Chapter 428: Misunderstanding

Instantly, a short old man beside Wang Guyuan spoke up, "Heh heh heh... That would have to be our very own Jun Wushuang of Fusang. He's already grasped the power of our Fusang Immortal Island's Ancient Stone Stele."

At this, a tall old man on Wang Guyuan's other side retorted with dissatisfaction, "Hah! Our Gu Muyun from Yingzhou is quite formidable as well! It's not a sure thing she won't be able to claim the Celestial Mirror Order!"

"Heh heh heh!"

The elder from Tan Yuan Immortal Island on the other side also spoke up slowly, "Over these past few months, my disciple from Tan Yuan, Ouyang Cheng, has worked tirelessly. His strength has progressed by leaps and bounds. He may very well be the one to obtain the Celestial Mirror Order!"

After that, the three elders from the Fusang, Yingzhou, and Tan Yuan Immortal Islands launched into a heated debate, bickering back and forth, with none of them willing to yield.

Seeing this, the elder from Pengze Immortal Island couldn't help but look toward Wang Guyuan. "Senior Brother, who do you think will manage to claim the Celestial Mirror Order this time?"

Suddenly, the elder from Fusang Immortal Island chimed in, "It's got to be our Jun Wushuang from Fusang. Wouldn't you agree, Senior Brother?"

In response, however, Wang Guyuan simply shook his head in silence.

Seeing this, the eyes of the elder from Yingzhou Immortal Island suddenly lit up. "Then it must be our Gu Muyun from Yingzhou, right?"

But Wang Guyuan still just shook his head.

"Heh heh heh!"

The elder from Tan Yuan Immortal Island burst out laughing. "Then it looks like our Ouyang Cheng is the only one left."

But once again, Wang Guyuan shook his head.

"None of them!"

The four Immortal Island elders were stunned. "If not them, then who else do you think could possibly claim this Celestial Mirror Order, Senior Brother?"

In response, Wang Guyuan simply gave a mysterious smile and said nothing.

???

???

???

Suddenly, the four Immortal Island elders exchanged glances in consternation. Jun Wushuang, Gu Muyun, and Ouyang Cheng were the three strongest disciples of the Cyan Nether Sword Sect's younger generation. If even they weren't up to the task, then who else could possibly defeat them and claim the Celestial Mirror Order?

「A little while later.」

Seeing that it was about time, the elder from Fusang Immortal Island beside Wang Guyuan slowly spoke, "Senior Brother, it's about time. Shall we begin?"

Hearing this, Wang Guyuan suddenly held up a hand and shook his head. "No. Let's wait a little longer."

"Wait a little longer?"

The elder from Fusang Immortal Island looked puzzled. He scanned the Martial Arts Arena. "Senior Brother, the disciples from all four lineages are already here. Who are you still waiting for?"

The other Immortal Island elders were also puzzled.

As everyone watched in confusion, Wang Guyuan raised his head to gaze far below the Cloud Sea and said meaningfully, "They're here!"

Everyone quickly looked over. They saw the Cloud Sea below the Martial Arts Arena begin to churn, then suddenly part to either side. The figures of Wan Hai and Tang Yi were slowly revealed as they arrived at the Martial Arts Arena.

"Senior Brother? They're the ones you were waiting for?"

The elder from Fusang Immortal Island was taken aback. "Although Wan Hai and Tang Yi are considered a pair with decent strength among the Inner Sect Disciples, they are still a far cry from the likes of Jun Wushuang, Gu Muyun, and Ouyang Cheng."

Beside him, Grand Elder Wang Guyuan also hesitated, for he did not see the person he was expecting.

Wang Guyuan shot to his feet and peered closely. At that very moment, he saw Shen Daoxing hiding behind Wan Hai, tiptoeing away and trying to sneak back down below the Cloud Sea.

