After a brief moment of stunned silence, joy appeared on Li Yun's face.
Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird.
As one of the Phoenix Clan Crown Prince, he possessed Primordial Yin-Yang Origin Qi. Whether in terms of foundation or potential, he stood at the very pinnacle.
Under such circumstances, defeating him would definitely yield no ordinary Trait. It might even be a Red Affix.
At that thought, Li Yun could no longer concern himself with anything else. Looking at the Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird so close before him, he willed, "Slay!"
The next second, the Golden Gourd appeared above Li Yun's head.
Immediately afterward, a sword cry rang out in every direction as the God-Slaying Flying Sword silently swept forth.
In an instant, the God-Slaying Flying Sword collided with the Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird's massive body.
"Ah..."
A miserable scream rang out. The Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird's sharp claw was pierced through, blood spraying everywhere as the God-Slaying Flying Sword also injured his soul.
Because of that, Da Peng had no ability to resist at all. After his enormous body crashed to the ground, he reverted to his Innate Dao Body at a visible speed. Clutching his pierced left hand with his right, he wailed and rolled about on the ground.
"Da Peng!"
"Junior Brother Da Peng!"
At this sight, the Interception Sect disciples were dumbfounded.
They never expected the seemingly formidable Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird to be suppressed so easily.
Kong Xuan rushed forward at once to treat Da Peng's injuries, but his gaze instinctively turned toward Li Yun, toward the Golden Gourd above his head that had withdrawn the God-Slaying Flying Sword. He murmured, "A High-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure?"
"And the flying sword nurtured within it isn't bound by Yin Yang or the Five Elements. It truly cannot be underestimated."
He was not the only one.
Duobao, Guang Chengzi, and the others nearby could not help crying out as well, "A High-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure!"
"How is that possible!"
"He actually has such a treasure in his possession."
"..."
At that moment, Duobao and the others' hearts sank.
They had not possessed much chance of victory against Li Yun to begin with, yet now he had produced a High-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure.
The God-Slaying Flying Sword was especially terrifying. In a single instant, it had defeated the Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird after he revealed his true form.
One had to know that as a pure-blooded Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird, his true form's strength and power were in no way inferior to Huang Long's, perhaps even greater.
But now?
He could not even withstand a single strike from the God-Slaying Flying Sword. Merely having his arm pierced had left him in unbearable agony, which showed just how powerful and tyrannical this treasure was.
"The Golden Gourd!"
"It was him!"
"The Demonic Beast that stole the Gourd back then was transformed from Senior Brother Li Yun!"
Meanwhile, among the disciples of the Chan and Jie Sects, those who had participated in the events at Gourd Mountain could not help exclaiming in shock.
For no other reason than that they recognized the Golden Gourd at once.
Although it had now been refined into an Innate Spirit Treasure, its essence had not changed.
For a time, stormy waves rose within their hearts.
This was especially true for Zhao Gongming, the Three Xiao, and Nanjixianweng.
As the leaders of the Chan and Jie Sects' teams back then, having the greatest benefit snatched away from them had been a tremendous humiliation.
Yet they never imagined that the Demonic Beast that had taken the Gourd was actually Li Yun in disguise. He had even refined the Gourd into such a powerful High-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure for slaughter and battle. This was simply...
"Is that the Immortal Slaying Flying Saber?"
On the high platform, Sect Master Tongtian spoke with some surprise. "I remember that the Immortal Slaying Flying Saber refined from the Gourd Di Jun took away back then used a similar method!"
"I never expected Li Yun to refine such a killing method as well. It looks full of potential and has plenty of room to improve."
At those words, Laozi and Yuanshi Tianzun nodded as well.
With the insight of Saints, they naturally saw that this matter was no small thing. They could also see the immense potential of the God-Slaying Flying Sword.
It did not merely harm the physical body; it could even affect the soul. Such a treasure might be insignificant to Saint-level experts, but to those below the Saint realm, it was a fatal threat, perhaps even...
"However, the artifact refining method is somewhat crude!"
At that moment, Yuanshi Tianzun seemed to think of something and commented, "If he learns a complete artifact refining method, this Gourd may yet advance further."
"If it can absorb that third Gourd, it may even have a chance to evolve into a Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure."
"Third Brother, I recall that the last Gourd was obtained by one of your disciples. Is it currently in your possession, or your disciple's?"
Before Sect Master Tongtian could answer, he felt a gaze directed at him.
Looking up, he found Laozi staring at him. Although Laozi said nothing, he could guess his meaning.
Clearly, Laozi wanted to obtain the third Gourd for Li Yun, perhaps even help him raise the God-Slaying Flying Sword by another grade.
"It is in my disciple's possession!"
Sect Master Tongtian spoke helplessly. "But I will retrieve it later and exchange a High-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure for it."
"If Li Yun can take first place, then as his Martial Uncle, I will give this item to him!"
Upon hearing this, a smile appeared on Laozi's face.
Though it came with a condition, given the current situation, the Direct Disciples of the Chan and Jie Sects truly had little confidence in defeating Li Yun.
Especially since Li Yun still possessed the Ultimate Emperor Seal. Although Laozi had restricted Li Yun from using it before the competition, if it was necessary to claim first place and obtain that third Gourd, that rule could be broken.
At that thought, Laozi looked toward Yuanshi and said, "Second Brother, you are also Li Yun's Martial Uncle. If he takes first place, shouldn't you offer something as well?"
"Me?"
Yuanshi Tianzun opened his mouth, looking at Laozi in astonishment.
He did not refuse, but he did not know what Laozi had set his sights on among his possessions. Otherwise, why would Laozi say such a thing?
After pondering briefly, Yuanshi Tianzun said, "Big Brother, what reward do you think I should give?"
At those words, Sect Master Tongtian also looked curiously at Laozi.
Previously, he alone had been made to pay, and while he had been unhappy about it, he could not refuse. But seeing Yuanshi Tianzun being made to pay as well gave him a rather delighted sense of sharing hardship.
"It is nothing much."
With a faint smile, Laozi said without hesitation, "Just the artifact refining inheritance you possess, Second Brother!"
"As you said, my disciple's artifact refining methods are too crude. It would be good for him to study systematically. Looking across the Primordial World, no one can surpass you in artifact refining, Second Brother."
Upon hearing that, Yuanshi Tianzun came to a realization.
Once he understood Laozi's intentions, he immediately said with a bitter smile, "Big Brother, you truly spare no effort."
"My artifact refining inheritance is not necessarily something even Direct Disciples can learn."
"But since Big Brother has spoken, I will not refuse. So be it!"
"As long as Li Yun overwhelms the Golden Immortals of the Two Sects and takes first place, I will teach him the Jade Purity Artifact Refining Technique!"
Before you continue