The crowd secretly marveled at the majestic carriage, engraved with countless runes. One didnât even need to think it was definitely a treasure.
And that spirit beast, just from the occasional flash of human-like emotion in its eyes, one could tell its intelligence was extremely high. Being able to soar through the air indicated it was at least Tier 7, a master comparable to a cultivator at the Soaring realm. Yet, it was being used to pull a carriage?
As for the man, no one could see through him. They only felt his aura was vast and boundless, faintly carrying profoundness that seemed to transcend the mortal realm. He was stronger than the rest of the crowd.
A glint flashed in Chu Kuangâs eyes.
He came at just the right time!
Without hesitation, Murong Yuan, Wu De and Duan Ren immediately bowed. âGreetings, Holy Emissary!"
They understood the manâs identity better than anyone. He was the holy emissary from the Myriad Transformations Holy Land, You Fang. The last time they saw him was over a hundred years ago.
Looking at the wreckage-strewn ground, Wei Fangâs unease rose again. âFellow Daoist Murong, just what happened here?â
Murong Yuan sighed and gave a general account of events. âIf not for Senior Chongmingâs appearance, I fear this would have caused an immense disaster!â
Upon hearing this, Wei Fang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
It seems like I havenât been exposed!
You Fangâs gaze deepened. âChongming?
Heh,
so itâs him.â
His tone held a touch of disdain and apprehension. He didnât seem overly concerned about the God-Slaying Formation, brushing past it with just a few words.
Instead, he mentioned Jiang Xuan a bit more. âOver a hundred years ago, Jiang Xuan lost to the previous Holy Son. Due to his arrogance, he refused to stay in the Holy Land and become the Holy Sonâs follower. Now, heâs ended up in this state. Heâs truly reaping what he sowed!â
Murong Yuan hesitated for a moment. âDare I ask, is your descent into the world this time for the Holy Son selection?â
Afraid You Fang would bring up Jiang Xuan again, Wei Fang hurriedly chimed in. âYouâre right! You all know this is an old tradition of the Myriad Transformations Holy Land.â
You Fangâs expression was impassive. âThe Holy Master is benevolent. Heâs giving you this chance to ascend to the heavens in one step. If it were any other Holy Land...
Hmph!
â
He proceeded to change the subject.
âAnd also, the Holy Son selectionâs rules are different from before. Jiang Xuan, though considered outstanding in his time, wouldnât measure up in this selection.â You Fang swept his gaze over the crowd. âThis generationâs youth is indeed much stronger than a hundred years agoâ
hm?
â
Just then, he caught sight of Gu Han. You Fangâs voice grew quiet, yet his attitude remained utterly domineering. âYoung man, you have such a heavy killing intent! Before me, you donât have the qualification to draw your sword, understand? Put. The sword. Down.â
Gu Han didnât move. He had a premonition that if he lowered his sword, killing Meng Xing would become impossible.
In the distance, Murong Yuanâs heart gave a fierce jolt. Zuo Yangâs brow also furrowed, a rare hint of hesitation appearing in his eyes.
Wei Fang frowned slightly. âKid, donât be foolish!â
He was rather appreciative of Gu Han, these words already carried a note of protectiveness.
Chu Kuang suddenly said, âHoly Emissary, given this personâs nature, making him lower his sword is probably harder than ascending to the heavens!â
You Fangâs eyes turned cold. âAnd who are you?â
Chu Kuangâs tone made him feel not a shred of respect.
âHoly Emissary, he is Chu Kuang.â Wei Fang sighed, then glanced at Gu Han. âAs for this young man, he is the Gu Han I mentioned to you. Both are from the Eastern Wastelandâs Northern Domainââ
You Fang cut him off, looking somewhat impatient. âItâs them? One is more arrogant than the other!â
Chu Kuang smiled. âHoly Emissary, I have an item Iâd like you to take a look at.â
Saying this, he flipped his palm. What appeared was a peculiarly shaped, archaic-looking, black jade talisman. In an instant, a mysterious aura that everyone found nearly impossible to comprehend enveloped the area.
