Gu Shenzhi, dressed in a dark flood-dragon robe and crowned with white jade, soared leisurely onto the stage atop his sword. His bearing was elegant and unrestrained, the very image of a handsome youth of the Lingjian Sect, as flawless as a jade tree swaying in the wind.
Even the Twin Lotus Dancer sisters, favored by the Blood Blade Sect’s young master, couldn’t help but steal a few more glances at him. For Gu Shenzhi, victory or defeat was but a fleeting matter, while being handsome was a lifelong pursuit.
“You are Gu Shenzhi?” Mo Renxie slowly opened his eyes, reaching behind him to draw two Bone-Crushing Demonic Blades, his murderous aura oppressive.
A mere ant dared to put on airs before him—not only taking advantage of Su Linghuang, whom he regarded as forbidden, but now even daring to openly seduce his beloved Twin Lotus Dancer before his eyes. This was nothing short of seeking death.
Facing the terrifying Jade Spirit Realm pressure of the Blood Blade Saint Son, Gu Shenzhi simply formed a Sword Formula. The [Luomei] Lingjian automatically flew into his palm.
“Of the four Blood Blade Saint Sons I have met, you are undoubtedly the most inferior. You disgrace the title of Holy Son. If Lin Kunku were still alive, he would consider it a shame to be mentioned alongside you.”
Gu Shenzhi spoke coldly—not as mockery, but from a deep-seated contempt. Not every enemy was worthy of being called a rival.
Few could become his true opponents, and even fewer could have their names remembered by him. Yet, the former Blood Blade Saint Son, Lin Kunku, happened to be one of them.
He was the enemy who had once forced Gu Shenzhi to the brink, a mortal foe.
As these words fell, the audience was shocked. No one expected Gu Shenzhi, who should have been at an absolute disadvantage, to not only refuse to apologize or admit defeat, but even to openly taunt Mo Renxie—using Lin Kunku, Mo Renxie’s greatest sore spot, as his example.
It could be said that if Lin Kunku hadn’t died at the hands of the Lingjian Sect’s young master, Mo Renxie would never have become the Blood Blade Saint Son. Yet Gu Shenzhi blatantly ripped open his deepest wound. Aside from seeking death, no one could find any other words to describe his actions.
“A chaotic heart leads to chaotic momentum; chaotic momentum, to a chaotic Dao. Such chaos can be broken with a single sword.” Su Linghuang watched the scene intently. Only now did she understand how Gu Shenzhi had so easily defeated her.
Those seemingly useless, venomous words were, in fact, part of his plan. From the moment he stepped onto the Sword Discussion Arena, he had seized total control. No matter how powerful Mo Renxie was, he was nothing but a toy in Gu Shenzhi’s hand.
In the eyes of the Honglian Saintess, the outcome between the two was already decided, without a shred of suspense. Whether in cultivation or temperament, Mo Renxie had lost by far too much.
In truth, the mere existence of bets on Mo Renxie drawing or even defeating Gu Shenzhi was hard to fathom. Even the slimmest odds were a wild overestimation.
“You’re courting death,” Mo Renxie growled through gritted teeth. “Since that bastard Lin Kunku died at your hands, today, as his junior, I shall avenge him.”
The next instant, the screech of blades clashing tore through the sky as the Bone-Crushing Demonic Blades swept forth with unstoppable force. One slash fell, and blood-red light flashed like a river of blood hanging upside down. Just watching it was spine-chilling.
Boom!
The blade crashed down hard, colliding violently with [Luomei]. Everyone held their breath, eyes fixed on the two atop the stage.
It wasn’t just the brilliance of the battle—it was that whether Gu Shenzhi could withstand the first strike would determine their future spirit stone expenses. If he couldn’t even take a single blow, many would be left so poor they’d have nothing to eat or drink.
Gradually, the dust on the Sword Discussion Arena settled. In the haze, Gu Shenzhi still stood where he was. The two Bone-Crushing Demonic Blades were only an inch from him, unable to advance a hair further.
