These two are definitely here for Xuu Zhongxiong or Wang Po. Just as well, let them probe Wang Po's and Xuu Zhongxiong's depths, Lin Xuankong thought.
"Xuu Zhongxiong!"
As Lin Xuankong had expected, the long-bearded man grabbed his sword, suddenly rose, and bellowed.
His shout echoed, and the normally bustling main hall of Guangju Pavilion instantly fell silent.
In the spacious hall, dozens of tables were occupied by nearly a hundred richly dressed diners, all of whom stared in surprise at the long-bearded man and the female swordsman.
In their view, here in Guangju Pavilion, on Shuinan Street, throughout the Four Streets and Thirty Lanes, who would dare to call Blood Tiger Xuu Zhongxiong by his full name?
Who, upon seeing Blood Tiger Xuu Zhongxiong, wouldn't respectfully call him Brother Xuu or Master Xuu?
"Who is this, with such guts to call the Blood Tiger by name!"
"I guess it's a Martial Cultivator with some skill! But this is Guangju Pavilion, isn't he courting death!"
The crowd murmured, and a dozen or so timid wealthy merchants had already quietly risen and were sneaking out.
BANG!
The red sandalwood door of the Heaven Suite Number One swung open, and over a dozen grim-faced Black Tiger Gang members filed out.
Walking last was Xuu Zhongxiong. He scanned the room with his panther-like eyes, which finally settled on the long-bearded man and the female swordsman. His eyes flashed a few times, then he suddenly laughed. "So, it's the remnants of the Gu Family. What, does joining the Yin Talisman Sect make you so special?
Your Yin Talisman Sect's Master of the Great Marsh Hall was defeated by our Hall Master and obediently relinquished Qingshui Street. And you two small fry think you can stir up some trouble?"
Hearing this, the long-bearded man's brows tightened.
The female swordsman, however, spoke coldly, "Xuu Zhongxiong, today's matter has nothing to do with the Yin Talisman Sect. Three years ago, you sparred with my father. Even though my father had already admitted defeat, you continued to attack furiously, leading to his death. This debt must be settled. Today, my brother and I have come to 'spar' with you!"
As she spoke, she heavily emphasized the word 'spar,' her eyes filled with killing intent.
"Spar? I only know how to kill, not spar!" Xuu Zhongxiong laughed heartily, his face full of mockery.
"Who do you think you are, daring to spar with Brother Xuu? Come on, let's see how many moves you can take from me!" Among the dozen or so Black Tiger Gang members, one with a fleshy, fierce face pushed aside a nearby table and strode directly towards the female swordsman.
The nearby diners immediately scattered. Some ran to the far end of the hall, while others fled out of Guangju Pavilion's main doors, watching from outside.
Lin Xuankong, still chewing peanuts with his left molars, carefully observed the approaching Black Tiger Gang member.
This gang member's movements were swift, and his sharp fingernails were remarkably similar to those of Hu Lin, whom Lin Xuankong had fought before. He was clearly an expert at the early stage of the first layer of Transcendence.
Just over ten days ago, I would have needed several rounds to deal with such an opponent. But now, with the speed and sharpness of my Spiritual Crane Finger, one blow would be lethal. Still, I wonder how strong Gu Beicheng and his sister really are?
While he pondered, the female swordsman had already drawn her longsword. "Today, this is a matter solely between my Gu Family and Xuu Zhongxiong!" she cried. "If you insist on interfering, then don't blame my sword for being merciless!"
With that, her figure blurred as she charged forward. The Black Tiger Gang member sneered, his palms forming claws as he lunged at her.
The two clashed instantly.
Claw shadows danced like the wind, and sword light flashed.
In the blink of an eye, they had exchanged over twenty moves. As their figures intertwined, the female swordsman suddenly let out a muffled groan and stumbled back several steps.
