The tournament began once again after the arena floor was rebuilt.
However, there were a few new watchers from the side.
Bai Aotian from the Bai clan was here, sitting beside his two sons.
Bai Zhenyu was still injured, wrapped in his bandages with a melancholic expression.
His brother, Bai Wuxin, still had on his stern face, showing a clear disinterest in the fights.
He had already graduated from the sect, so at least from his point of view, what good was watching lower-ranking martial artists fighting going to do for him?
But the truly unique guests were Tai Ben Yen Shong and Murong Xuanji, both floating in the sky!
Originally, they intended to stay on the sidelines and leave the village to meet up with the heavenly court, but they now seemed to want to be much closer for this.
Especially since it was a fight between Gu Xuanming and Zhao Cangsheng.
“Keep close attention, Murong Xuanji.
If they display any abnormal traits, we may have to recommend them to join the heavenly court.” Tai Ben Yen Shong said.
“Do you think they believe the heavenly court is attached to the heavens?
I would much rather not have to explain one again that the heavenly court is just a gathering of star immortals like us.” Murong Xuanji said with his hand over his face.
Tai Ben Yen Shong glanced down at the arena, watching both fighters enter the arena with their weapons.
“They’re reasonable people as far as we’ve seen.
I’m sure they will understand.
Besides, no doubt your sister will enjoy Zhang Cangsheng’s presence.
Bo Shan may like Gu Xuanming.”
Murong Xuanji groaned in mental pain.
He did not want to hear that.
“Don’t remind me.
I don’t want my sister grooming another young boy to be her concubine.”
…
Gu Xuanming and Zhao Cangsheng stood face to face on opposite sides of the area.
Gu Xuanming continued to hold his hollow gaze and expression, the wind blowing his hair.
Zhao Cangsheng, on the other hand, had a smile.
Gu Xuanming had chosen to wear something else for this fight for the purpose of not making himself predictable.
As far as he was aware, Zhao Cangsheng would know everything up his sleeve, so he had decided to change out the clothes given to him by his father for martial attire, with white socks and martial slippers.
He also had his hair tied into a ponytail to prevent it from getting in the way.
His weapon was also different, as he chose sickles.
Zhao Cangsheng looked over to the side, waving at his father, Zhao Cheng’an, who was watching the fight, invited by the sect master.
He had sweat drenching his face, fully aware of the mockery he was forced to silently endure.
The sickles that Gu Xuanming held were the same kind that the assassins used that he had sent.
Gu Xuanming, often described as a person without expression or emotion, had a sense of humor.
First the lunch box, now this.
It irritated him, but he couldn’t do a thing, not when two members of the heavenly court were here.
Interfering would be the same as invoking the wrath of over 30 star immortals.
“Please beat him.” He said silently.
Zhao Cangsheng aimed his sword at Gu Xuanming, chuckling before saying, “So you changed your style.
I should have done the same, but it’s too late for that now.”
After a few minutes of silence, he continued.
“Tell me, do you wish to become a member of the heavenly court?” He asked.
Gu Xuanming was silent as a statue for a few moments.
His gaze did not flicker nor divert.
After what felt like an eternity, he spoke.
“No.”
Zhao Cangsheng was silent.
He heard what he wanted to hear, and with that out of the way, he closed his eyes and spoke once more.
“I see.
It’s truly unfortunate.
I hoped we could join one of the 8 Ancient Sects.
Become core disciples together and eventually join the star immortals.
Like brothers in arms.”
After a bit of thought, he let out a faint laugh.
“On second thought, that may not be so nice.
I’ve heard you treat your own brother terribly.” This chapter is updated first at g.com.
“I merely do not entertain his antics.
He is far too obsessed with me, and I don’t need such obsession around me.”
Zhao Cangsheng nodded.
“I can understand that.
For a mortal to become an immortal, they must tread the path they have chosen with might and perseverance.
How such aspects are gained; that is up to the cultivator.”
“That is a quote from the legendary Buddha.
Tell me, Gu Xuanming, what path have you chosen to tread?
I myself have chosen to tread the path known as Gourmet.”
Gu Xuanming raised an eyebrow.
“Gourmet Path?
I’ve never heard of that path.”
“Hehe, I’m not surprised.
It’s not well known, but it’s quite powerful.
To create foods that can easily empower and kill many, a truly powerful path that many do not understand the true strength of.”
“For being a genius, surely you’ve found a path that I may have missed with limitless potential.”
Gu Xuanming looked towards the star immortals in the sky, their divine presence more than enough to understand the divide between them, and then said, “Refinement Path.
Refinement is a path only 3-star cultivators have ever chosen in history.
People believe that because it is far too hard and difficult and requires perfection, it is not worth it.
However, the high stacks equate to high rewards.”
Zhao Cangsheng smiled, having actually thought about following that path himself, but he decided against it because of the high stacks.
In fact, for a brief moment, he thought about following the refinement path, but discarded such thoughts; he was already determined to follow the gourmet path.
“Well, we’ve talked long enough, right.
Everyone is waiting for us to fight.”
Gu Xuanming glanced at the crowd of people, mainly at Zhao Cheng’an, who felt his piercing gaze.
They locked eyes, and for a brief moment, Zhao Cheng’an could have sworn he saw him smile!
