Chapter 1 Feng Lai Temple

Lu Nanjin sat cross-legged, a wooden sword lying across her knees.

Following Gu Nanfeng's guidance, she had abandoned the extraordinary knife made of mithril from the Eastern Continent Tribunal and switched to an unadorned wooden knife. Among the cultivation practices of the Northern Continent's extraordinary individuals, wooden knives were more difficult to infuse with source quality than mithril blades… and thus required greater focus on the ability itself.

To enhance her combat power, she needed to immerse herself in the world of "Lanqie" (Wind Cut) at all times.

The wind was not an inanimate object.

It was a living thing.

If the master of Lanqie perfectly merged with her own ability, she wouldn't need to see or hear for herself, but only perceive the outside world through the "wind flow."

At this moment, Lu Nanjin was immersed in the state of releasing Lanqie and perceiving the outside world through the flowing wind.

She saw Gu Shen's fight with Chu Jue in front of Chunyu Temple... clean and swift.

Or rather, it could be described as simple and brutal.

"Gu Shen... has he become so strong?" Lu Nanjin was somewhat surprised.

The strength of the extraordinary individual on the opposite side should be at the fifth level of the Deep Sea, right?

In a head-on battle, Gu Shen directly crushed him.

What caught Lu Nanjin's attention was a small detail in the battle... Gu Shen did not dodge Chu Jue's mental shock, but directly resisted it, which was a rather unwise choice.

The spiritual shock of a mental-type extraordinary individual was extremely powerful.

It was a direct blow to the mental level!

Even in close combat, one had to be cautious and wary… but the reason this battle turned into a crush was because Gu Shen not only withstood the opponent's mental shock, but was also unscathed!

When a mental-type was engaged in close combat, the outcome was obvious.

After joining Zhou Jiren's sect, Gu Shen had diligently tempered his physical skills, and this kid's talent was indeed good, not only in terms of mental power.

During the joint "extermination of the Evergreen Foundation" mission in the capital, Lu Nanjin discovered that Gu Shen's physical skills were actually quite good, far exceeding those of mental-type extraordinary individuals of the same level.

Was it because the Awakening of Insects Breathing Technique enhanced his physique?

Or was it because of Crow's careful guidance?

She didn't know.

The most fundamental reason was that "Blazing Fire" was not a purely mental ability. Every time it devoured extraordinary source quality, the feedback after digestion was not only effective on the mental aspect.

…

…

Weak.

Too weak.

Gu Shen clearly recognized the importance of evaluation... The extraordinary individual in front of him, who was rated B+ when joining the prison, was inferior to him in terms of actual combat ability and combat experience, and the difference was significant.

Previously, in Yuandan Street, he had assassinated a fifth-level Deep Sea power-attack type extraordinary individual.

That was a frontal, close-quarters fight!

Shi Li's strength was much stronger than Chu Jue's… partly because of the life-and-death battle, and partly because of the different cultivation environments.

The "Senior Brother Chu" in front of Gu Shen gave him a sense of strength with an unstable foundation.

Being new to the place, he didn't know what level the extraordinary individuals of the Third Precinct were at in Changye.

But the first wave of challengers in front of him… really disappointed Gu Shen.

Could it be that only the extraordinary individuals in the prison were like this?

Because they did not carry out life-and-death missions, they lacked practical combat experience. They had the trial level of the deep-water area, but they could not fight to the death. They were like flowers raised in a greenhouse, good-looking but useless.

Punch after punch!

Each punch landing squarely!

Gu Shen rode on Chu Jue's body, and in front of a dozen new extraordinary individuals from the prison, he beat this sandbag, who had no power to fight back, with all his strength. Senior Brother Chu completely lost face. He hugged his head, only able to parry. Finally, he roared and tried to resist!

The two were extremely close.

Chu Jue once again used "Mental Detonation," condensing his mental power and shooting it towards Gu Shen.

Normally, without any defense… even an extraordinary individual of the same level would not be able to resist this move.

This was a very vicious "killing move"!

But when the mental power hit Gu Shen, it was like a mud ox entering the sea, disappearing in an instant.

What he got in return was Gu Shen's even stronger fist!

A "bang" punch.

This punch almost made Chu Jue vomit blood… He seriously suspected that the s-level file information was incorrect. This guy's brute strength was like that of an ox. How could he be a mental-type extraordinary individual?

Little did he know.

This was a complete oddball, a freak.

After getting to know Song Ci, and after beating Zhao Qi in the old city… Gu Shen felt the charm of "fists."