Her face was deathly pale as she looked down at her abdomen. Her clothes there were torn, revealing four bloody gashes—the work of the Black Tiger Shattering Golden Claw.
The Black Tiger Gang member stood his ground, licking the blood from his right fingernails. He sneered, "This young lady's blood tastes pretty good! Too bad she's not strong enough!"
The female swordsman's face flushed crimson, her body trembling slightly from the intense pain.
Lin Xuankong, watching from his seat, frowned slightly. This young woman has quite a temper, but her strength is lacking. Fortunately, that claw struck her abdomen. If it had been a few inches higher... If her brother is this weak too, they won't even get a chance to test Xuu Zhongxiong and Wang Po for me!
At this moment, Gu Beicheng was already supporting his trembling sister.
After helping her to a nearby table, Gu Beicheng turned, his eyes glinting fiercely as he stared at the Black Tiger Gang member.
His Qi Blood surged, and in the next instant, the longsword in his hand emitted a sharp CRACKLE, arcs of bright, fine lightning dancing around the blade. It was an extremely wondrous sight!
Lin Xuankong's eyes lit up, a look of surprise on his face. What kind of Martial Dao does this Gu Beicheng practice that allows him to command lightning? A Martial Dao like this, even if it can't compare to that young lady's 'Immortal Traces' that let her walk on water, is still astonishing enough!
The previously arrogant Black Tiger Gang member's expression changed, a look of caution appearing on his face.
From among the diners hiding in the distance, someone exclaimed softly, "Lightning coiling around his body! That's the Yin Talisman Thunder of the Yin Talisman Sect!"
"It's said that among the countless disciples of the Yin Talisman Sect, fewer than forty can cultivate the Thunder Surrounding Body. Each one is a prodigy of exceptional talent!"
A genius disciple of the Yin Talisman Sect? The Black Tiger Gang member's face now showed a hint of dread.
Just then, Xuu Zhongxiong's voice cut in, "You're no match for him. Stand down!"
That Black Tiger Gang member visibly relaxed and decisively retreated.
Blood Tiger Xuu Zhongxiong, however, advanced towards Gu Beicheng. His panther-like eyes widened, a flicker of excitement on his face. "To think you're a genius who cultivates Yin Talisman Thunder! Now I'm actually interested in killing you myself!"
With that, he shook his arms, and his palms turned into claws. The ten nails, which were already quite sharp, gradually elongated until they reached nearly half a foot in length.
This bizarre sight made it seem as if Xuu Zhongxiong had suddenly transformed into a Demon.
His Black Tiger Shattering Golden Claw nails, now a chilling silver-white and exceptionally sharp, glinted under the hall's candlelight. They emanated a dazzling, imposing aura, no less impressive than Gu Beicheng's Yin Talisman Thunder!
"Three years, Blood Tiger! I've been painstakingly cultivating, waiting for this day for three whole years!"
Gu Beicheng roared, suddenly accelerating. His longsword, wreathed in lightning, thrust straight at Xuu Zhongxiong's throat!
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
The sharp sound of nails clashing against the longsword erupted.
Both men's Cultivation levels were nearing the late stage of their respective realms. During their exchange, their movements were incredibly swift, generating gusts of wind that made the candle flames in the hall flicker violently.
Nearby tables, chairs, and dishes shattered into pieces from the shockwaves of their half-foot-long claws and several-foot-long sword.
The diners watching the commotion had already fled Guangju Pavilion before the fight even began. Now, they observed from a safe distance, their voices buzzing with exclamations of awe.
Lin Xuankong, seated in a corner, watched the duel intently.
The Yin Talisman Thunder on Gu Beicheng's sword is quite remarkable. Each time it makes contact with Blood Tiger Xuu Zhongxiong, arcs of lightning shoot from the blade onto Xuu Zhongxiong's body.
Each discharge of lightning makes Xuu Zhongxiong's attacks falter momentarily. After dozens, perhaps hundreds, of these lightning strikes, even Xuu Zhongxiong's hair is standing on end from the electricity, making him look quite disheveled!
