His arrival was perfectly timed, coinciding with the start of the ceremony. On the white jade steps, a woman stood, talking animatedly.
This person was an elder from the Gu Family family, named Gu Muyu.
Gu Muyu was quite pretty, and judging from her age, she should be between thirty and forty years old. She was currently circulating her Inner Breath and speaking, roughly welcoming the people who had come to observe the ceremony from all directions.
The Gu Family announced this ceremony to the world, so naturally, they had to go through some formalities before the ceremony began.
Gu Muyu had already reached the Grandmaster Realm, and it was very difficult to tell the age of martial artists at this level, especially women, from their appearance. Unless they were over a hundred years old, they all looked like young women. Although Gu Muyu spoke politely, there was an uncontrollable sense of smugness between her brows.
Aside from Gu Xia and the others who were killed on Great Green Mountain, this was the first time Gu Chen had seen members of the Gu Family's main branch. He stared at Gu Muyu, his face expressionless, but his heart turned icy cold.
Gu Muyu, of course, was unaware that Gu Chen was watching her from the crowd. After exchanging some polite words, she turned her gaze downwards and said calmly, "As everyone knows, to ascend the Dragon Ranking and hold the ceremony, one must ascend these steps and sprinkle one's essence and blood onto the Dragon Ranking."
"This staircase leading to the Heaven and Earth Palace is constructed with an array, totaling 30,000 steps. The pressure varies with each 10,000 steps, increasing as you approach the top. But to ascend the Dragon Ranking, gain the recognition of the world, and obtain the Dragon Ranking's imprint, one must traverse this staircase. This staircase is also known as the Road to Heaven, and this Heaven refers to the Heaven of the Land of Heaven and Earth! Everyone who aspires to ascend the Dragon Ranking must experience it!"
"Mingheng, come here." Gu Muyu looked into the crowd and said calmly.
Everyone was startled, including Gu Chen, who looked in the direction Gu Muyu was pointing.
A palanquin, about the size of four people and adorned with a tall crown and canopy, pulled by three strangely shaped demonic beasts, parted the crowd and came galloping through the dust! Then, with the low growls of the demonic beasts, the palanquin stopped, the curtain was lifted, and a person stepped out.
A handsome young man dressed in a blue long gown.
Gu Mingheng!
It has to be said that Gu Mingheng's entrance was quite impressive. Although the three-headed demon beast was not a high-level demon beast, at most on par with the Three-Eyed Ape, a demon beast is still a demon beast, not a wild beast. Even after being tamed, its appearance still gave people a sense of ferocity that made people feel fear from the bottom of their hearts.
The young man who got off the bus was not only handsome but also exceptionally tall. He always had a faint smile on his lips and stared straight ahead, exuding an air of dominance and arrogance.
Judging from his brows, he was an extremely arrogant person, because in his eyes there was not a trace of worry or tension. Under the watchful eyes of everyone, he seemed to be used to it, and slowly walked to the steps.
This is Gu Mingheng, a rising star who dares to compete with Fan Yingqiu for the top spot on the Tiger Ranking!
After three years in the Land of Heaven and Earth, he reached the Revolving Illumination Realm!
A peerless figure who has mastered the Gu Family's martial arts!
Among those present, many were perhaps seeing Gu Mingheng for the first time, and there was much pointing and whispering among them.
"Third Elder." Gu Mingheng seemed to be used to such discussions. He stood in front of Gu Muyu, bowed slightly, and spoke.
Even this small gesture couldn't conceal his arrogance. He turned his head, glanced around indifferently, and said, "When do I go up?"
The moment Gu Chen saw Gu Chen Gu Mingheng, it felt as if something had struck his chest, his heart was hit hard, and his fists clenched involuntarily!
In his previous life, his father failed to break through twice. After Gu Changfeng took over, he poured all the resources into his son, and even sent him into the Land of Heaven and Earth!
During that period, Gu Mingheng failed to fulfill his role and responsibilities as an elder brother, showing excessive disdain and humiliation towards Gu Chen. Even his father was subjected to this man's merciless ridicule and attacks.
Gu Mingheng was born proud, and this arrogance was not tempered by his birth into the Gu Family; rather, it was amplified, exuding an aura of "my fate is in my own hands."
If Gu Chen hadn't reversed time and returned in this life, following Gu Mingheng's trajectory, with his personality and talent, he probably would have truly become an extraordinary figure.
But now, everything has changed!
Gu Chen took a few deep breaths to suppress his emotions.
"The time is almost up. With everyone here as witnesses, Mingheng, are you confident?" Gu Muyu smiled faintly, not caring about Gu Mingheng's rudeness.
"Confidence?" Gu Mingheng chuckled, then said calmly, "I never thought I would fail."
With that, Gu Mingheng demonstrated to everyone through his actions! He strode forward with his hands behind his back, as light as a wild goose, and in the blink of an eye, he had stepped onto dozens of steps!
After another dozen or so breaths, Gu Mingheng had climbed hundreds of steps again!
Everyone was thrilled to see this. Gu Mingheng was indeed formidable; he truly lived up to his reputation as a hidden gem who had been out of the public eye for many years!
Among the younger generation, he is a peerless figure who can rival Fan Yingqiu and is no less than Cao Miao and Kang Zuoqing!
If he can truly make it onto the Dragon Ranking this time, he will undoubtedly be the strongest among the younger generation!
In the crowd, Gu Chen finally spotted Cao Miao. As Fan Yingqiu's lackey, Cao Miao looked at the arrogant Gu Mingheng with disdain. However, he didn't see Tang Miaomiao next to him.
"Where's Tang Miaomiao?" Gu Chen suddenly came to Cao Miao's side and gently patted his shoulder.
"Tang Miaomiao didn't come. She doesn't particularly like these kinds of occasions..." Cao Miao stared upwards and answered subconsciously. However, when he carefully recalled the voice, he was startled and looked back.
A face that filled him with rage and hatred, now bearing a mocking smile, appeared before his eyes!
Cao Miao trembled as if he had seen a ghost, shook Gu Chen's hand off his shoulder, then stepped back slightly, pointed at him, and stammered, unable to speak.
"Why do you look like you're about to get a spanking from your own father?" Gu Chen smiled faintly, pulling his hat down a little, and said, "Young Master Cao, aren't you happy to see me?"
"You, how did you get here?" Cao Miao was utterly shocked.
"Are you surprised? Are you happy?" Gu Chen asked.