To be honest, the All Wonders Same Source Method was quite perplexed by the scene before it.
The so-called "hypothesis" posted by Gu Chengming neither contained the ultimate truths of heaven and earth, nor did it
involve the secrets of cultivation techniques. Even the one million spirit stones were just an illusion.
【It felt confused; could this really increase the sense of identification with the Myriad Wonders Gathering?】
The attitudes of several other techniques also differed.
【Qingxin Art watched from the side with great interest】
【It thinks you are a genius at creating entertainment and finds you more and more interesting.】
【Qingxin Art favorability +5】
【Current favorability: 75/Like】
【Flowing Cloud Following Moon looked on coldly and let out a sneer, thinking that sword cultivators were so stupid to
be able to argue over such things】
Hundred Bones Resonating was the only one whose thoughts were completely different from the other techniques.
【Hundred Bones Resonating stared at that post and fell into deep thought.】
【Option one's extreme cold land is an excellent place to temper the skin and membranes. Although I do not know what kind of constitution Ice Muscle and Jade Bone is, it surely cannot be bad. Option three, though lacking external objects, can grind the mind and spirit, making it more suitable for body tempering.】
【Choose three! No, let us go with option one instead?】
Gu Chengming was speechless.
—You actually chose one?
The development of the Myriad Wonders Gathering was just as Gu Chengming had expected.
But as Gu Chengming posted more and more, the "active users" of the Myriad Wonders Gathering grew more and
more numerous.
method to see what was going on.
Although there were still many "lurkers," at least they would run the All Wonders Same Source
In no time, the number of posts in the Myriad Wonders Gathering also increased.
【Help: May I ask fellow Daoists, what is the actual quality of the pills at that Baicaotang on the west side of the Outer Sect?
I heard they are having a sale recently. Is it worth buying?】
This question was very practical and very safe.
Quickly, someone replied: "Fellow Daoist, be careful! The 'Qi Recovery Pill' I bought last time was mixed with
flour; its efficacy was only half!"
"The person above is talking nonsense. It was clearly inferior spirit grass—where did the flour come from? But I indeed don't recommend them.
If you really want to buy pills, it's better to go to Danxiang Pavilion in the East Market. Though it is a bit expensive, it's authentic."
"Agreed. Even a dog wouldn't go to Baicaotang."
Looking at these replies, the disciple who posted the thread clearly breathed a sigh of relief, sending three consecutive
"Thank you, fellow Daoist" messages.
With the first person to take the plunge, those who followed were like carps crossing a river.
"When practicing the sword move 'Light Splitting,' my wrist is always in unbearable pain and my spiritual energy doesn't flow smoothly.
Why is this?"
"Is that Senior Sister surnamed Wang from Daoning Gate sick? I just took a few extra looks by the roadside,
and she said I had ill intentions!"
For questions regarding sword techniques, Gu Chengming would also reply occasionally.
By virtue of the max-level favorability of the Huiyuan Sword Manual and the profound sword intent brought by "Flowing Light Sword Shadow,"
his attainments in basic sword techniques had long surpassed almost all Outer Sect disciples, and he was not inferior even to some Inner Sect seniors.
【The sword move 'Light Splitting' emphasizes 'intent before the sword' rather than brute force. Try sinking your
spiritual energy three inches, channeling it through the quchi acupoint instead of the taiyuan acupoint, and the sword momentum will naturally become smooth.】
The disciple who posted the plea for help tried it according to this guidance and was instantly amazed,
immediately returning to fulfill his vow:
"Thank you for the guidance, Senior! The bottleneck that plagued me for half a month has actually opened! Senior's great kindness is
unforgettable! May I ask for Senior's honored name?"
Gu Chengming naturally did not leave a name.
This drama of a "mysterious expert giving online guidance" instantly ignited everyone's enthusiasm.
And after realizing that this place really seemed to offer "mutual aid," the stickiness of the Myriad Wonders Gathering also
began to gradually rise.
It was even possible that the mysterious person who gave you casual pointers was some bored True Disciple senior in the sect,
or even an Elder!
This speculation instantly raised the prestige of the "Myriad Wonders Gathering" by several levels.
As time passed, the number of people in the "Myriad Wonders Gathering" grew larger and larger, and their stickiness
was also steadily increasing.
【All Wonders Same Source Method felt incredibly shocked.】
【It does not understand why a fake one million spirit stones is more effective than the path to the Great Dao
it promised?】
【But it can clearly feel that through these chaotic information exchanges, that originally
loose network of divine sense is becoming tight and resilient.】
【You easily saw through the weaknesses of human nature, playing these cultivators in the palm of your hand, turning
scattered sand into a monolith.】
【This is the true mastermind behind the scenes!】
【All Wonders Same Source Method favorability +10】
【Current favorability: 55/Friendly】
It was done.
Gu Chengming was very satisfied.
Of course, his primary goal in being so dedicated to the Myriad Wonders Gathering was not just to increase the favorability of the All Wonders Same Source
Method.
