novelraw Chapter 152: Elder, I Seem to Have Been Beaten Into a Son
Chapter 152: Elder, I Seem to Have Been Beaten Into a Son
The matter of the CG update was put aside for the time being.
After all, the Unfettered Freedom Art had just entered the update state, and the specific CG content wouldn't be visible for a short while. There was no point in rushing.
What Gu Chengming cared about more was the little dragon that had suddenly appeared before him.
Ji Yixi knelt on the ground, turning her head to stare at the little dragon curled in a ball beside her. Her slightly widened eyes betrayed her current internal activity.
—This clearly wasn't in the script she had seen from countless world lines.
Among the 'people' present, the first to react was actually Hundred Bones Resonating.
【Hundred Bones Resonating paused, then came to a sudden realization: So Emperor Gu really is a dragon!】
【Hundred Bones Resonating spoke with sincere admiration: No wonder Emperor Gu possesses such divine power! It turns out he has the bloodline of the ancient dragon race!】
【Hundred Bones Resonating Favorability +5】
Gu Chengming sighed secretly. Old Bai, you're the only one who could come up with words to comfort me so quickly in such a chaotic situation.
But at that moment, the little black dragon on the ground also realized something was wrong. The aura on Gu Chengming's body was indeed similar to the one it knew deep in its memory,
But it was only 'similar.'
It recalled what Ji Yixi had mentioned before: this young man named Gu Chengming had once drawn dragon qi into his body in the capital.
So it wasn't that its dad had been resurrected, but rather that this kid was stained with dragon qi. The scent had fooled its perception, which had only recently woken up and wasn't quite sharp yet.
The moment it realized this, the little dragon slowly lifted its head from its prostrate position, its pitch-black dragon eyes meeting Gu Chengming's gaze.
"..."
Embarrassment was written all over the little dragon's face.
A derivative of the source of the majestic ancient dragon race, a being that had once fought alongside the Daqian ancestors to slay outer realm sky demons, had just called a Third Realm junior 'Dad' in front of everyone and prostrated itself on the ground.
—How was it supposed to explain this?
"Senior has recognized the wrong person."
Ji Yixi's voice sounded flatly. At some point, she had adjusted from a kneeling position to a formal sitting posture. Although her hands were still pinned behind her back by the binding rope, she appeared quite composed. "The auras are similar, but the origins are different. Senior likely mistook the residual fluctuations of dragon qi for an old friend."
The little dragon cleared its throat unnaturally and floated back into the air, desperately putting on a reserved front as if it were 'just confirming information.'
Gu Chengming saw this and kindly chose not to expose it.
【Huiyuan Sword Manual whispered: Chengming, is this little dragon a bit stupid?】
—People associated with the Daqian Imperial Family all seem to be quite stupid. Little Huiyuan, you'll get used to it.
Gu Chengming thought so as his gaze fell back onto the Second Imperial Princess before him.
Speaking of which, Her Highness had been tied up this whole time.
With that thought, he withdrew the spiritual energy lock of the binding rope.
Ji Yixi moved her slightly numb wrists and stood up unhurriedly. She straightened her wrinkled palace dress and readjusted the jade hairpin that had tilted toward her ear.
"Thank you, Commander Gu," she said with a slight nod.
Gu Chengming looked at her face, which hadn't shown much fluctuation from beginning to end, and truly felt some admiration.
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Though her logic was a bit eccentric, Her Highness's performance could indeed be called composed.
"So, Your Highness."
Gu Chengming pulled over a chair and sat down, gesturing for her to take a seat. His tone shifted from wary to calm. "A late-night visit is surely not just for old times' sake. Why have you come?"
Ji Yixi sat opposite him, her hands folded on her knees. She got straight to the point. "I hope Commander Gu can do something for me."
Gu Chengming remained noncommittal. The last time this Second Imperial Princess came to find him, she started with 'I know the dragon qi in your body hasn't been triggered,' which had scared him half to death.
Although the scene this time was even more absurd, at least the other party's attitude was much more sincere than before.
"No rush." Gu Chengming looked at her, his tone steady. "Your Highness might as well tell me first what you can give me."
These words were blunt, but for both parties, it was actually the most efficient way to communicate.
After all, with the previous unpleasantness, Gu Chengming had no obligation to listen to a request before considering the conditions. Showing one's cards first was basic sincerity.
Ji Yixi clearly agreed with this logic. She took out a jade slip from her sleeve and handed it to Gu Chengming with both hands.
"As a show of sincerity, this is the first meeting gift."
