Mu Chen froze.
Zhao Gongming?
Wasn't he the future Jie Sect's most famous third-generation disciple?
Even the Three Xiaos, who would possess Quasi-Sage strength in the future, were his junior sisters.
But then Mu Chen thought again.
The current Zhao Gongming had yet to join the Jie Sect, and his cultivation was unremarkable.
At most, he was a starter village character.
What the hell was there to fear?
Mu Chen immediately declared with righteous conviction.
"What's Mount Emei worth? I am Daoist Wang Zha, leader of the mortal world's Heaven-Exploding Gang! Have you never heard my name?"
Zhao Gongming instinctively sucked in a breath of cold air.
This Heaven-Exploding Gang...
It sounded pretty badass.
He immediately grew considerably more cautious and snorted.
"I discovered this fruit first. Why are you trying to snatch my opportunity, Fellow Daoist Wang Zha?"
Mu Chen scoffed.
"Have some shame, will you? My hand was already fucking on it. Of course it's mine."
Zhao Gongming fumed.
"What, do you want a fight?"
"Then let's fight! You think I'm afraid of you? I, Wang Zha, have never feared anyone!"
"Heh, fine. I won't bully you, either. We'll exchange a few moves at Heavenly Immortal strength, and the winner gets it!"
"No problem!"
Seeing Mu Chen agree so readily,
Zhao Gongming revealed a faint, smug smile.
Hmph.
Ant!
Watch how I put you in your place!
Zhao Gongming was confident that dealing with a mere Human Race cultivator at the Heavenly Immortal realm was practically a sure thing.
The next moment,
Zhao Gongming's entire figure turned into a rainbow and shot straight toward Mu Chen's face.
Mu Chen did not move at all.
He merely shouted suddenly.
"Behold my treasure!"
With that, he pulled a small, fiery-red gourd from his robes.
The Nine-Nine Red Cloud Soul-Scattering Gourd!
As for this gourd's origins, it was one of the seven gourds from Mount Buzhou.
This was the Innate Spirit Treasure Hong Yun had given him when he fell.
Now that Mu Chen was using it to defend himself, dealing with a mere Zhao Gongming was no problem.
Besides, the current Zhao Gongming was penniless, having yet to obtain any opportunities or treasures.
To Mu Chen, he was far too green.
The next moment,
Mu Chen gently opened the gourd.
Endless red sand poured out, blotting out the sky and blanketing the earth.
The rainbow light Zhao Gongming had become had barely touched the red gauze when he felt ten great mountains pinning his body down, leaving him unable to move.
At the same time, his primordial spirit grew dizzy, and his soul actually showed signs of scattering on the spot.
Zhao Gongming was badly frightened.
He hurriedly retreated several hundred meters, his face filled with shock and fear.
"An Innate Spirit Treasure! An Innate Spirit Treasure! You... you... you're cheating! You actually used a treasure like that!"
Mu Chen rolled his eyes.
"Who the fuck said you can't use treasures in a duel? Use one yourself if you've got the guts!"
With that,
the red sand spraying from the gourd continued surging toward Zhao Gongming.
For a time,
with no treasures to protect himself, Zhao Gongming could do nothing but flee in panic, while the red sand pursued him relentlessly, forming towering waves that constantly wheeled through the sky.
Mu Chen watched the scene with satisfaction.
Then he suddenly scratched his head.
Wait, why did this feel so familiar...
Holy shit.
Gaara of the Sandstorm?
No.
The art style had gone off track. This was the Primordial World.
Mu Chen hurriedly reined in his thoughts.
Seeing that Zhao Gongming had just about had enough, he slowly withdrew the red sand and gave a dry cough.
"Do you concede?"
On principle, he rather admired Zhao Gongming.
Unfortunately, Zhao Gongming had joined the Jie Sect and ultimately been slaughtered by Lu Ya.
"I... I... I concede!"
Zhao Gongming nodded like a chick pecking at grain.
He dared not refuse to concede.
He never wanted to experience that terrifying might, which could scatter his soul in an instant, again in his life.
"Young man, you must understand that the road ahead is long. Don't be too arrogant. I, Daoist Wang Zha, haven't earned my reputation for nothing."
Mu Chen spoke earnestly.
Then he plucked the fruit from the tree.
Under Zhao Gongming's envious, jealous gaze, he tossed it into his mouth.
Mm...
It slid smoothly into his mouth and tasted pretty good.
Just then,
the atmosphere on the island abruptly changed.
Daoist Duobao appeared before Mu Chen and said with a beaming smile,
"Congratulations, fellow Daoist. You have successfully passed the trial."