Chapter 153 - Gu Han vs. Chu Kuang, Heavenly Pride vs. Heavenly Pride

Hmm?

The crowd was puzzled. From among the Qixia Court’s disciples, they saw a female disciple carefully walking onto the stage. She deeply lowered her head, appearing delicate and fragile.

Yang Lin asked, “Who is she?”

A disciple hurriedly explained, “Senior Brother, her name is Zhi Xuan. She just enrolled, so you might not be familiar with her. Her talent is average.”

Yang Lin nodded, before turning to look at Meng Qian, who was still unconscious. His killing intent surged like a raging tide.

I will avenge her! That person must die!

Looking at Zhi Xuan, who seemed terrified, Elder Wang felt somewhat amused. “Young girl, you—”

Zhi Xuan trembled with fright. “

Ah?

A-am I not qualified?”

Elder Wang said, “That’s not it. Just state your background and cultivation level according to the rules.”

Zhi Xuan nodded quickly. “

Oh,

r-right! My name is Zhi Xuan! I’m seventeen years old. I came from the Chunfang Kingdom, under the jurisdiction of the Qixia Court. I just enrolled three months ago, I’m at the fourth stage of the Essence Gathering realm. My senior sister said I had a chance, so I—”

Elder Wang had a headache. “Alright, alright! That’s enough”

The crowd could no longer hold back and burst into laughter. Not only was she timid as a mouse, she seemed to have seen little of the world. Yet she dared to step onto the stage like this!

In the crowd, a Qixia Court female disciple’s face went dark as a murky water.

Stupid girl! What a disgrace!

Elder Wang shook his head. “Forget it. Anyone who wants to challenge her can—”

“Me!”

“Me too!”

“Count me in!”

The crowd spoke up one after another. It was nothing more than bullying the weak, but the secret realm’s qualification made it a crime worth bearing. Winning unfairly was still winning.

Murong Yan shook her head. “This girl really doesn’t know her limits—

hmm?

”

Suddenly, Murong Yan turned serious. Although Zhi Xuan’s movements were clumsy and full of mistakes, she always managed to narrowly dodge her opponent’s attacks. Not only did she escape danger each time, but she also disrupted her opponent’s rhythm. Following that, with a series of seemingly chaotic attacks, she blasted her opponent off the stage.

Huh?

The opponent was confused. “I lost? H-How did I lose?”

He hadn’t even used his full strength yet! Instantly, he was overcome with annoyance.

Someone nearby mocked him. “

Hmph!

Serves you right for underestimating your opponent. Watch me! Zhang Hai of the Yuqing Sect, fifth stage of the Essence Gathering realm!”

The next opponent immediately jumped onto the stage. A moment later, he ended up just like the previous person, utterly bewildered. “I lost too? How did I lose?”

Countless ridicule and scorn erupted from the crowd.

Murong Yan frowned deeply. “Something’s not right! This girl, she’s not as simple as she seems!”

Gu Han nodded. “Indeed. Her attacks seem disorderly, but there’s order within the chaos. The opponents got dragged into her pace and lost their footing, unable to utilize even half their strength. It’s only natural that they lost.”

Murong Yuan said indifferently, “It’s no surprise. Every time a secret realm is about to open, a few exceptionally outstanding talents always appear. Compared to you and Chu Kuang, she still falls short by quite a bit!”

Gu Han instinctively looked toward the area beside Yuan Gang. “Chu Kuang?”

He had learned long ago that the youth who followed Yuan Gang that day was Chu Kuang. As if sensing Gu Han’s gaze, Chu Kuang also looked toward him with a trace of appreciation and fighting spirit.

Gu Han’s eyes instantly narrowed.

This person is very strong.

Not far away, just by glancing at Gu Han, Chu Kuang instantly knew. “He’s very strong. This person might be even stronger than I thought!”

Yuan Gang frowned. “Junior Brother, how about you let me fight him?”

Chu Kuang shook his head. “No. Your cultivation level is considerably higher than his. Even if you win, he probably won’t be convinced. When it comes to someone like him, he needs to taste an overwhelming defeat. Only then can you completely grind away his sharp edges.”

Yuan Gang also smiled. “In that case, I’m looking forward to seeing you take action!”

