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Translator: Fate
Translation Checker: Silavin
In the battle arena, Xiao Yang and Gu Wudi stood 30 metres apart, facing each other as formidable auras arose on their bodies. Almost the eyes of all disciples and Mountain Elders were glued on them, attentively observing the battle to ensure fairness.
Nonetheless, before the battle began, a green, mountain-like seal the size of a palm fell from the high sky, harbouring dense intertwining auras as traces of Chaos Qi continuously emerged.
At the same time, the Fortuity of the entire Nine Great Mountains were gathered, and each trace of them emitted blinding silver gleams, resembling a Milky Way. The people could even see the shadows of nine spectacular, ancient mountains shrouded in vibrant lights simultaneously appearing in the sky.
Such a power was incomparably vast and boundless, as the nine mountains resembled actual unparalleled Mystic Mountains that could subdue all lives.
In that instant, every disciple and Mountain Elders intuitively shifted their attentive gazes towards the floating seal in the sky, displaying utmost respect. Even Gu Changge turned over with Grand Runes glowing in his eyes, analysing the item, after which he squinted his eyes, seemingly pondering. [So, that’s the Celestial Seal. It has Innate Patterns as well, hmm? It’s probably on par with the Immortal-Killing Gourd and Supreme Dao Diagram, but it seems even more mysterious. Is it perhaps related to the world before the Forbidden Epoch?]
Gu Changge inferred that the Celestial Seal must not be created in this era. Since it was an Innate entity, it might be greatly related to Nine Great Mountains’ origin. It might even be that the Celestial Seal of the Nine Mountains led to eventual formation of Nine Great Mountains.
The glaring Innate Aura that was hard to look straight into could easily suppress all other created artifacts, producing a heavy boundless Chaos Qi.
“That item is involved in the creation of Nine Great Mountains, and has retained the enigma and extraordinariness of Nine Great Mountains for countless years. It was even said that, a person that managed to gain control of the Celestial Seal of the Nine Mountains could even become an invincible being in Nine Great Mountains.” Seeing how Gu Changge was fascinated by the seal, the Sky Deer Goddess revealed a faint grin and described.
In response, Gu Changge nodded. He knew that Nine Great Mountains had been collecting the Power of Faith of Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains all these years, and the existence of the Celestial Seal of the Nne Mountains allowed the disciples and cultivators of Nine Great Mountains to efficiently cultivate with the amassed Power of Faith.
In this aspect, Nine Great Mountains were quite similar to Mortal Palace. Though, now that Gu Changge placed the Fortuity Cauldron in Mortal Palace, he could gather the Power of Faith of the Upper Realm for his own use.
But now, he finally saw the substantial Power of Faith amassed by Nine Great Mountains for the past countless years above the Celestial Seal of the Nine Mountains.
“As per the agreement, this old one shall repress your cultivation to Xiao Yang’s level. Any objection?” Followingly, the Second Mountain Elder appeared in the battle arena, facing Gu Wudi expressionlessly as he spoke to him.
With so many Mountain Elders present, Gu Wudi wasn’t at all worried that the Second Mountain Elder would resort to some sort of tomfoolery. He then feigned a grin and nodded. “Do your best, Second Mountain Elder. Even at the same cultivation level, I’ll easily take Xiao Yang down in three moves.”
Given his confidence, the Second Mountain Elder’s eyes froze as he carefully took a few glances at Gu Wudi, but he found nothing strange about him. Be it Gu Wudi’s aura or strength, there wasn’t any noticeable change compared to his state before.
Regardless, the Second Mountain Elder remained cautious. As he was repressing Gu Wudi’s cultivation, he took the opportunity to investigate his body condition, only to find nothing suspicious about it.
“That old bat! He’s sneakily investigating Gu Wudi! Hmph!” As the Third Mountain Elder noticed the Second Mountain Elder’s sneaky action, he subconsciously let out a snicker, feigning indifference. As ever, he bore total confidence in his own disciple and the fact that he could take down Xiao Yang with three moves without any problem.