He wasn’t sure if his mind was playing tricks on him because of his agitation, but he was already fed up with this boy and wanted him dead!
Gu Xuanming took the first step forward, augmenting his legs to leap forward with quick speed.
Qiang Qi control.
This was something all cultivators needed to understand.
They needed to understand that this way of controlling qi was only utilizing 50% of what could be truly fierce.
None of the outer disciples were told what the next step was, but what they were told was that once they became inner disciples, they would be taught this first thing.
Gu Xuanming was interested in learning what this first step was, so, unlike the many times when he would not have cared whether he won or lost, now he needed to win and become an inner disciple.
He needed to know!
Any information was useful.
Clash!
Clash!
Their first exchange of metal was thrown.
Zhao Cangsheng had parried both sickles with ease using his sword.
He had refined his senses and movements, managing to keep up as both of them began their standoff!
The wind was fierce with each exchange, each movement of their limbs sending a shockwave, threatening to push all those watching far away!
Nangong Xuanhe was watching with a heavy heart.
He wanted his brother to win no matter what, but he also needed to win against Liu Dazhaung.
When the fight had ended so fast, he was able to sense something, something powerful deep within his primeval galaxy.
It was the same feeling that came from his father, the elders, the sect master, and the star immortals currently watching.
What it was, he did not know, but one thing was for certain: it was a power he would make sure to obtain before his brother!
After his resolute desire, he went back to watching the fight.
Gu Xuanming parried the first two strikes of Zhao Cangsheng, leaping back before he threw the sickle at Zhao Cangsheng, the sickle itself attached to a chain.
Zhao Cangsheng parried the attack with his sword, and what followed was a barrage of sickles thrown his way!
Gu Xuanming had continuously pulled the chain back and thrown the sickle back at Zhao Cangsheng repeatedly, allowing him to keep up pressure.
Gu Xuanming slowly approached, throwing the sickle into the air before stomping on the chain, forcing the sickle to come down onto Zhao Cangsheng!
Realizing his plan, Zhao Cangsheng steeled his focus like sharp iron, dashing towards Gu Xuanming with the intent to beat him down.
By this point, both were even in skill and power, neither dominating the other in martial skill.
But now, both understood this fight had lasted long enough.
The fight should end as soon as possible.
That is what they were told.
In the essence of combat, no one should be trying to delay the battle any longer than it should be.
In their final clash, Gu Xuanming used one sickle in his hand, swinging it towards Zhao Cangsheng, while pulling the other one that was behind Zhao Cangsheng back to him.
Zhao Cangsheng reinforced his weapon, empowering it as well, making the blade hotter than ever before!
Zhao Cangsheng took a deep breath, filling his lungs as he swung his weapon in one final clash, while Gu Xuanming swung the sickle at Zhao Cangsheng.
CLASH!
A powerful clash between the two blades occurred, and sparks went flying!
Zhao Cangsheng twisted the sword to the flat side, intending to cut Gu Xuanming down, but before he could, in the reflection of his blade, he saw the sickle flying towards him.
“No!” Zhao Cangsheng immediately turned to face the sickle, but it was all a part of his plan.
Gu Xuanming pulled out a hair stick from within his sleeve, stabbing it straight into his thigh!
What separates the talented?
That is a question many have asked themselves.
If two people are talented, what makes them different?
What makes one better than the other?
Is it their path?
Their skill?
Their willpower?
Their talent?
Despite such a seemingly complicated question, this answer was simple: perseverance.
You can have skill, you can have willpower, you can have talent, but the road of cultivation lasts for years, over 100, to over 700 years.
You needed the perseverance to contour forward.
With it, you could overcome anything.
And perseverance, Gu Xuanming did indeed have, something Zhao Cangsheng was still lacking at the current moment.
One thought towards the future, while the other thought of the present.
And in his future sight, Gu Xuanming had prepared and followed through with a secret attack.
The hair stick in his hand came from Feng Qingwu, coated in a substance that would paralyze the person affiliated with it.
With that, Zhao Cangsheng fell to his knees, unable to move his body any longer.
“I…can’t move!”
“Of course you can’t.
This toxin won’t allow you to move.”
Zhao Cangsheng was shocked to hear such a dirty trick was used in the battle, yet at the same time, he couldn’t help but laugh.
“Hahahaha!
Look at that, it seems I was much more short-sighted than I thought.
You were thinking far more ahead than I gave you credit for.”
Gu Xuanming didn’t respond.
He merely looked over to the sect master, who looked down at him, nodding his head.
He raised his hand and spoke.
“Very well.
The winner of this match is Gu Xuanming!”
Everyone bickered amongst each other, feeling something was wrong.
After all, Zhao Cangsheng was an A-grade talent while Gu Xuanming was a B-grade talent.
Shouldn’t the one with high talent win?
Well, regardless, Zhao Cangsheng accepted his defeat.
Zhao Chaeng’an, on the other hand, clenched his fist in anger.
He wanted to curse his own son out for losing to that bastard!
However, he couldn’t.
He really wanted to, but he couldn’t
He took a deep breath, remembering he still invited Gu Xuanming to the Grand House.
After the fight was officially declared finished, the sect master declared the next match.
“Nangong Xuanhe vs Liu Dazhuang!”