Elder Brother Qin let out a fierce shout, the treasured weapon in his hand gathering a radiant light, intense and brilliant to the point where the temperature of the surrounding air began to abruptly rise, as if time itself had reversed to the height of a sweltering summer.
The Shaoyang Sword Skill, also a superior martial art within the Sunset Sword Sect, had already reached a minor level of proficiency in Elder Brother Qin's hands.
It must be said that Elder Brother Qin's talent was indeed extraordinary. For someone else, even with superior martial arts combined with a medium-grade treasured weapon, if they practiced horizontal training, they still absolutely wouldn't be able to withstand this strike.
But unfortunately, he was facing Gu Chen.
This time, Gu Chen chose not to meet the attack head-on. After all, even if his horizontal training had reached perfection and he roared like a dragon or a tiger, such a strike would still cause injury.
"Die!"
Elder Brother Qin bellowed, a blinding light flashing upon his sword blade. He moved with teleport-like speed, arriving directly in front of Gu Chen, and brought his sword down squarely atop his head.
Fortunately, Elder Brother Qin's cultivation was not high. Had he reached the External Qi Stage and used the Shaoyang Sword Skill, those martial artists spectating around would certainly not be able to withstand it; the scorching sword qi would destroy everything beside Elder Brother Qin.
Yet, despite this, Yu Qiushi and others still felt an immense pressure. If they were to face this sword, there would only be one outcome: instantaneous death, with no ability to fight back whatsoever.
Whoosh!
But at that moment, Gu Chen's movement technique was incredibly swift. He stepped on the Phantom Traceless Step, leaving behind an afterimage in his original spot, while his body flickered to Elder Brother Qin's side in a flash, casually extending a finger to strike.
Seeing Gu Chen handle the situation with overwhelming ease, a shocking conjecture emerged in the minds of everyone present.
Elder Brother Qin... might truly be defeated!
Elder Brother Qin frowned deeply, knowing that if this finger strike hit, the meridians within his body would certainly be sealed again. At that point, unable to harness his inner breath and facing a physical cultivator like Gu Chen, he would be no different than a fish on a cutting board.
Boom!
At that moment, the energetic qi around Elder Brother Qin surged wildly; the robust inner breath from the fifty-six meridians he had opened suddenly erupted, attempting to repel Gu Chen directly.
But Gu Chen seemed unaffected, as if a light breeze had brushed his face, untouched by the assault, his finger landing on Elder Brother Qin's body.
With the Seal Meridian Finger hitting its mark, Elder Brother Qin immediately let out a muffled grunt, feeling the circulation of his inner breath through his meridians suddenly become extremely obstructed.
Thud!
Gu Chen's palm struck against Elder Brother Qin's chest. In this palm strike, he only used forty percent of his strength, but it still caused Elder Brother Qin to stagger back continuously, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
"Elder Brother Qin!"
Qian Yuan and many other disciples of the Sunset Sword Sect shouted; their faces were filled with disbelief. Could it be that the legendary figure of the Sunset Sword Sect, Elder Brother Qin, was destined to be defeated?!
"How can he be so strong? Could it be that he, like Elder Brother Qin, has opened fifty-six meridians, reaching the limit of the Through-Meridian Stage?"
"Are you going to kill me?" Qin Mu's eyes widened as he looked at Gu Chen.
Gu Chen's tone was flat as he said, "What, it was you who wanted to sign the life-and-death pact. Are you having second thoughts now?"
"I..." Qin Mu was at a loss for words, temporarily unable to speak. Who could have foreseen that he would be the one to lift a rock only to drop it on his own feet?
But at that moment, a loud shout suddenly came from the sky.
"Impudent youth, halt!"
The voice carried an immensely deep internal breath; it wasn't just others who were affected, even Gu Chen staggered, almost unable to withstand it.
His face became grave as he looked into the distance. At the end of the plains, a figure was rushing towards them, with an aura terrifying like a colossal mountain soaring across the sky, full of oppressive force.
A Gang Qi Stage warrior from the Sunset Sword Sect!
Seeing the newcomer, Qin Mu's eyes lit up as he yelled, "Master Mei!"
No one wants to die, and Qin Mu was no exception. At this moment, the fear of death overcame the pride in his heart.
Gu Chen's eyebrows knitted tightly; he truly hadn't expected someone from the Sunset Sword Sect to appear at this time.
"Release him!" Master Mei approached and directly commanded Gu Chen in a very impolite tone.
"Why should I?" Gu Chen retorted, unyielding.
"Hmm?"
Master Mei's expression darkened. He had not anticipated that Gu Chen, this junior, would dare to defy him. As a Gang Qi Stage warrior, he could end Gu Chen's life with a mere strike; yet, Gu Chen dared to resist him?
In his view, he had already shown leniency by not striking Gu Chen. Gu Chen should appreciate the gesture and obediently comply.
"If you don't want to die, then hurry up and release him, and hand over the treasured weapon as well!" Master Mei had sharp eyes; he had instantly noticed Qin Mu's treasured weapon now hung at Gu Chen's waist.
Qin Mu's face brightened with joy, knowing he'd lived to see another day.
Having learned his lesson from this defeat at the hands of Gu Chen, Qin Mu accepted it. The Vessel Opening Stage was just a beginning, and a momentary setback meant little; one day, he would once again have Gu Chen beneath his feet.
After all, where there's life, there's hope.
It must be said, Qin Mu's resilience was quite impressive as he quickly adjusted his mindset.
The onlooking martial artists, seeing a Sunset Sword Sect elder arrive, backed away to a safe distance. Who didn't know the sect's domineering way of doing things? If Master Mei lost his temper, what would stop him from slaughtering them too?
Master Mei, with a fierce aura and a dark expression, hadn't expected Qin Mu to be defeated either. But regardless, Qin Mu was a peerless genius among the young disciples of the Sunset Sword Sect, and he absolutely could not die here today.
Seeing the Sunset Sword Sect elder treating him with such a commanding tone, Gu Chen's eyes deepened, and he said coldly, "You say release him, and I should just release him? Who do you think you are!"