There was also a method to conquer Flowing Cloud Following Moon that he had thought of even before the Myriad Wonders Gathering was established.
As a Gal Master, Gu Chengming naturally understood how to advance step by step... especially when progressing along multiple lines,
where the slightest mistake would lead into the abyss of a single-character route.
Seeing that the time was ripe.
Gu Chengming thought for a moment, and with a stir of his mind, he used the divine sense mantle of an ordinary disciple to
post a new thread in the most prominent position of the Myriad Wonders Gathering.
【Rational Discussion: Is Cloud Moon Sect's Flowing Cloud Following Moon Sword seriously overrated? It feels
inferior to our Wenjian Sect's entry-level sword art.】 This title was extremely well-crafted.
Wenjian Sect and Cloud Moon Sect were originally in a competitive relationship, and the disciples of the two sects often clashed openly and secretly.
Especially now that Cloud Moon Sect had come to their doorstep to provoke them, many disciples were already dissatisfied. Now that someone
was criticizing one of their opponent's foundational sword arts, the level of discussion was naturally extremely high.
Sure enough, as soon as the post was sent out, it instantly ignited the Myriad Wonders Gathering.
"Fellow Daoist, what big words! Although I also hate those hypocrites from Cloud Moon Sect, 'Flowing Cloud Following Moon Sword' indeed has something to it. Didn't our Senior Brother Zhou suffer a narrow defeat to this move back then?"
"Hmph, that's because Senior Brother Zhou was careless! In my view, that whatever Flowing Cloud Following Moon is purely
showy! It looks good, but in actual combat, it's just a tickle!"
"Exactly! Sword cultivators should be straightforward. Why bother with those fancy rhythms?
It's neither one thing nor the other!"
"You can't say that... I heard that if that sword technique is practiced to the limit, it can trigger resonance with heaven and earth. It's still very strong."
Looking at the hundreds of replies quickly piling up below, Gu Chengming thought to himself that the conditions were just about right.
He switched to another mantle, blended into the crowd, and began to lead the rhythm.
"Fellow Daoists, I actually think the original poster has a point. But it's not that this technique is
not strong, but rather... it has taken the wrong path."
This mantle's tone appeared quite professional, carrying a sense of "knowing the trade":
"According to ancient records, 'Flowing Cloud Following Moon' was originally a supreme art of the Ancient Rhythm Sect, emphasizing entering the Dao through sound and turning all things into strings. What a refined and mysterious realm was that?"
"But those people from Cloud Moon Sect, in pursuit of killing power, forcibly changed it into a
sword art."
"Though the sword art is sharp, it has lost the agility and freedom of 'clouds having no fixed form, and the moon waxing and waning.'
Forcibly using sword intent to drive rhythm is like putting shackles on a flying bird; it looks majestic, but in truth, it is strangling the soul of this technique."
"In my view, this is not an improvement at all, but a waste of a precious treasure! It is the greatest insult to this
technique!"
As soon as these words came out, the direction of the thread instantly changed.
The disciples who were still arguing about "strength" were all attracted by this novel perspective.
"Eh? What the fellow Daoist above said seems to make some sense."
"Indeed, I saw someone from Cloud Moon Sect use this move before and always felt something was off. So that's how it is!"
"A perfectly good rhythm cultivator's technique just had to be changed into a sword art. Cloud Moon Sect really is a bunch of unrefined people!"
"If its original appearance could be restored, even if it couldn't kill anyone, that realm alone would probably
be enough to crush us mortals, wouldn't it?"
"What a pity, pearls cast before swine!"
【Looking at Gu Chengming's words, especially the phrase 'putting shackles on a flying bird,' Flowing Cloud Following Moon could not help but be stunned.】
【Yes, Flowing Cloud Following Moon... Flowing Cloud Following Moon. It was meant to move heaven and earth with rhythm, yet sword
cultivators only know how to bind the cloud and moon into a sword. No one has ever cared about what it originally was.】
【But looking at your words, it suddenly realized that someone still remembers its original form,
and someone feels pity and anger for its plight.】
【Although Flowing Cloud Following Moon still hates sword cultivators, it feels that someone who can say these words
might not be so hateful.】
【It even felt a subtle sense of identification with you, who guided this discourse.】
【Flowing Cloud Following Moon favorability +10】
【Current favorability: 25/Stranger】
Gu Chengming looked at the favorability that had finally moved and breathed a long sigh of relief.
The direction was correct.
For a character type like Flowing Cloud Following Moon, simple flattery was useless; he had to make it feel a sense of identification...
And isn't the simplest way just to talk about its original home?
Gu Chengming thought to himself that when he used to play galgames, this type of character had the greatest contrast before and after being conquered.
He just didn't know if Flowing Cloud Following Moon would be the same.
Right at that moment, another pop-up window suddenly appeared before him.
【Hundred Bones Resonating: Emperor Gu! That post just now said one million spirit stones for clicking it. Quick,
quick, don't miss out!】
Dammit, Emperor Bai, can you stop being a comic relief character?
