Chapter 66: Seize Li Ling.
Chapter 66
Bu Xingjin feasted on several meals of Nine Supreme Immortal Delicacies. He wasn't one for gluttony, but after savoring such delicacies, he couldn't help but sigh in admiration. The food truly lived up to its reputation. He even had a thought: if he were fortunate enough to achieve true immortality in the future, he might even descend to the mortal world just to taste this delicacy.
Bu Xingjin devoured his meal, thinking to himself that when he met Qing Yan, he would definitely drag him along to enjoy the food. These meals had cost him a fortune. He had used all the spirit stones he had saved up, as well as the unused items from the system rewards, to pay for the meals. Only then did he settle the bill and, contentedly, leave the True Immortal Tower, striding towards Broken Dragon Cliff.
During this day and more, he was not only busy with eating and drinking. Being in the bustling city of Shangli, he also listened to most of the hot topics discussed in the streets and alleys.
He had heard that the Shangli Order would appear three days before the Shangli Secret Realm opened. Legend had it that the eight great families of Shangli had shouldered the heavy responsibility of protecting the Shangli Secret Realm for generations, and therefore, the realm offered special privileges to those within it.
Not only could the Shangli Order only be held by direct descendants of the eight great families, but it was also rumored that after entering the secret realm, there were special areas within that only members of the eight great families could enter. Furthermore, the Shangli Order had strict rules for selecting the bloodline heirs of the eight great families; direct descendants were required; collateral relatives were ineligible.
It was already late when Bu Xingjin arrived at Broken Dragon Cliff. This small area was already packed with people, not to mention the various masters hiding in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike.
The recent series of events that had befallen the Gu family had long been widely publicized. The question of who would ultimately receive the three Shangli Orders, which were supposed to belong to the Gu family, naturally drew widespread attention, with everyone eagerly anticipating the outcome.
Bu Xingjin looked around but did not see Gu Jiuge, but he knew in his heart that Gu Jiuge was most likely in some hidden place nearby, silently watching every move here.
Likewise, he saw no trace of Qing Yan. He searched the vast Shangli City, but found nothing. He didn't know if it was just bad luck or if Qing Yan was intentionally hiding his whereabouts. But Bu Xingjin was certain he hadn't misunderstood. Since Qing Yan had specifically mentioned this place name, he wouldn't miss the appointment without a reason.
Bu Xingjin quietly tucked himself into the crowd, watching with disdain as the Liu and Zhao families, the first of the eight great families to step forward, exchanged words, the atmosphere growing increasingly tense. It looked as if they were about to engage in a life-and-death brawl. Bu Xingjin watched with amusement, secretly hoping for a more intense fight, ideally one that would result in casualties. That would be the height of excitement.
Unfortunately, things went against one's wishes. Just when the two sides were on the verge of a fight, someone stepped forward to mediate.
"Everyone, what's the point of fighting to the death now? Wait until Shang Liling shows up, and then it will all depend on your own abilities." The person who spoke had an immortal look. Bu Xingjin felt unfamiliar with him, but judging from the position he was standing in, he should be from the Liu family.
As luck would have it, the dispute here had just been settled, perhaps because the person trying to mediate had chosen the perfect timing, but the secret realm over there suddenly changed.
A resounding "boom" pierced everyone's eardrums. Thousands of golden lights exploded in the direction of the secret realm. The looming shadow of a giant bronze gate in the air slowly opened a little, and twenty-four meteor-like rays of light shot out from the crack in the gate like lightning.
Bu Xingjin's eyes narrowed as he peered closer. The light was composed of countless tiny runes, each radiating an ancient, vast, and mysterious aura. Twenty-four brilliant beams of light traced incredibly subtle paths through the air, seemingly imbued with some otherworldly, mystical power that sent hearts racing and blood surging through the air.
"It's the Shang Li Order!" Someone shouted at the top of their lungs, and instantly, dozens of figures emerged from the seven major families. Some rushed straight for the three Shang Li Orders that were theirs, while others put all their efforts into obtaining the three Shang Li Orders that originally belonged to the Gu family.
The onlookers, with an attitude of indifference, pointed and commented:
"The Gu family didn't send anyone here. It seems they've given up on entering the Shangli Secret Realm!"
