Though Liu Jiangfusheng was not Guiying's enemy, he was the one who had cruelly carved a wound into Guiying's despair. From some unknown time, Liu Jiangfusheng had occupied a place in the obsessions of his heart.
The world was unfair. Liu Jiangfusheng was the bright moon in the ninth heaven, while he was born as mud trampled underfoot in the earth. He wanted to let out a furious cry to this biased heaven—
He swore he would defeat him thoroughly! Otherwise, the knot in his heart would only tighten.
When Guiying announced who he intended to challenge, Wei Li raised an eyebrow with amusement and smiled without speaking.
The hundred-mu training ground fell silent, so quiet one could hear a needle drop.
He wanted to challenge... Senior Uncle Fusheng of the Celestial Spirit Root?
This was truly a heart aiming higher than the heavens and ambition broader than the seas.
In truth, given his current cultivation, his best choice would have been Zi Ying, a female disciple from Lianhua Mountain. Yet, he insisted on challenging Senior Uncle Fusheng across levels. Was this overconfidence, or did he underestimate Senior Uncle Fusheng?
Daoist Master Zhiyang was also surprised by the rapid growth of this Five-Spirit Root disciple. Moreover, he was a registered disciple, meaning he had not yet apprenticed himself to anyone for guidance.
To cultivate to the Golden Core stage through wild growth, judging from all aspects, his mindset and strength were not to be underestimated.
At this moment, Wei Li leisurely asked him, "Mountain Master Wumei, what are your thoughts?"
In such a setting, with a disciple openly issuing a challenge for the Rookie Ranking, to evade and refuse would likely invite gossip from others. Furthermore, Daoist Master Zhiyang had confidence in his disciple Fusheng. It might as well be today that he took his first step toward widespread fame.
"It's not this old man being challenged, so what opinion could this old man have?" Daoist Master Zhiyang fiddled with the sparse curly hair on his forehead and replied casually.
"Then Fusheng, what is your opinion?"
Seeing that Daoist Master Zhiyang did not object, Liu Jiangfusheng stepped forward calmly and said, "This disciple is willing to accept the challenge."
Ever since Guiying had declared that he would challenge "Liu Jiangfusheng," Gu Junshi's smile had vanished from her face.
The hem of her clothes, fluttering in the wind, seemed to be cut off by the airflow, obediently surrendering at her feet. Her pupils, dark and cool, were tranquil and indifferent.
She transmitted her voice to Guiying.
"Why do you challenge Liu Jiangfusheng?"
Guiying trembled.
He recognized this voice.
She was here too?
"Reply to me with your thoughts. No one will hear."
Her voice was calm and level, but Guiying, being blind from birth, was extremely sensitive to the emotions conveyed in others' voices.
She… was displeased with what he had done.
A prickling pain spread across Guiying's chest. He stubbornly straightened his pale purple lips, "I want to defeat him. I want to prove to the world that even if Liu Jiangfusheng possesses the best resources and talent, I, Guiying, will not lose to him by half!"
The humiliation and disdain he suffered at the "Sword Washing Pool" had been etched into his bones. That was the first time he had set aside his pride and dignity to beg for something. However, the immortal sword treated him as refuse, and the Mountain Master of Jiuntun regarded him as a stray dog, ready to kill him at will.
But Liu Jiangfusheng's treatment was entirely different from his. Because of his good talent, he easily obtained everything Guiying dreamed of.
Gu Junshi pondered for a moment upon hearing this and then said, "Guiying, you may go all out to fight him, but there is one thing… you must not use the Ghost Domain Absolute Kill against him."
His jaw clenched abruptly, and he asked with a chill in his heart, "Why?"
Why was even she…
"No need to ask. Just do it."
After these cold words, she severed their connection.
Gu Junshi knew that according to the trajectory of Guiying's previous lives, he would rise to prominence in the Great Yan Sect today. However, in those past lives, Liu Jiangfusheng was not among these disciples, so he had challenged another disciple selected for the Rookie Ranking.
At that time, that disciple had been cultivating for over thirty years and was in the early Golden Core stage. Guiying had defeated him across levels at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage.
In this life, taught by her, his cultivation was even higher. She had even taught him some overbearing techniques for defeating enemies across levels, making the outcome of this battle difficult to determine.
She didn't care what Guiying did to others, but her precious husband was an exception.
Only him, she could not allow.
—
The disciples on the training ground spread out, leaving a sufficiently wide space for Liu Jiangfusheng and Guiying to spar. The autumn wind stirred the clouds and mist over the high peaks, and the two floated in mid-air.
Disciples below whispered, "He has no hands, what weapon will he use to fight?"
"I don't know…"
"Who do you think will win?"
"Does that even need asking? It'll definitely be Senior Uncle Fusheng."
Some also questioned, "But… three years ago, Senior Uncle Fusheng was just a mortal. After three years of seclusion, his cultivation has only increased, but he seems to have little practical combat experience. If we talk about combat strength… that registered disciple looks fierce, and being able to cultivate to this level from the Five-Spirit Root undoubtedly means he has endured much hardship."
What they meant was that Liu Jiangfusheng was merely a showpiece, possessing a Golden Core mid-stage cultivation but being unable to fully display it in a fight, rendering it useless. Conversely, if the opponent could unleash his abilities to their fullest, he could win by being weaker.
With that in mind, it was indeed difficult to determine the victor.
Dan Ya also recognized Guiying as the young boy from years ago. His physical defect was too obvious, coupled with the unyielding spirit contained within his frail body at that time, he was indeed memorable.
However, his transformation in these three years had been immense. His stature had grown significantly, and his thin, slender chest now had the thickness of an adult's. His shoulders were broad, his waist narrow, and his lean physique was filled with robust muscular strength.
He must have had a fortunate encounter, otherwise, for someone of his Five-Spirit Root to even reach Foundation Establishment would be a miracle, let alone stepping into the Golden Core stage.
"Senior Uncle Fusheng, please enlighten me." Guiying, without hands, bowed his head in the direction of Liu Jiangfusheng.
Liu Jiangfusheng's voice was clear as a stream, and he asked, "Junior Nephew, do you have a weapon?"
The address "Junior Nephew" struck Guiying as grating. He said coldly, "I do not. I do not need a weapon."
A slight smile curved Liu Jiangfusheng's lips. He nodded, "Then let us both use none."
He extended one arm, and the red mark on his forehead flickered. Scale-like white light coiled around his arm in a vortex, and the immortal sword "Shuā" appeared in his hand.
He casually tossed it aside. The immortal sword transformed into a rushing stream of light and plunged violently into the training ground. With a "boom," sword energy fluctuations rippled outwards. Everyone involuntarily recoiled several steps, feeling like a lone boat in a vast sea, as if a powerful current was washing over them, even stealing their breath.
Guiying also could not help but frown. He instantly dodged and endured the fierce, surging aura with great effort.
Only Liu Jiangfusheng stood alone in mid-air, at ease and unruffled by the wind.
On the viewing platform, Gu Junshi watched her precious husband's impressive display of power. Her deep, dark pupils curved slightly into a smile.
She felt she had learned even more about him.
Though pampered, his pride was not diminished in the least.
He was declaring to everyone—those who dared to challenge him must be prepared to pay the corresponding price.