It was called a sparring match!
Yet anyone could see the chill in Qiu Shou Xian's eyes.
Clearly, Gu Changqing's disdainful posture had ignited Qiu Shou Xian's genuine fury.
He intended to use this opportunity to teach Gu Changqing a harsh lesson.
The relationship between these two had long since ceased to be simply about maintaining the discipline of the Interception Sect; a personal feud had already formed.
Among fellow disciples, while one could not deal a fatal blow, heavily injuring Gu Changqing and leaving him unable to move for several months was entirely permissible.
Hearing Qiu Shou Xian's words, Tongtian furrowed his brows slightly.
"Qiu Shou Xian, do not be unruly!"
"You constantly accompany me by my side, and you have already reached the peak of the Golden Immortal realm. How could Gu Changqing possibly be your match?"
Feigning displeasure, Tongtian reprimanded him, wishing to dispel Qiu Shou Xian's notion.
A proper discourse on the Dao had unexpectedly developed into such tit-for-tat confrontation among fellow disciples, and Tongtian felt deeply helpless about it.
However, although Tongtian intended to resolve the conflict between the two.
Unfortunately, Gu Changqing was in a drunken state at the moment, and instead became displeased first.
"Master's words are wrong!"
"Compared with Qiu Shou Xian, it is still uncertain whose strength is greater."
"The two of us have yet to exchange blows, so how can Master jump to such a conclusion?"
Hearing these words, Duobao, Zhao Gongming, and the others were covered in black lines, helplessly supporting their foreheads.
He was thoroughly drunk!
This brat really was completely intoxicated from the wine.
Could he not tell that his own master was protecting him to prevent him from getting hurt?
Yet this brat still wore an unconvinced and rebellious expression.
"Junior Brother Gu Changqing truly can no longer tell good from bad."
"To so misunderstand Master's sacred intent, it is indeed fitting that he be taught a lesson."
Zhao Gongming said with a cold face.
In his view, Gu Changqing was simply making unreasonable demands, leaving Zhao Gongming with not a shred of favorable impression left in his heart.
Hearing Zhao Gongming's words, Tongtian's expression also grew slightly dark.
Throwing a meaningful glance at Gu Changqing, Tongtian pondered for a moment, nodded, and spoke:
"Very well, Qiu Shou Xian, I grant your request!"
"Just remember, sparring among fellow disciples must stop at the point of mastery!"
Tongtian's words carried a deeper meaning.
He knew that while Qiu Shou Xian usually appeared docile and respectful in his presence.
In reality, he was also a person of vicious and ruthless intent.
To name just one thing, this Qiu Shou Xian had once concealed it from the others and engaged in massive slaughter among the human race, taking pleasure in devouring human flesh and blood-that alone was proof enough.
Therefore, while Tongtian desired to let Gu Changqing be taught a lesson, he was also worried that Qiu Shou Xian would lose his senses and resort to methods beyond a mere spar.
"This disciple will strictly obey Master's teachings!"
Qiu Shou Xian immediately accepted the order, sneering repeatedly with a frigid gaze.
As his voice fell, Qiu Shou Xian leaped forward, stepping directly outside Biyou Palace.
"Gu Changqing, draw your sword."
"Today, I shall properly teach you how to respect a senior brother."
Qiu Shou Xian shouted coldly, the tyrannical aura surging wildly around his entire body.
Seeing this, the gathered disciples hastily withdrew and retreated to the sidelines to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
In merely the blink of an eye, only Gu Changqing and Qiu Shou Xian remained in the arena.
The latter flicked his arm, and a cold, gleaming personal sword instantly materialized in his hand, its sharpness bared and chilling to behold.
Meanwhile, as for Gu Changqing.
He drank down the remaining wine in the jar in one breath and tossed it aside casually.
Then, as if the alcohol had taken full effect, he staggered to his feet and only then looked toward Qiu Shou Xian.
"Hehe, my sword is right in my hand!"
