“Disciple Jian Chou pays respects to Master.”
The moment she landed on the Sword-Drawing Platform, Jian Chou immediately bowed respectfully.
Atop the floating Lingzhao Peak shrouded in clouds, many Yashan disciples were present.
Several of Jian Chou’s junior disciples were also watching from below.
The instant they caught sight of Jian Chou’s figure and heard her voice, many people cheered excitedly: “It really is Senior Martial Uncle!”
“Senior Martial Uncle looks like she’s changed somehow.”
“She got paler!”
“And prettier!”
…
The discussions from below naturally reached Jian Chou’s ears.
Paler?
Of course, that was because her flesh and skin were all newly grown, making her appear more tender. After another two years of wind and sun exposure, it would be different.
“Hmph, little brat, this mountain man thought you didn’t recognize me as your master anymore. You watched from below for so long without coming up—what were you doing down there?”
Fudao Shanren was well aware of Jian Chou’s movements.
Moreover, before departure, they had already received the lightning message Jian Chou had sent. Though encountering Jian Chou now was somewhat earlier than expected, it was also much more pleasant.
Therefore, Fudao Shanren didn’t ask where Jian Chou had been during this time.
Jian Chou rose and replied: “Your disciple returned from the teleportation array near Wuwang Studio. Along the way, I was looked after by the two friends below, so I said farewell to them. Please don’t blame me, Master.”
High-sounding words, completely refusing to admit that she had actually wanted to pretend not to recognize Fudao Shanren and slip by unnoticed.
Standing behind Fudao Shanren, Zheng Yao gave Jian Chou a sympathetic look, then gave her a thumbs up: Senior Martial Sister, we all understand you. You’ve suffered!
Jian Chou was speechless.
It seemed she wasn’t the only one suffering.
At first, seeing Fudao Shanren standing on Yashan’s Sword-Drawing Platform, he had looked utterly ethereal and immortal. But before everyone could fully envision this image in their minds, Fudao Shanren began waving his arms about, calling out “Jian Chou this” and “Jian Chou that.”
So had she ruined Fudao Shanren’s image?
Turning to look at Fudao Shanren, his dao robe already showed a tattered feeling, with a wine gourd hanging from his waist and the fragrance of chicken legs still lingering on him—he must have been gnawing on them not long ago.
The moment she caught this scent, a terrible thought arose in Jian Chou’s mind.
Could it be that Fudao Shanren had eaten his way here during this entire journey?
…
As for his image?
Had he ever had such a thing?
Though her heart was already filled with various thoughts, Jian Chou said nothing.
Fudao stroked his chin thoughtfully for a long time: “Currently, you’re still at the late Foundation Establishment stage, but you’ve already reached perfection and could actively form your foundation at any time. However, not entering the Golden Core stage yet is good—it shows you can keep your composure. Core Formation should still follow its natural course; finding a suitable opportunity is better. Forcibly attempting to break through to Golden Core easily leads to unstable foundations. Even if your realm advances, your actual strength might decrease, and that’s the most frightening outcome.”
Speaking of which, he suddenly slapped his forehead, remembering: “Oh right, where’s that old fool Pang Dian?”
“…He was… knocked down by… by the slap you just gave him, Senior Martial Uncle Fudao…”
Zheng Yao’s weak voice came from behind Fudao Shanren.
His chubby finger pointed beneath a patch of white clouds where dense crowds of people stood. Not far away on the river surface, Pang Dian was standing there with a face dark as iron, glaring furiously at Fudao Shanren, seemingly already grinding his teeth in hatred.
“Oh my, he wouldn’t have been knocked silly, would he?”
When Fudao Shanren looked, he was utterly astonished.
He was clearly knocked silly by you throwing him!
This conversation couldn’t continue!
Jian Chou didn’t hesitate. Seeing that Pang Dian was still alive below, she felt not a trace of guilt and simply said: “Master, shall we hurry on our way?”
“Let’s go!”
Upon mentioning this, Fudao Shanren immediately cast Pang Dian from his mind, happily withdrawing his gaze. He directly reached out, chicken leg in hand, took a bite, and said unclearly: “You stand back and watch your master’s skills!”