Gu Chengming took the jade slip and probed it with his divine sense.
The jade slip recorded a piece of intelligence—
On the shores of the East Sea, Lord Fubai was attacked by an unknown cultivator and suffered heavy injuries, forced to retreat into the Dragon Transformation Pool to recover. Currently, the East Sea side has suppressed the news, and no one in the outside world knows of this.
Lord Fubai.
He was no stranger to this name. Speaking of which, it was a rather unpleasant karma. Previously, he had formed a grudge with Lord Fubai because he had slain the latter's offspring. Although the other party hadn't immediately come to his door due to various reasons, that debt had always been hanging there. Sooner or later, it would be a problem.
And now, this problem had been temporarily solved for him.
Lord Fubai was injured and recovering in the pool; he would certainly have no time for other matters in the short term.
The East Sea dragon race had always been closed and xenophobic. If even the major sects of the cultivation world hadn't heard a whisper of Lord Fubai being attacked, Ji Yixi being able to produce this level of intelligence as a meeting gift meant she likely had something to do with the matter.
"I have received Your Highness's sincerity."
Gu Chengming nodded, his phrasing quite appropriate. "The matter of Lord Fubai has indeed settled a concern of mine. Regardless of what role Your Highness played in it, I will remember this favor."
Ji Yixi nodded slightly. Her attitude was as restrained as ever, and this sense of propriety made Gu Chengming's impression of her much better than last time.
"However," Ji Yixi suddenly spoke again, "there are still some things that need to be told to Commander Gu in advance."
Her speaking pace was very slow, clearly weighing every word.
"I don't even know the full picture of the matter I'm asking for your help with. But from what I've observed, the person stirring the winds and clouds behind this matter has a certain entanglement with Commander Gu."
Gu Chengming's eyes narrowed slightly.
Ji Yixi continued, "This person's methods are extremely hidden. Currently, I can only confirm that this Sect Disciple Grand Examination, or perhaps Floating Islet City itself, has likely already been set with some kind of hidden trap. The person behind the layout has great ambitions, and the time span and depth of their planning far exceed the ordinary."
She paused, seemingly considering how far to take her words. "Commander Gu should know better than I what kind of power is skilled in this kind of planning that spans across time."
Having said this much, there was no need to be any clearer.
Gu Chengming connected several key pieces of information in his mind.
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Skilled in planning across time scales and having entanglements with him... it was clearly someone from the Longevity Sect.
And in the Tianque Secret Realm, combining the one he had fought who had the ability to stir up trouble at the grand competition with the ancient secret revealed by Zhou Qingmu—
A name surfaced in his heart.
The Red Dust Immortal.
That ancient Near Heaven elder of the Longevity Sect, the master whom Long-Life Chess had spent his entire life following, a being whose whereabouts became unknown during the great calamity thousands of years ago.
If the Longevity Sect truly possessed the means to 'extract' the dead from history back into the present world, then since Long-Life Chess could be brought back, the Red Dust Immortal naturally could be as well. In fact, given the Red Dust Immortal's strength and status in life, he might be the true chess player of the Longevity Sect, while Long-Life Chess was merely a piece thrown onto the board first.
Gu Chengming went over these speculations in his mind and didn't ask specifically who it was.
He glanced at Ji Yixi. "I won't ask about Your Highness's source of information. Since this matter concerns me, I naturally have no reason to stand by and watch. Tell me, what specifically do you need me to do?"
Ji Yixi breathed a sigh of relief, then spoke openly, "I hope Commander Gu will go to the Mohist Sect to trial the 'Floating Heaven Profound God Mirror.'"
A question mark appeared over Gu Chengming's head.
—What is that now?
As if sensing Gu Chengming's confusion, Ji Yixi continued, "The Floating Heaven Profound God Mirror is a top-tier Fifth Realm artifact specially developed by the Mohist Sect for this grand competition. Its principle is to project the user's soul into an independent space constructed within the artifact, which the Mohist Sect calls 'inside the mirror.'"
"After entering the mirror, the artifact will completely replicate one's cultivation realm, technique traits, physical strength, blood and qi, spiritual power, and even artifact compatibility based on the information carried by the user's soul."
Ji Yixi paused and added, "In short, it's using your own soul to control a projection that is exactly identical to your own strength to engage in combat with the projections of other cultivators inside the mirror."
Gu Chengming was a bit stunned.
—A virtual combat platform?
"The Mohist Sect's original intention in developing this was to replace traditional arena combat in the grand competition... Although the battles inside the mirror are intense, since those fighting are only projections, the true body will not suffer any harm."
