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Chapter 134: Chapter 131: The Divine Sword Convention
"Why would you naively think that after you’ve all been scheming to ambush me, I’d still abide by the rule of fair exchange with you?"
Gu Jinlai had always believed that in life, nothing was of great consequence if one was not ready to die.
When life could be stripped away at any moment, his rule was that there were no rules.
Even on Blue Star, there’s a saying that a common man’s anger could stain the ground five steps with blood.
What more in this world where immense power resides within oneself?
"You can use the rules to plot against me, target me, so I can equally rely on my overwhelming strength to erase you from the root!"
Gu Jinlai calmly shook off the fresh blood from the War Sword in his hand.
"Just like on Blue Star, where the powerful can exploit their authority to target and persecute others, others can also use their knowledge of chemistry and physics to synthesize toxins, make gunpowder, storm your doors, annihilate your whole family."
The two worlds are no different.
It’s just that one world strengthens oneself.
The other follows a system of upgrades via gunpowder, explosives, and nuclear bombs.
Of course, compared to this world, the "Cultivation Materials" in that world are much harder to obtain, almost all monopolized and restricted by those in power.
The first layer of the gunpowder stage, flintlock level, fire cap level, repeater level, are somewhat easier, the required "Cultivation Resources" more accessible, but moving upward...
The difficulty increases exponentially.
"Speaking of which, my current Cultivation Realm placed in Blue Star would only be at the ’explosives’ level, given how versatile explosives are, such as in machine guns, short-range defense cannons, missiles, and other items that are all transformations of energy from the ’explosives’ level... I wonder if stepping into the domain of Void Realm Devas would allow me to reach the stature of a humanoid nuclear bomb."
Gu Jinlai gathered his Divine Sense and locked on with his Perception, striding meteorically towards Zhou Yunyi.
His clash with Xue Wuqing was both fast and brief.
Hardly any time was wasted, so Zhou Yunyi hadn’t gotten far.
After all, it’s difficult to move quickly when soldiers are fleeing in every direction.
As Gu Jinlai accelerated all out, his muscular form burst through the Void, glistening in the sunlight.
With a few bounds, he had crossed the kilometers between them, intercepting Zhou Yunyi like a deity descending from the heavens.
"Boom!"
The Earth shook.
Dust flew.
Gu Jinlai, who had slightly bent his knees to absorb the force of his landing, straightened up again.
"Elder Zhou, long time no see."
"Gu... Elder Gu..."
Cold sweat instantly began to stream down Zhou Yunyi’s forehead.
His now aged face showed fright and tension.
He immediately tried to explain, "Elder Gu... this matter has nothing to do with me, I had no idea what was happening..."
"No need to be nervous."
Gu Jinlai looked at him. "We’re old friends, after all. I thought we should have a good talk. Otherwise, you’d already be just like Xue Wuqing, a corpse."
What he said was true.
He hadn’t been in this world long, so the number of people he knew was limited.
Zhou Yunyi could indeed be considered an "old friend."
"Gu... Elder Gu, I apologize for what happened in Changjun City..."
"What happened in Changjun City? Oh, Changjun City? I’ve already forgotten."
Gu Jinlai spoke as if a memory was returning to him: "Oh, you mean when you applied to replace me as the Purgatory Sect’s representative in Changjun City and drove me to take up a post in Huayin County?"
"..."
Zhou Yunyi opened his mouth.
Didn’t you say you’d forgotten?
Yet you remember so clearly?
"Now that you mention it, I do recall that at that time, Elder Zhou was quite eager to kick me while I was down."
Gu Jinlai said.
"Our Zhou Family is willing to offer an apology."
Zhou Yunyi quickly said and then added, "I’m willing to testify for you about Baihe City’s incident, proving that Elder Tan Qingquan’s death had nothing to do with you. He... he perished together with Ye Yiren! Yes! It was Taihe Sword Sect’s Ye Yiren’s fault. She ambushed the elder. If it wasn’t for your crucial intervention, Baihe City would have fallen into the hands of the Taihe Sword Sect. You acted decisively to save Baihe City. You are not only blameless but also deserve credit for your contributions to the Sect."
