Chapter 280: Yang Guang Can

Shi Shi Zhixuan's assault failed to break Gu Qing's defenses, but Shi Shi Zhixuan himself was broken.

"Impressive, impressive."

Shi Shi Qingxuan watched Gu Qing put on the robes of a young novice from Dashi Temple before speaking to him, her tone carrying a hint of profound meaning, recalling what had passed between them.

No wonder he could subdue someone like Shi Shi Feixuan, a daughter of heaven—Gu Qing truly has extraordinary qualities.

"How about it?"

Gu Qing looked at Shi Shi Qingxuan and said: "Follow me, and you won't fear happiness being destroyed."

Shi Shi Zhixuan embraced self-destruction: he once disguised himself as Pi Ju to aid the Sui's rise, then shattered it at its peak; he loved Bi Bi Xiuxin, yet destroyed her at the height of their passion.

Shi Shi Qingxuan distrusted Shi Shi Zhixuan and refused to drag others into her plight, living alone behind closed doors; now, with Gu Qing's extraordinary strength, she had no fear of his assassination attempts, so following him meant seizing happiness.

"But can following you truly bring happiness?"

Shi Shi Qingxuan asked with a smile—Gu Qing was no ordinary man.

"Just try."

Gu Qing urged.

Shi Shi Qingxuan gave a light laugh, drew a scroll from her sleeve, and handed it to Gu Qing: "He's suffered a great loss—he'll seek revenge. This is the secret of the Immortal Seal Technique. Study its contents; it'll give you one more layer of caution."

Gu Qing took the Immortal Seal Technique—the very scripture that had once caused Bi Bi Xiuxin's death.

Shi Shi Qingxuan gave Gu Qing a slight nod, then drifted away.

Shi Shi Feixuan and Du Guofeng finally approached; Shi Shi Feixuan even brought a long sword for Gu Qing to examine closely.

The blade bore numerous nicks, yet the iron of its edge was distinctly unusual.

From this sword alone, one could discern the true lethal power of the Bu Tian Pavilion's sword art.

"No wonder he's the master of the Shadow Assassin."

Gu Qing held the sword, studying it intently—Shi Shi Zhixuan truly excelled in assassination.

"Gu Qing…"

Shi Shi Feixuan gazed at him, her voice soft and tender: "I thought your inner energy, lightness, and unique cultivation methods were what made you so extraordinary—but I didn't expect your defensive arts to be this strong."

In the martial path, Gu Qing had virtually no flaws.

Shi Shi Zhixuan was a demon feared by all; even master-level cultivators spoke of the Evil King with respect, fearing his elusive methods and his ability to strike and vanish.

Yet this demon, feared by all, had been humiliated twice by Gu Qing—especially this time, with Shi Shi Qingxuan and Shi Shi Feixuan watching as Shi Shi Zhixuan unleashed every technique, his sword blade even dulled by blows, while Gu Qing never even raised a hand, leaving Shi Shi Zhixuan in despair as he fled.

Shi Shi Feixuan felt that even Ning Ning Daoqi, the hidden ace of the Cihang Pure Land, would be useless—even Ning Ning Daoqi plus Shi Shi Zhixuan together would be useless. Gu Qing's power made her nearly resign herself to fate.

Gu Qing looked at Shi Shi Feixuan, took the Immortal Seal Technique, and asked tentatively: "Want to read it together?"

Shi Shi Feixuan's eyes smiled warmly.

"I'd like to see the Immortal Seal Technique too."

A voice drifted on the wind. Shi Shi Feixuan suddenly sensed something and turned—on the head of a giant Arhat sat a girl in yellow, barefoot, swaying gently; when their gazes met, Shi Shi Feixuan instantly recognized her identity.

