Chapter 747: Senior Expert (2)

After bidding farewell to his master in the Cang Feng Eldritch Voidrealm, Wu Yuan's body refiner self made his arrangements in the Second Origin Eldritch Field.

Then, through a teleportation array on the void continent, specially constructed as per the instructions of Astral Monarch Hou Qu, he returned once again to the Summerpeak World after more than six hundred years.

Whoosh!

Summerpeak.

Wu Yuan stepped out of the teleportation array. With a thought, the vast world spanning tens of millions of li entered the range of his Soul Will.

Nothing could hide from his perception. Over six hundred years had passed, and the Summerpeak World had undergone immense changes.

Besides the original Summerpeak mainland, several new continents had appeared. For instance, the Middle Land had expanded from one hundred thousand li to a continent of a million li through the arcane arts of many powerful immortal cultivators. It had overtaken the Summerpeak mainland to become the largest continent in the entire world!

Six continents, and countless islands, with a population exceeding one trillion?

Wu Yuan marveled inwardly.

Within his Soul Will, everything in the entire Summerpeak World couldn't escape his perception and detection.

The changes were astounding. The number of immortal cultivators had greatly increased, and Wu Yuan detected the presence of many Amethyst Cradle/Shambhala cultivators. Even the vast majority of ordinary mortal folk lived prosperous lives.

The spiritual qi of heaven and earth was rich, no less than that of the macrocosm. Countless mechanical puppets made life far easier for ordinary people, who could live over a hundred years without illness or calamity.

The entire Summerpeak had become a paradise.

Like many worldlets, it had its rules and restrictions. For example, the Summerpeak World's territory was limited, and foreign Void Refiner/Elysian Field powerhouses couldn't enter. They could only send incarnations.

Only native lifeforms who naturally resonated with the world's essence were unaffected by these influences and constraints.

Of course, for super powerhouses like Archimmortals and Archdeities, it wouldn't be difficult to annihilate a worldlet once they unleashed their full power.

Hmm? There's actually a good seedling here, let's take a look.

Surprise flashed across Wu Yuan's eyes. He took a step, vanishing without a sound.

Then, he reappeared millions of li away in the Middle Land.

...

The Cloudhill Martial Academy was the number one martial academy in the Middle Land, and also one of the top-ranked martial academies in the entire Summerpeak World.

Countless martial arts prodigies from across the continent were sent here for training.

Today, in one of the battle spaces at the combat arena, two Grandmaster-level martial artists, wearing protective gear and carrying unsharpened weapons, were engaged in fierce combat.

On the spectator stands on both sides of the battle space, a crowd of academy disciples cheered and waved flags, watching the exchange between the two Grandmasters in the arena with rapt focus.

Hundreds of years had gone by. Now, in the Summerpeak World, the status of Grandmaster experts was equivalent to second-rate or third-rate Adepts of the past. They could only be considered elite disciples within the martial academy.

In Cloudhill Martial Academy, only those who became true qi refiners or body refiners were qualified to graduate.

Boom! Bam~

The white-robed youth wielding a long spear displayed precise spear techniques, filling the air with spear silhouettes that completely enveloped the black-armored man wielding a battle axe.

Kill! Kill! Kill!

The black-armored man stared intently at the white-robed youth, gripping two massive double-edged battle axes.

The axe, heavy and powerful, could also serve as a shield to block enemy attacks. The double-edged great axe, when wielded in attacks, was even more ferocious.

However, no matter how hard the black-armored man tried, repeatedly chopping at the long spear, attempting to close in on the white-robed youth, the youth always evaded him like a phantom.

His footwork was as elusive as the wind, his spear technique as swift as lightning, completely dominating the black-armored man.

Finally, as the black-armored man’s final roar of unwillingness tore from his throat, a spear strike slipped past his battle axe and struck his chest, sending him flying.

One of the battle axes in his hand was knocked away, landing heavily on the ground.

Both sides ceased fighting.

"Good match," the white-robed youth said with a faint smile.

"I lost. I've cultivated for over thirty years and have always been in the top ten of hereditary disciples. Even Teacher said I had a great chance of becoming an eldritch warrior." The black-armored man shook his head with a bitter smile, staring at the white-robed youth.

