https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-121-Sword-Intent-Startles-the-Sect/12575394/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-123-The-True-Tai-Cang-Startling-Divine-Sword/12575396/
Chapter 122: The Number One Battle Under Heaven
Chapter 122: The Number One Battle Under Heaven
An Hao's mighty Tai Cang Jing Shen Sword Intent shocked the entire Tai Xuan Gate, causing countless disciples to gossip. This sword intent lasted for several hours before it finally dissipated.
In the following days, various rumors emerged, and the only certainty was that the oppressive aura came from a sword intent. This led to an increasing number of Sword Cultivators gathering on the Supplementary Heaven Platform.
Gu An, on the other hand, led a peaceful life. He traveled between the three medicine valleys and occasionally visited the Xuan Tian Cave Mansion at night. The rest of the time, he indulged in the pleasures of life.
Half a year passed in the blink of an eye, and Gu An turned sixty-two.
News of Fu Dao Jian Zun's annihilation of the Demon Lord of the Clouded Moon Sect had finally spread throughout the cultivation world. Whenever Gu An went to the outer sect, he often heard people chatting about Fu Dao Jian Zun, who had already gained a reputation as the number one Sword Cultivator of the Tai Cang Imperial Court.
Some even believed he was the number one in the world!
On this day, at noon, Gu An stood at the edge of the Supplementary Heaven Platform, gazing at the hundred-zhang statue in front of him, feeling pleased.
This hundred-zhang statue was the deity statue of Fu Dao Jian Zun, depicting Gu An's posture when he unleashed the Nine Extremes Yin Yang Body. The demonic energy surrounding the statue was crafted into fiery flames. One hand pointed diagonally, while the other gripped a sword, exuding an overwhelmingly domineering aura.
At this moment, Gu An was not the only one admiring the statue of Jian Zun; there were also a dozen others gazing up and discussing it.
Listening to the others' words of admiration for Fu Dao Jian Zun, Gu An felt even more delighted.
Who wouldn't want to be famous throughout the world?
Gu An desired the same, but he kept a low profile to avoid others discovering his life-draining ability. However, being renowned under a different identity still satisfied his vanity.
"Fu Dao Jian Zun is indeed worthy of being called the number one Sword Cultivator of the Tai Cang Imperial Court, but he may not be the number one Sword Cultivator in the world!"
A voice caught Gu An's attention, as well as the gazes of the surrounding disciples.
The speaker was a man in blue, holding a folded fan and exuding a graceful demeanor. His handsome face remained calm, as if the bold statement hadn't just come from his mouth.
A tall and sturdy inner sect disciple glared at the man in blue and said in a deep voice, "Oh? May I ask who you think is the number one Sword Cultivator in the world?"
By now, Fu Dao Jian Zun had become a source of pride for all disciples of Tai Xuan Gate, and they would not tolerate anyone questioning his prowess.
The man in blue replied, "In the extreme west, within Tian Wei, there is a Sword Cultivator known as Tian Jian Dao Ren. Seven hundred years ago, he was the number one Sword Cultivator in Tian Wei. Later, he retired to the depths of the mountains to dedicate himself to understanding the Sword. Not long ago, a sword intent erupted in Tian Wei, proving that he is still alive. If not for Fu Dao Jian Zun's swift action, it might have been this senior who ended the Clouded Moon Sect."
Tian Wei, one of the Nine Dynasties, located in the farthest west, suffered constant assaults from demons and devils. Yet, its territory was even more vast than Tai Cang, a testament to the might of Tian Wei's national power.
Gu An sensed that this man was hiding his true cultivation. On the surface, he appeared to be only at the Golden Core Realm, but in reality, he had already reached the Spirit Transformation Realm.
Gu An sent out a lifespan probe.
[Si Zhe (Spirit Transformation Realm Layer 2): 289/800/1300]
Hiding his cultivation and boasting about Tian Wei's cultivators, this fellow was likely not a disciple of Tai Xuan Gate.
Gu An remained silent, watching as the surrounding disciples verbally attacked Si Zhe.
Si Zhe maintained a calm and indifferent attitude, facing the crowd's slander and insults with composure.
"Tian Jian Dao Ren is indeed formidable and once shook the world. But that's ancient history. As a member of the Tian Wei royalty and a prince with the Fire God bloodline, to speak so arrogantly in Tai Xuan Gate is tantamount to provoking a battle!"