A few more days passed.
The sunlight slanted westward, and the mottled shadows of trees stretched long ink marks on the flagstones of the small courtyard.
At this moment, a rapid yet polite knocking sounded outside the courtyard gate.
"Senior Brother Gu, are you in the courtyard?" It was Jiang Lu's voice.
Gu Chengming set down his teacup, swept his sleeve to open the gate, and saw Jiang Lu with a glowing face and an irrepressible
excitement in his expression, as if he had just picked up some incredible treasure yet was trying hard to remain composed.
"Junior Brother Jiang, why do you have time to come over today?" Gu Chengming smiled and signaled for him to take a seat.
Jiang Lu was not polite either. He walked over and sat at the stone table. Before he even had time to take a sip of tea,
he lowered his voice and said:
"Senior Brother Gu, have you practiced the All Wonders Same Source Method recently?"
Gu Chengming's eyebrows twitched slightly as he feigned ignorance:
"I've been busy studying sword arts and storybooks lately, so I've been a bit lax. Why, has something gone
wrong with the technique?"
"Not at all! Not at all! It is a great fortune!"
"Senior Brother, you might not know, but just two days ago, I was running the technique as usual when I suddenly felt my soul pulled to a mysterious place called the Myriad Wonders Gathering! It is shrouded in grey mist, obscuring everything,
but one can communicate with fellow disciples who practice the same art through divine sense!"
Junior Brother Jiang, your news is a bit too outdated; it's been almost a week already.
He thought this to himself, but Gu Chengming did not interrupt.
Of course, Gu Chengming feigning ignorance was not to tease his junior brother, but because he was indeed curious
about the attitude of ordinary disciples toward this "Myriad Wonders Gathering."
Seemingly indeed quite excited, Jiang Lu continued:
"And there are hidden dragons and crouching tigers there. A few days ago, I hit a bottleneck while practicing the 'Light Splitting' sword style. Feeling frustrated, I vented a bit in that Myriad Wonders Gathering. To my surprise, an anonymous senior expert casually gave me a few pointers, and I was instantly enlightened! The problem that had plagued me for half a month was solved with ease."
"Such a thing happened?"
Gu Chengming set down his teacup and timely expressed a bit of shock and doubt:
"Junior Brother Jiang, this sounds a bit too bizarre. Could it be some kind of heart-demon illusion?"
"Absolutely not an illusion!"
Jiang Lu said with absolute certainty:
"The brilliance of those pointers is definitely not something I could have imagined with my cultivation level. That senior's understanding of the sword has probably reached the realm of divine mastery. He might even be a True Disciple senior from the Inner Sect, or even an Elder wandering there!"
Looking at Jiang Lu's certain appearance, Gu Chengming could not help but feel some emotion in his heart.
"Not only that."
Jiang Lu seemed to remember something:
"Do you know, Senior Brother, that a big event is currently being hotly debated in the Myriad Wonders Gathering? Someone proposed a hypothesis called 'One Million spirit stones,' asking everyone to choose between a Cold Abyss, a place of ultimate bliss, and a heavy mountain. The scene of the argument is quite heated."
Gu Chengming: "."
It seems the heat of that bait post hasn't passed yet.
"Oh? So which one did Junior Brother Jiang choose?" Gu Chengming asked as the opportunity arose.
"Me?"
Jiang Lu was stunned for a moment, then scratched his head in embarrassment: "I am untalented,
and chose the Cold Abyss to temper my resolve." "Tempering resolve, hm, that's a good reason."
Feeling a bit guilty, Jiang Lu quickly changed the subject:
"In short, Senior Brother Gu, you must go and try it! Although there aren't many people there yet, that feeling of equality among all and speaking freely is truly delightful. And I heard that there are even people discussing the flaws of Cloud Moon Sect's sword art there, speaking with such logic that it's a real eye-opener!"
Gu Chengming's heart stirred slightly.
It seemed the rhythm he had led was even more effective than he had anticipated.
"Since Junior Brother recommends it so highly, I will go try it in a bit." Gu Chengming smiled and agreed.
Seeing that his recommendation was successful, Jiang Lu was satisfied. After a bit more small talk, he took his leave.
At the same time, at Qingfeng Gate of Wenjian Sect, atop a lonely peak.
This place was shrouded in clouds and mists, with dense pines and cypresses. It was Zhao Wuji's place of quiet cultivation.
At this moment, he was sitting cross-legged on a prayer mat, fiddling with a jade slip, his brow slightly
furrowed.
Recently, a strange trend seemed to have emerged among the Outer Sect and even some Inner Sect disciples.
Many disciples were acting mysteriously during cultivation, and occasionally there were those whispering in groups, mentioning words
like "Myriad Wonders."
As a responsible Elder, Zhao Wuji naturally would not turn a blind eye to this.
After some quiet investigation, he quickly locked onto the source—the All Wonders Same Source Method.
