Just as the commotion at Ganfenglou was about to lift the roof off, a figure in dark robes silently entered.
The newcomer had a delicate, effeminate face, and his black robe was embroidered with ghost head patterns. A faint black mist surrounded him. As soon as he stepped into the hall, the noisy discussions stopped abruptly, and many people subconsciously shrank back—it was Gui You from the Ghost Clan of the Central Region.
"It's Guiyou!" someone whispered, their voice filled with apprehension.
The memory of Gui You's ruthlessness in confronting the Dao Seeking Puppet with his peak Mahayana power is still vivid. Now, seeing him again, his aura is even more profound, and he has already faintly stepped into the threshold of the Tribulation Transcending Realm. Clearly, he has made progress in the past few days.
Ignoring everyone's gaze, Gui You walked straight to an empty table and sat down. His fingertips lightly tapped the tabletop, and his ghostly figure appeared and disappeared in the black mist, exuding a chilling aura that kept the living at bay.
Xiao Chen and the other two sat in the corner, watching this scene. Jiang Li raised an eyebrow: "This guy came at just the right time, just in time for the excitement."
Xiao Chen cracked sunflower seeds, his gaze sweeping between Gui You and the Southern Region cultivators not far away: "He clashed with Zhao Wu in the secret realm last time, and I'm afraid there will be trouble again this time."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a clear laugh rang out from outside the door, and a figure in brocade robes strode in—it was Zhao Wu, the young sect master of the Three Saints Sect. Behind him followed several disciples of the Three Saints Sect, each exuding a composed aura, clearly elite among them.
"You all arrived early." Zhao Wu's gaze swept across the hall, pausing slightly when it landed on Gui You, before revealing a gentle smile, as if the previous conflict had never occurred.
But Guiyou raised his eyes, his effeminate face expressionless, but his gaze in the black mist was like a poisoned needle, fixed straight on Zhao Wu—the resentment in his eyes could not be hidden.
"Heh," Xiao Chen spat out the sunflower seed shell and chuckled, "It seems he hasn't forgotten the grudge from the last secret realm."
Jiang Li glanced at the two people's auras and suddenly said, "They... have both reached the early stage of the Tribulation Transcending Realm."
Xiao Chen and Shi Tou looked up at the same time.
Upon closer inspection, the spiritual energy fluctuations beneath Guiyou's black robe, though subtle, had already broken through the shackles of the Mahayana realm, carrying the unique pressure of the Tribulation Transcending realm; Zhao Wu's righteous aura was becoming increasingly refined, with a faint golden light flowing around him, clearly indicating that he had also crossed that threshold.
"How long has it been?" Stone exclaimed in astonishment. "It's faster than my progress in boxing."
“The great era has arrived, and all the prodigies seem to be holding back their energy.” Jiang Li twirled her teacup with her fingertips. “If you don’t charge forward, you’ll be trampled underfoot.”
Just then, a series of clanging sounds rang out, and a figure even more eye-catching than Gui You and Zhao Wu appeared.
Qian Duoduo wore a more gorgeous gold-patterned brocade robe than last time, and the diamond rings on all ten fingers had been changed to a new style.
One of the rings, a yellow diamond the size of a pigeon's egg, was so dazzling it was blinding. Behind him were four attendants carrying treasure chests, who shouted as soon as they entered, "Shopkeeper! Bring me the finest wine! The best spirit wine! Put it on my tab!"
"It's the young master Qian from Jubaoyuan!"
"My God, is that ring made from 'yellow diamond mother ore'? It's said that there's only one like it on the entire continent!"
Qian Duoduo basked in the attention of the crowd with a smug look. She caught sight of Xiao Chen in the corner, her eyes lit up, and she rushed over, lifting her robe: "Brother Xiao! Miss Jiang! And this… strong man! What a coincidence!"
He sat down as if they were old friends, picked up Xiao Chen's melon seeds and started cracking them open: "You guys are here to join in the fun too? Let me tell you, there are definitely good things in this Endless Forest. My father even sent three boatloads of magical artifacts over. We're determined to get them this time!"
Jiang Li looked at him and suddenly said, "You've also undergone tribulation?"
Qian Duoduo was taken aback, then puffed out his chest and pretended to be profound: "I've made some progress, just some progress." The ring on his finger flashed, "It's just the early stage of the Tribulation Transcending Realm, nothing to mention."
Xiao Chen and the other two exchanged glances, understanding each other perfectly—Gui You, Zhao Wu, and Qian Duoduo, these prodigies who had distinguished themselves in the secret realm, had all broken through to the Tribulation Transcending Realm in a short period of time. The competition in this great world was more intense than they had imagined.
"I wonder how many more are still lurking in the shadows, not yet showing themselves," Xiao Chen murmured, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the gun barrel.
The argument in the hall gradually subsided, and all eyes were focused on the top talents Gui You, Zhao Wu, and Qian Duoduo.
Qian Duoduo cleared his throat and was the first to speak: "In my opinion, this Endless Forest is extremely dangerous. With demonic beasts at the Dao Inquiry Realm guarding it, fighting alone would be too disadvantageous. Why don't we form an alliance, clear out the demons and monsters on the outer perimeter first, and then discuss how to divide the treasures? If anyone takes a fancy to anything, I, Jubaoyuan, will buy it with spirit stones. I will definitely treat them fairly!"
These words immediately garnered support from many factions: "Young Master Qian is right! Forming an alliance is a good idea!" "We are weak, so it's safer for us to stick with the main force!"
They knew they weren't capable of competing with the prodigies of top powers, but by following Qian Duoduo, they could at least get some benefits, and if all else failed, they could exchange spirit stones for something – a sure-fire way to make a profit.
Guiyou sneered, his black mist churning: "An alliance? A bunch of scheming fools. If they really find a treasure, they'll probably start fighting amongst themselves. If you ask me, it's all about skill. If you're capable, it's yours. If you're not, you'll die inside, and that's no one else's fault but yours."
These words were even more to the liking of the major powers. The young master of the Pan Shi family in the Southern Region immediately nodded: "Brother Gui is right! Cultivation is about defying the heavens and fighting for one's destiny. How can there be any reason to stick together for warmth?"
Several powerful figures from the Central Region's independent cultivator alliance echoed this sentiment, confident in their ability to compete for the treasure and deeming no need to be bound by the alliance agreement.
The two sides argued fiercely, their faces turning red with anger.
Zhao Wu remained silent, holding his teacup and watching with a smile, as if it were none of his business.
He was clear in his mind: whether it was an alliance or each relying on their own abilities, the strength of the Three Saints Sect was undeniable, and he would not suffer losses in either case. If they formed an alliance, he could take the lead based on his status; if they relied on their own abilities, his righteous spear intent would not fear anyone.
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