In the skies, Jiang Yichen had been waiting for a long time. When he saw Gu Sheng finally appear, he let out a cold laugh and swung his sword toward him. Sword Qi surged and tore through everything in its path, with an overwhelming force that inspired awe. Smoke, dust, and visions of destruction danced along with his swordsmanship, as if about to envelop the entire sparring arena.
Gu Sheng dared not underestimate him. He activated his Cultivation Technique, and visions of mountains, rivers, lakes, seas, flowers, birds, and mystical beasts emerged around him. Golden waves surged unceasingly, emanating an aura of boundless might. His Ancient Sacred Body gleamed with a golden brilliance, making him appear like a golden War God descending upon the mortal realm.
The two stood a hundred meters apart, locked in a standoff with unstoppable momentum. Jiang Yichen's Dust Sword Skill, an Earth-level mid-grade Cultivation Technique, was astonishingly powerful, with every sword strike seemingly capable of slicing through the Void. Meanwhile, Gu Sheng employed the Gale Nine Swords to maneuver around Jiang Yichen. His speed was extraordinary, and with the aid of the Carefree Ascension Step, his figure became as elusive as a phantom.
The battle reached a fever pitch, with each exchanging blows and showcasing their ultimate techniques, every move aiming for a fatal strike. However, as time went on, Gu Sheng gradually revealed his advantage. His Ancient Sacred Body was indestructibly resilient, while Jiang Yichen's fierce attacks struggled to breach his defense.
Finally, in a fierce exchange of blows, Gu Sheng seized an opening in Jiang Yichen's defense and struck him to the ground with a single palm.
Jiang Yichen struggled to rise but found his body no longer obeyed his commands.
He glared at Gu Sheng with unwillingness etched across his face and said, "You've won..." After uttering those words, he fell unconscious.
The surrounding spectators were stunned, unable to believe the duel would end in this manner.
The disciples of the Turquoise Pool erupted in cheers, celebrating Gu Sheng's victory, while the Heavenly Dao Sect disciples wore expressions of disappointment and murmured among themselves.
Su Yao, who had been watching the match, clenched her fists tightly in nervous anticipation.
When she saw Gu Sheng claim victory, she leaped up in excitement. "Gu Sheng! You're amazing!" she shouted, her voice filled with unabashed joy.
The other disciples of the Turquoise Pool also gathered around, offering their congratulations to Gu Sheng.
Although the Heavenly Dao Sect disciples felt a bitter defeat, they could only begrudgingly accept the outcome.
Jiang Yichen, whose cultivation had reached the Eighth Layer Heaven of the Navel Wheel Realm, had been defeated by Gu Sheng, who was only at the Sixth Layer Heaven. This disparity left them all deeply shocked and disheartened.
The reality was indisputable—they had to admit that Gu Sheng's strength clearly surpassed their own expectations.
Gu Sheng approached Jiang Yichen, crouching beside him as he asked, "Are you all right?"
Although they were opponents, Gu Sheng had no intention of causing serious harm. He merely sought a friendly duel.
Now, seeing Jiang Yichen unconscious on the ground, he couldn't help feeling a tinge of regret.
Gu Sheng extended a hand, as if to help Jiang Yichen up, but ultimately hesitated and withdrew. Taking a deep breath, he released a thread of pure Spiritual Energy, which fell gently like soft rain over Jiang Yichen's body.
"Cough… cough…" Under the nourishment of the Spiritual Energy, Jiang Yichen slowly regained consciousness. A hint of confusion flickered in his eyes before clarity returned.
Seeing this, the disciples of the Heavenly Dao Sect rushed forward to help him up. For a moment, the entire sparring arena fell utterly silent, with everyone's gaze fixed on these two young prodigies.
"Brother Jiang, are you okay?" one of the Heavenly Dao Sect disciples asked with concern.
Jiang Yichen shook his head and looked at Gu Sheng with a complicated expression. "I'm fine. Thank you, Brother Gu, for showing mercy."
Gu Sheng smiled faintly and clasped his hands respectfully. "Brother Jiang, you flatter me. This was merely a friendly exchange, not a fight to the death."
These words warmed the hearts of the onlookers. Despite the intensity of their duel, it appeared that no lasting enmity had been formed between the two young warriors.
