Chapter 276 - 157: Forceful Suppression

Just then...

The man in the white robe and bronze mask, who had already sped over a hundred miles away, had long since cast aside all thoughts of the great treasure the Sect Leader had repeatedly ordered him to bring back.

All he wanted now was to escape—to get as far away as possible.

’To think that such an utterly terrifying expert would appear in this godforsaken place! This is a being far beyond even the Sect Leader!’

’How could I dare to stay?!’

’Especially since a top-tier expert like that has ties to the Wang Family. No matter what, I can’t touch the Wang Family now.’

WHOOSH!

’If I run fast enough, what can even the gods do to me?’

’Once I escape this place, I have to find somewhere to hide for a while.’

So the white-robed, masked man thought to himself.

Suddenly, his brow furrowed. A sense of crisis surged through his heart, making him feel as if he were sitting on pins and needles, a blade pressed against his back.

A blade of light suddenly split open the void. It was like a bolt of thunderous lightning spanning heaven and earth, its brilliant gleam illuminating the dim world.

In the next instant, an ultimate Sword Intent tore through layers of space. With vast, invincible Momentum that could shatter all things, it slashed violently toward the man in the white robe and bronze mask!

"Damn it!"

The white-robed man’s pupils constricted, his face filled with terror.

Immediately after, with a deafening BOOM, his entire Cultivation at the True Martial Eighth Layer Peak erupted. The surrounding space trembled violently under the terrifying pressure as trees below swayed and the ground cracked.

In the next moment, the masked man instantly formed a seal with his fingers. A brilliant divine light shot from his eyes as layer upon layer of True Yuan transformed into a dazzling lunar wheel. It crushed through space, emitting a sharp, whistling sound as it hurtled toward the heaven-spanning Sword Qi above!

WHOOSH!

This was his strongest attack, unleashed with his full power. He held back not a single shred of his True Martial Eighth Layer Peak Cultivation. The power contained within was likely enough to make mountains collapse and rivers run dry!

However, the moment this terrifyingly powerful lunar wheel touched the sky-rending, world-piercing Sword Qi, it was like an egg smashing against a stone. It shattered in an instant.

"This...!!"

The white-robed man’s eyes widened, his face a mask of shock. ’My full-powered strike was nothing more than an ant trying to shake a tree?!’

’It couldn’t even delay it for a second!’

But he had no more time to think.

The ultimate Sword Intent tore through space like a meteor from beyond the heavens, plunging from the ninth heaven and descending upon him, blanketing everything as it came to reap his life!

"SHIIING!"

In the next instant, the man in the white robe and bronze mask was sliced in half by the supreme Sword Qi. The cut was as smooth as a mirror. The blade of energy then passed through him, continuing its descent toward the earth below!

"BOOM!"

Instantly, the terrifying Sword Qi carved an abyssal fissure into the land below, stretching for over a hundred miles. Remnants of Sword Intent lingered within, annihilating the surrounding rubble, splintered wood, and even the air itself!

Not long after, a Cultivator passed by the area. Witnessing such a scene, he was utterly shaken.

He marveled at what great power could have possibly unleashed such a slash here.

Upon closer inspection, he felt the Sword Intent contained within and was overjoyed!

Word spread like wildfire. The reputation of this place grew, attracting countless Cultivators who flocked here to observe and comprehend the Mental Realm!

Sometimes, they would even come to blows to fight for a good spot. The place became incredibly popular!

「Many years later」

This place became a treasured land for Cultivation, attracting countless Cultivators who vied to pay homage.

And all this was from nothing more than a casual slash of Gu Yun’s sword.

...

「Back to the present」

The canyon was now utterly silent.

It was so quiet you could hear a sparrow’s flight, so still you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone stood with their mouths agape, their faces filled with shock as they stared at the young figure in mid-air. He was wreathed in crackling Thunder Arcs, emanating a faint Dao Rhythm, looking like a deity suppressing the very heavens and earth.

"Too... too strong!!" someone murmured, as if in a trance.

Another rubbed their eyes, unable to believe they were witnessing such a divine being.

But the expression on the face of Anchuan’s Love Saint, Wang Zifan, was the most colorful of all. His jaw was dropped wide enough to swallow an egg, and his eyes were wide and round. He rubbed them, in utter disbelief.

"Boss... Boss Xiao."

’This is just too damn strong!’

’I knew his Cultivation was unfathomable—after all, even Third Uncle respected him.’