You Fang could no longer maintain his composure and arrogance. His pupils constricted sharply. âThis is the Holy Masterâs token! How do you have this? What exactly is your relationship with the Holy Master?!â
He was all too familiar with this jade talisman. It was unique to the Myriad Transformations Holy Master. Apart from each generationâs Holy Son, only those who performed immense meritorious service for the Holy Land had a chance to obtain one. The authority it represented was extremely weighty. Even he didnât have one, let alone Wei Fang, who had never even seen one before.
The smile on Chu Kuangâs face grew wider. âSo...?â
You Fangâs eyelids twitched, his expression changing dramatically. âI wouldnât dare! Just call me You Fang!â
With the jade talisman, Chu Kuangâs status was comparable to a Holy Son. How could You Fang dare put on airs before such a figure?
In the distance, Murong Yuan and the other two looked on with doubtful, uncertain expressions. None of them had expected Chu Kuang to hold such a token. In an instant, his identity was cloaked in mystery.
Yang Ying frowned deeply. âThis is bad. Heâs in trouble!â
Shen Xuan sighed. âIndeed. I never imagined that Junior Brother Chu could conceal himself so completely.â
Murong Yanâs face was ugly. âBullshit junior brother! Heâs a two-faced traitor! Luo Madman is ten times better than him!â
Upon seeing You Fangâs deference, Chu Kuang waved his hand. âI know your purpose in coming today. Itâs nothing more than selecting some candidates. What do you think of him?â
He pointed at Meng Xing. âHe has the Immortal Metal Treasure Physique, comparable to a profound item, peerless defense. Even if he canât become Holy Son, being a follower is more than sufficient.â
You Fang nodded. âGood! Indeed qualified!â
In truth, he had seen Meng Xingâs miserable state and felt somewhat disdainful. Still, since Chu Kuang had spoken, You Fang had to give him face.
You Fang shifted his gaze to Gu Han, his tone turning even colder. âPut the sword down!â
Wei Fang hesitated for a moment. âHoly Emissary, Gu Han also has some ability...â
You Fang glanced at him. â
Oh?
Are you teaching me how to do things?â
âI wouldnât dare, I wouldnât dare.â
Chu Kuang laughed at Gu Han. âSo? The tide ultimately favors me. Such is heavenâs will.â
Under the pressure from Gu Han and Chongming, Chu Kuang had seemed destined for a bleak end. Unexpectedly, You Fang arrived just in time. The support of the Myriad Transformations Holy Land reversed his decline.
Meng Xing also seemed to realize his life was saved, and was filled with gratitude. âBrother Chu, thank you. Earlier, I was at fault. Please, do not hold it against me!â
Chu Kuang raised an eyebrow. âThank me? Itâs a bit early for thanks. Whether you live or die still depends on whether he dares to draw his sword.â
Meng Xing paled and grew tense again.
Chu Kuang stared intently at Gu Han, his gaze sharp. âGo on, draw your sword if you dare.â
After taking Gu Han as an opponent, he no longer cared about Meng Xingâs life or death. He only wanted to see if Chongming had truly left Gu Han a trump card. Moreover, You Fang and the Myriad Transformations Holy Land were his best tools to use.
Gu Han said nothing. He understood clearly from the moment Chu Kuang produced the jade talisman, he had already lost any room for retreat. If he remained resolute to the end, he could probably still make Chu Kuang wary. In contrast, lowering his sword and yielding would inevitably provide Chu Kuang with leverage. By then, his crisis would only be greater than now.
Thinking of this, his killing intent surged another notch.
Sensing the shift in Gu Han, You Fangâs gaze grew even colder. âTo think, after not descending into the world for a hundred years, even a mere junior dares to disregard the Myriad Transformations Holy Land!â
His tone already carried a thread of killing intent.
Suddenly, a furious roar sounded. The spirit beast had perceived You Fangâs intent. Shedding its previously docile appearance, it grew ferocious. With a stomp of its hooves, bared fangs gleaming, it charged at Gu Han.
Murong Yanâs face turned pale. âHoly Emissary, please show mercy! He has close ties to Senior Chongming!â
You Fang hesitated for a moment, but ultimately didnât call back the spirit beast. âThat chicken? A hundred years back, I might have given it some face. But now...
heh,
whether that old blind man can even act is uncertain. Would the Myriad Transformations Holy Land fear it?â
With his tacit approval, the spirit beastâs speed increased again. The beastly nature hidden in its bones erupted instantly, intent on devouring Gu Han in one bite.