"In this way, the young disciples of various sects can let loose and give their all without worrying about irrecoverable deaths or injuries during combat. It is reported that some segments of this grand competition will use the Floating Heaven Profound God Mirror as a means of competition for the first time. The Mohist Sect Master places great importance on this, regarding it as one of the Mohist Sect's most significant breakthroughs in the path of creation in decades."
Hearing this, Gu Chengming couldn't help but feel a bit curious about this artifact.
A Fifth Realm artifact capable of fully replicating a cultivator's entire attributes—the complexity of its array construction and the consumption of spiritual materials must be astronomical. For the Mohist Sect to be able to produce such a thing, they truly deserved the title of 'pinnacle of craftsmanship.'
But he cared more about another matter.
"The hidden traps Your Highness mentioned just now..." Gu Chengming looked at Ji Yixi, getting straight to the point, "are they related to this Floating Heaven Profound God Mirror?"
"I'm not sure." Ji Yixi's answer was surprisingly honest.
"That is exactly why I'm asking Commander Gu to trial it." She tilted her head slightly. "The Floating Heaven Profound God Mirror is a top-tier Fifth Realm artifact, and its internal array architecture is extremely precise. If someone wanted to interfere with the grand competition, this artifact is the most ideal point of entry. The souls of hundreds of young disciples will be cast into the mirror during the competition; once the artifact is contaminated, the consequences would be unthinkable."
"However, the Mohist Sect's own testing of the artifact is quite rigorous, leaving almost no room for outsiders to intervene... So I need someone to enter the mirror as a normal participant to investigate from within whether any abnormalities exist."
At this point, Ji Yixi hesitated for a moment and ultimately did not mention the matter of the 'variable.'
"As far as I know, Commander Gu's methods in terms of soul protection are quite outstanding. To this day, no one has ever successfully trapped Commander Gu in an illusion."
"So I feel Commander Gu is one of the best candidates for this matter."
Gu Chengming realized and then nodded.
He had the passive effect of the Peace Legacy, which specifically countered laws of the tampering, distorting, and subverting types. If the Floating Heaven Profound God Mirror truly had been tampered with, he indeed had an extra layer of protection compared to others.
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Moreover, if the Longevity Sect truly stood behind this matter, then he had even less reason to stay out of it.
Having ruined someone's thousand-year layout in the Tianque Secret Realm, that group couldn't possibly let it go. Instead of passively waiting for the opponent to make a move, it was better to proactively scout their hand.
Ji Yixi seemed to have expected him to agree. She didn't add any further persuasion but took out a second item from her sleeve.
It was a bracelet. The body of the bracelet was cast from an unknown dark silver metal, its surface carved with complex array patterns. Tiny glimmers of light flickered within the flowing lines.
A Fourth Realm artifact, and one of extremely high quality.
"This item is called the 'Mirror Heart Bracelet.' I personally commissioned a Mohist craftsman to make it." Ji Yixi added, "If there truly is contamination inside the mirror, this item can ensure Commander Gu's soul is not eroded."
"Your Highness has thought of everything."
Gu Chengming tucked the Mirror Heart Bracelet into his sleeve, already having a good idea of the terms of this deal.
The meeting gift was information on Lord Fubai, resolving a pressing concern. The cooperation sincerity was a Fourth Realm artifact to ensure his safety. The remaining hint was clear enough: this matter was linked to the Longevity Sect, connected to his old grudges, and their interests were aligned.
Compared to that first meeting which could be called a disaster, this time Ji Yixi had clearly done her homework.
The conditions were provided, the sincerity was shown, and she even honestly admitted to facts she didn't fully know. Dealing with this kind of partner was at least not exhausting.
"Fine." Gu Chengming nodded decisively. "I'll go for the Floating Heaven Profound God Mirror matter."
Ji Yixi was slightly taken aback. She lowered her eyes, and at an angle the other party couldn't see, the corners of her mouth twitched slightly.
The little dragon on her shoulder saw this minute change. Its dragon eyes narrowed, and its heart felt quite complicated.
After being with this girl for so long, this was the first time it had seen an expression similar to 'breathing a sigh of relief' on her face.
"In that case, I will send the specific location and usage procedures for the Floating Heaven Profound God Mirror to Commander Gu tomorrow via a Sound Transmission Talisman." Ji Yixi stood up and gave Gu Chengming a slight bow.
