Translator: AnubisTL
"Xi Xi, is there something on my face?" Inside the chariot, Chu Youhuan noticed Yan Xixi staring at her and asked with a smile.
"No."
"Then do you have some issue with me?"
"Not that either!" Yan Xixi turned her head to the other side and muttered a few words.
"There must be something. Tell me, I can change," Chu Youhuan walked over to Yan Xixi, ruffled her hair, and said with a smile.
"Can you change what's ingrained in your bones?" Yan Xixi angrily shook off Chu Youhuan's hand and said disdainfully.
"Does that mean in your eyes, my character is lacking?" Chu Youhuan shook her head helplessly.
"You know what you've done!" The others dared not speak, sensing the tension rising.
"Hahaha, go ask around the Swamp Zone, who would doubt my character!" Chu Youhuan laughed heartily, full of pride.
Gu Feng's eyes darted around, already anticipating what was about to happen. He subtly shifted his position closer to the chariot door, and the others wisely remained silent.
"Losing and not admitting it, twisting the truth, and acting like a rogue... It's not that others don't want to say it, they just don't dare," Yan Xixi confronted Chu Youhuan.
"What do you mean?" Chu Youhuan's face darkened, a sense of foreboding in her heart.
"Exactly what it means."
Upon hearing this, Chu Youhuan trembled, scanning the room in shock. The expressions of everyone present were clear to her.
She suddenly realized why everyone's attitude towards her had changed since that battle, and why their respect had diminished. It seemed everyone knew what had happened in the training room!
Thinking of the words she had spoken in the training room and her behavior afterward, Chu Youhuan felt her cheeks burn, wishing she could disappear into a hole.
"Gu Feng, was it you who told them?" She blushed with anger, glaring at Gu Feng.
"Ah— it's too stuffy in here, I need some fresh air." With that, Gu Feng rushed out of the chariot. He wasn't a fool; in this situation, Chu Youhuan would surely shift the focus of the conflict to avoid embarrassment.
Staying in the chariot would inevitably lead to a confrontation, and the target would undoubtedly be him. It was better to make a quick exit.
"Huh? Why did Boss Gu come out?"
"It's too stuffy inside!"
...
At the Sunset Glow Sect's Outer Sect Training Grounds!
The annual Outer Sect Competition had ended an hour ago.
Yet, not a single audience member had left.
The entire training ground was enveloped in an eerie silence.
On the high platform, to the left stood the Outer Sect Elder group led by Liu Wuxiang; to the right was the Inner Sect Elder group, and even the long-reclusive Sect Leader had appeared here.
The stands were filled with prominent figures, including leaders and key members of various forces from Cloud Prefecture, and even officials from the Chu Kingdom, including the Prefecture Governor.
The current Sect Leader of the Sunset Glow Sect had been in power for a hundred years, and according to the sect's rules, he was to step down this year.
The new successor was to be chosen from among the disciples, and normally, the Inner Sect disciples would engage in fierce competition.
However, this time was different.
Shu Yuheng, ranked first on the Inner Sanctum Heaven Ranking, had maintained a dominant position throughout the past year, unchallenged by any other Inner Sect disciple, all of whom had voluntarily withdrawn from the competition.
He was just one step away from ascending to the position of the Sunset Glow Sect Master, with only one obstacle standing in his way—Gu Feng.
Over the past year, Gu Feng had established a vast foundation in the northern region, successfully overcoming the Innate Tribulation, and his reputation had soared to unparalleled heights.
Both sides had tacitly avoided publicizing their true strengths, but from the way Gu Feng immediately accepted the duel date set by Shu Yuheng, most outsiders believed that Gu Feng's strength was likely approaching the Spirit Nurturing Realm.
The upcoming duel between the two would undoubtedly be a fierce battle.
"A year ago, who could have imagined that this duel would actually take place?"
"Gu Feng now holds endless resources, so his cultivation progress must be rapid. However, it's unclear what confidence he has to face Shu Yuheng."