"At this rate, the eight major families in Shangli City will probably become just seven."
"Who says it's not? I wonder who will end up with the three Shangli Orders of the Gu family."
"Never mind all that. Let's just wait and see. It won't be long before the outcome becomes clear."
Those whose cultivation level is below the Spirit Severing Stage gathered here just to see who the Shangli Order would eventually belong to, so that after entering the Shangli Secret Realm, they would have a better idea of which faction to cling to and which forces to avoid.
The Spiritual Stage masters had come here specifically for the Shangli Orders. These twenty-four Shangli Orders meant that there were a total of twenty-four Spiritual Stage cultivators who could enter the Shangli Secret Realm. However, the combined number of Spiritual Stage masters from the eight major families was only ten. This left room for negotiation and the possibility of a trade.
Although these places had already been decided before the Shangli Order appeared in the past, things are different now. An unexpected event occurred - the three Shangli Orders of the Gu family appeared.
Bu Xingjin hid himself in the crowd, his gaze fixed on the radiant light. He could clearly sense the restlessness of the people around him, the glint of greed and desire gleaming deep in everyone's eyes. The Shangli Token was not only the key to the Shangli Secret Realm, but also a rare treasure coveted by countless Spiritual Severing cultivators, seen as a shortcut to advancement. The three Shangli Tokens of the Gu family were now a highly coveted commodity. Who wouldn't want to claim them? Even if they couldn't seize them directly, trapping them and trading them with other families later would be a sure-win.
"Boom!" Another earth-shattering roar echoed, and the golden light from the direction of the secret realm grew increasingly dazzling, as if instantly illuminating the entire world. Twenty-four rays of light traced beautiful arcs in the air before dispersing, shooting off in groups of three in different directions.
"The people from the Liu and Zhao families are really quick!" Bu Xingjin muttered to himself.
As expected, the Liu and Zhao families took the lead, charging out like arrows from a bow, desperately pursuing several of the brilliant lights. Their figures moved like lightning, transforming into streaks of light, disappearing from everyone's sight in the blink of an eye. Seeing this, the members of the other families, unwilling to show weakness, gathered their strength and followed closely behind, chasing in all directions.
For a moment, only the three Shangli Orders belonging to the Gu family were left in the field, hanging alone in the air, swaying unsteadily, as if they were children who had lost their way and could not find their home.
Just as everyone's attention was drawn to the fluttering Shangli Orders, Bu Xingjin keenly sensed something unusual. From the corner of his eye, he saw a dark figure at the edge of the crowd, silently creeping towards the three Shangli Orders belonging to the Gu family.
It was Gu Jiuge! He was hiding, indeed. If he hadn't sensed the spiritual energy left on him when he had helped him transform his appearance, he wouldn't have recognized him with his head-to-toe outfit.
Bu Xingjin secretly gathered his strength, waiting for Gu Jiuge to approach Shang Liling before going forward to help and stop people from other families.
Gu Jiuge's figure moved like a ghost, weaving through the gaps in the crowd, inching closer to the three Shangli Orders dangling in mid-air. However, with so many experts present, his movements, though stealthy, were still spotted by a member of the Liu family's elite clan. The Liu family member's eyes flashed, and he shouted, "Thieves are attempting to steal the Shangli Orders! Everyone, beware!" This cry was like a thunderclap, instantly filling the air around them with tension.
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound, only to see Gu Jiuge looming in the shadows. Instantly, several sharp magical beams shot towards him like lightning, attempting to force him back. Gu Jiuge dodged the attack with a nimble flash, but this also completely exposed his position. Members of various families turned and gathered around him, their eyes filled with vigilance and greed. After all, the three Shangli Tokens of the Gu family were within easy reach. Whoever could capture this "poacher" and seize the tokens would achieve great success.
At this critical moment, Bu Xingjin made his move. He rushed out from the crowd like a black whirlwind, a knife flashing with cold light suddenly appearing in his hand. With a swing of his hand, he blocked all the hidden weapons shot at Gu Jiuge.
Everyone was stunned when they saw a Cheng Yaojin suddenly appear. But soon, greed overcame their surprise. They were sure that Bu Xingjin and Gu Jiuge were in cahoots, and if that was the case, they couldn't let either of them go.
