The Celestial Pride List hasnât even opened yet, but Lin Changâsheng is already a must-kill target for two major sects.
One is the Dugu siblings from the Myriad Beasts Sect, and the other is now the disciples of the Vajra Sect.
Theyâll definitely be competing in the Celestial Pride List, and when the time comes, Lin Changâsheng will absolutely not let them go.
"Senior Brother Zhou, whatâs this guyâs background? To think he has a Mahayana stage powerhouse protecting him. Could he be from a major sect?"
Yu Tingting watched Lin Changâshengâs departing figure, unable to hold back her curiosity.
Sheâd heard of nearly every major sectâs disciples, but Lin Changâsheng was completely unfamiliar to her.
"I donât think so! Maybe heâs from a hidden sect!"
Zhou Qibai couldnât figure out Lin Changâshengâs identity either. He just felt the kid was anything but simple, and figured heâd be a stumbling block in their fight for a top ten spot on the Celestial Pride List.
"That Mahayana stage powerhouse seems to be from the Gu Family in Futian Province!"
"Yeah! Look at his fists and youâll know he practices fist techniques. In the Immortal Realm, the strongest fist style is none other than the Gu Familyâs Ancient Long Fist from Futian Province."
"Why is this Gu Family expert with that youth? Could it be the youth is also from the Gu Family?"
"I donât think so. That guy doesnât really look like he trains in fist techniques! Lookâhe doesnât have a single callus on his fists!"
"Then their relationship is really hard to figure out!"
...
The surrounding crowd immediately began to speculate and gossip.
Some factions that had wanted to recruit Lin Changâsheng hesitated and drew back the moment Gu Shan appeared.
After Lin Changâsheng and Zhao ShuangâEr earned their qualification to compete for the Refining God Sect, before entering the sect gates, the guard disciple handed them a temporary waist token.
This token was used for temporary passage within the Refining God Sect.
While it couldnât take them everywhere, most unimportant places were open to them.
Gu Shan shot a cold glance at the departing Vajra Sect elder, a mocking smile on his face.
"You can only blame your own bad luck, kid. Of all people, why did you have to piss off him!"
Gu Shan thought to himself, then left the scene.
After Gu Shan, Lin Changâsheng, and the rest entered the Refining God Sect, a guiding disciple led them toward a mountain range.
This mountain was called Moon Ascending Peak.
It had a total of one thousand seven hundred and eighty-two stone steps. Climbing step by step, it felt like heading toward the top of the Moon Palaceâhence the name.
Most people living here were young disciples here to compete, along with elders from the various major sects.
The Vajra Sect elder was also staying here.
After scouting out the Vajra Sect elderâs residence, Gu Shan decided to act when darkness fell.
Night quickly descended. Gu Shan put on a black robe and left his quarters, but Lin Changâsheng did not follow.
He was confident that Gu Shan wouldnât mess up.
Lin Changâsheng had other things to take care of. Since heâd arrived more quickly by riding the Lightning Thunderclap Eagle, there were still three days until the Celestial Pride List opened.
During those three days, Lin Changâsheng had no intention of idling; he planned to study the arrays used by the Refining God Sect.
The moment Lin Changâsheng stepped into the Refining God Sect, he noticed the various mountain ranges were linked together by iron chains as thick as an arm, as if forming some kind of grand array.
If he could unlock the mysteries of this grand array, maybe he would gain instant insight into its secrets.
There was a good chance this array had the power to temper the Divine Soul.
Just as Lin Changâsheng was focused on studying the grand array of the Refining God Sectâ
Gu Shan had already silently arrived not far from the Vajra Sectâs residence.
"Whoâs there?"
The Vajra Sect elder sensed someone outside the door and immediately became alert.
But the aura outside was faint and elusive, making it hard for him to grasp.
Left with no choice, he quickly rose and chased the presence outside the door.
Not until heâd chased three hundred li beyond the Refining God Sect did the Vajra Sect elder begin to realize something was wrong.
"Shit."
The opponent was clearly luring him outâplanning to take him out without anyone knowing or suspecting.
Once he realized the danger, the Vajra Sect elder tried to hurry back, but why would his opponent let him go?
"Since youâve come this far, you still think you can leave?"
Gu Shan appeared in front of the Vajra Sect elder, blocking his way back.
The Vajra Sect elder swept his Divine Thought over, discovering the enemy was at the Mahayana Stage. The energy radiating from his body was exactly the same as the one heâd encountered earlier in the day.
His heart lurched in alarmâclearly, he wouldnât be spared!
"Senior, thereâs no bad blood between usâwhy are you so set on coming after me?"
The Vajra Sect elder was bitter. He admitted his mistakes, heâd been shamed, and yet the other side still wouldnât let him off?
"Youâve only yourself to blame for provoking the wrong person!"
Gu Shan replied with casual indifference.
But his words still left the Vajra Sect elder speechless, trembling.
"If I have to die, at least let me know why! Who is he? Why would you go this far to protect him?"
The Vajra Sect elder demanded angrily.
"Youâre not qualified to know!"
Gu Shan shot back coldly, a murderous aura surging from his body.
"This is just too much! If I must, Iâll fight you to the death!"
The Vajra Sect elder roared, his Primordial Power surging to its peak. He summoned a giant hammer, swinging it straight down at Gu Shan.
The hammer, empowered by his Primordial Power, swelled to the size of a mountain range, as if intent on smashing the earth itself.
Yet as the overwhelming blow closed in, Gu Shan didnât so much as budge.
Only when the hammer was about to crash down on his head did Gu Shan slowly raise his palm, reaching up toward the massive implement overhead.
BOOMâ
The huge hammer landed on Gu Shanâs palm, but it didnât budge him an inch.
In fact, as the Vajra Sect elderâs attack collided with Gu Shanâs hand, it simply could not force its way forward anymore.