The orthodox and demonic sects had long been entangled; the Yin Yin Yin Gui Pai Pai, the most powerful among the demons, and the Cihang Pure Land were locked in endless rivalry, even making a wager to settle their feud through their next-generation successors. The girl Shi Shi Feixuan saw was Wan Wan, the demonic sect's most gifted disciple, hailed as the strongest successor.

Shi Shi Feixuan's gaze sharpened like sword qi; though far apart, Wan Wan felt the blade's imminent threat—she had no doubt Shi Shi Feixuan would draw her sword if she took another step. But as the most outstanding disciple of the demonic sect, she would not retreat.

Wan Wan leapt forward toward Gu Qing. Shi Shi Feixuan extended two fingers—two sword qi streaks shot toward Wan Wan, yet the surrounding air collapsed as if heaven and earth had fallen, swallowing the sword qi whole. In that instant, Wan Wan forced herself to stand before Gu Qing.

"Grand Gu Shi."

Wan Wan bowed gracefully before Gu Qing: "My master ordered me to serve you." As she spoke, she glanced at Shi Shi Feixuan with a subtle challenge: "I was raised in the demonic sect—I've absorbed these arts by osmosis. Grand Gu Shi, you'd be better off with me than with her."

Wan Wan had arrived to oust Shi Shi Feixuan.

Gu Qing looked down at Wan Wan, seeing the pale nape of her neck as she bowed; when she raised her head, her gaze seemed to speak.

Shi Shi Feixuan remained unmoved, her sword poised.

Gu Qing studied Wan Wan—he knew Zhu Wang Yuyan and Shi Shi Zhixuan harbored deep hatred, and Wan Wan coveted the Immortal Seal Technique most. He tucked the scripture into his robe, reached out, touched her arm, and helped her rise.

Wan Wan's eyes shimmered, silently conveying affection.

!

Compared to Shi Shi Feixuan's subtle, silent allure, Yin Yin Yin Gui Pai Pai's seduction was far too blunt.

"Shi Shi Qingxuan saw so many women here and withdrew on her own."

Shi Shi Feixuan watched Wan Wan advance, speaking coolly.

Wan Wan smiled, glancing at Shi Shi Feixuan: "Then when will this Pure Land sister withdraw? I heard when I came here that the Li clan plans to send Li Li Xiuning to Grand Gu Shi."

Li Li Xiuning?

At the mention of this name, Gu Qing, Shi Shi Feixuan, and Du Guofeng all grew curious—why would the Li clan make such a decision?

"It's all because Xie Hui."

Wan Wan smiled sweetly: "Grand Gu Shi made Xie Hui return Miss Song Song Yuhua to Lingnan. Miss Song Song Yuhua now refuses to marry anyone but Grand Gu Shi. This back-and-forth led to an alliance between Grand Gu Shi and the Song clan. Then I heard Miss Du Guofeng has been by Grand Gu Shi's side. As another of the Four Great Clans, the Li clan naturally had to keep pace—and so they've decided to send Li Li Xiuning to you."

Du Guofeng, Song Song Yuhua, Li Li Xiuning.

Gu Qing and Shi Shi Feixuan exchanged glances, then Gu Qing asked with a smile: "What about the Yuwen clan? Don't they have any girls?"

Everyone was sending girls—Gu Qing saw it clearly.

Wan Wan cast a reproachful glance at Gu Qing: "Grand Gu Shi is truly greedy. This has become the Yuwen clan's most troubling issue—this generation has many men but very few women, and even fewer outstanding ones. If they sent just anyone, they'd risk your displeasure."

Gu Qing nodded—he appreciated the Yuwen clan's intent.

Yet suddenly, Gu Qing had formed ties with the Du, Song, and Li clans—how could Yang Guang possibly sleep now?

"Has Yang Guang in Daxing shown any reaction?"

Gu Qing asked: "All three clans have sent girls—won't Yang Guang send me one too?"

Gu Qing found Yang Guang increasingly annoying.

Wan Wan looked at him with deep meaning: "He may send you more than you expect."

(End of Chapter)