"I apologize for the disturbance tonight. I hope Commander Gu can forgive me. If there is a need to contact me in the future, you can send a message directly to me through the built-in array patterns of the Mirror Heart Bracelet."
Gu Chengming nodded in agreement. "Your Highness is too polite... But next time you come, remember to use the door."
Ji Yixi blinked and nodded seriously. "I've remembered."
Seeing her solemn look, Gu Chengming felt that this princess might truly not have climbed over the wall on purpose.
The door was gently pushed open and then closed. Footsteps sounded in the courtyard for a few breaths until they disappeared into the night.
...
The next morning, the sun in Floating Islet City came earlier than expected.
Likely because there was no horizon to block it above the sea of clouds, the sky's light practically split down, forcing Gu Chengming awake from his meditative state.
He rubbed his eyes, got up to wash, and just as he finished, flying sword messages began clattering against the window frame.
The message was from Sect Master Shen Qianqiu, informing him to gather at the meeting hall in the center of the main street at the third quarter of the Hour of the Dragon for important announcements.
Gu Chengming went to the appointment on time.
Inside the meeting hall, the core members of the Wenjian Sect participating in the grand competition had all arrived.
Shen Qianqiu sat in the main seat with Elder Han Zhe standing by his side. Yu Wenqiu leaned against a pillar in the corner, boredly fiddling with the fluff on her sleeve. Su Qingmeng sat upright on a prayer mat, her back straight and her gaze calm.
After Gu Chengming found a seat, Shen Qianqiu got straight to the point.
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"Everyone, the format of this Sect Disciple Grand Examination is different from previous years." Shen Qianqiu took a sip of tea. "The Mohist Sect has officially notified us that some segments of this competition will use a new artifact called the 'Floating Heaven Profound God Mirror.'"
Most of the disciples present were hearing this name for the first time. Amidst their mutual glances, Shen Qianqiu briefly explained the basic principles and usage of the Floating Heaven Profound God Mirror.
However, after introducing the basic functions, Shen Qianqiu added another part.
"According to the Mohist Sect, the Floating Heaven Profound God Mirror is not only for the competition. Before the formal matches begin, disciples from all sects can enter the mirror for free cultivation using the 'sub-mirrors' assigned to them. The environment inside the mirror can highly simulate various actual combat scenarios, and the opponent's projection can also be adjusted according to the user's needs. In other words—" Shen Qianqiu looked at the disciples present, "you can repeatedly practice your moves inside the mirror without worrying about injury. It is quite beneficial for preparation before the competition."
As his voice fell, the atmosphere in the meeting hall immediately became lively.
The young disciples whispered among themselves, clearly showing intense interest in this artifact.
Su Qingmeng's eyes lit up even more, and she subconsciously looked toward Gu Chengming.
"Alright, you'll naturally understand the specific details once you reach the Mohist registration desk."
Shen Qianqiu stood up and patted his robes. "This morning, all sects will go to the Mohist main hall together to handle registration, and each person will receive a sub-mirror. After that, you can arrange your time yourselves. Make use of the environment inside the mirror to prepare. Chengming, you are the leader for this competition, so keep an eye on the movements of other sects."
Gu Chengming cupped his hands in acceptance.
...
In the morning, inner city of Floating Islet City, Mohist main hall.
The square in front of the main hall was currently crowded with people. The teams from major sects were lined up according to their numbers, with banners fluttering and various robes on display.
The Wenjian Sect's team was lined up in the front-middle section. Gu Chengming stood at the front of the line and scanned the surroundings.
In front was the Tianji Pavilion team. A group of young disciples in uniform gray-white Daoist robes were discussing something in low voices, looking quite composed.
Behind them was the Wanfa Sect, with a massive lineup; they had brought over thirty young disciples alone. Further away, he could see several teams from small to medium-sized sects he wasn't very familiar with.
The registration process was simpler than expected.
After entering the main hall, Mohist deacon officials guided the disciples of each sect to a spacious hall. In the center of the hall stood a bronze mirror about two people high.
The mirror surface was not a common silver mirror but a deep blue semi-transparent material. Fine ripples flowed slowly across the surface, looking like a frozen deep pool. This was the main body of the Floating Heaven Profound God Mirror.
Each disciple stepped forward, pressed their palm against the mirror surface, and injected a small amount of spiritual energy.
The ripples on the mirror surface would vibrate for a moment, and then a small piece of mirror about the size of a palm would split off from the main body and float into the disciple's hand. This was the so-called 'sub-mirror.'
The appearance of the sub-mirror was exactly like the main body, just much smaller.