Then, the attack came like a tide, the light of spells and the whistling of magic weapons intertwined together, enveloping Bu Xingjin and Gu Jiuge.
Gu Jiuge felt warm in his heart, he knew that Bu Xingjin would definitely help him. Seeing that the other party was surrounded, he quickly formed seals with his hands, and a powerful spiritual power surged out of his body, turning into a spiritual power shield, protecting the two of them.
"Brother Bu, thank you very much today. Let's fight side by side!" Gu Jiuge said loudly.
Bu Xingjin smiled, "Brother Gu, don't be polite, let's get started!" With that, he nimbly dove through the gaps in the enemy's attack like a loach, his Blood River Knife slashing at the enemy's weak spots. Gu Jiuge, on the other hand, opened and closed his palms with great force, each swing carrying an overwhelming surge of spiritual power, sending the approaching enemy flying. The two of them worked in perfect harmony, temporarily making the siege difficult to achieve.
But the members of each clan were no pushovers. Seeing their assault proved ineffective, they resorted to tactical tactics. Some held Bu Xingjin back, using dazzling spells to overwhelm him. Others concentrated their attacks on Gu Jiuge, attempting to break his spiritual shield. Under this intense assault, Gu Jiuge's shield began to falter, its light dimming.
"Brother Gu, quickly take the Li Order!" Bu Xingjin shouted.
A look of determination flashed in Gu Jiuge's eyes. He seized the opportunity and, under the cover of Bu Xingjin, rushed towards the three Shangli orders like lightning.
At this moment, the attacks around him intensified, but he paid no attention, his eyes fixed only on the talisman that represented his family's hope and inheritance. Just as his hand was about to touch the Shangli Token, a sharp sword energy struck from the side, attempting to sever his arm. Gu Jiuge reacted swiftly, dodging to the side as the sword energy grazed his sleeve, slicing through it.
"Hmph, trying to stop me? That's not that easy!" Gu Jiuge snorted coldly. Finally, his hands grasped the three Shangli Orders. Instantly, an ancient and mysterious aura washed over him. He didn't dare delay a moment, quickly injecting his own spiritual power into them, binding them. This was the nature of the Shangli Order. Once bound with spiritual power, even if the master died, the Order would simply disappear; it could not be taken away.
With the infusion of spiritual energy, Shang Li Ling shone brightly, and the illusion spell that had been shrouding Gu Jiuge was also invalidated by the fluctuation of spiritual energy. He slowly revealed his true appearance. His long black hair fluttered in the wind, his face was cold and resolute, and his eyes revealed the calmness and perseverance of someone who had experienced many vicissitudes of life. He was dressed in a black robe embroidered with the unique crest of the Gu family, which was particularly eye-catching in the reflection of the light.
The entire audience was stunned. The other clan members stared at Gu Jiuge in amazement. They had never imagined that the man who had been hiding in the shadows, competing with them for the Shang Li Ling, was actually the only descendant of the Gu family, the one everyone thought was dead—Gu Jiuge.
"He... he is Gu Jiuge! Didn't he say he was dead..." Someone was so surprised that he stuttered.
"How is this possible? The head of the Gu family has encountered a great disaster, and the Gu family is controlled by a side branch. How can he still appear here and get the Shangli Order!" Another person's face was full of disbelief.
The crowd watching was in an uproar, whispering to each other and talking about it.
"Now we're going to have a good show. The Gu family has fallen into such a state, and yet Gu Jiuge can still fight back. It's not easy!"
"Yes, I think the situation in Shangli City is going to change because of him."
Gu Jiuge stood proudly with three Shangli Orders in his hands. He looked around and said loudly: "Everyone, although the Gu family has encountered changes, I, Gu Jiuge, am still here! This Shangli Order originally belonged to my Gu family. Today I am just taking back what belongs to me. I know that everyone here has a lot of speculations about the affairs of my Gu family. In the future, I will find out the truth and give everyone an explanation." His voice was like a bell, echoing over the Broken Dragon Cliff, revealing unquestionable majesty.
Although the people from each family were unwilling, Shang Li Ling had already been bound by Gu Jiuge at this moment, and they also knew that it was impossible to snatch him away by force.
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