"All right, the dead man is Tan Qingquan, not Yang Kan. A Divinity Transformation Cultivator fell in Baihe City. Purgatory Sect will not let this go as easily as they did with Yang Kan before. It’s just a matter of when they can spare the strength to deal with me."
Gu Jinlai said calmly.
He knew the score.
But...
With the precedents of Shi Chen and Tan Qingquan, who were Divinity Transformation Cultivators, should Purgatory Sect retaliate, it might be a Primordial Spirit True Monarch Level Supreme Elder who would personally take action.
The biggest distinction of Primordial Spirit True Monarchs from Divinity Transformation Cultivators is their more powerful Divine Thoughts.
The Yin Spirit’s Transformation to Primordial Spirit can manifest externally.
If the Yin Spirit equates to a psychic entity, then the Primordial Spirit is akin to a fusion of psychic energy and True Qi.
Formerly controlling the sword within ten miles, all killing power provided by the flying sword’s edge.
The latter, however, could traverse fifty miles, enveloping True Qi with the Primordial Spirit.
Put another way, where the sword flew, the Sword Qi alone carried by the Primordial Spirit Sword Control could cause area-wide, multiple-target damage.
Even if a Divinity Transformation Cultivator tried to intercept with a flying sword, they would still be smashed into oblivion by the True Qi wrapped within the Primordial Spirit from the skies.
Moreover, with the Primordial Spirit True Monarch themselves capable of sword flight, they held absolute air supremacy...
To some extent, they were equivalent to an aerial combat platform.
Every time the Primordial Spirit wielded the sword, encapsulated by True Yuan, within a combat radius of fifty li, a torrent of Sword Qi would be unleashed from above, slaughtering countless foes.
After a bout of killing, when the Primordial Spirit was weakened, they would return on the sword and be nourished anew with True Qi.
With the aid of elixirs, it wouldn’t take long for the Primordial Spirit to strike again, causing countless deaths and injuries.
"Elder Gu, you might not be aware, but the Sect might not seek vengeance against you for Tan Qingquan’s affair,"
At this moment, Zhou Yunyi spoke again, "If you wish, there is completely a possibility for reconciliation with the Sect."
"Hmm?"
Gu Jinlai looked at Zhou Yunyi, "Is reconciliation even possible with this?"
"Elder Gu may not know, but a few months ago, Di Luo, the Hallmaster of the Earth Immortal Palace and the first expert of the Demon Path north of Tianhe, sent out invitations to various Sects, inviting all experts from the Ten Demonic Sects to gather at Canglang Mountain for the Divine Sword Conference. He is even willing to present the Sky Extreme Sword of the once Supreme Tian Ji Emperor for all to recognize its master. Should anyone successfully recognize the sword, they will be hailed as the new leader of the Demon Path, to rule over the Demon Path and change the current state of isolated battles among the Demon Path,"
Zhou Yunyi spoke urgently.
"Di Luo? The Sky Extreme Sword!?"
Gu Jinlai’s expression shifted slightly.
He had the fortune to witness the sharpness of the Sky Extreme Sword not long ago.
It was...
A supreme Divine Sword that could hunt down Divinities with its might even when masterless.
As for Di Luo...
His name was well-known as thunder.
The first expert of the Demon Path.
Recently, there were whispers from the north hinting at the death of Wushi, suggesting that Di Luo was now the strongest under heaven.
Although rumors should not be fully trusted, they were sufficient to testify to the power of this being.
And now this top expert of the Demon Path was using the Sky Extreme Sword to invite many experts from the Ten Demonic Sects to Canglang Mountain for a conference to select a Demon Path leader to rule over the Demon Path, wishing to end the state of isolated warfare within the Demon Path!?
This matter seemed anything but simple.
"I know what Elder Gu is suspecting, that Di Luo aims to unify the Demon Path in one fell swoop, join the entire Demon Path’s forces, topple Daqian, and remake the realm, but it is not so! In order to promote this Divine Sword Conference, Di Luo and Wu Tiandi have sworn a great oath on their inner demons! Whoever can gain the recognition of the Sky Extreme Sword, will be the leader of the Demon Path! Both the Earth Immortal and Human Immortal Halls will bow to the wielder of the Sky Extreme Sword!"