Swish, swish, swish.
In just a few bites, Fudao Shanren had completely devoured the chicken leg.
This speed left Jian Chou looking on in amazement.
She stepped back two paces, curious about what Fudao Shanren was going to do.
Zheng Yao beside her sighed softly, looking straight ahead, saying only: “What a sin.”
“Rise!”
Fudao Shanren in front threw away the chicken bone and let out a great shout!
On the ground, the large shadow cast by Lingzhao Peak had been motionless for a while.
Now, those blurred edges suddenly trembled.
The countless spectators below immediately erupted in excitement!
“It’s flying again, flying again!”
“Heaven, what is this for?”
“The Guardian Light hasn’t been withdrawn yet.”
“…There’s going to be a good show?”
…
Everyone seemed to realize that something extraordinary was about to happen.
Fudao Shanren chuckled, spiritual light surging from his hands. Even the entire Sword-Drawing Platform seemed to emit a long cry.
It moved.
The originally stationary Lingzhao Peak suddenly roared to life, flying forward once more!
The Guardian Light stood in a line at the river’s heart, protecting all of Kunwu.
That thin layer, like a loyal guard, politely refused all cultivators seeking entry.
However…
Before the imposing, unstoppable massive Lingzhao Peak, it seemed as thin as paper!
Kunwu Yashan, Yashan Kunwu—this was the pillar of the entire Central Domain!
What was happening now?
Those who had never seen or heard of such a scene were utterly bewildered!
Yet Fudao Shanren’s face showed an expression of excitement.
Three hundred years—the most joyful, most satisfying thing was still piloting Lingzhao Peak and directly crashing into Kunwu’s protective grand formation, completely unstoppable and invincible!
Every time he finished such a rampage, Hengxu Laoguai’s face would turn so black you could wring water from it.
Ah, it was indescribably wonderful to behold.
Thinking of this, Fudao Shanren couldn’t help but laugh heartily.
“Hahaha, Kunwu, your Grandpa Fudao has arrived!”
His booming voice emerged from his completely disproportionately thin body, as if shaking the entire heaven and earth!
“Grandpa has arrived, Grandpa has arrived, Grandpa has arrived!”
Layer upon layer of sound penetrated through the Guardian Light, striking against Kunwu’s eleven mountain peaks, instantly creating a series of echoes!
The entire Kunwu was startled by this great shout!
What arrogant words!
What familiar behavior!
Countless Kunwu elders, upon hearing this, felt their scalps explode, nearly cursing aloud: Fudao’s damned temper is acting up again! Again!
The massive Lingzhao Peak, after restarting, showed no decrease in speed whatsoever.
Like a huge flat meteorite flying from the horizon, with that powerful momentum, breaking through this thin layer of light barrier—how difficult could it be?
Just as they were about to collide, from within Kunwu’s territory suddenly flew out a silver-white cold light. A figure rapidly approached on a flying sword. Seeing this soul-stirring scene, she immediately shouted: “Senior Fudao, please show mercy!”
Hearing the voice, Jian Chou felt it was somewhat familiar.
She focused her gaze and, through the Guardian Light barrier, saw a female cultivator with delicate features and natural arrogance, wearing a light purple long dress, approaching on a sword with an anxious expression covering her beautiful face.
Could it be…
Something vaguely surfaced in her mind, and Jian Chou recalled.
At this moment, the female cultivator had already identified herself while raising her left hand high: “Junior Kunwu’s Gu Qingmei, following orders to withdraw the Guardian Light. Please wait a moment, Senior Fudao—”
“Wait?”
Fudao maintained his speed, glaring with wide eyes and letting out a scoff, freeing one hand to reach toward the interior!
This gesture made everyone’s scalps tingle!
It looked just like the move he’d used to slap away Pang Dian!
“Three hundred years without meeting, and Kunwu’s little brats are getting more and more impolite.”
In Gu Qingmei’s palm was drawn a seal talisman, specifically meant for withdrawing the Guardian Light.
A moment ago, she had already received orders from her sect to come withdraw the Guardian Light and guide the various cultivators across the river. She hadn’t expected to witness such a heart-stopping scene just as she was about to arrive!
