The wind howled, and the scenery on both sides rapidly receded.
Only after confirming no one was chasing him did Gu Chengming slow his pace and calm his breathing.
It was during this lull that he took a moment to glance at the system panel.
【Hundred Bones Resonating is still not satisfied! It feels that while those two strikes just now weren't bloody enough, they were decisive and clean.】
【The only regret is not finishing them off on the spot, eradicating the roots, and taking the opponent's storage pouch, but considering the opponent had accomplices, it can understand.】
Hundred Bones Resonating's reaction was within expectations.
What was somewhat unexpected for Gu Chengming... was Qingxin Art's reaction.
Logically, such fighting and killing, even somewhat “despicable” sneak attacks, should make this cultivation method, which emphasizes “a mind like still water, unburdened by all things,” feel uncomfortable.
However—
【Qingxin Art watched you spout nonsense with a straight face, then swiftly knocked people unconscious, and it felt a wave of pleasure.】
【It has never experienced this feeling before and is very much looking forward to what you will do next.】
【Qingxin Art Affection +5】
“?”
It's one thing for Hundred Bones Resonating, a divine cultivation method, to act crazy, but why are you joining in?
Complaining aside, free affection points are not to be refused.
Seeing both cultivation methods express satisfaction with his performance just now, Gu Chengming's mood immediately improved a bit.
At this moment, Jiang Lu, who had been in a daze, finally came to his senses.
A gust of cold wind blew, and his frozen brain began to function again.
He stopped, looking at Gu Chengming beside him, who had a calm expression as if he had just returned from the market, his face complex, wanting to speak but hesitating.
The scenes from just now replayed in his mind like a slideshow.
What rogue cultivators, what disguises, what killing for treasures...
Upon closer inspection, it was full of holes.
Those were clearly Senior Sisters Su He and Li Miao from Daoning Gate, who probably heard rumors about Senior Brother Gu and specifically blocked the entrance to find trouble or demand an explanation.
As a result, before they could even say a few words, Senior Brother Gu slapped them with the big label of “rogue cultivators” and then knocked them unconscious in two moves.
Although the method was indeed a bit... well, it was a sneak attack after all.
But no matter what, Senior Brother Gu fought two against one, and he resolved the battle instantly despite being at a lower cultivation realm than his opponents.
At Wenjian Sect, although infighting among disciples is forbidden, such private sparring and brawls are actually not uncommon.
As long as no one dies and no one's cultivation is crippled, the Enforcement Hall usually turns a blind eye.
The real trouble was the subsequent impact.
Jiang Lu sighed and said worriedly:
“Senior Brother Gu, this time... I'm afraid you've thoroughly offended Daoning Gate.”
Gu Chengming raised an eyebrow: “Oh? How do you mean?”
“Senior Brother, you might not know.”
Jiang Lu gave a wry smile: “Although Daoning Gate is also a branch of our Wenjian Sect, the female cultivators there... cough, treat each other like their own.”
“And they are extremely protective of their own; offending one is almost like offending a dozen.”
Senior Brother Gu made You Yuyao cry once, and this time he knocked out two more female cultivators. New grudges and old hatreds combined, rounded up...
Gu Chengming didn't pay much attention to that; instead, he was more interested in another matter.
He asked, somewhat puzzled: “Junior Brother Jiang, there's something that greatly confuses me.”
“Just now, I observed those two female cultivators. Although their realms were above mine, and their spiritual energy was abundant, their reaction speed and swordsmanship... forgive my bluntness, were truly too mediocre.”
“Are all cultivators in Daoning Gate... so easily defeated?”
As soon as these words came out, Jiang Lu was startled and quickly said:
“Senior Brother, please don't say that outside. Although Daoning Gate belongs to Wenjian Sect, their lineage's inheritance is not primarily swordsmanship, but Daoist arts.”
“So-called art cultivators are more proficient in spells, talismans, and array plates. The sword in their hand is more of a medium for casting spells, a Dharma Sword.”
“When it comes to close-quarters combat, they are naturally inferior to us sword cultivators who temper our bodies all day long.”
