Chapter 257: Upper Sect

Yu Hualong’s tone was calm.

He was stating a fact.

Shi Buyi’s strength was indeed number one among the Celestial Prides of the Three Sects.

Yu Hualong admitted this.

Zhang Su was lost in thought.

‘Come to think of it, the Dugu Jian I killed back in Hengshan County seemed to have a close relationship with Shi Buyi.’

He was also eager to meet this number one Celestial Pride of the Three Sects!

Thus, the group began to rest and recuperate at Lei Family Castle.

A few days passed in a flash.

Finally, the people from Medicine Valley arrived.

The Medicine Valley contingent consisted of a dozen or so people, the most striking of whom was a tall woman.

The woman wore a moon-white Medicine Cauldron Robe, a Jade Pendant hung from her waist, and her jet-black hair was held up by a jade hairpin.

Her features were delicate, her skin fair, and she was stunningly beautiful.

“She is Lu Danxi, the Celestial Pride of Medicine Valley.”

Yu Hualong stood beside Zhang Su and spoke softly.

“Lu Danxi’s strength is a bit inferior to mine, but she is highly talented in alchemy. It’s said that on this trip to the Upper Sect, besides participating in the regular disciple selection, she will also try to join the Upper Sect’s alchemy branch.”

Zhang Su nodded.

He had heard of this Celestial Pride from Medicine Valley.

Medicine Valley was famous for its alchemy, and as its Celestial Pride, Lu Danxi’s talent for alchemy was naturally high.

Lu Danxi walked closer, her gaze sweeping over the members of the Guiyuan Sect.

She saw Yu Hualong and gave a slight nod.

The two had fought side-by-side not long ago, so of course they knew each other.

Yu Hualong nodded back in greeting.

Lu Danxi didn’t say much more and led the people from Medicine Valley to the quarters arranged for them by Lei Family Castle.

Before long, the people from the Five Elements Sect also arrived.

The Five Elements Sect had sent the largest group this time, with more than twenty people.

They were all dressed uniformly in black martial attire, with various weapons hanging from their waists.

Walking at the very front was a young man who looked completely ordinary.

The young man appeared to be in his thirties, with a medium build and a plain face. You wouldn’t give him a second glance in a crowd.

But he possessed a unique aura.

It was an indescribable quality, like an unpolished jade that looked simple on the outside but held a breathtaking brilliance within.

Zhang Su noticed him at a glance.

“Junior Brother Zhang, that’s Shi Buyi, the Celestial Pride of the Five Elements Sect! You can recognize the aura of his Five Elements Unite with a single look.”

Yu Hualong’s expression gradually grew solemn.

He had been defeated by Shi Buyi.

In that battle, he had lost utterly.

Shi Buyi’s Five Elements Unite, with its five types of Inner Strength cycling endlessly, was nearly flawless.

He had used every trick up his sleeve, but he still lost.

Even though relations between the Three Sects had eased, and he had even fought alongside Shi Buyi, that initial defeat had taught Yu Hualong a profound lesson.

He could never forget it, no matter what.

Zhang Su watched Shi Buyi, his gaze lingering for a moment.

He sensed an aura of Perfection around Shi Buyi.

It was an aura like the cycling of the five elements, endless and self-sustaining.

‘So this is Five Elements Unite.’

‘If the Guiyuan Sect’s Pure Yang Nine Combinations Divine Skill could reach Nine Unification, it should be able to achieve a similar Realm.’

‘But I’m only at Eight-in-One right now. I’m still a little way off from Nine Unification.’

The Elder from the Five Elements Sect met with the Elder from the Guiyuan Sect.

The two Elders seemed quite familiar with each other and exchanged pleasantries.

“Elder Qu.”

“Elder Chen.”

Qu Zhengliu and an Elder from the Five Elements Sect cupped their fists and exchanged a few polite words.

As for what they were truly thinking, that was anyone’s guess.

After all, the Three Sects had been openly and secretly competing for so many years. They might be cordial on the surface, but they were still vying for dominance behind the scenes.

Even though they had now formed the Three Sects Alliance, it was impossible for them to become as close as family overnight.

Just then, Shi Buyi made his move.

He stepped out from the Five Elements Sect’s group and walked toward the Guiyuan Sect.

Shi Buyi’s gaze swept over the people from the Guiyuan Sect, as if he were looking for someone.

Seeing Shi Buyi approach, Yu Hualong immediately stood up.

He thought Shi Buyi was coming for him.

But Shi Buyi shook his head, his gaze shifting away from Yu Hualong.

“I’m not looking for you. Who is Zhang Su?”

Shi Buyi’s voice wasn’t loud, but it was clear.

His eyes scanned the members of the Guiyuan Sect.

Zhang Su’s brows furrowed.

He hadn’t expected Shi Buyi to come looking for him directly.

Everyone else also subconsciously looked toward Zhang Su.

Shi Buyi’s gaze instantly fell upon Zhang Su.

He looked Zhang Su up and down, his expression unreadable.

“You’re the one who killed Dugu Jian?”

Shi Buyi asked.

Hearing the name Dugu Jian, Zhang Su’s hand immediately went to the hilt of his Shadow-Stealing Sword.

His eyes sharpened.

“I killed Dugu Jian. Are you here for revenge?”

Zhang Su’s voice was calm.

Hearing this, Yu Hualong immediately grew tense.

He took two steps forward, positioning himself between Zhang Su and Shi Buyi.

“Shi Buyi, don’t do anything reckless…”

Yu Hualong’s voice was laced with anxiety.

He knew the extent of Shi Buyi’s strength. If Shi Buyi really made a move, he probably wouldn’t be able to stop him.

Shi Buyi, however, paid Yu Hualong no mind.

His gaze remained fixed on Zhang Su as he said coolly, “Revenge? You’ve misunderstood. I once owed Dugu Jian a promise. Unfortunately, he’s dead.”

“As for you…”

He shook his head, sizing Zhang Su up once more.

“Gang Force… Your Cultivation is too low. When you reach the Postnatal Realm, I’ll come find you for a fight. Consider it fulfilling my promise to Dugu Jian.”

With that, Shi Buyi turned and left.

Watching Shi Buyi’s retreating back, Yu Hualong breathed a sigh of relief.

He turned to Zhang Su and said in a low voice, “Zhang Su, that’s just how Shi Buyi is. Once he decides on something, he won’t change his mind. But since he said your Cultivation is too low right now, he won’t come looking for you before you advance to the Postnatal Realm.”