Very soon, right in front of the attentive crowd, the Second Mountain Elder repressed Gu Wudi’s cultivation to Xiao Yang’s level, and no one other than True Daoists could dispel the limitation.
“In that case, let’s cut the nonsense and begin.” Xiao Yang bore not the slightest fondness towards Gu Wudi. The Chosen One had constantly troubled him, and now, he was proudly a lapdog of Gu Changge.
As he was finished talking, a terrifying aura whirled around his body as divine runes surged and swirled from under his skin, resembling mysterious yet vast ancient symbols of the MIlky Way.
That was an exclusive absolute ability of Nine Great Mountains with unrivalled power, and the moment it was cast, the mountain rivers seemed to rush as time crumbled, gushing towards Gu Wudi, while Xiao Yang stood firmly in the air, resembling a divine being.
At the same time, he conjured an artifact—a green treasure pearl—which then emitted blaring thunder. Principles soon condensed to form a layer of protective barrier around him.
“What? Junior Brother Xiao Yang took the lead? I thought all he had to do to win the bet is to endure three blows from the Chosen One.”
“We surely have underestimated Junior Brother Xiao Yang. He actually went first at such a moment?”
“That is my Youngest Junior Brother, alright! He’s certainly worthy as the Direct Disciple of Second Mountain Elder! When I was at his level, I definitely did not bear such intimidation!”
“Junior Brother Xiao Yang’s strength is not to be underestimated. Give him some more time, and there’s no doubt that he’ll catch up to the Chosen One!” The other disciples were visibly dumbfounded, chattering among themselves. Clearly, they had never seen Xiao Yang fighting with his full power.
In that instant, those who assumed that his chance at winning was low faltered. Even the Mountain Elders squinted their eyes. With their perception as True Daoists, they could see that Xiao Yang indubitably bore an extraordinary aura.
“Oh, he attacked me first?”
However, in contrast to Xiao Yang and his flamboyance, Gu Wudi donned an expression filled with coldness as a golden gleam flashed across his eyes. In brief seconds, his qualities went through a drastic change.
The Mountain Elders that were spectating the battle squint their eyes, feeling that Gu Wudi seemed to have cast a Secret Technique. Though, they couldn’t tell what kind of Secret Technique it was and simply assumed that Gu Wudi had encountered an opportunity by himself.
“What is this sensation I am sensing?” Sensing something was up, the Second Mountain Elder turned to Gu Changge who was far away.
Seeing his usual interested look, the Second Mountain Elder somehow felt restless. He had fully prepared Xiao Yang for the battle by giving him numerous powerful artifacts and also the Silver Moon Battle Suit as protection, yet he remained uneasy and perturbed.
At his cultivation level, the things he could sense weren’t carried by the breeze, but they were from an incidental glimpse in subtle changes.
“Gu Wudi, this blow is for your disrespect towards Senior Sister Suyun!” Nevertheless, Xiao Yang did not detect anything peculiar about Gu Wudi. At that moment, he was covered in radiant, glaring runes as his Silver Moon Battle Suit was shining. Even his hair was illuminated by a layer of green dawnlight.
Amid the radiance, he angrily shouted and cast a daunting ability, charging towards Gu Wudi. Instead of opting for defence, he chose to engage in order to avenge his Eldest Senior Sister.
“Your ignorance is laughable.” Regardless, Gu Wudi seemed abnormally cold. When Xiao Yang drew his hand, he merely raised his fist, invoking a vast, frightening aura in the air.
Vaguely, one could even see the shadow of a True Dragon surging behind him. Covered in scales, the menacing shadow aggressively extended its claws and charged forward, seemingly capable of destroying all worlds.
“That is the Dragon Fist of the True Dragon Arts! He’s the Chosen One indeed. Even the way he displayed the ability is completely different from ours. It is as if he is truly invincible!”