The Wenjian Sect disciples stepped forward one by one to receive their sub-mirrors.
When it was Gu Chengming's turn, he pressed his palm against the mirror. A gentle wave of spiritual energy flowed in through his palm, as if scanning his entire body's spiritual energy meridians and technique traits.
A moment later, a sub-mirror detached from the main body and landed steadily in his palm.
By the time they returned from the Mohist main hall after receiving the sub-mirrors, it was already afternoon.
Gu Chengming returned to the guest courtyard, closed the door, and took out the sub-mirror, placing it on the table with the intention of studying it properly.
Immediately after, a system panel popped up before him.
【Unfettered Freedom Art — CG Unlocked】
Gu Chengming was stunned. Only then did he realize that this was the CG the Little Terror technique had just unlocked last night.
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I wonder why I'm not looking forward to this at all...
Gu Chengming grumbled in his heart as he looked at the name of the CG.
【CG: Dad System】
"..."
Gu Chengming stared at those two words, took a deep breath, and continued reading.
【Once you become someone's 'Dad,' you can obtain a unique 'Dad Coin.'】
【Dad Coin Effect: Grants a short-term boost to your status. This boost can be stacked.】
【You can become the 'Dad' of several people and obtain different Dad Coins. Different Dad Coins change the boost attributes based on the traits of the corresponding 'son.'】
【Current unlock progress: 10%】
A massive question mark appeared over Gu Chengming's head: "?"
He read the CG description from beginning to end and finally confirmed he hadn't misread it. What kind of path was this? The path of the Dad?
And what did that '10% unlock progress' mean? Could it be that the 'Dad' the little dragon shouted last night had contributed ten percent?
With a slightly ominous feeling, Gu Chengming tentatively checked the detailed data of the CG.
As expected. Under the 'Dad Coins' column, an activated record had appeared.
【Dad System: Dragonkin (Incomplete)】
【Status: Misidentified.】
【Effect: Current activation progress is insufficient to trigger the boost.】
【Hundred Bones Resonating was the first to react, exclaiming: As expected of Emperor Gu! The majesty of the Heavenly Emperor bestows blessings upon all living beings!】
—He's even cosplaying a primordial being now.
【Qingxin Art thought pensively: There are quite a few 'adoptive father' plots in storybooks. Taking a few adoptive sons or daughters should also be able to trigger it, right?】
【Huiyuan Sword Manual chimed in dizzily: Is Chengming going to be a dad? Then what am I...】
【Qingxin Art glanced at it: You're the mom.】
【Huiyuan Sword Manual: ?!】
Gu Chengming looked at the CG before him with some helplessness.
This mechanism was indeed absurd, but from a purely numerical perspective, the value of the phrase 'stackable boost' was extremely high.
In his existing system, most enhancement buffs had issues with conflicting with each other or having a hard cap. Furthermore, short-term boosts were more conducive to unlocking the room for 【Hundred Bones Resonating of Love】.
Was this what they called 'a pillow being delivered just as one gets sleepy'?
But how exactly was he supposed to get people to call him Dad...
Gu Chengming suddenly felt like he possessed a mountain of treasure but didn't know where to start digging.
After a long time, he sighed and decided to put this CG aside for now and look at another side quest.
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Gu Chengming picked up the sub-mirror and injected spiritual energy into it.
In his field of vision, a semi-transparent panel emerged with several concise options.
【Welcome to the Floating Heaven Profound God Mirror】
【Please set your mirror name—】
Gu Chengming's finger paused. He suddenly thought of a possibility.
Immediately after, he entered four words after the mirror name.
—Loser Calls Me Dad.
...
【Hundred Bones Resonating laughed toward the sky: As expected of Emperor Gu! Once this name comes out, who would dare to accept the challenge! Who would dare not be convinced!】
【Huiyuan Sword Manual asked weakly: But... what if Chengming loses?】
【Hundred Bones Resonating was furious: How could Emperor Gu possibly lose!】
【Zhou Rites Heavenly Rectifying Art pondered for a moment before speaking: Although this name is somewhat against etiquette, if argued from the perspective of 'subduing the enemy without fighting' in the art of war, it can be considered a superior psychological offensive.】
Even Zhou Rites had reluctantly approved, so Gu Chengming was quite satisfied with the name.
In the arena, the name was the only information both sides could obtain before the fight. When an opponent saw the four words 'Loser Calls Me Dad' on the matching interface, their mindset would more or less fluctuate.
