Chapter 249: The Summit of Tianshan, the Second Duel Between Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng

Tianshan.

This mountain range carries many myths and legends, and it is said that many great heroes also live here in seclusion.

From far away, looking from a distance, one can already feel a massive sense of oppression.

The mountain range is towering and vast, stretching endlessly, lying there like the spine of heaven and earth.

At the foot of the mountain, there is still lush green grass, but the higher one goes, the higher the mountain becomes and the lower the temperature drops. By the time one reaches the summit, there is eternal snow that never melts, biting and cold.

Even for martial artists, if they do not wear thick winter clothing, they might not be able to endure this terrifying, bitter cold.

Precisely because of this, although there are often rumors of heroes and immortals at Tianshan, very few people ever climb to the summit of Tianshan.

But today, over a hundred martial arts heroes have gathered; they do not fear the biting cold, they do not fear the long journey, and they have traveled a great distance to reach the summit of Tianshan.

Among these people, there is no shortage of prominent martial arts figures like Lu Xiaofeng, Hua Manlou, and Mu Daoren.

"Three months ago, Ye Gucheng narrowly lost to Ximen Chuixue; at that time, I don't know how many people jumped to their deaths because they owed gambling debts."

"Today, in this battle, who knows who will win and who will lose?"

"Although these two are both Divine Swords of the current age, both have records of defeat. If we are truly talking about the number one swordsman of the current age, I think it still belongs to 'Jade-Faced Divine Sword' Yu Liancheng."

As it turns out, today is precisely the time for the second duel between Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng, so it is no wonder there are so many martial arts heroes here.

Three months ago, Yu Liancheng and Ye Gucheng helped the Nanwang Shizi succeed in his usurpation.

Ye Gucheng assassinated the Emperor with a single sword strike. His spirit broke through its cage and achieved a tremendous sublimation.

Although this sublimation could nourish his Martial Dao and allow his martial arts to reach a higher level, it could not immediately improve his sword technique. Furthermore, Ye Gucheng's heart had flaws, and having previously exchanged blows with Gong Jiu and the Emperor, his essence, energy, and spirit were further depleted, which is why he was defeated.

Ximen Chuixue did not kill him, and the two agreed on a three-month deadline to fight again at Tianshan.

Three months passed in the blink of an eye.

"Why don't I see that kid Yu Liancheng? Can he even resist coming to watch such excitement?" Lu Xiaofeng looked left and right, carefully scanning the area, and finally, a look of disappointment appeared in his eyes.

Hua Manlou stood beside him and laughed: "It is quite surprising how good your relationship with Yu Liancheng has become. Or is it that what you want to see is..."

Lu Xiaofeng retorted irritably: "Since when did you become so talkative?"

"I have always been this way; did you only just notice?" Hua Manlou laughed: "However, for a swordsman like Yu Liancheng, he surely wouldn't want to miss this battle."

Lu Xiaofeng stroked his mustache, his expression slightly solemn: "I heard that this kid appeared in the Capital a few days ago and defeated experts like the 'Two Elders of Shangshan' and the 'Hero of Guanzhong' Shanxi Yan with a single move. I don't know if it's true or false."

Hua Manlou nodded: "I have also heard of this matter, and I sent people to inquire about it."

Lu Xiaofeng pressed: "Is it true or false?"

Hua Manlou said: "Of course it is true. There were quite a few experts who witnessed that battle at the time; they have no reason to lie together."

"The Two Elders of Shangshan and Shanxi Yan are both members of the Heavenly Qin Sect; naturally, they would want to avenge Huo Tianqing."

Lu Xiaofeng frowned: "The Two Elders of Shangshan have long been revered as the Mount Tai and Big Dipper of the martial arts world, with deep and pure internal energy. Shanxi Yan is nicknamed the 'Hero of Guanzhong'; although I have never met him, I know his light-body technique and palm techniques are known as the two wonders of Guanzhong. For Yu Liancheng to resolve them in one move, his martial arts have improved too quickly."

While the two were discussing, they suddenly heard someone shout: "They're here, Ximen Chuixue is here."

"Ye Gucheng is here too."

They saw two figures like immortals flying through the clouds, breaking through the lingering mist, drifting gracefully to the summit of Tianshan.

Both were dressed in white as snow, both were equally aloof and cold; at first glance, they seemed to be the same person.

But if one looked closely, one would find that these two were absolutely not the same.

One of them was as cold and indifferent as the eternal snow on this Tianshan.

The other was as aloof as a wisp of white cloud in the blue sky.

If these two were not Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng, who could they be?

Both had reached the summit of Tianshan and stood facing each other.

The moment their gazes met, everyone felt as if they could see a string of sparks exploding out of thin air.

The summit of Tianshan had originally been quite lively, with emotions running high.

But in an instant, it had quieted down.

All eyes were fixed on these two.

Although they had not yet made a move and their Swords were still in their scabbards, everyone could feel the sharp, murderous aura between them.

Ximen Chuixue's cold, pale face suddenly radiated a scorching fighting spirit, and he said coldly: "The three-month deadline has arrived."

Fighting spirit also flowed in Ye Gucheng's eyes: "Indeed, the three-month deadline has arrived."

Ximen Chuixue said: "In these three months, has your heart calmed down?"

Ye Gucheng said: "The heart is calm, the spirit is tranquil."

Ximen Chuixue said: "Is the Sword in your hand?"

Ye Gucheng said: "The Sword is in my hand."

Ximen Chuixue said: "Good, we can finally have a proper duel."

Ye Gucheng said: "Indeed."

Neither of them spoke anymore.

The atmosphere became even more oppressive; only the wind howled, and it felt as if a great mountain was weighing on everyone's hearts.

Suddenly, a cold wind swept in, whipping up the snow into the sky, and the figures of the two were visible and then hidden within the snow.

Clang!

Two sounds of Sword ringing echoed through the air.

Both drew their swords and struck almost simultaneously, seizing the most subtle moment.

Two soaring flashes of sword light were like Flood Dragons, cutting through the sky, making this already snow-white world appear even brighter and more dazzling.

Ye Gucheng drew his sword and rose, the sword light like blue sky and white clouds; person and sword seemed to merge into one, becoming an inseparable whole.

A sharp glint flashed in Ximen Chuixue's eyes as he drew his long sword; the sword light was swift and pure, just like the snow on this Tianshan.

Boom!!

Two sword lights intertwined, whipping up a surge of force that swept in all directions; countless snowflakes were struck and sent flying into the sky, only to be shredded into countless tiny specks of powder.

"The swordsmanship of these two has also improved quite a bit."

Lu Xiaofeng was slightly surprised.

In reality, his martial arts were originally not inferior to either of them.

Whether facing either of these two peerless swordsmen, he had the confidence to win.

But now, he no longer possessed his former confidence.

The reason was not hard to guess: Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng had come to view the Sword Dao as the highest pursuit of their lives, with sincere hearts and upright intentions, dedicating their lives to the sword.

Although Lu Xiaofeng's martial arts were high, he was a romantic wanderer, indulging in wine, women, wealth, and temper; to maintain his martial cultivation without regressing was already quite remarkable, let alone advancing further.

Yu Liancheng was, like Lu Xiaofeng, a man who indulged in wine and women, yet his pursuit of the Martial Dao never ceased for a moment.

Coupled with his transcendent talent for martial arts and the existence of the Stone Gate, he had already surged far ahead on the path of the Martial Dao.

……

PS: Still owe 43 chapters. After a few more chapters here with Lu Xiaofeng, the Gu Long world will conclude, and I will begin *World's Number One*.