“How powerful!”
The disciples in the crowd were stunned upon the sight. Naturally, they recognised the True Dragon Arts as they were exclusive to Nine Great Mountains, and basically all of them had learned it. Yet, Gu Wudi’s use of the ability was totally different from theirs.
“The Chosen One’s proficiency in this Art is shocking.” The eyes of the Mountain Elders froze in stupefaction.
*Boom!* The next moment, before the stupefied gazes of the crowd, Gu Wudi’s ferocious punch landed. There wasn’t any significant disturbance, yet it seemed as though it was the end of the world.
Blinding lights erupted, as though a True Dragon soared through time before reappearing on the horizon in its all-devastating draconic aura.
Upon a blaring explosion, the void trembled and seemed like it would shatter, instantly destroying all of Xiao Yang’s attacks. One after another, the runes dimmed and eventually dissipated. Even the pearl that was guarding above his head shook violently and nearly fell off.
“Argh…” Xiao Yang spat out a mouthful of blood. He widened his eyes in disbelief, revealing a hint of shock as he flew backward before crashing onto the ground. If it weren’t for the protection of the Silver Moon Battle Suit, he wouldn’t have just simply coughing up blood.
All the disciples and Mountain Elders dropped their jaws in dismay. Even some of the Mountain Elders doubted that they could display the might of such an Art to this degree while being restricted to the Sacred Realm.
“It appears the Chosen One has been hiding his strength very well.” The Mountain Elders thought of something and turned to the Third Mountain Elder. In their eyes, the Third Mountain Elder was the scheming one, deliberately disallowing Gu Wudi to show his true strength in anticipation for this day.
However, the Third Mountain Master was also somewhat dazed at that moment, but he quickly recovered his composure. He knew his disciple well, which was why he was taken aback. Normally, Gu Wudi had never shown such formidable strength. But of course, he simply assumed that Gu Wudi had been hiding it so well that even he, as his Master, failed to understand his strength.
“It seems that Brother Wu’s strength is not to be underestimated.” At the side, Gu Changge subconsciously revealed a light grin, seemingly out of astonishment.
Hearing that, the Sky Deer Goddess couldn’t help but glance at him. Although she didn’t know what Gu Changge had done to Gu Wudi, she was sure that he had a hand in giving Gu Wudi’s current strength.
“Impossible… How are you this strong?” Blood flowed down from Xiao Yang’s mouth as he got up from the ground, feeling humiliated and mostly doubtful.
His own ability was obviously remarkably stronger than the other disciples of Nine Great Mountains that were on his level. His own abilities far surpassed what should be possible in his current cultivation level. Yet, when he finally faced Gu Wudi, his heart slightly faltered as he saw how he couldn’t take him down, which was totally out of his prediction.
“You couldn’t even stand a blow from me. How do you expect to take another? Yet, you’re so intent on taking revenge? Trash” Gu Wudi’s expression was rather cold and condescending as he steadily walked towards Xiao Yang.
His entire body was emitting golden lights as traces of them constantly surged, making the surrounding appear cloudy. That was the effect of his Physique, the World Dao Physique.
All of a sudden, the crowd saw an alarming scene. Meteorites were merging behind him, relentlessly gathering and forming a world. In fact, they resembled infinite swords that flew towards Xiao Yang.
Without moving, Gu Wudi merely borrowed the power of his Physique to display his innate powerful Talents. It was a shocking ability to gather meteorites like troops that then plunged towards Xiao Yang to murder him.
“What on earth did Gu Wudi take?” The Second Mountain Elder felt that the Gu Wudi he was seeing now was completely different from the one he normally knew. Yet, he couldn’t quite fathom what the difference was.
Xiao Yang’s face drastically changed, unable to believe that Gu Wudi was capable of casting such an ability despite being in the same level as him. Moreover, Gu Wudi’s expression reminded him of Gu Changge.
