Beyond Grandmaster

"Everyone who came this time was an elite of the Crimson Dragon Cult, each proficient in the Hibernating Dragon Secret Technique and equipped with all manner of sinister, poisonous implements. They feared the Divine Eagle Great Formation, so their first move was to kill Chen Chuanshan, leaving the Divine Eagle Guard a dragon without a head.

"This old man miscalculated as well. I underestimated the Hibernating Dragon Secret Technique, resulting in such heavy losses. Had the Divine Eagle Great Formation been activated, even another expert at the Profound Martial Ninth Layer would not have brought us to this."

Qing Wang sighed. He had prepared two Grandmaster Secret Artifacts and used himself as bait, believing the plan foolproof, only to overlook one move.

Gu Yuanqing remained silent. Chen Chuanshan's death had truly caught him by surprise. Back when he had first acquired Mountain Observation, Chen Chuanshan had been the first high-level True Martial cultivator he had encountered, the Divine Eagle Phantom surrounding him radiating matchless might.

When those two had come to kill him in the dead of night, it had also been Chen Chuanshan who led the others in holding back that elder of the Lingxu Sect. Yet such a man had died overnight, his life and cultivation extinguished.

"In a few days, I will descend the mountain and return to the capital. Is there any message you would like me to take back, Young Master Gu?" Qing Wang asked.

"You're leaving too, Your Highness?"

"Repairs to the Demon Realm Seal are nearing completion. After this battle, those secretly plotting mischief will likely not dare return for a while. Besides, the princess's wedding is approaching. As I have the honor of serving as head of the Imperial Family's clan affairs, I must return to prepare everything."

At the words "the princess's wedding," Gu Yuanqing frowned slightly and asked, "Your Highness said last time that this Miaoxuan was not that Miaoxuan. Forgive my presumption, but why do this?"

Qing Wang gave Gu Yuanqing a surprised look, apparently finding it odd that he did not know. After a moment's thought, he smiled faintly. "His Majesty made that decision. Let him tell you himself in the future. All I can say is that the princess's affairs concern the dignity of the Imperial Court and the Imperial Family, as well as the stability of the dynasty. Some things leave us no choice. I hope you will understand, Young Master Gu."

Gu Yuanqing hated people speaking in riddles, but since Prince Qing refused to explain, there was nothing he could do.

Li Changyan, however, opened his mouth to speak, only to hastily close it when Prince Qing shot him a glare.

The two stayed for lunch before leaving.

The Great Qian Imperial Palace.

Li Haotian frowned deeply at the confidential report in his hands, then passed it to Xu Lianying beside him.

"Old companion, what do you make of this?"

Xu Lianying took the report and glanced over it. Surprise flashed across his face before vanishing. He hesitated. "This old servant would not dare speculate rashly about Prince Qing's words."

"You have met Gu Yuanqing twice. Do you think he could be a Grandmaster?"

Xu Lianying bowed with a bitter smile. "Since His Highness suspects Gu Yuanqing is a Grandmaster, there must be grounds for it. This old servant was incompetent and truly failed to detect such cultivation at the time. At our first meeting, I dared say with certainty that he was only a third-level Origin Scholar. At the second, he should have possessed True Martial cultivation, but he practiced a concealment technique. Without testing him, this old servant did not dare make a rash judgment."

Li Haotian took back the report and read it again before saying slowly, "To advance from an Origin Scholar to a Grandmaster in just one year is truly beyond belief. But my royal uncle has fought a hundred battles and once reached the Peak Profound Martial Ninth Layer. I trust his judgment. Yet his conjecture that Gu Yuanqing might be beyond Grandmaster is simply too incredible."

Xu Lianying considered his words before replying, "Prince Qing cannot be blamed for drawing such a conclusion. A flying sword appeared out of nowhere and killed Xiahou Ming, a Crimson Dragon Cult Protector at the Peak Profound Martial Ninth Layer, from several li away. Even a Grandmaster could not accomplish that. Even exerting all my strength, this old servant's true qi could only injure someone thirty zhang away. To kill an expert at the Profound Martial Ninth Layer, I would need to be within ten zhang."

"Old companion, do you think he obtained that thing on North Spring Mountain?"