Just then, an elder from the Turquoise Pool approached, his gaze filled with satisfaction as he looked at Gu Sheng and Jiang Yichen. "Wonderful, wonderful! Both of you are outstanding talents of the younger generation. Today's battle will surely become a legendary tale."
The elder of the Heavenly Dao Sect also nodded in approval. "Indeed. This duel not only tested your strength but also demonstrated your character and poise."
As the two elders concluded their remarks, murmurs spread among the crowd surrounding the arena.
"Gu Sheng is simply incredible, defeating Jiang Yichen like that!"
"Indeed. Jiang Yichen is a rising star of the Heavenly Dao Sect. Who would have thought he'd lose to Gu Sheng?"
"What a spectacular battle! It made my blood boil!"
The chatter among the spectators was lively, with everyone sharing their thoughts on the outcome of the duel. News of this event spread like wildfire throughout the entirety of the Cultivation World.
In the Shaking Light Sacred Land, an elder who received word exclaimed, "This Gu Sheng is no ordinary cultivator. To defeat Jiang Yichen—our prior assessment of him was far too low."
On Infinite Mountain, a senior cultivator sighed. "Both of these young men are extraordinary talents. The future of the Cultivation World undoubtedly belongs to them."
Meanwhile, the Hall Master of the Destruction Hall scoffed. "So, Gu Sheng has some skill. But if he thinks he can challenge the Destruction Hall, it's still far too early for that!"
Elsewhere, the Family Head of the Ji family chuckled. "This Gu Sheng is becoming more and more interesting. Perhaps it's time we consider establishing friendly ties with him."
The name of Gu Sheng, alongside that of Jiang Yichen, became renowned across various sects and factions following this battle.
Their performance not only earned the admiration of their peers but also brought glory to their respective sects.
This duel was not merely a sparring match but a brilliant showcase of the strength and demeanor of two young talents.
Their competition went beyond mere cultivation levels—it was a contest of mindset, intellect, and courage.
And the outcome of this duel would undoubtedly serve as a significant milestone on their journeys in the Cultivation World.
In the days to come, the names of Gu Sheng and Jiang Yichen would echo throughout every corner of the Cultivation World.
Their tale would inspire countless future cultivators, becoming a timeless legend.
For both of them, this duel would remain an unforgettable experience, driving them ever forward in pursuit of excellence!
Meanwhile, within the Turquoise Pool, vibrant discussions ignited among its members.
The Holy Daughter looked at Gu Sheng with eyes filled with admiration and hope. "Gu Sheng truly is the pride of our Turquoise Pool!"
An elder sighed with emotion. "Indeed. Not only is he profoundly skilled, but his resolve is also unyielding. The future is bright for him!"
Another elder nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely! We must cultivate him well and help him become a pillar of strength for the Turquoise Pool!"
The Holy Daughter smiled gently and said, "I was thinking the exact same thing."
This battle was not merely a celebration of victory—it marked a new beginning that would inspire Gu Sheng and other cultivators to aim higher and achieve their dreams!
After the duel, Gu Sheng did not immediately leave. Instead, he and the Turquoise Pool's Holy Daughter ventured into a serene bamboo forest. Sitting across from each other, they began discussing the mysterious Dream Butterfly Atlas.
"Holy Daughter, do you think by merging the Dream Butterfly Atlas with the Jade Maiden Sword, we might gain new insights?" Gu Sheng spoke first, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
The Turquoise Pool's Holy Daughter smiled softly and replied, "It's worth a try. The Dream Butterfly Atlas contains profound philosophies that may complement our Jade Maiden Heart Sutra."
With that, the two closed their eyes and began meditating, their hands pressed together as they delved into the mysteries of the Dream Butterfly Atlas. Over time, they entered a wondrous state. In their perception, the environment around them began to shift, as if they had stepped into a surreal yet tangible world.
In this world, they saw butterflies dancing gracefully, each one shimmering with captivating colors. These butterflies seemed to emerge from the Dream Butterfly Atlas or perhaps were manifestations of their own hearts. Two butterflies chased and played with one another, tracing elegant arcs through the air.
Suddenly, the scene changed, and they transformed into two turtles, leisurely swimming in the water. The waves rippled gently, and sunlight filtered through the surface, creating dappled patterns. Everything felt so tranquil and harmonious.
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