A voice rang out, and everyone turned to see Da Yu Jian Kuang, Han Ming, striding towards them.
Si Zhe turned and bowed, saying, "So it's Senior Jian Kuang. I've heard that Senior has been in Tai Xuan Gate for many years. Are you planning to join Tai Xuan Gate?"
A smile played on his lips, and his tone was mild, but his words were uncomfortable to hear.
"Hmph, brat! If not for the debt of gratitude I owe your emperor father, you would already be a corpse. Do you really think your Spirit Transformation Realm cultivation can withstand a single strike from me?" Han Ming coldly huffed.
Spirit Transformation Realm!
Upon hearing this, the disciples who had been insulting Si Zhe earlier paled and quickly backed away.
"Since that's the case, I won't hold back anymore."
Si Zhe smiled and then looked around, infusing his voice with qi as he declared, "I am the disciple of Tian Jian Dao Ren, a prince of the Tian Wei Imperial Court, Si Zhe. Today, I represent my master in challenging Fu Dao Jian Zun to a duel. Three months from now, my master will personally arrive at the Supplementary Heaven Platform to exchange sword techniques with Fu Dao Jian Zun!"
His voice echoed beneath the vast sky, audible to everyone in the city.
Someone was challenging Fu Dao Jian Zun?
Han Ming smiled. As the first person to exchange swords with Fu Dao Jian Zun, he chimed in, "The Clouded Moon Sect possessed a Grand Cultivator beyond the Combined Realm. Does your master have such a cultivation level?"
Si Zhe closed his fan and smiled. "Of course. My father intended to ask him to deal with the Clouded Moon Sect, but we were just a step too late."
His tone was proud, as if Tian Jian Dao Ren had already won against Fu Dao Jian Zun. This only served to irritate the disciples of Tai Xuan Gate further.
An elder appeared beside Si Zhe out of thin air and whispered a few words to him using a voice transmission technique. Si Zhe's expression changed slightly, and he huffed, "Then let's go. Anyway, the message has been delivered, and whether or not to accept the challenge is up to Fu Dao Jian Zun."
With that, he followed the elder and left.
Gu An watched his departing figure, feeling a sense of caution.
Fu Dao Jian Zun had just crushed the Clouded Moon Sect's plot, and his fame was at its peak. For someone to dare to challenge him now, they must be extremely powerful.
Gu An didn't think much more about it and turned to leave the Supplementary Heaven Platform, intending to go and take a look at the martial arts manual.
A month ago, the lifespan limit of the martial arts manual had increased again, which made Gu An even more curious about him and wondered how far his lifespan limit could go.
...
Third Medicine Valley, in the attic.
Lu Baitian scoffed, "Tian Wei has quite the ambition. Trying to suppress Tai Xuan Gate and seize control of the Nine Abyss Road. While Tian Jian Dao Ren is strong, coming to Tai Xuan Gate is truly asking for death!"
It had been a month since Si Zhe issued the challenge, and news of the upcoming battle had spread throughout the Tai Cang cultivation world. Cultivators from various sects and regions were gathering to witness the event.
Lu Baitian was cunning and took this opportunity to propagate the news of the Golden List in various cities.
The so-called Golden List was a ranking of the top talents under 500 years old, initiated by Tai Xuan Gate, covering the lands of the Nine Dynasties. It was a huge sensation.
Gu An asked worriedly, "Won't there be infighting among the Nine Dynasties' sects?"
"You can rest assured on that front. With the impending demon calamity, no one dares to cause trouble. Moreover, the main branch of the Misty Flower Sect might create chaos on the Nine Abyss Road. At that time, the sects of the Nine Dynasties must unite; otherwise, in a one-on-one confrontation, no one can be absolutely certain of crushing the main branch of the Misty Flower Sect. It is precisely because of this that Tian Wei invited Tian Jian Dao Ren to intervene, using the pretext of an exchange to suppress Tai Xuan Gate," Lu Baitian explained, waving his hand.
Gu An asked again, "If Fu Dao Jian Zun kills Tian Jian Dao Ren, won't it spark a war?"
First, Han Ming, and now this! Gu An was truly exasperated. This time, he intended to kill to prevent such troubles from recurring.