Someone behind him pointed at Zhi Xuan on the stage. “Junior Brother, that girl is also pretty good.”

Chu Kuang shook his head. “Her? With a gem like him present, she isn’t so dazzling anymore.”

At this moment, another dozen or so people went up one after another, but the result was exactly the same: a bewildering, absolute defeat.

No one was laughing anymore. They realized that it wasn’t that those people were careless, but that Zhi Xuan was too bizarre. Even now, they still couldn’t figure out what exactly made her so formidable. She just kept winning match after match in a baffling way.

After seeing no one else coming forward, Elder Wang called out again. “Any more?”

Still no one. The crowd wasn’t stupid. Without uncovering how she won, defeat would only keep piling up. Indeed, anyone who could stand till the end on this stage was no weakling.

Elder Wang promptly announced, “Since that’s the case, the third qualification belongs to the Qixia Court’s Zhi Xuan!”

Zhi Xuan’s lips slightly parted, filled with disbelief. “I-I won?”

“You won!”

Her face instantly flushed red with excitement, and she jumped up happily. “Great! I can go to the secret realm! Senior Sister, I really won!”

That senior sister in question was green with envy. “You won, fine. Stop making such a fuss. What a sight!”

She had never imagined that a casual word of encouragement would actually become reality.

Zhi Xuan’s eyes reddened, and she hurriedly apologized, “S-sorry... I didn’t mean to. Next time, I won’t do that!”

The crowd shook their heads at the sight. With such a timid disposition, she probably wouldn’t get far in the cultivation world.

Elder Wang quietly sighed in relief. “Then, this secret realm qualification battle will hereby—”

It’s finally over!

Suddenly, another voice rang out, interrupting him. “Wait!"

Elder Wang’s heart dropped.

Who is it! So annoying! What trouble are they trying to stir up now!

However, upon seeing the owner of the voice, he swallowed the scolding words that had reached his lips. The elder forced a smile. “Chu Kuang, what else do you need?”

Not caring about the curious gazes of the crowd, Chu Kuang smiled. “There’s still an hour before the secret realm opens. Let’s use this bit of time to settle some personal matters.”

After saying this, he turned his gaze toward Gu Han. “That day, I thought you were surely dead.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd drew in cold air again. Chu Kuang was clearly taunting Gu Han.

Gu Han raised an eyebrow. “Dead? I was born with great luck, I’m not so easy to kill. What, are you disappointed?”

Chu Kuang shook his head. “No, I’m pleased! I had thought you were overestimating yourself, foolishly trying to block a chariot with your arm. Who would’ve expected you to have some luck on your side? I underestimated you! To be honest, if someone like you had died just like that, it would indeed have been a pity.”

Gu Han thought for a moment. “Are you sick in the head?”

Chu Kuang burst out laughing. “You still have that same unruly temperament. Indeed, the more talented someone is, the more confidence they have!”

Gu Han narrowed his eyes. “Do you know that you are very annoying?”

Chu Kuang’s smile vanished. “Enough. In the cultivation world, only the strong are respected. Verbal sparring isn’t my forte. How about it, there’s still some time now. Shall we exchange a few moves?”

The crowd’s eyes lit up.

Hmm? Exchange moves?!

Their hearts grew fervent. One was a Yuqing Sect prodigy and a newly inducted Qingyun Pavilion member, with unfathomable strength. Even when suppressing his cultivation, no one could last more than one move against him.

The other was the Fengwu Court’s chief disciple, equally powerful. Not only did he cripple a fifth-stage Essence Gathering realm cultivator with a single slap, he was also still alive and kicking despite having a bounty of twenty million essence crystals.

If these two were to fight, how interesting would it be?!

Murong Yan couldn’t hold back. “Chu Kuang, if you want to challenge Brother Gu, taste my hammer first!”

Murong Yuan could no longer stand by and watch. “Nonsense! Chu Kuang, today’s competition is already over. You cannot cause any more trouble. Later—”

Chu Kuang smiled. “Supreme Elder, don’t worry. I’m neither provoking nor deliberately targeting him. My heart just itches when I see a worthy opponent. I want to test his abilities. Of course, if he is afraid to accept the challenge, then it’s whatever!”