"Gu Qi, you're not even twenty years old, yet you can defeat me. Your physical constitution is stronger than mine, your spear technique and footwork are both superior to mine. You're simply a monster."

"A monster? I'm hardly a monster," the white-robed youth grinned. "Compared to the World Master, I'm still far behind.

Back then, the World Master was just over twenty years old when he dominated the Middle Land, defeating the Golden Core founder of Great Jin.

I haven't even become an eldritch warrior yet," the white-robed youth shook his head.

"You're comparing yourself to the World Master?" the black-armored man was taken aback.

"Why not?" the white-robed youth countered with a smile. "I may never catch up to even a fraction of the World Master's achievements in this lifetime, but that doesn't stop me from setting him as my goal.

The World Master is a goal worthy of dedicating my entire life to pursue," the white-robed youth declared, a spark of determination gleaming in his eyes.

The black-armored man was speechless, muttering, "Well, you won, so you can say what you want." Then, he turned and left.

"Gu Qi!"

"Gu Qi, number one in the academy!"

"Gu Qi." Immediately, a thunderous wave of cheers and shouts erupted from the spectator stands, with even some screams mixed in, clearly showing how much they favored the white-robed youth.

The white-robed youth grinned, enjoying his moment of glory.

Suddenly, the world fell silent.

The white-robed youth Gu Qi vanished from his spot. He only felt his vision blur before finding himself on a vast training ground.

Silence reigned supreme.

What? How? What's happening, where am I?

Gu Qi looked around in utter shock, his senses on high alert.

He had just been inside the martial academy.

There are Golden Core powerhouses watching over the martial academy. Who could have spirited me away without a sound, under the watchful eyes of so many?

Gu Qi was both alarmed and enraged, yet he managed to maintain his composure.

Such ghostly, godlike abilities were frightening.

Hmm?

He whirled around suddenly, only to see a figure in black robes standing not far away, smiling at him.

This figure was utterly mysterious.

An immortal cultivator?

Though Gu Qi was only a Grandmaster martial artist, he had encountered many immortal cultivators at the martial academy and possessed some knowledge of them.

Could it be... a legendary Amethyst Cradle or Shambhala cultivator?

Amethyst Cradle/Shambhala cultivators were the mightiest beings he knew of.

"Don't panic, little one," Wu Yuan smiled at Gu Qi. "Show me your spear technique. Attack me."

"Show my spear technique?" Gu Qi was taken aback.

But his hesitation lasted only a moment before he steeled himself. Unable to fathom the situation, he could only comply for now.

If this person possessed such supernatural abilities, killing him would hardly take any effort. If they truly meant him harm, there'd be no need for such theatrics.

"Be careful, Senior," Gu Qi warned before taking a step forward. His spear lashed out suddenly, transforming into a storm of illusory strikes that seemed to merge completely with the surrounding phantasms.

It was like an eruption of raging flames, radiating an intense heat. More than that, wisps of heaven and earth's power were stirred.

Harmony of Man and Nature!

This spear strike?

Gu Qi's eyes blazed with fervor. Under some intangible influence, this attack was undoubtedly the strongest he had ever unleashed.

Whoosh!

Wu Yuan extended a finger, its tip barely grazing the spear's point. In that instant, the long spear was deflected, sending Gu Qi flying backwards.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Gu Qi took three steps back to steady himself on the ground, his eyes filled with disbelief.

He sensed that his opponent had only used a weak trickle of power, far less than his own, yet it had effortlessly nullified his entire attack and sent him flying in the process.

That single finger tap was profoundly mysterious.

"Again," Wu Yuan smiled.

Gu Qi dared not lower his guard, continuing his assault. He was now acutely aware that the person before him was far beyond his level.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

And so it went on, with Gu Qi attacking frantically again and again. But it didn’t matter how clever his spear techniques, how intricate his footwork, or how cunningly he angled his strikes, Wu Yuan would invariably deflect his spear with the lightest touch of a finger.

Quickly, Gu Qi began to understand his situation.

An opportunity! A great opportunity!

Gu Qi sensed the profoundness of Wu Yuan's finger technique. It wasn't a mere finger tap, but clearly an unfathomably deep spear technique.