"Of course not," Lu Baitian snorted, his face turning fierce. "If Tian Jian Dao Ren dies, Tian Wei will only become more fearful of Tai Xuan Gate! It would be best if Fu Dao Jian Zun could kill him."
Gu An suddenly recalled that this fellow had once been impeached by the Elder Hall for his domineering ways.
Lu Baitian's tone shifted as he said, "An Hao is Fu Dao Jian Zun's disciple. Tell me, what does his appearance in front of me signify?"
"A reminder to you?"
"A reminder that my position as the sect master is unstable."
As Lu Baitian spoke, his gaze turned profound, and his tone became elusive, making it hard to discern his thoughts.
Gu An felt like laughing and crying as he helplessly said, "If that's the case, then isn't Chu Tianqi already dead?"
Lu Baitian asked, "Do you think otherwise?"
"An Hao has exceptional talent and must be favored by Fu Dao Jian Zun. If you were him, would you send your most beloved disciple to be a sword by the enemy's side?" Gu An felt that Lu Baitian was a bit obsessed with this idea.
"You make sense." Lu Baitian chuckled.
Seeing his smile, Gu An's heart skipped a beat.
Wait!
Why was he asking him about this?
Lu Baitian continued, "An Hao's talent is too outstanding. Once he fully matures, it will be easy for him to gain the respect of everyone in Tai Xuan Gate, just like that true disciple. Kid, if you don't want to be the sect master, then that position will be his."
"Then isn't that better? I don't want to be the sect master anyway."
Gu An shook his head. Lu Baitian smiled and didn't say more on the subject.
Subsequently, Gu An inquired about Ye Lan's situation. The first batch of teams heading to the Nine Abyss Road had already departed.
Lu Baitian reassured him, "Don't worry, I personally instructed the team leader to take care of her."
With the Green Rainbow Sword, Gu An could sense Ye Lan's situation at any time. However, he would only intervene if she was in danger; otherwise, he didn't want her to be neglected or bullied.
The two chatted for a while longer, and just before Lu Baitian left, he gave Gu An a book.
Only after he left did Gu An pick it up to examine it.
Reverse Life Divine Art!
...
At dusk, Li Ya, carrying the Beihai Heavy Sword, walked to the edge of the Supplementary Heaven Platform and gazed at the statue of Fu Dao Jian Zun. He couldn't hide the excitement in his eyes.
"Old Ancestor, our ancestor really is Fu Dao Jian Zun!" Li Ya shouted in his mind.
The Old Ancestor was also shocked and exclaimed, "I thought he was..."
"The demon head of the Thousand Autumn Pavilion?"
"Mhm."
"Hahaha, I knew it! Our ancestor couldn't possibly be a demon cultivator!"
Li Ya was delighted. On his way here, he had already heard about Tian Jian Dao Ren's challenge, so he specifically came to the Supplementary Heaven Platform to admire the statue of Fu Dao Jian Zun. As expected, Fu Dao Jian Zun was indeed the ancestor of the Li family.
He began to anticipate the upcoming grand battle!
"Why don't you go see your junior disciple, Gu An?" The Old Ancestor's voice sounded, tinged with teasing.
Li Ya replied in his mind, "I won't disturb him. My recent experiences are not worth mentioning. I'll pay him a visit after I cultivate the Tai Cang Startling God Sword. Anyway, Tai Xuan Gate is about to release the Golden List, and I will definitely shine during the Golden List Assembly!"
His tone was filled with confidence.
After consuming the Dragon Elephant Divine Origin and learning the Tai Cang Startling God Sword, his confidence had soared.
Seven steps away, a figure approached and also began to admire the statue of Fu Dao Jian Zun.
Wu Jue!
He looked at the statue of Fu Dao Jian Zun, his eyes filled with sorrow.
"Master, you respected Fu Dao Jian Zun the most in your life. Unfortunately, you won't be able to witness the upcoming grand battle," Wu Jue thought to himself.
Wu Jue fell silent, his thoughts drifting.
Gradually, he began to comprehend the dao.
Li Ya watched for a while longer before turning to leave.
"Wait!" The Old Ancestor's voice suddenly rang out.
Thanks to the neighbor, Xiao, for the reward of 100 starting points, Xue Ren Gui for the reward of 100 reading points, and Zhi Qiu Da Zi Zai for the reward of 100 starting points~~
(End of Chapter)
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