And once they truly lost after the fight, that moment of mental wavering and that subtle sense of cognitive humiliation might be enough to be recognized by the Unfettered Freedom Art's CG.
Of course, all of this was currently just his speculation. Whether it would work or not would only be known after a practical test inside the mirror.
After the mirror name was confirmed, a new prompt appeared on the sub-mirror's surface.
【Mirror Name: Loser Calls Me Dad】
His vision experienced total darkness for a very short time, then suddenly burst open.
When the light dissipated, Gu Chengming found himself standing in a completely unfamiliar space.
Beneath his feet was an endless white platform, and above his head was a dome of virtual azure sky. At the end of his vision was a faint mist of light, blurring the boundaries of the entire space.
He looked down at his hands and tried to circulate Hundred Bones Resonating within his body. The moment his fists clenched, the familiar sensation of surging blood and qi arrived as expected. He then circulated the Huiyuan Sword Manual, and with a flick of his wrist, a standard longsword appeared out of thin air in his palm, the sword qi flowing on the blade identical to that in the real world.
He then proceeded to circulate Hundred Bones Resonating, Huiyuan Sword Manual, Qingxin Art, Red Dust Phantom Step, and several other techniques. The results were satisfying; all technique traits were precisely replicated, including the background infiltration effect of the Zhou Rites Heavenly Rectifying Art, the blood and qi explosion multiplier of Hundred Bones Resonating, and even the Emperor Bai, help me CG was perfectly preserved.
After completing the basic self-test, Gu Chengming activated the spiritual energy of the Mirror Heart Bracelet on his wrist for a moment. Feeling the purification and isolation protective barrier steadily unfold on the outer layer of his soul, he finally felt at ease.
Currently, he hadn't sensed any abnormalities. The spiritual energy circulation in the mirror space was smooth and natural, and the array structure was stable. Everything looked quite standard.
Of course, if the opponent's methods were truly so clever that even the Mohist Sect itself couldn't detect them, then it was normal for him not to perceive any abnormalities upon his first entry.
After about several breaths, a new prompt popped up on the panel.
【Mirror Name: Tianji Seeks the Dao】
【Sect: Tianji Pavilion】
【Realm: Third Realm, Third Level】
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The white platform beneath his feet began to change. A circular arena with a diameter of about ten zhang emerged on the ground, and a semi-transparent spiritual energy barrier automatically rose around the arena.
On the opposite side of the arena, a flash of light appeared, and a young cultivator in gray-white Daoist robes materialized out of thin air.
The other party looked to be in his early twenties, with a clear face and steady temperament—clearly a good seed trained by a proper sect.
The moment the Tianji Pavilion disciple saw Gu Chengming, he first gave a slight bow, his attitude quite polite.
Then his gaze fell upon the mirror name floating above Gu Chengming's head.
—【Loser Calls Me Dad】
The Tianji Pavilion disciple's bowing motion clearly stiffened. His mouth experimental twitched twice, obviously trying his best to hold back some emotion.
Gu Chengming remained expressionless and likewise returned a bow.
"Please."
The Tianji Pavilion disciple took a deep breath and moved his gaze away from those four large words.
The array patterns in the center of the arena lit up.
【Battle Start】
...
Two breaths.
【Battle End】
【Winner: Loser Calls Me Dad】
...
【Opponent Mirror Name: Sword Rises from Azure Waves】
【Realm: Third Realm, Sixth Level】
Seven breaths. But only because he wanted to see more of the opponent's sword style.
【Winner: Loser Calls Me Dad】
...
【Opponent Mirror Name: Floating Light, Passing Shadow】
【Realm: Third Realm, Fifth Level】
Four breaths.
【Winner: Loser Calls Me Dad】
...
At the same time.
Floating Islet City, East District, Taiyi Sword Sect station.
Although the Taiyi Sword Sect's status in the cultivation world was not as illustrious as the Tianji Pavilion or Wanfa Sect, it was still a solid first-rate sect.
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Having been established for over two thousand six hundred years, its past generations of disciples had produced two Sixth Realm experts. Its influence in the southern provinces of Daqian was second only to the Wenjian Sect. The leader of the young generation sent by the Taiyi Sword Sect for this grand competition was named Mu Chen.
Mu Chen was the chief inner sect disciple of the Taiyi Sword Sect, at the Third Realm, Seventh Level.
Mu Chen practiced the Taiyi Sword Sect's town-guarding technique, the Taixu Sword Canon. This technique was famous for 'the birth of reality from void.' At thirty-four years of age, Mu Chen had already cultivated the Taixu Sword Canon to the seventh stage, only half a step behind the progress of the Taiyi Sword Sect's founder at the same age.