Regarding that technique called the All Wonders Same Source Method, he actually had some understanding of it.
A few years ago, an unknown expert in the sect had a sudden inspiration. To solve the problem of low-level
disciples' unstable dao hearts and slackness in cultivation, he specifically created an auxiliary technique.
Its principle was not complex. Simply put, it used a special spiritual energy circulation route to form a kind of positive psychological suggestion in the sea of consciousness, giving the practitioner an illusion that boosted their confidence and encouraged them to cultivate with the crowd.
The original intention was naturally good.
But after this technique was introduced, it actually caused quite a controversy among the sect's high-level management.
Some Elders believed the method was deceptive and not upright enough, while others felt it
was a good medicine for low-level disciples; as long as it could boost cultivation, the means were not important.
Zhao Wuji had always maintained a neutral stance on this matter.
In his view, the path of cultivation was ultimately a personal matter.
If one could not even endure this bit of loneliness and frustration and needed to rely on this kind of child-coaxing
method to maintain their dao heart, then they might as well stop cultivating.
Therefore, he had never paid attention to this technique, nor did he intend to participate in those arguments.
But the momentum of this "Myriad Wonders Gathering" lately was simply too large.
So large that even he, who kept his ears closed to the world, had heard quite a bit of news.
"Anonymous communication, leaving traces of divine sense, and even being able to construct a mental consciousness realm independent of the present world..."
Zhao Wuji's brow furrowed slightly, a flash of confusion in his eyes.
As far as he knew, although the original All Wonders Same Source Method had some tricks, it definitely did not have
such mysterious functions.
This was very strange.
"Could it be that that master modified the technique again?"
Zhao Wuji secretly speculated.
If a master had taken action, it would make sense.
After all, great cultivators possess heavenly power and unpredictable means; it would not be difficult to innovate on an existing technique.
However...
Zhao Wuji thought again and felt something was not quite right.
Was someone with an agenda deliberately laying a trap? Was someone trying to fish in troubled waters?
Now was a turbulent time, with Cloud Moon Sect's provocation imminent and the hearts of people within the sect fluctuating.
If an external enemy or an internal traitor used this technique to spread rumors and delude the disciples,
the consequences would be unthinkable.
Especially that so-called "anonymous" mechanism.
"Regardless, I must eventually investigate it."
Zhao Wuji turned back to his quiet room and fished out a jade slip that had long since collected dust from the corner
of his storage ring.
That was precisely the All Wonders Same Source Method distributed by the Skill Hall years ago. Zhao Wuji sat cross-legged,
his divine sense probing into the jade slip as he carefully studied the long-familiar formula once again.
After confirming there were no errors, he slowly closed his eyes, and the spiritual energy in his body began to circulate according to that special
route.
Zhao Wuji was in no hurry to go deep. Instead, relying on his profound cultivation and keen perception,
he checked if there were any hidden doors in this spiritual energy circulation, checked if there was any malicious guidance mixed in the soul fluctuations, and checked if the technique would steal his original essence.
A quarter of an hour passed.
Half an hour passed.
Zhao Wuji slowly opened his eyes, a flash of surprise in them.
The circulation route of this technique was upright and honorable, without any aura of evil, much less
any sign of plunder or control.
"Interesting."
Since the technique was harmless, he might as well go explore that so-called Myriad Wonders Gathering.
He concentrated his mind and, following the technique's guidance, split off a strand of divine sense.
The familiar quiet room vanished, replaced by a hazy, grey, chaotic
space.
Mist surged as countless faint light points floated within it.
Zhao Wuji secretly praised it.
Although the construction method was slightly crude, it excelled in ingenious design, especially that layer of omnipresent "Myriad Mists."
It could actually block even his divine sense probe to a certain extent.
He set aside his condescension and controlled that strand of divine sense to turn into an inconspicuous point of light,
blending into that grey mist.
As soon as he entered, several lines of floating text met his eyes.
Those were the most popular threads in the "Myriad Wonders Gathering" currently.
Zhao Wuji's gaze swept across and first saw the discussion about Cloud Moon Sect's sword art, nodding
secretly.
The analysis of sword principles there might be somewhat extreme, but it did not lack true insight.
Immediately afterward, his gaze was attracted by another even more prominent title.
【Rational Discussion: Is Elder Zhao Wuji the number one of the younger generation of the previous era in Wenjian Sect?】
Even with the stable dao heart he had cultivated for many years, at the moment he saw these words, he could not help
but be slightly stunned.
Immediately, a sense of pleasure rose from the bottom of his heart.
This poster indeed had a good eye.
Although he, Zhao Wuji, had always been low-key and disliked showing off, he had his
own measure of his own strength.
Back then, he was also a prodigy who fought his way out among countless geniuses. If it weren't for later switching to a steady path for the sake of the sect's overall situation, who else but him would deserve the title of "number one of the younger generation"?
With a mindset of "I'll just see how the juniors praise me," Zhao Wuji clicked on that
thread.
