Chapter 109

Thinking of this, Gu Xingjian's spirit trembled.

Not only did he attain perfect Sword Intent and defeat me with a casual strike, but he also rides a Star Wheel Realm spirit beast.

This Jiang family patriarch is far too mysterious, utterly inscrutable.

Gu Xingjian silently sighed, then quickly calmed his emotions.

For one who has now become a Jiang family patron, the stronger the Jiang family grows, the more he stands to gain.

Perhaps, merely by serving the Jiang family well, he might yet gain a sliver of opportunity.

At that time, breaking through to perfect Sword Intent may no longer be a fantasy.

Even the legendary, elusive Sword Heart realm is not entirely out of reach.

As long as I reach the Sword Heart realm and join the ranks of the Sword Marquises.

Even fame spreading across the entire Tiandou Prefecture would merely be a matter of time!

Cangwu Mountain, at its foot.

At sunset, golden afterglow spilled across the land.

Inside the marketplace.

Many from families and sects had gathered.

At this moment, they whispered among themselves, glancing repeatedly toward the green stone steps leading to the Jiang family Shanmen.

All awaited the result of the two Sword Sects' duel, hoping to see Gu Xingjian descend.

Yet for hours on end, he never appeared.

They grew deeply puzzled.

What had happened on the mountain?

Everyone felt intense curiosity about it.

After such a long time, even if both parties were extraordinarily powerful, the duel should have ended long ago.

How could it possibly last this long? Had something unusual occurred atop Cangwu Mountain?

Various theories surfaced in their minds, yet none could be confirmed.

The prolonged wait had left them increasingly parched and restless.

Finally, a burly man could no longer endure the torment—he stepped forward bravely from the crowd.

Under the collective gaze of all, he climbed the green stone steps, preparing to investigate.

Not long after.

When the burly man descended the mountain.

The crowd in the marketplace immediately surged forward, surrounding him and clamoring: "Well? Any news?"

"Yes, who won—the Jiang Jianzong or the Gu Jianzong?"

"The duel lasted so long with no result—it's driving us mad."

Facing the tense questions before him, the man recalled the news he had just gathered and said gravely: "I just learned from the Jiang family guards at the Shanmen that Gu Jianzong, hours ago—right after ascending the mountain—was... defeated by a single strike from Jiang Jianzong..."

His words fell like thunder, sending shockwaves through the crowd!

That was Gu Xingjian—the left-handed swordsman who had carved out a fearsome reputation across the surrounding lands!

A renowned sword cultivator with over a decade of fame and countless followers, he couldn't even withstand a single strike from Jiang Daoxuan, who was merely rising in power.

Such a lopsided outcome was simply unbelievable!

As shock spread across the faces of the crowd.

A voice filled with doubt suddenly rose: "If Gu Jianzong was already defeated by Jiang Jianzong, why hasn't he come down yet?"

At these words, everyone snapped back to awareness and began speaking at once.

"Strange—I haven't seen Gu Jianzong all this time."

"Could Jiang Jianzong have killed him with a fatal blow?"

"It's not impossible—rumors say Jiang Jianzong has a murderous nature; in Wudan City, he exterminated an entire rival clan, even down to chickens and ducks, poured boiling water over ant nests, severed every earthworm in two, leaving not a single living thing..."

Seeing the crowd's speculation grow increasingly absurd, the burly man no longer teased them—he blurted out: "The reason Gu Jianzong hasn't descended is simple: after being defeated, he accepted Jiang Jianzong's offer and agreed to join the Jiang family as a patron!"

As the man finished speaking, the heated atmosphere vanished, replaced by absolute silence.

In that moment, every mind was stunned, temporarily paralyzed by the news.

After several breaths of silence, they slowly regained their wits.

Then, the crowd erupted into even fiercer discussion, unleashing a chorus of exclamations!

"What? Even Gu Jianzong has joined the Jiang family?"

"Forget his cultivation base—just consider his reclusive nature! How could he possibly submit to the Jiang family?"

"Indeed, this is baffling—I heard that three years ago, a powerful sect with a Moon Wheel Realm elder in residence, drawn by Gu Jianzong's talent, offered him countless benefits to become their Elder."

Yet even then, Gu Jianzong refused. What kind of charisma does this Jiang patriarch possess, to bend Gu Jianzong's will, making him abandon his wandering ways and willingly become a lowly patron?"

"Sigh—times have truly changed. Now the Cangwu Jiang family not only has Jiang Jianzong as its pillar, but also Gu Jianzong joining them. Who in the future will dare defy their orders?"

Loud discussions continued, drawing more and more people into the conversation.

Today, the Cangwu Jiang family boasts two Sword Masters standing together—its depth of power is unmatched in the surrounding lands.

If such a hegemonic force harbors designs upon neighboring factions.

How could anyone resist them?

The crowd's expressions grew anxious, their pupils flickering with unease.

Realizing the severity of the situation, one by one, family and sect members turned and left the marketplace, hurrying away.

Immediately afterward, they galloped home at full speed, eager to report this earth-shattering news to their clans at once!

As the incident spread further.

Not long after, the entire marketplace was nearly deserted.

Only a few ordinary people, without family or sect backing, remained.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Quantongcheng, Jiang Family branch residence.

Inside the assembly hall, many Jiang family members had gathered.

They all wore expressions of fear, heads bowed, stealing glances at the opposite side with the corners of their eyes.

In their line of sight was a man dressed in fine robes, his face soft and sinister.

The man sat calmly upon a grand armchair, holding a teacup in his right hand, leisurely raising it to his lips.

Yet after sipping just a mouthful of the hot tea, he casually flung the cup to the ground, shattering it into pieces.

"Is this the fine tea your Jiang family uses to entertain guests? This taste is like chewing wax, and the texture is utterly abysmal—do you even serve this swill to livestock?"

"Or is this how your Jiang family treats its guests?"