"I heard that the creature Shu Yuheng has nurtured is extremely powerful. Just the other day, the second-ranked on the Inner Sanctum Heaven Ranking used all his techniques but couldn't even force Shu Yuheng to reveal his Spirit Nurturing. His strength is truly terrifying."
"The Sunset Glow Sect has produced many talents this year. Just the number of disciples who have successfully reached the Spirit Nurturing Realm is no less than twenty."
"Chu Youhuan and Yan Yexue, who left the Inner Sect, as well as several disciples from the Jade Maiden Sect who were once under Chu Youhuan, have also successfully reached the Spirit Nurturing Realm!"
"Regardless of the outcome of this duel, the Sunset Glow Sect, which has been divided for a year, will reunite!"
"The Sunset Glow Sect will reclaim its position as the top sect in Cloud Prefecture today!"
"..."
As the crowd whispered among themselves, a faint tremor echoed from the distance!
Shu Yuheng had arrived!
The tremor fluctuated between near and far, accompanied by a wave of pressure. The terrifying power it contained made even some Elder-level figures present feel a sense of dread.
Everyone looked up and saw a figure in a white robe, swaying gently in the breeze. Shu Yuheng walked steadily through the void, approaching slowly.
"Thud—thud—thud—"
With his hands behind his back, an aura of calmness radiated from him. His steps were neither fast nor slow, yet they produced a rhythmic sound like drumbeats.
Each step seemed meticulously measured, maintaining a consistent distance.
He wore a faint smile, his black pupils exuding boundless confidence.
His robes fluttered, and his jade-like face and noble demeanor truly made him a peerless gentleman.
"What a man among men!" A senior figure stroked his beard, unable to help but praise.
"The Spiritual Power within him is like an abyss, turbulent and profound. Among the younger generation in Cloud Prefecture, no one can match him."
"Barring any surprises, Gu Feng is no match for him."
"He gives off such a steady aura that it's hard to imagine anyone could challenge him across realms."
"..."
As Shu Yuheng drew closer, his presence grew stronger, and a faint halo of light surrounded him. It was a mysterious force, and some cultivators below the Postnatal Realm began to feel dizzy.
"Don't look at him! His strength is too overwhelming and can affect your mind!" An elder kindly reminded.
Thud—thud—thud—
The footsteps grew louder and closer, and when he was a few hundred meters away from the training ground, they transformed into thunderous roars.
An unparalleled flow of Spiritual Power slowly spread out, and his body became increasingly radiant, like a blazing sun hanging in the sky. The surrounding air seemed to boil, churning incessantly.
"Pfft—"
The pressure was simply too overwhelming, disrupting the flow of Spiritual Power within the cultivators below. Several weaker cultivators couldn't control themselves and spat out blood.
Even the disciples in the Innate Realm had to exert their full strength in their Cultivation Methods to resist the influence emanating from Shu Yuheng.
"Gu Feng, where are you!"
Shu Yuheng's gentle voice resonated, an invisible sound wave sweeping across the entire area.
The disciples turned pale, their bodies swaying uncontrollably. They could no longer hold back and spat out the blood accumulated in their chests, only by doing so could they relieve some of the pressure and avoid shaking the foundation of their martial path.
How terrifying the first place on the Inner Sanctum Heaven Ranking was, how terrifying Shu Yuheng was.
Some Inner Sect disciples looked up at the blazing sun above, their faces filled with bitterness. Shu Yuheng was simply too strong, so strong that it was hard to even catch a glimpse of his back, even to the point of despair.
He was like a towering mountain, pressing down from the moment he entered the Sunset Glow Sect. The disciples behind him struggled to climb, but the longer they climbed, the more they felt the immensity of the mountain.
It seemed as if there was no end in sight, and Shu Yuheng stood at the peak of the mountain, looking down at everyone with a gaze that seemed to say: Keep going, don't make me wait too long.
He was so confident that he didn't even believe anyone in the Sunset Glow Sect could come close to him, let alone pose a threat.
Liu Wuxiang and the other Elders exchanged glances, all seeing the gravity in each other's eyes.
With just a single voice, Shu Yuheng had shaken the disciples to their core. Such strength was rare even in the history of the Sunset Glow Sect. Elder Liu and the others couldn't help but feel worried for Gu Feng.