’But I never imagined he was *this* strong!!’

’With power like that, forget about Anchuan County, even the top experts of the Great Yuan Dynasty probably can’t compare!’

’And a person this powerful was right beside me.’

’I was calling him brother, going to brothels with him...’

’And it turns out he’s some hidden big shot, a top-tier expert concealing his Cultivation to roam the mortal world.’

’Do all powerful people have a thing for this kind of act? Fine, then.’

’I treat you like a brother, heart to heart, and you’re playing mind games with me. I’m thinking we’re a team, and you’re in a whole different league.’

"Thank you for your assistance, Senior!" In the distance, Wang Zhen’an wasn’t as clueless as the others. He immediately stepped forward, clasping his fist in his hand in a respectful salute.

Despite his composure, deep down he was just as shaken as everyone else.

’With an expert like this, forget the Anchuan Wang Family—even the Great Yuan Royal Family would be useless. He could annihilate us with a flip of his hand.’

’And he’s been traveling with us this whole time. How could I dare show even a hint of disrespect?’

"It’s nothing!"

"It was merely a small effort."

"I only came along because I wish to travel to Guangping City with all of you. I have no other intentions, so please don’t feel pressured."

Gu Yun waved his hand dismissively in mid-air. With a flicker, his form flashed, and he was back on the carriage.

Looking at the slack-jawed, dumbstruck "Love Saint" of Anchuan, Wang Zifan, Gu Yun couldn’t help but feel amused.

’So this is what it feels like to crush a weakling and show off. It’s actually pretty damn satisfying.’

"Boss... Boss Xiao."

"My admiration for you is like the滔滔 Yellow River, endlessly surging! Like the stars in the nine heavens, for the sun and moon to witness!"

"So, please take me as your disciple!" Wang Zifan’s words tumbled out at astonishing speed, his eyes shining.

Hearing this, the distant Wang Zhen’an’s eyes went wide.

His heart leaped into his throat. ’This kid is being so reckless!’

’If this expert gets angry, won’t we all be annihilated with a flick of his wrist?!’

And yet, for some reason, a sliver of anticipation stirred deep in his heart.

’An expert of this caliber... if I’m not mistaken, he must be a Tongxuan True Monarch, a being above the True Martial realm. Such an expert is a top-tier figure not just in the Great Yuan Dynasty, but in the entire Southern Wilderness Domain.’

’This expert before us is probably some old monster who has altered his appearance to look so young.’

’This kid is so audacious, he’s not afraid of provoking a True Monarch’s wrath?’

’If that happens, the entire Wang Family might have to be buried with him.’

’But there’s always a chance...’

’What if... what if it actually works!’

A faint hope flickered deep within Wang Zhen’an’s heart.

"Brother Wang, don’t be like this. I much prefer the you who talks about everything under the sun, a master of romance," Gu Yun said with a light chuckle and a calm voice.

"Boss Xiao, I..."

Just then, the first ray of dawn pierced the sky, tearing through the dark night and layers of clouds to illuminate the world with its light. Seeing this, Wang Zifan was struck by a poetic urge.

"The Celestial Dao’s floodgates have burst, unleashing a torrent of golden light!"

Meanwhile, seeing Gu Yun refuse in such a manner, Wang Zhen’an shook his head helplessly.

’I guess that’s just how it is. How could an old monster who’s lived for who-knows-how-long accept a disciple so easily?’

’Thankfully, this great expert wasn’t angered by Zifan’s impetuousness.’

After that, Wang Zhen’an began directing the caravan, taking stock of the casualties.

A long while later, a group of Wang Family disciples gathered around several bodies.

The loyal souls are gone forever, like water flowing away; grief fills the heart, tears fall like a tide.

Gazing at the cold corpses before them, a look of sorrow clouded the eyes of the Wang Family disciples.

These were their comrades from just yesterday, now fallen in this canyon.

One of them was a middle-aged man in black, close-fitting clothes with a resolute face. His name was Wang Jun.

Wang Jun stared at one of the bodies, a young man whose chest had been pierced through, blood still flowing endlessly. This was his younger brother, Wang Wei.

A wave of sorrow washed over the Wang Family disciples as they looked at the brother they had been talking with just a short while ago, his soul now returned to the heavens.

Someone couldn’t help but shed tears of pain, wailing loudly.

Wang Jun, however, was utterly devastated, and he let out a grief-stricken cry:

"Ah Wei is dead!"