As he spoke, Gu Changqing also assumed the posture of holding a sword.
Yet anyone could see that his hands were completely empty.
"Alas, this fellow is truly too drunk; I'm afraid he left his sword behind in his cave dwelling."
"Without even a sword, he's bound to get a brutal beating today."
"Good. Gu Changqing's already had too much to drink. He probably won't feel it much."
The crowd shook their heads and sighed, looking gleefully entertained.
Qiu Shou Xian didn't waste his breath. He cried, "Watch my sword!" and immediately struck a pose as if to thrust.
But just then, Gu Changqing suddenly moved too.
His body gave a sudden jolt. He abruptly raised his head, and an unprecedented divine radiance burst from his eyes, shooting straight at Qiu Shou Xian.
At the same time, the seals in Gu Changqing's hands changed abruptly.
Whoosh!
A violent rush of air-splitting sound swept through the void.
A bone-deep chill suddenly erupted, making every disciple shiver.
The crowd didn't think much of it, assuming it was the sword intent radiating from Qiu Shou Xian.
Only Duobao and a handful of others changed expression, looking uncertain and suspicious.
"Why has Junior Brother Qiu Shou Xian's sword intent suddenly become so terrifyingly sharp?"
In the arena.
Gu Changqing moved with lightning speed.
He had no sword in his hand, yet every motion was a sword-wielding technique, smooth as flowing water and dazzling to behold.
Qiu Shou Xian, who had been sneering coldly and standing aggressively moments before, froze in place. The movement of his hand stopped as well.
His eyes were fixed on Gu Changqing, filled with shock and disbelief.
At that moment, in Gu Changqing's hands, Qiu Shou Xian truly saw a peerlessly sharp immortal sword, displaying the power to tear the cosmos apart.
Sword force!
Vast as a boundless sea, an endless sword force surged and roiled.
It was a realm deeper than sword intent. Only those who had reached a certain level of comprehension of the Sword Dao could gather such immense sword force.
That overwhelming sword force was ten times, even dozens of times, stronger than Qiu Shou Xian's aura.
Utterly terrifying!
Supreme across the cosmos!
Under the crushing, all-encompassing sword force, Qiu Shou Xian's scalp prickled and his blood ran cold!
Even his soul trembled uncontrollably.
The dreadful specter of death weighed upon him, and all he could see was Gu Changqing, whose aura and figure had suddenly transformed.
Was this really the same drunkard who'd had eyes only for wine?
Now, in Qiu Shou Xian's eyes, Gu Changqing's entire aura had changed in an instant.
Immortal swords rose all around him, stretching across the heavens. Their divine radiance surged into the highest skies, dimming even the countless stars.
He was like a Dao God who held dominion over slaughter!
As the sword force drew ever closer, Daoist notes boomed again and again in Qiu Shou Xian's heart.
"Ah..."
He gritted his teeth, and from deep in his throat came a muffled roar like that of a demonic beast.
But it was useless. Under the boundless sword force released by Gu Changqing, every trace of Qiu Shou Xian's aura was instantly shattered.
Then Gu Changqing strode through the sky and softly declared,
"I wield a sword that makes immortals kneel!"
As his words fell, rumbles rolled across the highest heavens.
Countless strands of razor-sharp sword force gathered into a mighty, unstoppable heavenly sword, descending from the Ninth Heaven.
Qiu Shou Xian's pupils contracted. His entire body prickled with terror.
Had Gu Changqing's earlier moves been nothing more than a prelude?
Was this sword his true killing technique?
Qiu Shou Xian could no longer contain his fear. His whole body began to tremble.
He had no doubt that once this sword fell, he would be slain in an instant, without the slightest chance.
Outside the arena, the disciples watched, utterly baffled.
What was going on?
Why was Qiu Shou Xian, who'd been furious moments ago, standing motionless?
At the same time!
Inside Biyou Palace, Tongtian abruptly rose to his feet, visibly moved.
"This... what an overbearing sword force!"
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