Chapter 99: The Name of Gu Xingjian: He Comes to Duel!

Several days later.

Cangwu Mountain, at its foot.

A sea of people gathered, filled with all manner of clamor.

These people came from major sects and families, all here to visit Cangwu Jiang Family.

After the fall of Qianshan Sect, the Cangwu Jiang Family, with Jiang Daoxuan as its pillar, had already replaced them as the new dominant power in this region!

For their own stable development, nearby sects and families had both reason and obligation to come to Cangwu Mountain to "pay respects."

Yet due to Jiang Daoxuan's order to close his doors, no one could even enter the Shanmen, let alone pay him a visit.

As time passed, more and more factions remained at the foot of the mountain, and gradually, many ceased to hurry away.

They began gathering together, chatting, and forging connections.

Local merchants, seeing this scene, also spotted an opportunity, setting up temporary stalls to sell various foods.

As a result, the foot of Cangwu Mountain had become a small marketplace.

On this day, at noon.

A black-clad man, unremarkable in appearance but with eyes of extraordinary sharpness, set foot upon this land.

He stood eight feet tall, his frame robust, his right sleeve hanging empty, as if he had lost an arm.

His remaining left hand gripped tightly the black hilt at his waist as he walked.

The instant this man passed through the marketplace.

Everyone felt a faint prickling pain, as if silver needles were piercing their skin!

They were all high-ranking members of major sects and families, their experience far from ordinary; startled inwardly, they immediately recognized what this sight meant.

"This... this seems to be sword intent?"

"One who wields sword intent is no ordinary person—who is this man?"

"Dressed in black, black sword at his waist, missing his right arm, wielding sword with his left hand, and possessing sword intent... wait, could he be Gu Xingjian?!"

"What? It's him?!"

"I didn't expect Jiang Family's name would reach Gu Jianzong's ears so quickly."

"Gu Jianzong is obsessed with swords; now that he's heard of a master like Jiang Jianzong emerging in our region, he naturally feels kinship and excitement. Judging by his past deeds, he's likely come here to challenge for a duel, isn't he?"

"Now that you mention it, I recall—every time a new sword master appears, Gu Jianzong shows up to spar with them. Rumor has it that several years ago, the late Lord Kou of Qianshan Sect was soundly defeated by him."

"It's said Gu Jianzong has no sect or clan, yet he cultivated to his current realm using only a fragmented sword scripture—who knows whether he or Jiang Jianzong is stronger?"

The onlookers buzzed with discussion, eagerly anticipating what would come next.

Would the famed Gu Jianzong prevail, or would the suddenly risen Jiang Jianzong prove superior?

Under the tense gaze of countless eyes.

Gu Xingjian passed through the marketplace and stopped before the green stone steps leading up to Cangwu Mountain.

He tilted his head slightly, gazing at the mist-shrouded, half-visible summit, his eyes gleaming as he murmured softly: "Jiang Daoxuan, I hope you won't disappoint me..."

Over the years, he had wielded his green blade, dominating the surrounding lands and defeating countless sword masters.

In terms of equal realm, he had never lost a single battle.

So upon hearing of such a formidable opponent emerging on Cangwu Mountain, he could not contain his joy and arrived here overnight.

"I wonder how much your strength exceeds the rumors?"

Thinking of the various rumors about him, Gu Xingjian's pupils revealed a startling gleam!

In his youth, he had once clashed with Kou Tongguang, a master who had also cultivated sword intent.

But Kou's sword intent was weak and feeble; Gu Xingjian defeated him within just a few strikes.

Yet this Jiang Jianzong killed Kou Tongguang with a single blow—clearly his cultivation base is formidable.

But I wonder how much of this rumor is true.

After all, over the years, he had seen too many frauds who deceived the world.

As his thoughts turned, Gu Xingjian shook his head, no longer hesitating, and stepped forward onto the green stone steps.

With his powerful cultivation base, he quickly reached the summit.

The three Jiang Family disciples who had been guarding the Shanmen and chatting idly, hearing the commotion, instinctively turned their gaze forward.

Seeing this black-clad man radiating terrifying aura, as if warning all to keep their distance.

Everyone instinctively recoiled in shock.