Seeing this, Wang Guyuan took a sudden step forward. In the next instant, he was already on the Martial Arts Arena, right in front of Shen Daoxing. He reached out, grabbed Shen Daoxing's shoulder, and asked, "Boy, where do you think you're going?"

Shen Daoxing felt an iron grip seize his shoulder. The next moment, his body was held fast, unable to move. He had no choice but to slowly turn his head and look awkwardly at Grand Elder Wang Guyuan.

"Heh heh heh... Grand Elder, I just remembered there's an extremely important matter I haven't finished yet. I need to hurry back."

"Nonsense! The competition for the Celestial Mirror Order is about to begin. This is the most crucial part! How can you just walk away?" The Grand Elder paused, then, as if suddenly alarmed, hurriedly tightened his grip on Shen Daoxing, afraid he would escape.

Having passed the three trials of the Pengze Immortal Island assessment, Shen Daoxing was already a disciple of the Pengze Lineage. He could now freely enter and exit the Immortal Island to study the Ancient Stone Stele. As such, he didn't particularly care about the Celestial Mirror Order and had only come up to watch out of curiosity.

However, the moment he emerged from the Cloud Sea and saw Gu Muyun's figure on the Martial Arts Arena, Shen Daoxing instantly abandoned that notion and turned to leave without a second thought.

This was because Gu Muyun had seen his face back when he had snuck into the female disciples' quarters.

Shen Daoxing knew how stubborn that madwoman was. He had no desire to be hunted all over the sect again.

So Shen Daoxing left without hesitation.

Unfortunately, the Grand Elder had suddenly appeared at that exact moment.

Sure enough, after the Grand Elder stopped Shen Daoxing, all eyes at the scene turned to look.

Suddenly, Shen Daoxing felt a chill that pierced him to the very bone.

"It's you!"

A melodious, yet cold and emotionless, female voice suddenly rang out.

Without a moment's hesitation, Shen Daoxing shot into the air.

「The next moment.」

BOOM!

A deafening roar echoed as a flash of silver sword light streaked through the air.

The spot where Shen Daoxing had just been standing exploded, erupting in a dazzling burst of flames.

At the same time, a graceful figure slowly materialized in front of Shen Daoxing. It was Gu Muyun, her expression as cold as ice as she landed without a shred of emotion.

"It's you!"

Gu Muyun spat the words out, cold and deliberate. The next instant, she swung the longsword in her hand. A brilliant light erupted as a colossal beam of sword energy, seemingly large enough to span heaven and earth, shot forth. It looked as if it would cleave the world in two as it flew straight toward Shen Daoxing.

Startled, Shen Daoxing hurriedly threw a punch, smashing it into the enormous beam of sword energy.

CLANG!

A deafening sound, like metal striking metal, rang out.

BZZZT! BZZZT!

Black arcs of lightning flickered as a brilliant light scattered in all directions.

Shen Daoxing used the force of the impact to leap backward, hastily putting distance between himself and Gu Muyun. He quickly tried to explain, "Senior Sister Muyun, that day was a complete misunderstanding! It's not what you think!"

But upon hearing Shen Daoxing's explanation, Gu Muyun's face only grew colder.

She suddenly slashed out again, loosing another brilliant beam that seemed capable of splitting the heavens in two. Shen Daoxing quickly pushed off the ground with both feet and leaped into the air.

However, just as he leaped upward, a paper umbrella suddenly appeared above his head. It rapidly grew larger and larger, descending upon him with overwhelming force.

BANG!

Shen Daoxing raised his arm and threw a vicious punch. An arc of black-gold light exploded, sending the imposing paper umbrella flying.

SHREEE!

At that moment, the resounding cry of a phoenix rang out.

Shen Daoxing felt the surrounding temperature instantly plummet.

Immediately, a brilliant light erupted from Gu Muyun's body as an immense aura surged forth.

「The next moment.」

An enormous, ethereal figure of a Nine Heavens Ice Phoenix emerged from within her body.