Zhou Yunyi said, "That’s why the Venerable Seniors from my Sect are throwing all their energy and focus into the Canglang Mountain Conference. The private communications between the Venerable seniors from the Sects south of Tianhe have become more frequent, and they are forming alliances and drawing together in case some accident occurs. If so, they want to retreat from Canglang Mountain smoothly and in unison."
"The Sky Extreme Sword."
It was the number one Divine Sword under heaven.
The Tian Ji Emperor of the past had become an Earthly True Immortal, the number one under heaven, by comprehending the mysteries of the Sky Extreme Sword, and thus successfully transcended the Heavenly Tribulation.
Even when the Four Continents True Immortals of Qiantian, excluding the Tian Ji Emperor, attempted to besiege him, he killed Tai A and Xu Wu and severely wounded the Abyss Lord and Wushi.
And the severely wounded Abyss Lord and Wushi have not been seen for decades since that battle, leading to rumors that both had succumbed to their injuries and perished.
If one could gain recognition from the Sky Extreme Sword...
Defying the Devas with their Primordial Spirit was not an extravagant hope.
And if they could further comprehend a fraction of the mysteries of the Sky Extreme Sword and achieve the status of Deva or even Saint...
Then they would be the next premier power under the heavens of Qiantian.
Faced with such temptation, what did the fall of one Elder matter?
Would a Primordial Spirit True Monarch even spare energy to deal with such trivial matters?
"No wonder the operations of the Purgatory Sect, Netherworld Sect, and Cold Moon Sect in Star State have decreased significantly recently. I thought it was the calm before the storm, but it turns out... they were indeed distracted by larger matters,"
Gu Jinlai remarked.
He looked towards Zhou Yunyi, nodding with satisfaction, "Thank you for sharing this news with me."
Relief washed over Zhou Yunyi as he heard Gu Jinlai’s tone soften, "As long as it’s useful to Elder Gu. At least before the Divine Sword Conference ends, the Purgatory Sect, Cold Moon Sect, and Netherworld Sect should not flaunt their military power, considering the south is already weaker. If there were severe damages, they would not have the strength to contest with the seven Sects of the north. If Elder Gu allows me to return, I am certain I can convince the Sect to suppress this matter."
Continuing, he added, "After pressing down the matter, if Elder Gu shows even a slight indication of loyalty to the Sect, it’s very likely that a big issue can be turned small and trivial."
"Not a bad idea,"
Gu Jinlai nodded, "It’s mine now."
Zhou Yunyi’s face changed in an instant, "Elder Gu, you..."
"You knew well that when I left Changjun City for Huayin County, death awaited me, and yet you still kicked me when I was down without hesitation. Today you come to me with bowed head, expecting I would let you go?"
With a burst of explosive Fist Force from beneath his feet, a fierce and murderous aura surged from Gu Jinlai, and the heavy sword in his hand, embroiled in terrifying kinetic energy, was swung down with full force, "Do you think I’m a pushover, easy to talk to?"
"No, Elder Gu, I truly want to repent..."
Zhou Yunyi’s eyes widened in shock and fear as he shouted, retreating explosively, attempting to dodge with quick maneuvers.
Unfortunately, Gu Jinlai had attained a profound level of martial arts, and the heavy sword weighing thousands of jin felt as light as a feather in his hands.
In just a moment, the Giant Sword swept past Zhou Yunyi’s body, the violent power causing him to spit blood and fly backward.
As he lost his balance, Gu Jinlai charged again, his fist as large as a casserole aimed right at Zhou Yunyi’s body less than one meter eighty in height and hammered down...
"Boom!"
Under Zhou Yunyi’s eyes filled with terror, his entire skeleton was broken in two by the Fist Force, his internal organs shattered to pieces, and his body heavily crashed to the ground.
Blood continuously spewed from his mouth.
His eyes seemed to still hold the fear of death and a yearning for life, but gradually, his breath ceased.
