faint green glow.
And just as Yun Ze turned, Monk Du Zhi, as if he had discovered something, suddenly lunged towards them!
"Scatter! Quickly!"