(repeat of Chapter 78 due to source change)
Gu Wen took a sip of tea and asked, “Is the purpose of the Three Rankings to incite conflict? Who established them?”
A group of young and ambitious Tianjiao gathered in one place, and conflict was inevitable.
With the rankings in place, bloodshed was unavoidable.
In literature, there is no first; in martial arts, there is no second.
They must fight until their heads are broken and blood flows.
“Established by the Tianji Pavilion, but they merely acted in accordance with the situation. If they don’t establish it, someone else will,” Ao Tang lay nearby, while those around him ignored him, not perceiving any issue with bringing a donkey into a teahouse.
“There are many idle people in the world who enjoy watching the excitement. Even without rankings, would you not compete? That’s impossible. Cultivators severing their emotions and desires are also contending with heaven and earth. Those who turn to stone are all failures, unable to maintain their true selves without emotions and desires.”
“Cultivation thrives on competition; only by measuring oneself against heaven and earth can one transcend and become an immortal.”
Seeing that Gu Wen remained unmoved, Ao Tang laughed, “Second Ancestor, you are currently ranked tenth, and naturally have no interest since you have a connection with this kid. But what if someone emerges ranked seventh?”
As soon as he finished speaking, a sound of wind accompanied by the ringing of a sword approached in an instant.
The newcomer wore a blue robe, standing with a sword in hand, his expression cold and his hair meticulously arranged.
“Disorder is not permitted within the city.”
He Huan explained, “If one does not offend me, I will not offend them. A group of insignificant characters ranks me, and they say Brother Hongchen is not as good as you, which is hard to bear.”
He then hoisted his silver spear onto his shoulder, looking at the sword-wielding figure before him, and smiled, “It seems that indeed, you cannot hold onto your seventh rank.”
Xiao Yunyi replied indifferently, “I have never cared for the Three Rankings; this seventh rank is merely because the seventh challenger lost to me.”
“Then today, let’s have a taste of it.”
He Huan’s aura surged unabashedly, the Yin and Yang energies forming a foundation of the first layer, possessing both Yin and Yang powers, theoretically twice that of an ordinary person.
With a third layer foundation, the first layer was complete.
He had improved further, but the gap between him and Gu Wen was evidently larger than during their first encounter.
Gu Wen had two more complete layers than him, creating a significant difference in realms.
There are disparities even among Tianjiao, but that does not mean he is not a Tianjiao.
Xiao Yunyi sensed the opponent’s full battle intent and knew that this matter could not be resolved with just a few words.
He slowly drew his soft sword from his waist, green as bamboo and slender as willow leaves, drawing the sword as a breeze stirred.
A sword rose with the wind, the sword light resembling a fishing net.
He Huan’s spear aura extended five zhang long, the clash of spear and sword energies competing against each other, testing their respective powers and understanding of their weapon paths.
This process would not take long.
In an instant, everything slowed down, and all those present with cultivation were unaffected.
It was not that time had stopped, but only those with a foundation could glimpse the duel.
He Huan’s power was much more profound, and the spear aura gradually broke through the sword net, inch by inch, foot by foot, zhang by zhang.
The sword net became thinner, transforming from a tightly woven net into mere strands of sword energy, yet it could not be severed.
After two breaths, the spear aura was nearly exhausted.
Xiao Yunyi stepped forward, lightly tapping the silk curtains of the tavern, leaping onto the eaves, and drew his sword again.
He Huan blocked with his spear, but his body was lifted by a gust of wind, soaring over ten zhang high, like a kite being continuously blown away.
Inside the teahouse, Gu Wen set down his teacup, his eyes narrowing slightly, yet he did not take action.
He Huan would not die, and he was indeed interested, having gauged the other’s cultivation.
A four-layer foundation, three layers complete, one layer higher than himself, and in terms of skill, he was no insignificant character.
The sword body was as thin as a cicada’s wing, the sword energy as fine as silk, yet extremely resilient, using skill to overcome brute force, wielding the sword with the wind.
This was different from the spear techniques he had learned, and unlike any opponent he had previously encountered, he could sense the opponent’s profound mastery in the sword path.
This inevitably sparked the thought of a contest; to compete with stronger opponents was Gu Wen’s ambition.
Ao Tang laughed, “So, are you thinking of a contest? The Three Rankings are not a reason for Tianjiao to fight; it is simply because each is a child of heaven. I am naturally among the strongest, above all others, beyond the heavens.”
