Chapter 205: Chapter 133: Strolling Leisurely, Slaying Gu Changhe_3
Straight up the mountain.
The disciples guarding the mountain seemed to have been struck by an Immobilization Technique, unable to speak or move, capable only of watching them leave while furiously listening to their unbridled comments on everything about True Martial Mountain.
Until.
A sword monument appeared in the distance before everyone’s eyes.
The words "True Martial" on it were striking, seemingly plain at first glance, but upon closer inspection, appeared to be vivid and magnificent, further examination made one feel as though countless Divine Swords were soaring into the sky.
Tang Qiu and others were stunned.
This was their first time seeing the True Martial Sword Monument, enveloped from afar by a mysterious force, preventing insight into its essence, yet even its mere outward signs were enough to awe people.
Gu Changhe’s expression became serious for the first time.
Only after a while did he praise:
"Such a True Man Tianjian indeed remarkable."
"But what a pity."
He shook his head again.
No one knew what he was lamenting—whether he regretted that True Man Tianjian was not a member of Inquiring Sword Pavilion, or that this True Martial Sword Monument existed in the wrong place, or perhaps something else entirely.
"Tang Qiu, what would you think if this True Martial Sword Monument were combined with our Inquiring Sword Pavilion’s Inheritance Sword Tower?"
Tang Qiu’s eyes lit up as he excitedly said:
"Then in less than a hundred years, our Inquiring Sword Pavilion could become the number one Sword Dao Holy Land in Great Yan!"
Gu Changhe laughed:
"Good."
In the distance, Luo Wentian’s calm voice echoed:
"It’s a pity; Senior Gu’s wish cannot be realized. The True Martial Sword Monument belongs to our True Martial Sect."
Luo Wentian understood the signal sent by Xiong Shi and hurried with a group of disciples to the mountain gate. His expression remained relatively calm, but the other elders and disciples were filled with fury, especially Zhuang Chen, whose chubby face quivered as he muttered under his breath:
"These shameless old folks, wait until my Sword Dao reaches Great Success, I’ll bring your Inheritance Sword Tower over to fulfill your wish! But, you’ll have to make your daydream come true within our True Martial Sect!"
He thought to complain quietly to Li Ling, but only then noticed that Li Ling was absent. Turning his head, he remembered that Li Ling had mentioned discreetly that today was the day to learn from Senior Tianjian.
A sudden thought struck him.
Given Gu Changhe had arrived, Senior Tianjian would likely appear later too, perhaps even bringing Li Ling out himself? That would be quite an impressive sight!
Thinking this, he felt a hint of envy.
Gu Changhe lifted his eyes toward Luo Wentian and the others, scanning them one by one, each feeling an overwhelming sense of dread.
But Gu Changhe soon shifted his gaze, not seeing anyone he wished to see.
He ignored Luo Wentian’s meaning.
Speaking to Xiong Shi was only because Xiong Shi barely qualified.
Now.
He found Luo Wentian unworthy of dialogue with him.
With hands behind his back, Gu Changhe stepped lightly into the air, rising upward, standing even higher than the True Martial Sword Monument, as two treacherous heads floated alongside. He gazed into the depths of the True Martial Sect, his calm voice resonating across the mountains:
"True Man Tianjian, come out and meet me."
Initially, this voice was soft; it soon erupted like thundering wrath, shifting the surroundings.
Luo Wentian and the others all shook, surprise flickering in their gaze.
Once Gu Changhe stopped masking his aura, its terror was overwhelming, likening to an unleashed Divine Sword with intersecting Sword Intents seemingly slicing the void—they had no doubt that being inside it would mean turning to scattered fragments without resistance.
At the foot of True Martial Mountain.
The martial artists halted, looking alarmed at the figure standing above the True Martial Sword Monument, which already explained everything.
"Is a battle about to begin!"
None expected the Heart Inquiry Sword to be so domineeringly direct, allowing no room for negotiation.
Even the Saintess of the Southern Border appeared solemn now; though a peerless genius, she fell short compared to such infamous old figures—for in the Southern Border, such strength meant unrivaled authority.
Everyone stared.
Anticipating the appearance of the previously aloof Black Robed Taoist, countless eyes prematurely locked onto the back mountain of True Martial Mountain, where True Man Tianjian had once emerged from.
But they were bound to be disappointed.
A breath.
Five breaths.
Ten breaths.
...
The echoes of Gu Changhe’s voice diminished, yet True Man Tianjian still hadn’t appeared.
Everyone glanced at each other, puzzled.
"What’s happening? Could it be that True Man Tianjian is away?"
Qin Yun felt a tightness in his chest.
In front of the True Martial Sect’s mountain gate, several disciples began to feel nervous.
"Why hasn’t Senior Tianjian come out yet?"
But seeing their sect leader steadily watch Gu Changhe, they gradually relaxed.
Gu Changhe slowly opened his eyes.
He eyed True Martial Mountain, the True Martial Sect, and the True Martial Sword Monument with indifference.
"Very well, it seems I, Gu, have been inactive too long, and the world has forgotten me." He sighed, yet the hostile aura arising around his still made those at the base of the mountain fearful.
Sword Intent and murder merged, rendering that void a deadly space where all must be cut and shattered.
A sound akin to swords cried within Gu Changhe, followed by resonant chimes of thousands of swords echoing across the sky, as swordsmen strove to control their sword artifacts, yet the sword artifacts trembled, worshipping.
What is the Heart Inquiry Sword?
It queries the Sword Heart, wielding the Taoist Sword, the foremost righteous sword of the land.
All were astounded.
Gu Changhe pointed a finger, and concentrated resplendent Sword Qi gathered, slashing toward the ground beneath the True Martial Sword Monument.
True Man Tianjian dare not emerge?
Then destroy the True Martial Sword Monument!
...
In the back mountain.
Two figures, one large and one small, practiced their sword techniques amidst the forest, as the little Taoist diligently learned, while the Black Robed Old Taoist impassively watched, occasionally striking with Sword Qi to amend errors, or using tree branches and leaves to demonstrate Sword Intent.