With one sentence, he left Gu Han with no choice.

Murong Yuan was already feeling a spark of anger. “How audacious!”

Not far away, Yuan Gang said leisurely, “Supreme Elder, there’s no need for such anger. Mutual sparring and learning between cultivators is perfectly normal. Moreover, Junior Brother Chu has already said he won’t harm him. What are you worried about?”

Murong Yan was furious. “Hey! I’ve long disliked you! Come on, you and me, let’s have a go first!”

Yuan Gang said lightly. “We’ll have plenty of opportunities between us! There’s no need to hurry.”

Chu Kuang stared at Gu Han. “Well? Do you dare?”

The crowd’s gazes also fell upon Gu Han as they eagerly awaited his choice.

Dare? Or not dare?

Yang Lin and Meng Xing also exchanged a glance.

Fight! It’s best if they both end up injured!

That way, they could save some effort after entering the secret realm.

Gu Han said expressionlessly, “Test my abilities? Fine, but you’d better be careful. If I accidentally killed you, it wouldn't look good.”

The crowd got excited again.

He’s definitely not a pushover!

Chu Kuang wasn’t angered. “Don’t worry. If you can kill me, that’s your skill.”

Murong Yuan frowned deeply. “Kid, are you really going to fight?”

Gu Han shook his head. “Senior, you see it too. He hasn’t given me any choice. If I don’t accept, wouldn’t I be tarnishing the prestige of the Fengwu Court?”

Murong Yuan was speechless.

Prestige? What prestige does the Fengwu Court even have?

However, seeing Gu Han’s resolute attitude, he didn’t try to dissuade Gu Han further. Avoiding this challenge would leave a flaw in his heart, greatly dulling his edge and harming his future cultivation.

Seeing Gu Han step onto the stage, Murong Yan raised her hammer high. “Brother Gu, teach him a good lesson! Let him know how formidable you are!”

***

Seeing the development, Yang Lan looked worried. “Brother, do you think Brother Gu will win? Chu Kuang is—”

Yang Ying shook his head. “Don’t worry, if you had witnessed his power, you wouldn’t be asking this.”

In the distance, among the Qixia Court disciples, Zhi Xuan stared intently at Gu Han, full of admiration and infatuation.

Beside her, her senior sister was full of displeasure. “Stupid, what are you looking at?!”

Zhi Xuan blushed. “H-he’s very good-looking...”

The senior sister sneered. “He’s not even one percent of Senior Brother Yang!”

Zhi Xuan shook her head. “I don’t care. In my eyes, he’s the best-looking...”

***

Chu Kuang wasn’t surprised at all by Gu Han’s acceptance. “Indeed, you haven’t disappointed me.”

Gu Han slowly drew his sword. “Enough talk, I’m in a hurry.”

After seeing that shabby sword, the crowd was confused.

Hmm? Could that sword have been picked up from some pile of scrap? Did the Fengwu Court become so poor? They can’t even afford a decent spirit item sword?

Chu Kuang was also taken aback, but for a different reason. “Your sword’s not bad!”

Gu Han said expressionlessly, “Somewhat discerning, I just don’t know about your actual skill.”

Chu Kuang thought for a moment. “If this match is just like this, it might be a bit dull. How about we add some stakes?”

Gu Han’s eyes lit up slightly. “Fine by me. I also like making bets with people.”

Chu Kuang was full of confidence. “If you lose, submit to me! If I lose, I’ll accept any punishment from you!”

Gu Han shook his head. “Punishment? I’m not interested in that. If you lose, give me one hundred million essence crystals.”

Chu Kuang agreed without a second thought. “Deal. As you wish!”

The crowd’s eyes widened. Whether it was submission, or one hundred million essence crystals, it was something they couldn’t possibly bear. Yet the two settled it so lightly and calmly, raising the crowd’s excitement to the peak.

Chu Kuang didn’t waste any more time. “Then, let’s begin?”

Gu Han slowly raised his sword. “For the essence crystals, I’ll spare your life.”

The next moment, two formidable auras instantly erupted and soared upward, as if without end. Under the interweaving of their auras, those relatively close to the arena could hardly breathe from the pressure.

A loud noise sounded, and in the blink of an eye, they collided in one place.