The only pity is that either Gu Beicheng's Yin Talisman Thunder Cultivation isn't profound enough, or Blood Tiger Xuu Zhongxiong is simply too tough. Those seemingly brilliant lightning strikes aren't causing enough damage to Xuu Zhongxiong in a short amount of time.
In contrast, Xuu Zhongxiong's Black Tiger Shattering Golden Claw is vicious and sharp, each blow aimed at Gu Beicheng's vital points. It's forcing Gu Beicheng onto the defensive, preventing him from capitalizing on any openings created when Xuu Zhongxiong is momentarily stunned by the lightning!
Furthermore, Gu Beicheng's Yin Talisman Thunder seems to consume a tremendous amount of Qi Blood. After more than a hundred exchanges, his face has gradually turned pale, and the lightning coiling around his longsword has visibly thinned!
Seeing this, Lin Xuankong frowned slightly and discreetly reached for the leather pouch at his waist, filled with Flying Locust Stones.
Just as he was about to grab a handful, the situation on the battlefield abruptly changed.
The female swordsman's anxious cry reached Lin Xuankong's ears, "Brother!"
The two combatants simultaneously retreated two steps.
Gu Beicheng swayed. His left shoulder had been struck by a claw, severing his arm completely at the shoulder and exposing the white bone beneath. Blood gushed from the wound, and his face, already pale, became even more ashen.
However, lying on the ground near his feet were two severed arms. One was his own. The other, its fingernails nearly half a foot long, was unmistakably Xuu Zhongxiong's right arm!
In that last exchange, Gu Beicheng had deliberately taken a blow, enduring the mutilation of his own arm to seize the opportunity to sever Xuu Zhongxiong's right arm!
Lin Xuankong looked at Gu Beicheng, a silent admiration in his eyes. This Gu Beicheng is truly ruthless! He broke the stalemate by sacrificing his left arm. His Yin Talisman Thunder technique is channeled through his right-hand sword, so he can still fight even with his left arm gone. Xuu Zhongxiong, on the other hand, relies heavily on both claws for his Black Tiger Shattering Golden Claw; losing one arm will significantly impair him!
At this, Blood Tiger Xuu Zhongxiong stumbled back several steps, his face twitching. The Black Tiger Gang members quickly surrounded him, forming a protective circle.
Gu Beicheng, gripping his longsword in his right hand, pressed the flat of the blade against the stump of his left arm. Countless tiny arcs of lightning shot into the mangled flesh. The wound quickly blackened, and the profuse bleeding soon stopped.
Then, he raised his lightning-wreathed longsword and pointed it at the Black Tiger Gang members. "Today is a private matter between my Gu Family and Xuu Zhongxiong! Those who don't wish to die, get out of the way!"
The Black Tiger Gang members' eyes glinted fiercely, and they were about to charge forward as one. But Xuu Zhongxiong raised a hand, halting them. His panther-like eyes darted around before he retreated two more steps. Then, he called out towards the private suite, "Dry Mother Wang, Zhongxiong has disgraced you. I implore you to lend a hand!"
Lin Xuankong, who had been about to make his move, frowned upon hearing this. What's this? Blood Tiger Xuu Zhongxiong is asking her for help? ...Could that shameless old crone, Wang Po, actually be stronger than Blood Tiger Xuu Zhongxiong, or even Gu Beicheng, the genius disciple of the Yin Talisman Sect?
"Oh dear, I'm over fifty years old, my bones have grown rusty. I just want to open a shop and earn some money!
This old body truly has no desire to meddle in such violent affairs. But, Gu Beicheng, oh, Gu Beicheng, how could you harm my most precious godson!"
Wang Po's voice, laced with an icy chill, drifted from the private suite. Then, clutching a handkerchief and swaying her hips, she emerged.