“However, Senior Brother, don't underestimate them. Daoning Gate's comprehension of Dharma Swords, which is integrating spells into the Way of the Sword, ranks second within the sect.”
“If they were to maintain distance and unleash overwhelming spell sword formations, their power would also be quite terrifying.”
Gu Chengming nodded thoughtfully.
However...
“Cultivating Daoist arts, and their comprehension of Dharma Swords is only second?” Gu Chengming caught the blind spot:
“Then who is first?”
Jiang Lu was stunned for a moment, wondering why his Senior Brother didn't even know this, but still followed up:
“The first is naturally Guizang Gate.”
“Disciples of Guizang Gate do not cultivate Daoist arts, do not refine pills, and don't even understand social etiquette. In their eyes, there is only the sword.”
“They eat with their swords, sleep with their swords, and some even lock themselves in the Sword Tomb for over a decade just to practice swordsmanship.”
“They pursue the purest Way of the Sword, emphasizing breaking all techniques with a single sword. In their view, apart from the sword in their hand, all things in the world are illusory.”
“Therefore, people from Guizang Gate often have reclusive personalities and are extremely difficult to get along with. If Daoning Gate is the second branch that ordinary disciples of Wenjian Sect least want to offend, then Guizang Gate is absolutely the first.”
After explaining, Jiang Lu subconsciously glanced at Gu Chengming beside him.
Gu Chengming's unhesitating drawing of his sword, his decisive and ruthless strikes, and his swordsmanship talent that made him feel inferior...
A strange thought suddenly popped into Jiang Lu's mind:
Actually... with Senior Brother Gu's personality, if he went to Guizang Gate, he might actually thrive.
As the two chatted, they slowed their pace, and unconsciously, they had arrived near the Outer Sect disciples' living quarters.
The atmosphere eased, and Jiang Lu remembered what had just happened, thinking Gu Chengming was still worried about retaliation, so he comforted him:
“Speaking of which, Senior Brother, you actually don't need to worry too much.”
“Think about it carefully. Those two Senior Sisters just now, one was at the Fifth Level, and one was at the Sixth Level.”
“The two of them teamed up, yet they lost to a Junior Brother at the fourth level, and they were even instantly defeated...”
“If this gets out, they're the ones who will be embarrassed.”
“Not to mention whether they have the face to publicize this matter, even if they really report it to the elders, it's still a matter of being inferior in skill. Wenjian Sect has always revered the strong; if they dare to make a fuss, they will only lose more face.”
Although he was panicking internally, he had no intention of blaming Gu Chengming.
After all, he was the one who proactively suggested taking Gu Chengming to the Market City; if not for that, they wouldn't have encountered such an unpleasant incident.
Ultimately, it was his own lack of foresight.
Jiang Lu sighed and cupped his hands:
“However, this matter still has its improprieties, and it probably won't be easily resolved. I must hurry back and report to my master to see what his venerable self thinks and if he can mediate a bit.”
“Junior Brother Jiang, you've gone to great trouble.”
Gu Chengming also cupped his hands in return, his face showing genuine gratitude.
No matter what, Jiang Lu was indeed a good person.
“Thank you, Junior Brother, for leading the way today. I gained a lot in the Market City.”
Gu Chengming patted the storage pouch at his waist and smiled:
“Don't worry, I have a sense of proportion regarding what just happened; it will absolutely not implicate Junior Brother Jiang.”
Jiang Lu shook his head with a wry smile:
“Senior Brother, don't talk about implication or not. We are all fellow disciples, and we should naturally help each other. Moreover, the cause of today's incident was also me.”
“Then I'll take my leave first. After I've seen my master and have news, I'll come back and explain it in detail to Senior Brother.”
With that, Jiang Lu no longer delayed, turned and left in a hurry, his back exuding an urgency like “rushing to put out a fire.”
Gu Chengming stood still, watching Jiang Lu's retreating figure, and stroked his chin.
This little Junior Brother Jiang is quite good.
Just a bit timid.
...........................................................................
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