[No… The one I’m fighting is not Gu Wudi, but him!] With that in mind, Xiao Yang angrily, resolutely glared at Gu Changge. However, Gu Changge’s usual enthralled look made him feel as though he was an ant, entertaining a great being who was watching it struggle.
The next moment, amidst the thunderous explosions, meteorites began to materialise in a dense pack and plummeted towards Xiao Yang. The sheer number of them, like a torrential rain, filled all the disciples with dread, giving them their first taste of the terror of Gu Wudi.
With an icy expression, Xiao Yang summoned one artifact after another, unleashing countless divine rays. At the same time, his bloodline power was triggered, and suddenly, a fiery red silhouette rushed out of his body.
It was a phoenix, incredibly ancient and though vague, it exuded a noble and mighty aura. As it spread its wings, a shower of crimson light rained down, as if it was a fiery sea that was to resist the attacks.
*Boom! Boom! Boom!*
Everyone peered at the scene in shock as they saw Gu Wudi calmly approaching Xiao Yang with a face full of indifference. As the meteorites, endless in number, constantly emerged behind him, they transformed into swords and sword lights that were huge and formidable which then charged forward.
At once, the area was illuminated with brilliance as a terrifying wave shook everyone, capable of tearing apart even those in the Sacred Realm.
Despite the numerous magic weapons at Xiao Yang’s disposal, he was unable to withstand the onslaught, his face constantly changing as his body shook violently. His injuries from before didn’t even manage to heal and now he was vomiting even more blood. Even the green treasure pearl above him was sent flying away.
The next moment, Xiao Yang widened his eyes and let out a groan as he was blown away.
Before he realised it, Gu Wudi was already right in front of him, drawing an extremely heavy punch that left the void shattering. The terrifying force made Xiao Yang’s organs tremble intensely. Following the revolting cracks bones, cracks appeared on his bones. His injuries were insanely gruesome as he continuously spewed out blood along with bits of his internal organs.
Although he had the protection of the Silver Moon Battle Suit, he was still unable to activate its full power, so it could only be used to protect his life. Otherwise, with that one punch, he would have burst into a mist of blood long ago.
“There goes my three blows. What else do you have to say now?” Gu Wudi’s face was awfully cold. Out of nowhere, he stepped on Xiao Yang’s head, rendering him unable to raise his head, and his voice bore a spine-chilling iciness.
“You…” Feeling incredibly humiliated, Xiao Yang gritted his teeth as he knew that the man stomping on his head wasn’t Gu Wudi, but Gu Changge, given that there was no way Gu Wudi would be this strong.
Meanwhile, the other disciples also felt very distant towards the Chosen One that they were now looking at. Regardless, his formidableness was undeniable, and now that he had made three moves, Xiao Yang was miserably defeated. If it weren’t for the Silver Moon Battle Suit, he would have died earlier.
“It appears there are no more doubts about this battle.” The Mountain Elders fixed their complicated gaze on Gu Wudi, intending to see through him, but given their capabilities, all they could see was that Gu Wudi was totally different from his usual state.
Nevertheless, he did use the exclusive ability of Nine Great Mountains and his own Talents to subdue Xiao Yang in three moves.
“The result has been decided. Second Mountain Elder, are you not going to admit defeat?” Staring at the Second Mountain Elder’s hideous scowl, the Third Mountain Elder intuitively snickered as a terrifying aura surged around his body, seemingly ready to battle if there was any discord.
“The battle today has indeed opened my eyes. Second Mountain Elder’s disciple has indeed been exceptional, but compared to Brother Wudi, he’s obviously lacking.” Then, Gu Changge walked over with a smile, speaking in a somewhat belittling tone.
“You…” The Second Mountain Elder glared at him with a tense glower. He always suspected that Gu Changge somehow rigged the battle, but he had no evidence to back his assumption.