The original poster was clearly a "hardcore fan" of his, eloquently listing a large number of his glorious deeds
from decades ago.
【Think back to those years, when Elder Zhao came with his sword from the west and fought three demon cultivators alone in the Soul-Shattering Valley, returning unscathed. What style!】
【And that time in the Immortal Sect Grand Competition, although Elder Zhao did not take the top spot, that 'Breeze Brushing Willow Sword' is still a model for sword cultivators!】
【In my view, Elder Zhao is not only powerful, but more importantly, he possesses that calm and unhurried
demeanor. That is the true bearing of a powerhouse!】
Looking at these replies filled with complimentary words, the smile on the corners of Zhao Wuji's mouth grew thicker.
The young people nowadays might be a bit impetuous, but their eyes are still quite good.
However, just as he was preparing to exit the thread contentedly, the direction suddenly changed.
【Elder Zhao Wuji is just being blown up by you people from Qingfeng Gate. If you really want to look at
paper records, isn't Elder Ren Wencai more impressive?】
Zhao Wuji's eyebrow twitched.
He suppressed his temper and continued to look down.
The dissenter was clearly prepared and directly threw out a series of hard facts:
【Let's speak with facts. In the "Heavenly Prodigy Ranking" thirty years ago, Elder Ren was ranked seventh,
while Elder Zhao was eleventh.】
【In the "Nether Secret Realm" trial twenty-five years ago, Elder Ren obtained three stalks of fourth-grade spiritual herbs and killed five second realm monsters; Elder Zhao obtained one stalk of fourth-grade spiritual herb and had no kill records.】
【And fifteen years ago during the internal sect competition, although the two did not directly clash, Elder
Ren's lineage of disciples took the top spot!】
【Case after case, Elder Ren Wencai was superior almost every time. Just on what basis is Elder Zhao Wuji the first?】
Seeing this, Zhao Wuji's face was already somewhat dark.
Where did this ignorant child come from!
In the matter of cultivation, how can one only look at these things?
What kind of person was that Ren Wencai? He was a famous coward who was always "playing it safe"!
That time in the Nether Secret Realm, it was clearly he, Zhao Wuji, who was attracting the firepower in front and pinning down the main force of monsters,
so that Ren Wencai could pick up the scraps and pluck the spiritual herbs in the back.
As for the Heavenly Prodigy Ranking... Hmph, just empty titles!
However, the argument in the thread continued and grew more intense.
The side supporting Zhao Wuji was clearly lacking in confidence, as the other side was listing real battle records.
【Do you not know the things Elder Ren Wencai did?】
Finally, a disciple supporting Zhao Wuji couldn't help but retort:
【In trials, he retreated behind everyone every time. When meeting danger, he ran faster than anyone else. Where
is there any semblance of a powerhouse! These achievements were clearly picked up through sinister and cunning means! It's an unrighteous victory!】
Zhao Wuji nodded slightly.
Not bad, these are fair words.
【All is fair in war! That is wisdom! The cultivation world is cruel; the one who survives is the winner. Besides,
why didn't Elder Zhao Wuji pick up the scraps? Was it because he didn't want to?】
【Because Elder Zhao Wuji has good character! He disdains doing such things!】
Zhao Wuji deeply agreed.
Exactly so!
【Fine, you win. Elder Zhao Wuji is indeed the first in terms of hard power among the younger generation of the previous era. If anyone else wants to take first, they have to get his permission. It's just that Elder Zhao Wuji has such a good character that he agrees every time.】
"Snap."
In reality, the jade cup shattered into dust without any warning.
On the other side.
The sunlight filtered through the window lattice, mottling Gu Chengming's shoulders.
In the small courtyard, all was silent, save for the rustling sound of the wind blowing through the old pagoda tree.
Gu Chengming sat cross-legged on the bed, his eyes slightly closed, his body faintly emitting a pale gold
glimmer.
Following the rhythm of his breathing, that golden light ebbed and flowed like the tide. Every contraction and expansion
was accompanied by the faint crisp sound from the bones in his body, like the clashing of gold and iron.
This was the last time.
As the long progress bar in his mind finally filled up, the feeling of restraint from having his speech system taken over
quickly receded.
"Finally..."
【Primal Emperor Art CG Fully Unlocked】
Before his eyes, the long-awaited prompt arrived as scheduled, followed by the unfolding of a detailed skill
panel.
【Primal Emperor Art CG: Derived from Hundred Bones Resonating's experiences in the illusion, combined with its own extreme obsession with 'destruction before creation,' later optimized by Hundred Bones Resonating according to needs.】
【Effect (Active): Can be activated in two stages.】
【Stage One: The host receives the blessing of 'Primal Emperor Qi.' During this period, physical defense
is increased by 30%, and the host gains the special status 'Weakened Emperor,' with the duration significantly extended.】
【Stage Two: Physical defense is doubled, and the host gains the special status 'Emperor.'】
【Duration: One hour (Stage One can be extended to two hours)】
【Cooldown: One day】
One charge per day—this is what a cheat should look like.