“Indeed,” Gu Wen could not deny, “the Three Rankings are merely ancillary factors; those with great talent do not consider themselves weaker than others. It’s just a pity that now is not the time; we still need to conceal our identities.”
“Why conceal?”
Yuhua, who had been reading quietly from the beginning, raised his head, his voice calm and gentle, “You said they already know we are coming, so why hide? Above the True Monarch, I am invincible; below the True Monarch, what do you fear?”
Gu Wen was taken aback for a moment, then understood the other’s meaning, saying, “Although these troubles will come sooner or later, it is still a slight advantage.”
“What is meant to come will not be deterred by our hiding; those we can provoke are not troubles.” Yuhua rested his chin on one hand, his gaze finally turning to the Tianjiao competing outside, smiling, “Go ahead; we are not the kind to cower. They should be the ones to be cautious.”
At this point, Gu Wen no longer had any reservations.
Amidst the vast white clouds, a streak of crimson light shot into the sky, the dark red spear aura dispersing the clear wind sword energy.
Xiao Yunyi’s expression changed slightly, a hint of seriousness appearing in his eyes as he withdrew his sword, shifting from offense to defense.
The other ten or so observing Tianjiao felt a chill run down their spines.
The sky dimmed slightly, the clouds obscuring the sun.
An invisible red dragon hovered in the high sky, slightly stretching its body over ten zhang, its red scales reflecting the clouds, looking down to intimidate the millions in the city.
Among them, an unremarkable man grasped He Huan’s collar and slowly descended.
His gaze was deep, a hint of crimson light gathering, silently watching Xiao Yunyi, making him feel as if facing a formidable enemy.
He Huan came back to his senses, seeing Gu Wen, and slightly opened his mouth, “Brother Hongchen, why did you come out? I was merely competing, not fighting for my life; you are putting yourself in danger!”
Due to the Dao Monarch Emperor, the entire world knew Gu Wen would come to Luoshui, as the Immortal Elixir required the gathering of the Five Elements.
The Xijian Pool was the pinnacle of metal; perhaps the Immortal Elixir was there at this very moment, but others could not probe it.
Only the Dao Sect’s Heavenly Maiden could sense the Immortal Elixir, and as a protector of the Heavenly Maiden, he naturally had to come.
But He Huan did not expect him to boldly step out to save him, completely exposing his whereabouts; truly a heartfelt friend!
He Huan felt somewhat moved.
Gu Wen said, “Saving you was merely a matter of convenience; don’t misunderstand.”
“…”
He Huan looked at him with a resentful gaze, “Brother Hongchen, it’s obvious that you don’t have many romantic prospects; clearly, women do not favor you.”
“Cultivating does not necessarily require time; where is the time for love?”
Gu Wen let go of him, casually seizing his spear, saying, “I’ll borrow your weapon for a moment.”
Xiao Yunyi, shedding his previous nonchalance, looked at Gu Wen with great seriousness, “You dare to come out so boldly?”
“Why should I not dare? Is it because I fear your encirclement, or that a True Monarch descends from the heavens?”
Gu Wen countered, standing with the spear atop the three-story building, surveying all of Luoshui.
At this moment, countless gazes converged upon him, many of which were filled with malice.
If one does not offend me, I will not offend them; if one offends me, I will repay them a hundredfold.
The encirclement from all sides does not mean they need to fear; Yuhua is the pinnacle of this generation, and so is Gu Wen.
The swan soars high, covering a thousand miles.
The feathers have been set, spanning the four seas.
Having already risen with the wind, there is no need to fear a fall.
He grinned, the fierce red dragon dharma image slightly revealing its fangs, boundless killing intent recklessly spilling forth as he shouted:
“Do you insignificant characters even qualify?”
Xiao Yunyi was momentarily stunned; in an instant, his momentum was suppressed by the other.
The gathered Tianjiao and powerful figures were all taken aback; they had not expected the other not only to dare to stand out but to be so arrogant and brazen.
It was as if they were not the ones being pursued but rather celestial beings ascending to the heavens.
Yuhua looked on with a smile.
Ao Tang felt somewhat helpless but said nothing.
Compared to the convenience gained from careful concealment, if Gu Wen’s spirit could be raised, the benefits would be greater.
Cultivation is about fighting for a breath; those with high spirits naturally find their path smooth.
Throughout history, those who could reach the peak were all those who crushed their peers.
He merely thought Gu Wen would be a bit more humble, but he did not expect him to stand up and overlook the world.
These two ancestors were more arrogant than the other, each a prodigy of extraordinary talent.
(End of Chapter)