Xu Lianying's tone grew cautious. "Does Your Majesty mean the North Spring Sword Sect's Secret Sword? That is indeed possible. The Secret Sword is said to point directly toward the realm beyond Grandmaster. Back then, the founder of the North Spring Sword Sect comprehended the Big Dipper Seven Swords through it and thereby ascended to Grandmaster. Legend has it that even at his death, he had not unraveled all its secrets. If Gu Yuanqing obtained the Secret Sword, he might well have acquired such methods from it. His ability to control a sword would then make perfect sense."

Li Haotian clasped his hands behind his back. After a moment, he said slowly, "We shall discuss this later. Old companion, convey my decree: summon Divine Eagle Guard Commander Zhang Ji to the palace. The Demon Cave Seal cannot be left unguarded. We must settle this as soon as possible."

As work on the Demon Realm Seal progressed, less and less demonic qi leaked out, diminishing its effectiveness in tempering the qi of Heavenly Gang and Earthly Sha. Meanwhile, more and more people gathered on the mountain, all waiting for the repairs to be completed so they could leave.

Yet the atmosphere on the mountain was unbearably somber, for several coffins rested in their respective courtyards.

Gu Yuanqing sighed. Such was life in this world. No one knew whether tomorrow or misfortune would arrive first.

Unwilling to look upon such tragic scenes, he immersed his entire body and mind in cultivation.

In the Spiritual Mountain Trial, Gu Yuanqing's opponent today was Kong Shengbing, the North Spring Sword Sect Leader. The North Spring Sword Sect had met its destruction in his hands.

The Peak Profound Martial Ninth Layer—he was the strongest opponent Gu Yuan had encountered in the Spiritual Mountain Trial.

Sword Light flashed as Gu Yuanqing employed the Great Yi Illusionary Sky Steps, his figure repeatedly appearing in impossible places. Empowered by sword intent, seven feet of sword aura flickered along his Flying Sword, making his Swordsmanship all the more elusive and unfathomable.

Even so, Kong Shengbing stood in the arena like a pillar supporting the heavens. Expressionless, he wielded his sword with calm, effortless ease.

The Big Dipper Seven Swords—he had brought all seven sword arts to transcendent mastery.

He blocked or evaded, his steps seemingly slow, yet no matter how Gu Yuanqing attacked, he could not injure him in the slightest.

His mastery of the sword surpassed that of anyone Gu Yuanqing had fought, and his condensed sword intent was likewise on par with Gu Yuanqing's.

Moreover, his Profound Martial Phenomenon was a Flying Sword. It merged with the sword in his hand, lending his attacks incomparable sharpness. Every time Gu Yuanqing's blade clashed with his, another notch appeared in it.

Clang!

The swords collided, and Gu Yuanqing's blade snapped in half. Kong Shengbing's sword had struck an existing notch once again.

The sword swept across Gu Yuanqing's neck. His body was still retreating, but his head remained where it was before tumbling to the ground.

Gu Yuanqing withdrew from the Trial Ground, gasping for breath. Only after the fear slowly faded from his eyes did he begin analyzing what he had gained and lost.

This was already the fourth battle. Kong Shengbing is probably a Half-Step Grandmaster as well. While fighting him, I couldn't find even the slightest chance of victory!

If my Swordsmanship combined with the Great Yi Illusionary Sky Steps follows the unconventional path, then his Swordsmanship distills the essence of the North Spring Sword Sect's sword arts, following the broad, majestic orthodox path. He wins calmly through his understanding of the sword.

Had the North Spring Sword Sect not been destroyed, perhaps he would have reached Grandmaster before long. What a pity!

After a short rest, Gu Yuanqing took his sword to the cliff's edge to practice again, incorporating the understanding he had just gained into his own Swordsmanship.

Gradually, his Swordsmanship changed. He no longer clung to the unconventional path, instead interweaving the orthodox and the unconventional. At first, his transitions still caught and faltered, but slowly, switching between the two became like an antelope hanging its horns, leaving no trace to follow.

At last, he stood at the cliff's edge as though immersed in enlightenment, his sword intent slowly undergoing Transformation.

After an unknown length of time, he opened his eyes.

Clap, clap, clap! A burst of applause rang out.

Gu Yuanqing turned and cupped his hands. "Your Highness, sorry for the wait."