91: Chapter 91 Gui Cang stops pretending and chooses to make a move!

From initial worry to shock, then to wild joy, and finally to the endless lingering fear and relief of this moment.

He knew that from this day on, the reputation of the Tianyan Sect would reach an unprecedented peak.

And the young man before him would become an insurmountable mountain in the hearts of all young Cultivators.

"Elder, Senior Sister Xu Linger, now that this matter is concluded, we should prepare to return to the Sect," Chu Xiao said.

His voice was not loud, but it instantly calmed the frenzied atmosphere around them.

Elder Lingyun was stunned, then immediately reacted.

He glanced up at the high platform, at the Envoy with an expressionless Face and terrifyingly deep eyes.

He then glanced at Elder Xing Tu, who was like a walking corpse, and alarm bells rang in his heart.

Right! This is no place to linger!

The talent and strength Chu Xiao had displayed had already exceeded the category of a Genius; he was simply a Prodigy! Especially that last punch!

Even he, a Nascent Soul Elder, felt a palpitation.

Such a secret was enough to invite a fatal disaster!

The Jiuyou Sect was already a mortal enemy, and even more terrifying was that unfathomable Holy Sect Envoy!

"Yes, yes, yes, return to the Sect, we must return to the Sect immediately!"

Elder Lingyun nodded repeatedly, wishing he could summon the flying boat right now and take Chu Xiao away from this place of trouble.

However, just at this moment, a majestic voice came from the high platform, suppressing the cheers of the entire venue.

"Everyone, silence."

The person speaking was none other than the Holy Sect Envoy Gui Cang.

He slowly rose from the highest point of the viewing platform, his figure flickering, and he appeared silently directly above the Fighting Arena.

His gaze swept across the audience, and the pressure belonging to a Soul Transformation expert spread out, intentionally or otherwise, making everyone feel a palpitation and subconsciously shut their mouths.

The Fighting Arena became quiet once again.

Everyone's eyes were focused on him.

No joy or anger could be seen on Gui Cang's Face.

He first glanced at the corpse on the arena, then cast his gaze towards Chu Xiao!

A Golden Core Seventh Stage Junior actually being able to touch the threshold of Law? This is simply unheard of, a fantasy!

What kind of shocking secret is hidden on him?

A Heaven Rank Divine Ability? Or some kind of ancient Legacy?

No matter which one it is, it is enough to make anyone go crazy!

Gui Cang's heart was beating violently.

But on the surface, he still maintained an unfathomable posture.

He knew that he must not reveal his intentions now.

Under the eyes of everyone, as a Holy Sect Envoy, he must maintain a facade of fairness.

He cleared his throat and said loudly: "This year's True Transmission Competition has now come to a successful conclusion. Although there were setbacks, the path of cultivation is inherently full of struggle and life-and-death."

"The winner shall enjoy glory. The loser should also take it as a warning."

His words seemed fair, but they were like a knife, stabbing fiercely into Elder Xing Tu's heart.

"Now, I invite the final winner of this competition, Tianyan Sect Disciple, Chu Xiao, to come up and receive the award!"

As Gui Cang's voice fell, countless gazes once again converged on Chu Xiao.

Elder Lingyun's expression changed instantly.

He subconsciously wanted to stop Chu Xiao, whispering: "Chu Xiao, beware of a trap!"

Chu Xiao gave him a reassuring look and said calmly: "It is fine."

After speaking, he walked onto the Fighting Arena under the gaze of countless eyes.

He stood facing Gui Cang in the distance above.

One had an indifferent expression, the other was unfathomable.

Gui Cang looked at Chu Xiao below, killing intent churning in his heart, but a faint smile of approval appeared on his Face: "Chu Xiao, you are very good. To kill a Nascent Soul expert while at the Golden Core stage, such a battle record is enough to be famous throughout the world."

"This Envoy has lived for such a long time and has never seen a Prodigy like you."

"Your talent, even within my Holy Sect, belongs to the top tier."

This extremely high evaluation caused another commotion among the crowd below.

To receive such high praise from a Holy Sect Envoy, what a glory this was!

The Tianyan Sect Disciples all felt honored and puffed out their chests.

Elder Lingyun's Face also showed a trace of pride, but the vigilance in his heart did not diminish at all.

Upon hearing this, Chu Xiao only calmly replied: "The Envoy is too kind."

Neither humble nor overbearing, his Heart-Nature was as steady as a mountain.

The appreciation in Gui Cang's eyes grew stronger. He smiled and nodded, then flipped his hand.