"Like to play sneak attacks?"

Of course, Gu Shen sensed Chu Jue's little trick.

He sneered.

If other people encountered this method, it would be quite troublesome.

However, this guy met him!

With the "Four Seasons Wilderness" enveloping his soul, Gu Shen's mental power was particularly strong. The mental impact of the fifth level of the Deep Sea was nothing at all, only slightly shaking his spirit.

This Chu Jue cultivated the prison's "Grain Rain Scroll"… Judging from the eavesdropped conversation just now, he should have been cultivating for a little more than half a year?

That was about the same as the time he had been cultivating the Awakening of Insects.

But the strength of his mental power was not on the same level.

Even without Mr. Gu Changzhi's "gift," and without using close combat, Gu Shen could completely win this duel… If he wanted to trace the reason, it should be the different number of circulations of the two breathing techniques.

Gu Shen's Awakening of Insects Breathing Technique was a 100% complete comprehension.

In a sense… he was the second person in the Tribunal who could completely carve and imprint the artistic conception of this breathing technique.

This also led to his breathing technique operating faster and faster, and becoming more and more proficient.

And ordinary cultivators like Chu Jue, compared to him, had several times fewer circulations per day. With the same cultivation time, the number of circulations was only one-fifth or even less than Gu Shen's. How could their mental strength be compared?

"...It's over."

Gu Shen clenched his fist, gathering his Qi.

The last punch, raised high, hung in the air, not falling.

Gu Shen, who had always adhered to the concept of doing good to the end and sending the Buddha to the west… did not have the habit of holding back in duels.

He frowned and looked in the direction of his fist.

There were countless silvery-white fine threads, entwining his fist, as if forming a spider web.

"Since it's a competition… it's good to stop at the point."

In the distance, a tall, thin man, draped in the prison's robe, walked slowly, wearing a white peaked cap, and said softly: "Little Gu, you've already won."

After beating the small ones, the big ones are drawn out?

The "big shot" of the prison has come out… This guy's strength is very strong, much stronger than Chu Jue.

"Heh…" Gu Shen smiled and asked, "So what?"

With a "chī" sound.

A wisp of arc light flashed from the Ruler of Truth within his sleeve.

The spider silk wrapping his fist was instantly cut off… This scene of the spider silk breaking was seen by the tall, thin man. The pupils under the peaked cap slightly contracted. He was very certain that the strength of the young man in front of him was at most around the fourth or fifth level of the Deep Sea.

But the action of "cutting off" the spider silk just now was so fast that he didn't even see it clearly.

Did he use his ability? Or the power of the sealed item?

"Since you've won, why continue to humiliate him." The white peaked cap man shook his head, "One should be lenient whenever possible. Didn't Mr. Shu teach you this principle?"

"Sorry... he really didn't teach me this principle," Gu Shen smiled.

"According to you, I had already won before the fight even started. Bringing a group of newcomers, a group of people who aren't even familiar with using their abilities, what are they challenging me for? What chance do they have of winning against me? Do you want to push others into the fire pit and then watch the show from the sidelines? Is this the prison's way of doing things?"

Chu Jue's face became very ugly.

The white peaked cap man was thoughtful.

After these words… he probably understood what had happened.

Because he received a request for help and happened to be nearby, he rushed over as soon as possible, but he didn't expect to see such a scene.

Glancing at Chu Jue, who was groaning in pain on the ground, there was a hint of disappointment in his eyes… It was okay to lose by challenging the Tribunal's s-level with a dozen newcomers, but it was shameful to play petty tricks and get exposed, and then beaten to the ground.

But it could only be said that he deserved it!

"Since you want to fight, then fight to the end. Men of Changye, there is no reason to surrender and admit defeat halfway through when they see the situation is not right. Wouldn't that be a coward, losing the face of the sect behind you, you say... right?"

Despite saying that, Gu Shen got up and just clenched his fist, without continuing to attack.

He restrained his aura and smiled sarcastically: "You should know... sometimes, face is not given by others, but lost by oneself."

The white peaked cap man couldn't refute it for a moment.

He was speechless.

"Who are you, sir?"

Gu Shen straightened his clothes and said, "Don't tell me you're here to issue a challenge as well?"

"Not quite."

The white peaked cap man took a deep breath and squeezed out a smile, "Although I really want to fight you... it would be too much of a bully. Changye values martial arts and encourages duels, but it doesn't encourage bullying the weak. If you have the strength of the tenth level of the Deep Sea, we can spar a bit."