Sect Master Zhongli Yuan's evaluation of him was eight words: "A once-in-a-century talent, the blessing of the sect."
And the last disciple called a 'once-in-a-century talent' was now already a Fifth Realm elder of the Taiyi Sword Sect.
Because of this, the entire Taiyi Sword Sect placed extremely high expectations on Mu Chen for this grand competition.
On the eve of departure, Zhongli Yuan personally called Mu Chen to a quiet room to give him instructions.
The old Sect Master usually didn't show his emotions, but that night he rarely spoke a bit more. The gist was that the Taiyi Sword Sect's performance in the grand competition over the years had been lukewarm, never managing to break into the top five.
"In the grand competition, you should give your all and not hold back." Zhongli Yuan finally patted Mu Chen's shoulder and said earnestly, "I don't ask you to take first place, but at least let the world remember the sword of the Taiyi Sword Sect."
At that time, Mu Chen respectfully replied with a 'Yes,' but what he was thinking in his heart was—
Not asking to take first place?
No, he wanted to take it.
...
During these few days after arriving in Floating Islet City, Mu Chen had been collecting intelligence on the participating disciples of major sects.
He always acted meticulously and did not fight unprepared battles.
After several days of organization, he had already sketched out a rough threat assessment in his mind.
There were three formidable enemies he needed to take seriously. The first was the chief disciple of the Tianji Pavilion, Wang Yan.
This person practiced the deduction techniques of the Tianji Pavilion and was said to be able to glimpse a sliver of heavenly secrets at the Third Realm.
The second was the eldest senior brother of the Wanfa Sect, Song Gui.
This person was the disciple most skilled in arts in the Wanfa Sect in recent years, having once used the Third Realm to reverse-slay a Fourth Realm evil cultivator.
The third was Gu Chengming of the Wenjian Sect.
This person's resume was the most bizarre, even making people suspect if he was a great expert who had taken over a body to re-cultivate.
But then again, intelligence was ultimately just something on paper. How much truth or falsehood there was in those rumors of 'killing a Fourth Realm with one punch' was hard to judge without personally fighting him.
The cultivation world never lacked legends with added embellishments. It was not impossible for a Third Realm cultivator's battle record to be exaggerated to such an extent.
Mu Chen gave himself a mental preventative shot; while he needed to take it seriously, he didn't need to scare himself.
Once on the arena, he would still have to let the sword in his hand speak.
...
Today, the Taiyi Sword Sect and other major sects went to the Mohist main hall together to receive the sub-mirrors of the Floating Heaven Profound God Mirror.
Mu Chen turned that palm-sized deep blue mirror piece over and over several times, secretly admiring the Mohist Sect's level of creation in his heart.
After returning to the station, Zhongli Yuan gathered several core disciples together and briefly gave a few instructions on the usage of the Floating Heaven Profound God Mirror, then let them go to experience it themselves.
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"The battles inside the mirror will not damage the true body, so you can feel free to try them out." Zhongli Yuan stroked his beard, the expectation in his eyes undisguised as he looked at Mu Chen.
"Mu Chen, go fight a few matches to get a feel for this artifact. If you have any insights, come back and share them with your fellow disciples."
Mu Chen cupped his hands and took the command.
After returning to his guest room, he closed the door and placed the sub-mirror on the table.
Taking a deep breath, he injected spiritual energy. He didn't spend too much thought on the name and directly entered his own name.
Mu Chen first spent a moment checking the attribute restoration level of the projection body. He circulated the first seven stages of the Taixu Sword Canon one by one, and after confirming that all data was identical to his true body, he nodded in satisfaction.
Subsequently, he turned his gaze toward the combat options before him. Instead of practicing with the sword against the air, it was better to directly find a living person to test his hand.
The waiting time was very short. After about five or six breaths, information about his opponent popped up before his eyes.
Mu Chen scanned it.
【Mirror Name: Loser Calls Me Dad】
"?"
Mu Chen's expression stiffened for a moment.
—What is this?
Mu Chen's first reaction was confusion, and his second reaction was a surge of inexplicable anger.
With such an arrogant name, he definitely had to show the other party some colors.
On the white platform, a circular arena emerged, and a spiritual energy barrier rose.
The light on the opposite side condensed, and a figure materialized from the void.
Mu Chen took a look. Because it was only a soul projection, he could only see a phantom.
The person opposite gave him a slight bow, his attitude quite natural.