Two items appeared in his hand.

A Jade Slip flashing with purple spiritual light, and a heavy Storage Pouch.

"According to the rules of the competition, the champion's reward is an Earth-Grade High Grade Cultivation Technique bestowed by the Holy Sect, as well as cultivation resources worth 100,000 High-Grade Spirit Stones."

"This Cultivation Technique is called 'Purple Lightning Thunder Art', a top-tier lightning-attribute Cultivation Technique. When cultivated to Major Achievement, it can summon the Nine Heavens divine thunder. It is immensely powerful and sufficient to serve as the treasure of a great Sect."

"Now, they belong to you."

As Gui Cang spoke, he slowly sent the Jade Slip and the Storage Pouch to Chu Xiao.

The breathing of all the Cultivators in the venue became heavy at this moment.

An Earth-Grade High Grade Cultivation Technique!

100,000 High-Grade Spirit Stones!

Either of these was a precious treasure enough to make Nascent Soul Cultivators envious.

Countless envious and jealous gazes were cast at Chu Xiao on the Fighting Arena.

However, Chu Xiao just calmly took the two items.

He swept his Divine Sense over them roughly, then put them into his Storage Ring!

To him, this Cultivation Technique and these Spirit Stones were merely icing on the cake.

What he truly cared about was that after killing Gu Yan, the insights on the Dao from the Returning Void Realm in his mind had grown a bit more.

That was his true Foundation.

Chu Xiao's indifferent attitude appeared increasingly unfathomable in the eyes of everyone.

In Gui Cang's eyes, it made him even more firm in his judgment.

An ordinary Cultivator, upon receiving such a great treasure, could never be this calm.

The only explanation is that he possesses something far more precious than this Earth-Grade High Grade Cultivation Technique!

"Very good."

Gui Cang nodded with satisfaction, his murderous intent already decided.

He was about to announce that the competition was completely over and let everyone disperse, so as to facilitate his subsequent plans.

But just at this moment, a resentful and crazy voice sounded from the Jiuyou Sect's seating area.

"Chu Xiao!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Elder Xing Tu break free from his fellow Disciples' support and stand up shakily.

His eyes were bloodshot, and his hair was disheveled.

He looked like a fierce ghost, staring fixedly at Chu Xiao.

"You killed the Qilin of our Sect and cut off the hundred-year Foundation of our Jiuyou Sect! This hatred is irreconcilable!"

"This old man swears here that from today on, my Jiuyou Sect will be at odds with your Tianyan Sect and with you, Chu Xiao, until one of us dies!"

"One day, this old man will definitely capture you back to the Sect, extract your soul and refine it, and let you suffer all kinds of torture, never to be reincarnated!"

This resentful oath caused the atmosphere in the arena to instantly drop to freezing point.

Elder Lingyun's Face turned livid. He immediately stepped forward and shouted sternly: "Elder Xing Tu! Have you gone mad! The life-and-death contract was proposed by yourselves, with the Heavenly Dao as witness. Now you want to go back on your word? Do you want our two Sects to start a war right now?"

"If you want war, then let's have war! Even if my Jiuyou Sect has to risk having our lineage severed, we will make your Tianyan Sect pay a bloody price!"

Elder Xing Tu had been completely blinded by hatred.

Seeing that the Elders of the two Sects were about to fight on the spot, Gui Cang frowned slightly.

He did not want these two old guys to fight here and disrupt his deployment.

"Enough!"

He snorted coldly, and a terrifying pressure instantly descended on Elder Xing Tu.

Puff!

Elder Xing Tu was hit hard, spitting out a mouthful of blood on the spot, and his whole person withered.

He was supported by the Disciples behind him in a flurry.

"Do you treat this Envoy's words as wind in your ears?"

Gui Cang's voice was bone-chilling: "Life and death are fated; you cannot blame others. If you dare to make noise in this place again, do not blame this Envoy for abolishing your cultivation!"

Elder Xing Tu was completely awakened by this blow. Feeling the churning blood in his body and Gui Cang's undisguised killing intent, he finally dared not say anything more.

He just raised his head and looked at Chu Xiao with those resentful eyes.

The disturbance was thus quelled.

Seeing this, Gui Cang nodded with satisfaction.

He turned around and looked at Chu Xiao again, the coldness on his Face instantly turning into a warm spring breeze.

"Chu Xiao, no need to pay attention to the barking of such a stray dog."

He paused, changed the subject, and said in a tempting tone: "Your talent should not be buried in this small place."