She was so frightened her heart nearly jumped out of her throat, crying out urgently. She had originally thought she’d made it in time, but unexpectedly, this thin old man actually said such words?
This…
What did this mean?
Before Gu Qingmei could react, she saw a black giant hand five or six zhang high appear out of nowhere within the Guardian Light that isolated everything from the outside world!
In just the blink of an eye, it was before Gu Qingmei!
What?
In great alarm, she quickly raised her sword to block!
“Clang!”
Only a crisp sound!
The giant hand paid no attention, because it was too large—large enough to wrap around Gu Qingmei’s entire body and hold her in its palm!
This scene was truly terrifying!
The massive Lingzhao Peak maintained its previous speed, charging straight toward Kunwu’s Guardian Light!
Fudao Shanren reached his palm forward, and a black giant hand actually appeared within the Guardian Light, firmly gripping Gu Qingmei. Then, as Fudao Shanren flicked his palm, the giant hand also directly flung her outward!
Thus, the scene that had occurred not long ago appeared before everyone’s eyes once more!
Like Pang Dian before her, Gu Qingmei was directly grabbed by the giant hand and thrown to the ground like a piece of torn cloth!
Fudao Shanren snorted coldly, his voice not loud but carrying throughout all of Kunwu’s exterior!
“When this mountain man was fighting with your Head, you little brat didn’t even know where you were, acting all high and mighty. Even old Hengxu hasn’t spoken yet—what right do you have to speak?!”
As his words fell, Gu Qingmei, who was expected to rank among the top ten hottest prospects on the One Person Platform list at seventh place, had no power to resist and was already directly flung away by this palm, falling from the high sky toward the river surface!
Clean, decisive!
Ruthless!
An utterly satisfying move!
Jian Chou stood behind, silently watching the arc representing Gu Qingmei’s trajectory…
How pitiful…
Though she absolutely shouldn’t pity her enemy, and especially not Gu Qingmei, who admired Xie Buchen and had attacked strangers without cause, still… Gu Qingmei’s current situation was truly too miserable.
She was at least a current championship favorite, a prominent Kunwu cultivator with status, yet she was unceremoniously slapped away by Fudao Shanren?
Tsk tsk…
“Splash!”
A huge spray of water erupted!
Gu Qingmei’s body finally fell down.
Being slapped down from high altitude, the taste of that vicious palm was definitely unpleasant. Though her body wasn’t injured, the massive impact of that instant still nearly caused Gu Qingmei’s meridians to flow backward.
“Cough, cough!”
She struggled violently in the water twice before finally surfacing, coughing painfully.
Everyone along the entire riverbank was stunned.
“Gu Qingmei? Is that THE Gu Qingmei?”
“Heavens, that’s the seventh-ranked hot favorite!”
“So, so miserable…”
“Of all the roads to block, she had to block Yashan’s road…”
“Still the same Fudao Shanren with his terrible temper!”
…
Discussions erupted everywhere.
Gu Qingmei’s face instantly turned iron-blue. Floating in the water, she gripped her sword tightly underwater, cold aura emanating from her entire body. Nearly grinding her teeth, she lifted her head to look at the massive shadow overhead!
Fudao Shanren’s words still echoed in her ears.
Little brat?
What right did she have to speak?
This old man…
Burning with hatred, Gu Qingmei directly slapped the river surface, about to leap from the water!
However, the moment she noticed the next scene, her face immediately showed horror: “Don’t—”
“BANG!”
A tremendous crash!
Above, after flinging Gu Qingmei aside, Fudao Shanren didn’t even deign to look again. He simply piloted Lingzhao Peak and crashed heavily into the light barrier ahead!
Buzz!
The entire light barrier immediately began trembling!
From Lingzhao Peak burst forth a massive spiritual light, surging toward the Guardian Light!
All of Gu Qingmei’s unspoken words were knocked back into her throat by Fudao Shanren’s unreasonable collision, choking her until she nearly fainted!
In this moment, time seemed to stop.
All the cultivators widened their eyes and opened their mouths, witnessing this unforgettable scene of their lives.