Mu Chen returned the bow, his right hand already resting on the sword hilt.
The moment the array patterns lit up, Mu Chen drew his sword.
His opening move was the third stage of the Taixu Sword Canon. Generally speaking, when facing the phantom swords of the Taixu Sword Canon, the opponent would either choose to retreat to open up distance and observe, or choose to block the one most likely to be the real move.
Regardless of the choice, they would expose their own weaknesses during the response process.
However, the response of the person opposite was completely outside his expectations.
In the instant the person's wrist flipped, one, two, three, and finally a full ten flying swords emerged out of thin air around him. They formed a complete sword array around his body, with the ten flying swords operating simultaneously, the position of each sword perfectly filling the gaps of the others.
After Mu Chen's ten or so crisscrossing phantom and real sword lights crashed into this sword array, they were like birds flying into a forest. The phantoms were directly shattered by the spiritual energy ripples in the sword array, and the real moves were parried and deflected by two flying swords, their force completely drained.
Mu Chen took half a step back, staring fixedly at the figure surrounded by ten flying swords.
—Wait.
He was a Third Realm cultivator. A Third Realm cultivator simultaneously controlling ten flying swords to form a sword array?
Even for a Fourth Realm peak sword cultivator, the number of flying swords they could precisely control simultaneously generally wouldn't exceed six. This was because for every additional flying sword controlled, the consumption of divine sense would increase exponentially, and the divine sense reserves of a Third Realm cultivator were simply not enough to support this level of sword array.
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—Just what kind of technique was this?
Mu Chen didn't have time to think too much because the opponent had already moved. Ten flying swords came to strangle him from ten different angles.
Mu Chen fully activated the seventh stage of the Taixu Sword Canon, his sword light flourishing. He integrated all his sword moves into the transformation between reality and void, blocking, parrying, and dodging at the fastest speed.
His response could not be called anything but outstanding. Facing the siege of ten flying swords, he managed to hold on for a full ten or so breaths by relying on the reality-void transformation of the Taixu Sword Canon, even finding an opportunity to counterattack during that time.
But in the next instant of his counterattack, his sword tip stopped three inches away from the opponent. The spiritual energy on the sword, the sword intent, and even his own fighting spirit became sluggish at that moment, as if they had been pacified by something.
—Sword Domain?
Just as this thought exploded in Mu Chen's mind, the opponent's fist had already arrived.
A terrifying power that could not be described in words, as if countless phantoms of emperors were overlapping, erupted from that fist.
Blood and qi soared to the sky, and the void trembled.
Mu Chen's Mirror Flower, Water Moon, upon contact with that punch, was like thin ice hitting a blazing sun.
Twelve transformations were all annihilated within a single breath.
Immediately after, that great power penetrated the remains of his sword light without any reduction and slammed heavily into his projection body.
Mu Chen's consciousness fell into a blank space amidst the intense impact.
The last image he saw was that cold line of text on the settlement panel.
【Battle End】
【Defeated by: Loser Calls Me Dad】
...
Floating Islet City, East District, Taiyi Sword Sect station.
In the guest room, Mu Chen suddenly opened his eyes, staring at his slightly trembling fingers. The battle just now replayed in his mind like a revolving lantern.
What on earth was that punch?
After an unknown amount of time, footsteps came from outside the door.
"Mu Chen, how was the experience?" Zhongli Yuan's voice came from outside the door, his tone carrying a hint of expectation.
As he spoke, he walked into the guest room and saw his proud disciple sitting on the couch, his face pale and his eyes dull, looking as if he had suffered a great disaster. His smile stiffened.
Mu Chen spoke somewhat dazedly, "Sect Master... I've been beaten into being a son."
...
At the same time.
Wenjian Sect station, inside Gu Chengming's guest room.
Gu Chengming sat cross-legged on the couch, the sub-mirror before him glowing with a deep blue light.
He glanced at the panel of the Unfettered Freedom Art and was quite pleasantly surprised.
【Dad Coin - Taixu Sword (Completed)】
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After winning so many matches, he finally dropped a token.
But at this rate, he'd probably have to fight hundreds more matches to get the next Dad Coin...
The road ahead is long and arduous.
Gu Chengming sighed and clicked 'Continue Matching.'
And as Gu Chengming continued matching in the Floating Heaven Profound God Mirror, a nightmare named 'Loser Calls Me Dad' gradually haunted the hearts of the disciples participating in this grand competition.
—Damn it, some expert with a twisted sense of humor is smurfing!