"This Envoy thinks highly of you and intends to take you as a Named Disciple and bring you back to the Holy Sect to Cultivate. I wonder what you think?"

Boom!

This sentence exploded in the minds of everyone in the audience like a thunderclap!

The Holy Sect Envoy wants to take Chu Xiao as a Disciple?

And wants to take him back to the Holy Sect?

What a huge Opportunity this is! A step to the sky!

Countless Cultivators looked at Chu Xiao with gazes that had changed from envy and jealousy to worship.

Even the Elders of the Wanfa Sect and Divine Sword Sect showed expressions of shock.

The Tianyan Sect Disciples were even more excited beyond measure.

"Heaven bless our Tianyan Sect!"

"Senior Brother Chu is being favored by the Holy Sect Envoy! Our Tianyan Sect is going to have a Holy Sect Disciple!"

However, unlike the excitement of the crowd, Elder Lingyun's heart sank to the bottom at this moment.

He knew too well what this meant.

This was not an Opportunity; this was a death warrant!

With the secrets Chu Xiao had displayed, once he was taken away from the Sect and fell into Gui Cang's hands, the outcome could be imagined!

His Face turned pale, and he just wanted to speak up to refuse on Chu Xiao's behalf.

But Chu Xiao spoke first. He looked at Gui Cang with a calm expression: "Thank you for your kindness, Envoy."

He cupped his hands and said in an indifferent tone: "It is just that this Disciple is a member of the Tianyan Sect and has been nurtured by the Sect until now. I have not yet repaid the kindness of my teachers, so I dare not leave rashly."

"Regarding this matter, I hope the Envoy will allow this Disciple to report to the Sect Master before making a decision."

This answer was watertight.

He neither refused to his Face, rejecting the Envoy's Face, nor did he kick the ball to the Sect.

He won buffer time for himself.

Upon hearing this, Elder Lingyun felt a little relieved in his heart.

The look he gave Chu Xiao became increasingly satisfied.

Talent is supreme, combat power is unparalleled, and his Heart-Nature is even more watertight.

This child is truly the Qilin that our Tianyan Sect has not encountered in ten thousand years!

Hearing this answer, a cold light flashed in Gui Cang's eyes.

But the smile on his Face became increasingly warm.

"Hehe, very well. Respecting teachers and Dao is a good thing."

He seemed as if he really just cherished talent.

He mentioned it casually and did not care about Chu Xiao's polite refusal.

He nodded and said: "In that case, this Envoy will not force you."

[part:deepseek-chat]

However, the Cultivation Techniques and Divine Abilities you possess are quite unique. You must have encountered some special Opportunity.

This envoy is quite interested in you. Could you accompany me to the City Lord's Manor for a discussion later? Rest assured, this envoy merely wishes to discourse on the Dao with you. I have no other intentions.

It's happening!

Elder Ling Yun's heart was once again in his throat.

This was the true moment when the dagger was revealed!

Using discourse on the Dao as a pretext to carry out the reality of imprisonment and interrogation!

This was an invitation that simply could not be refused.

To refuse would be to disrespect the Holy Sect Envoy's Face, leading to an immediate, open confrontation.

The other party had plenty of reasons to suppress you.

To go would be like a lamb entering a tiger's den—more dangers than prospects!

In an instant, the gazes of everyone present fell upon Chu Xiao, awaiting his response.

The atmosphere in the entire Fighting Arena was tense to the extreme.

Facing the seemingly genial gaze of Holy Sect Envoy Gui Cang.

Chu Xiao's Face still wore that expression of unrippled calm.

He remained silent for a moment.

Just as Elder Ling Yun was about to speak up and shield him from this 'invitation'.

Chu Xiao slowly raised his head, a slight smile curling at the corner of his mouth. 'Very well.'

'Chu Xiao! You...'

Elder Ling Yun's heart felt like it was about to leap from his throat.

He took a swift step forward, grabbing Chu Xiao's arm tightly. 'Do you know what you're saying?'

This was no longer a dragon's pool or a tiger's den; it was clearly a place of certain death, a desperate situation!

Xu Linger was even more terrified, her pretty Face turning deathly pale. She clutched the hem of her clothes tightly, tears welling up in her eyes, yet she couldn't utter a single word.

In stark contrast to the Tianyan Sect members' utter horror and despair.

The genial smile on Holy Sect Envoy Gui Cang's Face, after Chu Xiao uttered those two words.

Froze for an instant.