That powerful blow from the Blood Blade Saint Son hadn’t even touched a single hair on Gu Shenzhi’s head.
Staring at the faintly upturned corners of the young man’s lips, Mo Renxie felt a sudden, inexplicable fear. That smile was all too familiar. When he’d been defeated by that bastard Lin Kunku years ago, the other had smiled just like this.
It was not mockery, but an innate contempt. Whether it was Lin Kunku or Gu Shenzhi, neither had ever regarded him as a worthy opponent.
Why?! Why did they look down on him?!
“I am the dignified Blood Blade Saint Son! You’re just a cripple who barely managed to cultivate again after your Dantian was destroyed—why do you keep forcing yourself? Hurry up and fall like the waste you are!”
Mo Renxie suddenly exerted all his strength. The Bone-Crushing Demonic Blades grew even more ferocious, hacking toward Gu Shenzhi’s head in a relentless barrage, each strike more vicious and crazed than the last.
[Luomei] moved like a swift swallow, its purple edge weaving a tight net that blocked every attack. Yet its wielder remained calm and composed, as if it were all a light breeze and drifting clouds.
In his eyes, Mo Renxie was nothing but a rabid beast. To kill him would take but a single sword.
Growing weary of passive defense, Gu Shenzhi said lightly, “The only reason you dared challenge me is because you believe the Lingjian Sect’s young master’s Dantian is destroyed, leaving me with only Jiedan cultivation. But what if I am a Juling cultivator, my swordsmanship even stronger than before—how will you respond then?”
These casual words crashed like thunder beside the Blood Blade Saint Son’s ears. Before he could react, the aura of the black-clad youth beside him soared to the Jade Spirit Realm, the [Luomei] in his hand thirsting for battle.
With a twist of his wrist, Gu Shenzhi seized the flaw in his opponent’s attack and unleashed a lightning-fast strike. The sword’s cry was sharp, and the surging sword aura carved a deep, long scar across Mo Renxie’s chest, blood spraying on the spot.
He could have pierced the heart with that strike, severed the head, and ended the meaningless duel then and there. But, for the sake of the Blood Blade Sect’s dignity and the earlier wagers, he decided to finish it in the sixth round.
Hopefully, the hunt ahead would prove more entertaining.
With a casual sword, he gravely wounded the Blood Blade Saint Son. Everyone, save for the Honglian Saintess, was stunned, drawing sharp breaths and exclaiming at the sheer terror of it.
“Keep attacking. Surely the dignified Blood Blade Saint Son won’t admit defeat like a coward, will he?” Gu Shenzhi spoke as he slowly walked toward his opponent, his words dripping with ridicule.
Poor Mo Renxie—he still had three more rounds to be toyed with.
Mo Renxie barely held himself upright, hacking madly at the black-clad youth nearby. Now, consumed by hatred, all he wanted was to slice Gu Shenzhi’s flesh inch by inch to vent his fury.
Though the Blood Blade Saint Son’s blade skills were impressive, his rage made his attacks chaotic and disordered. Each strike was effortlessly dodged by Gu Shenzhi, who then found another opening and struck hard at Mo Renxie’s abdomen with the hilt.
He hadn’t used sword aura in this move—otherwise, Mo Renxie’s life would have been forfeit.
The searing pain forced Mo Renxie to double over. After four rounds, he knew he could not win. After all, his opponent was a monster who had even slain Lin Kunku.
“I admit you’re stronger now, but I will never repeat Lin Kunku’s mistake and lose to you!”
Suddenly, the previously collapsed Mo Renxie sprang up like a crouching beast. His aura surged abruptly to the Yuan Ying stage—he must have taken a pill that forced a breakthrough.
At this moment, his face was twisted, bloodshot eyes brimming with murderous intent, fixed on the black-clad youth before him.
“Now this is getting interesting.”
Gu Shenzhi swept away his earlier nonchalance, pouring an endless stream of True Spirit into the [Luomei] sword, finally rising to battle.
It seemed the second half of this match would not be boring after all.
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