The Guardian Light that loyally protected Kunwu, the Guardian Light that shrouded the entire Nine-Head River bay, shattered completely the moment Lingzhao Peak collided with it!
Crash!
Like cracked glass, it instantly fell apart!
The shattered spiritual light scattered in all directions. From the heart of the winding Nine-Head River rose a massive water dragon, waves splashing everywhere, creating thunderous roars when they fell.
Gu Qingmei could hear nothing, only watching this scene.
The array foundations rooted in a line at the river’s heart had all collapsed completely after this water dragon fell!
Kunwu’s Guardian Light, just as the Left Three Thousand Minor Assembly was about to be held…
Was broken.
Completely and utterly.
“Hahaha…”
Fudao Shanren’s hearty laughter sounded infinitely satisfied.
After Lingzhao Peak dealt with the Guardian Light, it had encountered absolutely no obstacles, flying forward triumphantly like a show of force!
What was Kunwu?
Wherever Lingzhao Peak was, that was this old man’s territory!
“Elder Fudao honors us with his presence, forgive us for the poor reception.”
A sigh suddenly resounded throughout heaven and earth, ancient and weathered.
Upon hearing this voice, Fudao Shanren stood proudly on the Sword-Drawing Platform, laughing heartily and replying: “No need for you to receive me. Your Kunwu’s door—this mountain man will open it himself and enter myself! We’re old friends, let’s just meet in the Heavens Hall. Don’t be polite, don’t be polite!”
Don’t be polite?
Hearing this, countless people below nearly wanted to kneel to Fudao Shanren.
That sigh was obviously from True Person Hengxu!
You destroyed someone’s protective mountain Guardian Light, then said “I’ll open your Kunwu’s door myself and enter myself, don’t be polite”?!
And you want to go to the Heavens Hall?
Won’t you really be beaten to death?
Everyone was speechless.
Soaking in the water like a drowned chicken, Gu Qingmei had already clenched her delicate hand into a fist!
Coming out to withdraw the Guardian Light and guide countless cultivators across the river should have been a glorious task.
She was now also ranked as the seventh championship favorite, practically glowing with honors!
But who would have thought she’d encounter Yashan!
She stared fixedly at the distant Lingzhao Peak, her body trembling uncontrollably.
Yashan…
There were three figures standing on the Sword-Drawing Platform: Fudao Shanren, Sect Leader Zheng Yao… and a female cultivator.
The moment Gu Qingmei’s gaze fell on this female cultivator, she actually saw that the female cultivator standing high above was also looking down at her.
One stood high on Lingzhao Peak, the other in the rushing Nine-Head River.
In that instant, Gu Qingmei actually had an indescribable feeling—
She was looking down on her.
Not just because of the height difference.
Yashan’s Senior Martial Sister?
That was the only possibility.
An extreme dislike suddenly surged in her heart, causing her facial expression to show slight distortion.
Yashan was too arrogant…
This female cultivator looking down from above was also detestable!
A female cultivator ranked one hundredth, yet she dared look at her with such eyes?
Gu Qingmei’s body slowly rose from the water.
The female cultivator had already withdrawn her gaze, but Gu Qingmei still stared intently: Yashan, Jian Chou? So what? You dare claim to be more talented than Senior Brother Xie, bearing the Heavenly Disc? When the Left Three Thousand Minor Assembly comes, she’d like to see if you truly live up to your reputation!
Jian Chou actually harbored no great malice, even genuinely pitying Gu Qingmei, though she didn’t care much. After seeing Gu Qingmei also look toward her, she lost interest.
Withdrawing her gaze, she looked at Fudao Shanren almost like looking at a beast.
Forcing entry into Kunwu—probably only he in the entire Central Domain had such audacity!
Fudao Shanren’s back remained as withered and thin as always.
But now, facing the wind, it radiated an aura of supreme arrogance that disdained all under heaven.
Yashan, Kunwu…
Looking ahead, the outlines of eleven towering peaks piercing the clouds suddenly became clear.
True Person Hengxu—
The Kunwu Head who had personally gone to the mortal isolated island to take Xie Buchen as his disciple?
Jian Chou stood behind Fudao Shanren, quietly watching the approaching Kunwu, slowly curving her lips into a serene smile.