He had imagined Chu Xiao might resist fiercely, or use the Tianyan Sect Sect Master as a shield.

Or even fight to the death.

But he had never anticipated that the other party would agree so readily.

This defied reason.

An abnormal event must have an underlying cause.

A Prodigy who could slay a Nascent Soul while at the Golden Core stage.

Could never be a fool who couldn't see simple pros and cons.

He either possessed a trump card beyond Gui Cang's imagination, or... he was arrogant to the extreme, not even placing a Soul Transformation envoy like himself in his eyes.

Regardless of which it was.

The killing intent in Gui Cang's heart grew even more intense.

A flash of greed vanished deep within his eyes.

The smile on his Face regained its gentleness, even taking on a hint of an Elder's appreciation for a Junior. 'Good, you have courage. In that case, accompany this envoy to the City Lord's Manor for a discussion.'

As he spoke, he prepared to turn, signaling for Chu Xiao to follow.

He had already decided that as soon as Chu Xiao left the Fighting Arena.

Left the sight of these tens of thousands of people, he would act immediately.

Using the most thunderous means to capture him, giving him no chance whatsoever.

'Envoy, please wait a moment.'

At that very moment, Chu Xiao's voice rang out again.

Holy Sect Envoy Gui Cang's steps halted. He slowly turned around, narrowing his eyes.

A trace of impatience had already entered his gaze. 'What else do you have to say?'

Chu Xiao remained calm. He cupped his hands towards Holy Sect Envoy Gui Cang. 'Going to the City Lord's Manor is acceptable. But before that, this Disciple wishes to first return to the Sect seating to say a few words to my Elder and Senior Sister!'

'I cannot just follow the Envoy away without a clear explanation.'

This request was perfectly reasonable. No one could find fault with it.

But to Gui Cang's ears, it was nothing less than a delay tactic.

He instantly concluded that Chu Xiao was trying to use this chance to seek help from the Tianyan Sect, or was plotting some means of escape.

'Hmph.'

Gui Cang's patience finally ran out. The smile on his Face vanished completely, replaced by icy indifference. 'Say a few words? Unnecessary.'

'What tricks do you think you can play in front of this envoy?'

He took a step forward, and the terrifying pressure belonging to a Soul Transformation mighty one! Came crashing down!

The entire Fighting Arena instantly changed. The very air seemed to solidify.

The tens of thousands of Cultivators present felt their hearts grow heavy.

A sense of trembling made even breathing difficult.

Those with slightly weaker Cultivation bases had their legs go weak, collapsing directly to the ground.

Elder Ling Yun's Face changed drastically. With a roar, the Aura of his Late Stage Nascent Soul erupted.

Wanting to shield Chu Xiao from this pressure.

However, his power, before Gui Cang, was like a stream crashing into an ocean. Unable to raise even a ripple, it was instantly overwhelmed.

'Ugh!'

Elder Ling Yun grunted, a trickle of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.

His Face instantly turned as pale as paper.

'Gui Cang! How dare you!'

His eyes were wide with fury, his voice a hoarse roar. 'You, an envoy of the Upper Sect, dare to harm a Disciple of my Sect right here?!'

'Harm?'

Gui Cang sneered coldly. He looked down upon Chu Xiao from his lofty position.

His gaze was like looking at prey already caught in a spider's web, no longer bothering to disguise it.

'This envoy merely believes that the Cultivation Techniques and Divine Abilities on your person are too strange, not resembling those of the Righteous Path, and are suspected to be related to the Demonic Path.'

'For the sake of all living beings under heaven, for the orthodox Daoist tradition, this envoy has the responsibility to apprehend you and investigate thoroughly!'

'Now, kneel, seal your own Meridians, and follow me back to the City Lord's Manor to await judgment!'

These words were spoken with grand righteousness, twisting black and white.

Everyone understood.

This was not suspicion at all. This was the dagger revealed, pure and simple plunder!

The Disciples of the Tianyan Sect were all filled with righteous indignation, trembling with anger.

Yet under that terrifying pressure, they could barely stand steady.

Let alone speak up to refute.

The Elders of the Wanfa Sect and the Divine Sword Sect exchanged a glance.

Both saw shock and relief in each other's eyes. Relief that their own Sects hadn't produced such a Prodigy, otherwise, the one being forced into a corner today would be them.

Facing the pressure of this Soul Transformation mighty one, facing this twisted accusation.

Facing that unquestionable command.

Chu Xiao stood at the center of the pressure, his clothes fluttering violently.