Just as he was about to close the panel and get up to move his muscles and bones, a series of new prompts appeared.
【Detection: CG 'Primal Emperor Art' has been fully unlocked】
【Settling accumulated favorability】
【Hundred Bones Resonating favorability +10】
【Current favorability: Adoration (85/100)】
【Favorability status change: Promoted from 【Like】 to 【Adoration】】
Gu Chengming was stunned.
"So the favorability growth under the CG coverage state is accumulated and not displayed?"
No wonder during this period, even though he was accompanying Lao Bai in the role of the Emperor every day, the favorability
had been stuck at 75 without moving at all.
Only...
His gaze lingered on the word "Adoration" for a long time, and his expression became somewhat strange.
If it were the Huiyuan Sword Manual or an older-sister-type fun-lover like the Qingxin Art, this "Adoration"
would still be within reason...
But this was Hundred Bones Resonating!
It was that Emperor Bai who spent all day talking about "This Deity," "ants," and "sweeping through the nine heavens and ten earths"!
To suddenly have an adoration status made him feel a bit awkward instead.
Was it because the impression Lao Bai left on him was too god-like?
Immediately after, a new line of prompts appeared.
【Acquired fixed attribute points: Constitution +3】
【Acquired passive trait: 【Resonance of a Hundred Bones】】
The moment the prompt faded, the muscles and bones in Gu Chengming's body emitted crisp sounds as a surge of vitality emerged.
This vitality washed through his body, far exceeding any previous constitution boost, making his
heart beat as strong as a drum and his blood surge.
Feeling the surging energy in his body, Gu Chengming glanced at the information at the bottom of the panel:
【Current remaining lifespan: Sixty-three years】
"Phew."
Lao Bai, you really gave me a surprise as soon as you came out of seclusion.
Feeling strangely subtle in his heart, he waited for the body's transformation to gradually subside, then Gu Chengming turned his attention to the newly acquired passive trait.
【Passive Trait: Resonance of a Hundred Bones】
【Bones like gold and stone, sound like thunder. The host's bone strength is significantly increased, and a special micro-frequency vibration is maintained within the body at all times. This vibration can automatically disperse and neutralize external impacts, exempting up to 20% of blunt force damage and significantly increasing the host's resistance to aura, pressure, and mental shock attacks.】
—Lao Bai, it turns out you really are a divine technique.
Gu Chengming could not help but praise in his heart.
However, to his surprise, Hundred Bones Resonating seemed unusually quiet at this moment.
【Hundred Bones Resonating sighed; the dream has ended.】
In its voice, there was a sense of loss, as if it had just woken up from a great dream.
Although during that month, it had always been active in the persona of "Emperor Bai,"
it actually knew very well that it was just a kind of "performance" under the CG state.
But in that memory covered by the CG, it was no longer a technique forgotten in a corner, nor was it a being that needed to rely on Gu Chengming "spending money" to buy grass to barely maintain its dignity.
It was the Emperor who pushed through the ages, it had an invincible physical body, it had a demeanor that looked down on the world, and it even had a companion who dared to fight alongside it even against the gods and Buddhas—Gu Chengming.
And now, the CG has ended.
【Hundred Bones Resonating is a bit dejected】
Lao Bai, your sudden display of weakness is truly shameful!
Gu Chengming was frustrated by its lack of ambition, and his intuition as a Gal Master made the following words almost burst from his lips.
"Who said it's over? Hasn't it just begun!"
【Hearing your words, Hundred Bones Resonating was stunned】
【It murmured to itself, just, just begun...】
【Yes! It is a being destined to become the Emperor!】【Since that was a dream, then turn it into reality!】
【An unprecedented pride surged in its heart. It looks at you, only feeling that your figure at this
moment perfectly overlaps with the Gu Chengming in the CG.】
【It will accompany you, starting from this Outer Sect, step by step, fighting through these nine heavens and ten earths, until you truly stand at the peak of the Immortal Realm!】
【Hundred Bones Resonating favorability +5】
【Current favorability: Adoration (90/100)】
Without caring about the growth in favorability, Gu Chengming finally nodded with satisfaction.
Exactly, this is the Emperor Bai I am familiar with.
The night grew thicker outside the window, and all was quiet and peaceful in the courtyard, as if all the turmoil of the outside world
had nothing to do with this place.
Gu Chengming poured himself a cup of tea, even finding the leisure to think about whether he should arrange a power-scaling post tomorrow to add some material to the Myriad Wonders Gathering.
However, the tree wants to be still, but the wind does not stop.
Just as Gu Chengming thought he could enjoy a few days of peace, hiding in his small courtyard to develop safely,
an undercurrent was already quietly surging within Wenjian Sect.
It did not come from internal strife within the sect, but from those "guests" who had come from afar.
When a storm is about to come, it always starts from the smallest things.
Wenjian Sect, Sword-Questioning Platform.