"I am Zou He, the eldest senior brother under the Fourth Arbiter."

The white peaked cap man glanced at his disappointing junior brother, ignored him, and introduced himself with a smile: "Little Gu is indeed gifted, I've seen it."

Only cultivated for half a year.

To be able to beat Chu Jue into this state… it was actually a bit polite to describe him as gifted.

"It's good to make friends through fighting, today can be considered a good connection." Zou He said lightly: "Little Gu, as fellow disciples of the Third Precinct, we must take care of each other in the future and visit each other often."

After saying that.

He said in a low voice: "Why aren't you getting up yet? How long are you going to lie down? Do you think you're not embarrassing enough?"

After hearing this, Chu Jue struggled to get up from the ground, his face covered in a mess, took the snow-white silk handkerchief handed over by a junior sister, and covered his bleeding forehead.

He quickly came to his eldest senior brother's side, "Senior brother..."

Zou He frowned and raised his hand to stop Chu Jue from speaking, while using mental power to transmit his voice and reprimand him: "How can you be so reckless?"

"It's Han Dang..."

Chu Jue's face was full of grievance, and he responded in his heart: "Han Dang told me that Gu Shen's strength is very weak, only at the third or fourth level of the Deep Sea. As long as I bring the junior brothers and sisters to challenge him, whether it succeeds or not... he will give me a sealed item..."

Zou He was expressionless and said two words coldly in his heart.

Idiot.

Turning back, he squeezed out a three-point smile and said, "Little Gu, we won't disturb you anymore."

"Wait a minute..."

Gu Shen also smiled and said, "Senior Brother Zou... do you want to leave now?"

Zou He narrowed his eyes and pretended to be surprised and smiled: "Little Gu, are you inviting us to stay for tea?"

"Tea is for guests, not for you."

The smile on Gu Shen's face disappeared little by little. He was too lazy to pretend any longer and said bluntly: "One thing is one thing, the matter of challenging me... is considered settled, but other things are not settled. How did you all know that I live here?"

Chu Jue's heart skipped a beat.

"Tribunal, Han Dang."

Zou He opened his mouth and said it straightforwardly.

He unhesitatingly revealed the guy who planned this challenge: "Arbiter Zhu Wang of the Tribunal is responsible for the supervision and stabilization of the Changye area. He holds a complete [Wind Eye] surveillance chain. The slightest disturbance in Changye City must not be able to hide from him and his apprentice... My disappointing junior brother listened to Han Dang's suggestion and rushed to this place."

Gu Shen was expressionless and silently clenched his fists.

Han Dang.

It was Han Dang again.

He vaguely felt that something was not quite right.

When they separated in Qinghe, Senior Sister Luo told him... She had hypnotized Han Dang. Han Dang would forget everything that happened in the trial institute. In theory, [Sky Eye]'s strength had already topped out among mental-type extraordinary individuals.

This hypnosis should not have been lifted.

Then Han Dang's targeting of him... was likely the instruction of his teacher Zhu Wang behind the scenes. Perhaps because Zhou Jiren had not yet returned to Changye, this master and apprentice who coveted the position of "Grand Arbiter" seemed to have begun a series of actions.

Without even thinking about it.

Han Dang could find one group of people, and he could find five groups, ten groups.

Now all the extraordinary individuals of the Third Precinct in Changye are very interested in this "s" level newcomer... Those who are too strong will value their face and endure it a little, and those who come directly to the door like Chu Jue are definitely not a minority.

Han Dang has made a start.

There will be more and more people like this!

He couldn't finish fighting them all... Waves of challengers coming to the door would annoy him to death.

If he didn't fight, he was probably doing what Han Dang wanted.

A dignified s-level... afraid of fighting?

Gu Shen was silent for two seconds. In fact, he didn't feel a headache... Because what he needed most now was a duel, actual combat. It was just that the strength levels of the challengers who came to the door were uneven, which was not a good thing.

Perhaps... there was another solution to this matter.

"Little Gu, if there's nothing else... we'll go back."

Zou He said this subconsciously. He had already thrown out the mastermind behind the scenes and cleared himself of any trouble. Presumably Gu Shen couldn't stick to him.

"Wait a little longer."

Gu Shen suddenly put on a smiling face.

He smiled and said, "Senior Brother Zou... are you going back to the prison?"

Zou He was slightly stunned.

Gu Shen asked seriously, "May I ask, Senior Brother Zou, under your sect, that is, under the command of the Fourth Arbiter... which is the most capable young extraordinary individual?"