Gu Yuan descended from the Escape Light, his steps unfaltering as he walked straight through the grand hall and into the inner sanctum.
Instantly, numerous eyes swept towards him.
The positions on the inner sanctum’s cushions were long determined; these sixteen individuals had endured countless struggles to secure a spot. Typically, disciples outside the grand hall dared not intrude casually.
If someone entered the inner sanctum, it signified a new struggle, so everyone’s gazes were cold.
Yet, Gu Yuan remained unafraid, hands clasped behind his back, Daoist robe flowing, even carrying a smile at the corner of his lips.
Such confident demeanor made everyone in the hall furrow their brows.
A few, upon recognizing Gu Yuan’s appearance, displayed a look of anger.
"It’s that little thief!"
But sensing the thick aura on Gu Yuan, their expressions changed quickly, lowering their heads as if fearing his gaze.
This little thief could plunder Spirit Peak at Qi Refining Seventh Layer; now, at the Peak of Qi Refining Eighth Layer, what formidable strength must he possess?
The strange behavior of a few did not escape the other cultivators, making the rest furrow their brows.
The few cultivators who had just entered Qi Refining Eighth Layer were especially anxious.
Still, Gu Yuan’s eyes briefly swept over the last few, then looked past them.
His visit today bore a strategy; the last seat had many inconveniences.
Then he strode forward, step by step through the crowd.
Each person he passed breathed a sigh of relief.
Gu Yuan only stopped at the second seat in the first row.
Seeing this, a youth with Eight-leaf Daoist Robe, eyes seemingly gleaming with silver light, coldly lifted his head. Yet, before he could speak coldly, a gentle voice reached his ears.
"The contention for seats is also a contention in cultivation. Senior Brother, you have reached the Peak of Qi Refining Eighth Layer, as have I. Today, why don’t we showcase our skills to verify Dao Practice?"
"This matter has no relation to personal grievances, merely a struggle for the great Dao!"
Gu Yuan clasped his sleeves together, performing a bow, speaking to the youth.
The youth was momentarily stunned.
If Gu Yuan had spoken disrespectfully, arrogantly, or domineeringly, or bullied the weak, he would’ve angrily rebuked, or formed alliances, called upon friends to suppress him.
But Gu Yuan’s statement was sincere, truly making him unable to refute.
The head seat belonged to a Senior Brother at Qi Refining Ninth Layer, while the adjunct seat was a Junior Brother in the Late Stage of Qi Refining Eighth Layer.
Only he and Gu Yuan had equal cultivation.
With equal cultivation, how could one refuse a challenge?
"Please!"
The youth could only collect his emotions and gesture invitingly.
"Please!"
Gu Yuan responded, then swung his sleeves, pointing towards the youth oppressively.
"Zeng zeng!"
Brilliant Sword Qi recklessly traversed, transforming into a small peach blossom, blooming at Gu Yuan’s fingertip.
"Wong wong!"
Simultaneously, golden Array Patterns illuminated within the Dharma Hall, a deep power like an overturned golden bowl confining the Dharma Seal’s force within a span.
The Sword Qi was sharp but only spiraled at Gu Yuan’s fingertip.
The youth, cross-legged, motionless, flicked his fingers, and a small silver hawk carried ferocious power towards Gu Yuan’s peach blossom.
The silver hawk cried, an intense sharp Qi inch by inch slicing through the pink peach blossom.
The silver hawk also seemed to be formed by Sword Seal, its power greater, leaving the peach blossom looking as if it would shatter.
The youth’s face immediately showed a smile.
But Gu Yuan remained unmoved, continuing to press down. The peach blossom, on the verge of collapse, seemed suddenly reinforced, becoming solidified as if cast from crimson steel, exuding a chilling aura.
The youth’s expression changed, flicking his fingers repeatedly. Surrounding the silver hawk, several brilliant small glimmers appeared: silver wolves ran biting, blood foxes screamed bewitchingly, jade bees flapped wings pecking.
All captured in an invisible force, confined in mid-air, within a mere inch.
But the strength didn’t weaken; the formidable presence rushed towards Gu Yuan’s peach blossom.
"Hulala!"
Yet around Gu Yuan’s fingertip, suddenly billowed small mists, with moist vapors, directly enveloping several small glimmers.
Though wild beasts were strong, they remained trapped in forest mists, unable to quickly escape.
The youth’s face drastically changed, trying again to flick and summon Dharma Seal, but abruptly felt a chill in his heart, as if hearing the roar of a Flood Dragon.
"Chi!"
The peach blossom fell upon the youth’s shoulder, cutting a strand of hair at his temples.