As their exchanges continued, Gu Qi felt many of his long-standing confusions about spear techniques unraveling, only to be replaced by even more perplexing questions. But facing Wu Yuan's finger technique, these new puzzles were swiftly solved.

Gu Qi felt his spear technique constantly evolving and improving, surpassing a decade of painstaking practice.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, his spear technique changed dramatically. No longer did it draw upon mere wisps of heaven and earth's power, but naturally conjured flames.

Blazing Fire Domain! One spear strike, flames ignite!

Whoosh!

Once again, Gu Qi's Domain-stage spear technique was easily deflected by the finger.

"That's enough," Wu Yuan spoke with a smile, his voice carrying some sort of mysterious magic that made Gu Qi stop involuntarily.

"Thank you, Senior," Gu Qi said, overwhelmed with excitement. He could now sense the vast, limitless power of heaven and earth.

Domain! He had practiced spear techniques for ten years, reaching the level of Harmony of Man and Nature, just one step away from entering the Domain stage. Such talent was considered remarkable in the Summerpeak World.

Unexpectedly, in just a quarter of an hour of guidance, he had taken another step forward, reaching the Domain stage. This was already on par with many Golden Core cultivators.

"No need to thank me. I merely drew out the accumulation of your past efforts," Wu Yuan smiled and waved his hand.

Whoosh!

A streak of light flew out, entering Gu Qi's mind under his shocked gaze, flooding his consciousness with countless pieces of information.

After a long while, he finally regained his senses.

This? This spear technique... it leads directly to the legendary Archimmortal-level spear technique, the Law of Blazing Fire?

Gu Qi was both shocked and elated.

From the teachings, he now understood how lofty and powerful Archimmortals were.

"Senior? Hmm?" Gu Qi was startled to find himself back in the courtyard of the martial academy, everything around him unchanged, as if what just happened was merely an illusion.

Only the profound spear technique’s instructions in his mind reminded him that everything had been real.

“Practice diligently. When you reach the Amethyst Cradle phase, you will naturally see me again,” a faint, warm voice echoed in his mind.

"Senior?" Gu Qi's eyes lit up.

Then he thought to himself.

Amethyst Cradle phase? With the teachings bestowed by Senior, I must strive to cultivate to the Amethyst Cradle phase.

...

In Cloud Capital, deep within the imperial city, on a vast plaza.

"Big Brother, you personally guided that little martial artist just now?" Wu Yijun smiled at her elder brother. "He probably doesn't even know who you are. For him, this is an incredible stroke of fortune."

Indeed, the place where he had just given his guidance was within the imperial city, where Wu Yijun had been residing for many years.

As soon as Wu Yuan returned to the Cloud Capital, he had communicated with his sister via Soul Force.

"I merely encountered a promising talent and gave some casual pointers," Wu Yuan smiled. "In this generation of the Summerpeak World, he's probably the only one with a chance of becoming a High Immortal through his own efforts."

"Become a High Immortal? That little fellow from just now?" Wu Yijun was astonished.

She understood how difficult it was to become a High Immortal. However, she didn't doubt her elder brother's judgment for a moment.

"Big Brother, you're becoming more and more like a real deity or immortal," Wu Yijun remarked sincerely. "You're starting to resemble my master."

"Haha," Wu Yuan chuckled.

A real deity?

"On my journey of growth, I've received guidance and inheritances from many senior experts," Wu Yuan smiled. "Now, occasionally playing the role of a senior expert myself feels quite nice.

Come, let's go see Mother."

"Mm," Wu Yijun smiled. "When Mother heard you were coming back today, she actually went to the kitchen herself, which is rare. She's preparing something special for you."

The siblings flew towards a distant hall.

...

With Wu Yuan's return, his mother, Wanqin, was naturally overjoyed beyond measure. It had been a long time since the family had been reunited.

Although the Wu Clan's population had grown steadily, all the younger generations of the Wu family combined couldn't match Wu Yuan's importance in Wanqin's heart.

After spending a good half of the day with his mother, Wu Yuan finally received a message from Astral Monarch Hou Qu: he had brought Fang Xia back.