"It's alright, Gu Feng is a cunning one. According to Old Ge, he defeated Chu Youhuan a few months ago. Facing Shu Yuheng, he might still have a chance."
"Old Liu, you're just overly concerned. Gu Feng is steady in his actions, no one values their life more than he does."
The Elders spoke these words, but the expressions on their faces betrayed their true feelings.
The Chu Youhuan that Gu Feng had defeated was still in an unstable state, fundamentally different from a fully established Spirit Nurturing Realm.
Moreover, Shu Yuheng had successfully entered the Spirit Nurturing Realm several months earlier than Chu Youhuan. After nearly a year of cultivation, his strength had advanced further, becoming even more terrifying.
Even though Gu Feng was at the peak of the Innate Realm, the gap between him and Shu Yuheng was still immense. One realm was a world apart, and the difference between the Innate Realm and the Spirit Nurturing Realm was beyond measure.
After saying this, Shu Yuheng fell silent, standing in the sky with his eyes slightly closed, a serene smile on his face.
Circles of light emanated from his body, igniting the surrounding air, making him look as if he were bathed in flames, an invincible aura radiating in all directions.
At a certain moment, he suddenly opened his eyes, and two indescribably bright beams of light shot out.
In the sky—
A Gilded Carriage came roaring in.
White birds chirped, and countless Divine Bird Phantoms filled the sky, leaving the onlookers below in awe.
The carriage hovered in the air, and a noble young man stepped out.
"Shu Yuheng, long time no see!" The noble young man looked down at Shu Yuheng below, his voice playful.
"Sima Juncong?"
The son of the Northern Frontier Marshal!
Shu Yuheng had thought his father would send someone to observe the battle, but he hadn't expected Sima Juncong to come.
Of course, the main reason was that Sima Juncong's identity was too sensitive. The two opposing factions in the court had, with unspoken agreement, omitted his name when discussing the marshlands.
Shu Yuheng had been in long-term seclusion, and with his arrogance, he disdained to inquire about Gu Feng's situation in the Northern Frontier. Thus, he was unaware that Sima Juncong had mingled with Gu Feng.
"Impressive. You used to call me 'Boss,' but now you directly address me as 'Sima Juncong'?" Sima Juncong chuckled. "Well, it makes sense. You've now become a master of the Spirit Nurturing Realm and no longer care to associate with a mere Innate Realm cultivator like me."
At these words, Shu Yuheng's expression stiffened, and his aura weakened slightly. He muttered softly, "Of course not!"
"Just kidding, don't take it seriously. I heard about your decisive battle today and came all the way from the Northern Frontier."
"It's an honor!"
Seeing Sima Juncong land back on the ground, Shu Yuheng knew the man disliked others standing higher than him. After a moment of thought, he also descended to the ground.
Liu Wuxiang and the others smiled faintly. They were well aware of Sima Juncong's background. His seemingly casual action had completely dissolved the aura Shu Yuheng had been building, subtly increasing Gu Feng's chances of victory.
"Are you confident about this battle?" Sima Juncong asked, standing on his tiptoes and lowering his head.
Shu Yuheng felt disdain in his heart but instinctively bent down slightly. "I will definitely win this battle!"
"Very confident, I like that!" Sima Juncong patted Shu Yuheng's shoulder, treating him like a younger brother.
The clueless audience looked at Sima Juncong with awe. The fact that an Innate Realm cultivator could command Shu Yuheng like a younger brother spoke volumes about his extraordinary status, likely stemming from a top-tier power in the capital.
Sima Juncong's actions infuriated Shu Yuheng internally, though he maintained a smile on his face. Sima Juncong was the only son of the Northern Frontier Marshal, and even princes treated him with respect. Although Shu Yuheng's father was the commander of the imperial capital's guards, his status paled in comparison.
Shu Yuheng understood that maintaining this dynamic would greatly diminish his image in front of the crowd, so he changed the subject. "Is there someone else in the chariot?"
"Yes, my Boss came along too!" Sima Juncong replied with a smile.
(End of the Chapter)
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