Although the agreed "two-sect spar" was still half a month away, the Sword-Questioning Platform had not been quiet these days.
Since Elder Liu Changfeng of Cloud Moon Sect brought that genius disciple named Li Mozi to stay at the Guest Peak,
the atmosphere of this training ground, which originally belonged to the disciples of Wenjian Sect, had become somewhat subtle.
Li Mozi was someone who could not stay idle.
Or rather, for those who followed the path of "Bitter Sword Cultivation," "idleness" itself was a kind of
torture.
After sitting at the Guest Peak for three days, this genius girl from Cloud Moon Sect finally could not hold back. Carrying that simple longsword, she walked down from the Guest Peak step by step and stood in the center of the Sword-Questioning Platform.
She did not send a challenge letter, nor did she make a grand declaration.
She just stood there quietly. Whenever a Wenjian Sect disciple passed by or could not help but stop to watch,
she would raise her eyes, which only contained two words—
Draw sword.
At first, no one paid her any attention.
After all, everyone was a disciple of a prestigious sect and valued etiquette. What would private brawling look like?
But Li Mozi's gaze was truly too uncomfortable.
Finally, several senior brothers could not help but step onto the stage.
As a result, they all lost.
They lost miserably and cleanly. Often, with just a flash of sword light, the victory and defeat were decided.
Today, this oppressive atmosphere reached its peak.
The Sword-Questioning Platform was already surrounded by Wenjian Sect disciples—Outer Sect, Inner Sect, and even
a few deacons were blended into the crowd, their expressions grave.
On the stage, Li Mozi was still in her green dress, her figure so thin that it seemed as if a gust of wind could blow
her down.
But at her feet, three swords were already broken.
The owners of those three swords were all veteran disciples at the Ninth Level of the first realm of Wenjian Sect,
who were also among the best in the Outer Sect on normal days.
"Too weak."
Li Mozi sighed softly.
She was not intentionally insulting; that tone was more like a kind of disappointment.
"Is this the peak of the first realm of Wenjian Sect?"
"Your sword intent is scattered, and your foundation is flimsy. Do you practice the sword to strengthen your body, or to
show off in front of others?"
These words could be described as soul-piercing.
The crowd below instantly became restless, but looking at those senior brothers who had just been defeated on the stage,
that surge of anger was suppressed again.
Being inferior in skill, anything said would just be an excuse.
Li Mozi shook her head, seemingly having lost the last of her patience.
"Whatever."
Her longsword pointed diagonally at the ground, the cold blade reflecting the wintry sun.
"One by one is too slow, and too boring."
"All of you, come at once."
Boom—!
These words were like a ladle of cold water poured into boiling oil; the entire Sword-Questioning Platform instantly exploded.
One person challenging a group? And on Wenjian Sect's home turf?
"You've gone too far!"
"Do you truly think there is no one in my Wenjian Sect?!"
"Wait!"
Just then, a sharp shout rang out from the crowd.
Everyone looked toward the sound and saw a young man dressed in the uniform of an Outer Sect disciple walking out with large strides.
His appearance was not outstanding, and his cultivation was only at the Seventh Level of the first realm, but those eyes were exceptionally
bright, carrying a sense of stubbornness.
It was precisely Jiang Lu.
Jiang Lu parted the crowd and walked straight to the edge of the stage, looking up directly at Li Mozi.
"Daoist from Cloud Moon Sect."
Jiang Lu cupped his fists in a salute, his tone steady:
"If we were to swarm you today, even if we won, it would be Wenjian Sect winning through
unrighteous means, by using numbers to bully the few. This reputation, we cannot bear, nor do we want to bear it."
Li Mozi looked at him, a flash of surprise in her eyes:
"So? You want to stand up for them?"
"It's not standing up, just asking for guidance."
Jiang Lu took a deep breath, tapped his toes, and jumped onto the stage.
"Wenjian Sect Outer Sect disciple, Jiang Lu, please give me guidance." The crowd below was in an uproar.
"Junior Brother Jiang! Don't be impulsive!"
"Even Senior Brother Zhao of the Ninth Level was defeated. Isn't you going up just seeking death?" All sorts of dissuasion and questioning voices were heard incessantly.
Jiang Lu turned a deaf ear. He slowly drew the sword at his waist and assumed an extremely
standard "Fuhai" starting stance.
He knew he would most likely lose.
But he could not let those brothers and sisters actually rush up. If they truly swarmed her,
even if they won, it would be shameful.
A sword cultivator can be defeated, but they cannot be spineless.
"Good."
It was still that lightning-fast sword strike, without any flourishes, aimed straight at Jiang Lu's throat.
She had used this strike countless times in previous matches, and every time it could easily tear through an
opponent's defense.
However, this time, the situation was slightly different.
Facing this sharp strike, Jiang Lu did not panic. His pupils constricted, but his mind was
exceptionally clear.
Jiang Lu gave a low shout, and instead of retreating, his longsword advanced, actually slashing toward the edge of Li Mozi's
sword.