He slowly raised his head, meeting Gui Cang's icy gaze, a faint smile touching the corner of his mouth.

'Finally stopped pretending, have you?'

His calm voice reached everyone's ears.

'If you want to snatch the things on me, just say so directly. Why bother finding such high-sounding excuses?'

'An envoy of the Upper Sect? In my eyes, you're nothing but a robber blinded by greed.'

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire arena fell silent.

Everyone stared wide-eyed, looking at Chu Xiao in disbelief.

He's mad, he's truly gone mad!

To contradict him openly—no, this was no longer mere contradiction!

This was pointing at the nose of a Soul Transformation mighty one and calling him a robber!

'You little beast! You're seeking death!!!'

Gui Cang was thoroughly enraged.

As an envoy of the Holy Sect, his status was revered. Wherever he went, wasn't he surrounded and revered like a deity?

When had he ever suffered such a profound humiliation!

A violent killing intent surged from his body, shooting towards the sky.

Originally, he had only wanted to capture Chu Xiao, force out his secrets, and then refine him.

But now, he changed his mind.

He wanted to personally crush this brat who didn't know his own limits, inch by inch!

To make him understand what true despair was!

'Very well! This envoy will let you see today what the might of Soul Transformation truly is! And make you understand that an ant has no right to converse with a deity!'

The moment his words fell, Gui Cang moved.

He didn't even use any Magic Treasure or Divine Ability.

He simply raised his right hand.

And aimed a palm strike from afar at Chu Xiao below.

This palm strike seemed ordinary, but the moment it was unleashed, a hundred-zhang giant hand condensed from mana appeared out of thin air above the Fighting Arena.

That giant hand blotted out the sky. Within its palm, it seemed to contain a Small World.

Laws flowed, Dao essence formed naturally!

Just the palm wind alone pressed down, causing the arena platform below to crack inch by inch!

Space, under this palm.

Became visibly distorted!

'It's over...'

Elder Ling Yun's Face was ashen, his eyes filled with despair.

He could not block this palm strike.

No one from the Tianyan Sect could block it.

Soul Transformation and Nascent Soul—that was a qualitative difference, an insurmountable chasm.

However, at the very instant that palm, capable of shattering mountains and rivers, was about to descend.

Chu Xiao moved.

He stomped his foot fiercely, and a heavy, mountain-like,

Overwhelmingly domineering Aura erupted from within his body!

A faint golden radiance covered his entire form.

Behind him, the towering, heaven-reaching mountain monarch phantom appeared once more!

'ROAR—!!!'

A soundless roar, as if traversing the primordial chaos of ages, carrying the will to suppress all things in heaven and earth, fearlessly met the descending giant palm!

Chu Xiao raised his right fist.

And towards that sky-blotting giant palm, he threw a punch!

This punch condensed all the strength in his entire body.

It was his deepest comprehension of the True Intent of the Primordial Mountain Monarch.

It was the ultimate manifestation of his Daoist arts!

Under the horrified gazes of everyone present.

That tiny, dust-like golden fist.

And that sky-blotting mana giant palm, collided fearlessly!

At the point where fist and palm met, space suddenly collapsed inward.

Forming a pitch-black, constantly twisting point.

The next instant.

*Crack!*

A crisp shattering sound.

Echoed from the center of the sky-blotting giant palm.

Immediately after, countless cracks, centered on that black point, spread madly across the entire giant hand!

*BOOM!!!*

The hundred-zhang giant palm exploded violently!

Transforming into a sky full of raging spiritual energy turbulence, sweeping in all directions.

As for Chu Xiao, within that violent energy storm, his body shook violently.

He was struck by an irresistible, colossal force.

Smashed down fiercely.

With a thunderous crash!

He was slammed into the hard arena platform, leaving a person-shaped pit of unfathomable depth.

Dust billowed, his fate unknown.

High in the air, Holy Sect Envoy Gui Cang's figure also staggered back half a step.

His outstretched right hand.

Its sleeve fluttered without wind, trembling slightly.

He lowered his head to look at his own palm, then glanced at the deep pit below.

The expression on his Face shifted from rage, to astonishment.

Finally transforming into shock and disbelief.

He blocked it?

He actually... blocked my angry strike?

Although I had only used thirty percent of my power.

But that was still thirty percent of a Soul Transformation Cultivator's power!

Enough to instantly kill any Late Stage Nascent Soul!

Yet a kid at the seventh level of Golden Core had actually withstood it head-on!

How is this possible!