His body was like a microscopic universe at the dawn of creation. Its aura drifted like smoke and mist, illuminating the hazy landscape of his Inner World.
The instant his thoughts became clear, everything seemed perfectly harmonious. Meng Chuan probed deep within himself; on both the microscopic and macroscopic scales, power left traces he could follow.
Outside his body, dark gold and moon white shone against each other, lending his imposing presence an unfathomable mystery.
"Grandmaster Meng... is he making his fifth breakthrough?"
"My Inner World is so hot it feels like it's about to melt. Some invisible force seems to be stirring it up..."
"Mine too!"
"Does a fifth breakthrough produce phenomena like this? What path does Meng Chuan primarily cultivate? It isn't yin-yang or the Five Elements, nor is it the Dao of the Flesh. What Dao principle could possibly be this miraculous?"
A man's reputation preceded him.
Before coming to the Demon Nest, many had gathered information about their commander. They knew he possessed extraordinary wisdom and comprehension along these paths, making his Seventh Breakthrough all but certain. Nearly every Great Sage had acknowledged him. Countless martial artists envied him, but the gulf in talent was too vast for jealousy.
Gao Qun's eyes widened, and he blurted out, "Looking at him... why does this feel both familiar and unfamiliar? Could it be..."
Gao Qun never uttered that final word: "martial."
The possibility was too shocking. Deep down, he did not believe it himself, and saying it aloud would only invite ridicule.
The unrest in their Inner Worlds spread to every Great Chu martial artist present. That figure in the sky seemed to have stirred them all; not one could remain unaffected.
The world suddenly fell silent. Every one of them stared fiercely at that figure above, seemingly