This strike was derived from the sword move he had created himself, and after Gu Chengming's pointers, it had long since
transformed.
The sword momentum was like layered waves, one wave higher than the last. Although it was not as strong as Li Mozi's in terms of power,
that continuous sticky quality actually forcibly slowed Li Mozi's fast sword for an instant.
"Clang!"
The two swords clashed. Jiang Lu's tiger's mouth split open, blood flowing out, and he was knocked back three steps.
"Eh?"
Li Mozi let out a soft sound of surprise.
Her wrist flicked, and her sword momentum changed again. If the strike just now was a gale, then at this moment
her sword turned into a downpour, dense sword shadows like mercury pouring on the ground, penetrating every gap.
Jiang Lu gritted his teeth and struggled to hold on.
He exerted his defensive sword moves to the limit, with small wounds constantly being added to his body,
and his blood staining his robe, but he never fell.
He was waiting.
Waiting for an opportunity.
Senior Brother Gu had once said that no matter how fast a sword is, there is a time when its strength is exhausted; no matter how perfect a move is, there are gaps in its transition.
Finally, after blocking Li Mozi's thirty-sixth sword strike, Jiang Lu captured that moment.
It was the instant when old strength was exhausted and new strength had not yet been born.
"It's now!"
Brilliance surged in Jiang Lu's eyes. Ignoring the intense pain from several wounds on his body, he forcibly channeled
all the spiritual energy in his body and converged it at the tip of his sword.
This strike was no longer defensive, but an all-out offensive!
The sword light was like a rainbow, piercing straight toward Li Mozi's wrist.
Li Mozi clearly had not expected him to be able to counterattack. Her brow furrowed, and the cultivation she had been suppressing was
no longer held back at this moment.
The ancient sword in her hand let out a shrill whistle, and a layer of pale green halo actually faintly appeared on the
blade.
That was a prototype close to sword intent!
"Not good! Retreat quickly!"
A sharp-eyed disciple below shouted in terror.
But it was already too late.
That strike was too fast, too heavy, and too fierce.
It directly crushed Jiang Lu's sword momentum, knocked away the longsword in his hand, and then heavily
hit him on the chest.
"Poof!"
Dust flew.
Jiang Lu lay on the ground, his chest caved in slightly, his face as pale as gold paper; he had clearly suffered extremely severe
internal injuries.
"Junior Brother Jiang!"
The surrounding disciples rushed up, frantically taking out pills and stuffing them into his mouth.
On the stage, Li Mozi slowly sheathed her sword.
"You indeed have the bearing of a sword cultivator," she evaluated indifferently.
"Is there anyone else?"
On this day, Wenjian Sect Outer Sect was in a dead silence.
Gu Chengming's small courtyard.
At this time, Gu Chengming was sitting cross-legged in the room.
Just fifteen minutes ago, the originally active Myriad Wonders Gathering suddenly became exceptionally quiet, and immediately
after, message after message began to flood the screen.
【Quick report! Something happened at the Sword-Questioning Platform!】
【That Cloud Moon Sect disciple is going to defeat the entire Outer Sect!】
【Senior Brother Zhao was defeated! Senior Brother Li was also defeated! No one can block one sword from her!】
【She wants us to go all at once! This is too much bullying!】
Looking at these scrolling real-time messages, Gu Chengming's brow furrowed slightly.
Although he had expected conflict, he had not expected it to come so quickly and so fiercely.
Just then, a new message jumped out.
【Senior Brother Jiang Lu was defeated! He is now heavily injured and unconscious! His breastbone is broken, but luckily a deacon saved
him in time...】
Junior Brother Jiang—?!
Gu Chengming scrolled down, and after seeing that his condition had stabilized and was no longer in danger, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"What a hassle..."
He murmured to himself.
Reason told him that now was not the time for impulsiveness.
He was only at the sixth level of the first realm. According to his original plan, give him another half month, and once he broke through to the Seventh Level—even just the early stage of the Seventh Level—with the "Primal Emperor Art" and "Flowing Light Sword Shadow," he would have a ten percent certainty of winning steadily against that Li Mozi.
As a veteran galgame player, he was best at planning the optimal route
to avoid all risks of a Bad End.
Impulsiveness now was irrational and deviated from the conquest route.
"But..."
Gu Chengming closed his eyes.
If he did not act now, wouldn't it already be a Bad End?
All endings should be without regrets.
As a Gal Master, he essentially had no difference from a sword cultivator.
Sword cultivators never cultivate the sword itself.
They cultivate that breath they cannot swallow, and that heart that refuses to find peace!
He reached out his hand, and the wooden sword used for daily practice fell into his palm.
Not enough.
He thrust the wooden sword back into the rack and took out the unsharpened iron sword he had
bought casually in the market city.
The blade was cold and rough, carrying the smell of rust.
"I can't wait for the Seventh Level of the first realm."
Gu Chengming pushed open the door and walked out with large strides.
Rate on N.U.
