38: Gathering at Black Wind Mountain

Half a month later.

Thirty miles northwest of White Stone County, Black Wind Mountain.

There was a massive clearing halfway up the mountain, capable of accommodating several thousand people.

At this moment, Black Wind Mountain was bustling with activity, with a great many people coming and going.

Influential families, scions of noble clans, Jianghu warriors, and all sorts of factions were gathered in one place, creating a lively scene.

"Crazy Blade, you've arrived quite early," the Bewitching Heart Demoness said, dragging her alluring figure over.

"Hehe, you're not slow either. A battle between the strongest on the Human Ranking is naturally not to be missed."

Crazy Blade laughed heartily, full of anticipation for today's battle. He knew Chu Jiang's strength; it was absolutely not inferior to Gu Jian's.

The other onlookers were also whispering amongst themselves.

"This is truly a fated duel!"

"Over a decade ago, Blood Blade fought the then-number one on the Human Ranking, Gu Hongchen. Rumor has it Blood Blade was defeated, and Gu Hongchen's fame spread in all directions."

"Today, the successor of Blood Blade is facing off against Gu Hongchen's descendant, Gu Jian. It's truly thrilling!"

At the Hundred Flowers Sect camp, Li Yu said disdainfully, "I don't know where this Chu Jiang gets the confidence to fight the number one on the Human Ranking, Gu Jian."

Since Gu Jian debuted, he has been invincible within his realm, with no one capable of matching him.

Even their Sect Leader fell slightly short in comparison.

Eleventh on the Human Ranking and first on the Human Ranking are simply two different worlds.

Bai Ruoxue said, "The Sect Leader told you to come here to learn with an open mind, not to make snide comments. Say less."

"Even if he isn't as good as Gu Jian, he is still far stronger than you. Watch carefully; it will be helpful for your promotion to the Innate Realm."

Li Yu pouted and said, "I know!"

"Yo, I was wondering who it was. Turns out it's you, little girl, badmouthing Lord Chu behind his back again. Lord Chu saved you back at Black Tiger Mountain, you know."

A voice suddenly came from nearby; the person who arrived was none other than Lu Feiyang.

He was dressed in fine clothes and spoke with mockery.

"Hmph, you lecherous pervert, none of your business!" Li Yu snorted coldly. She hated seeing this Lu Feiyang and immediately turned her head away.

"The Chief Historian is here!"

Behind Lu Feiyang followed a group of people wearing official robes. The person at the lead was none other than the Chief Historian of Annan Prefecture, the fifth-most important figure in Annan Prefecture.

"I didn't expect the government to send a representative too. This is quite the turnout."

"I just wonder if that mysterious Grandmaster will show up. I came here today aiming to pay my respects to the Grandmaster, and to watch the younger generation fight while I'm at it."

Chief Historian Lu snorted softly and said, "You brat, what are you dawdling for? Hurry up and move!"

Lu Feiyang made a face at Li Yu and quickly left.

"You lecherous pervert, don't let me see you again..." Li Yu stomped her feet in anger.

Bai Ruoxue shook her head helplessly; she didn't know what the Sect Leader saw in this girl.

She then turned her gaze toward the plaza. The six major sects of Annan Prefecture, including the government, had all sent people. The scene was truly grand, making the trip worthwhile.

"Young Master, you finally managed to get out, let's just head back home. The Clan Chief is waiting for you to return; there's nothing worth seeing here." Gongsun Li said with a sour face.

"The number one on the Human Ranking against the eleventh—isn't that just a crushing victory?"

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it's bullying.

"I know. Once I finish watching this show, I'll go back immediately," Gongsun Sheng said impatiently.

He had been humiliated by Chu Jiang like that, and now that his cousin was about to beat him up, how could he miss this good show?

He still couldn't forget that humiliating history in the prison; he had actually been... by some lowly, inferior people. It was absolutely intolerable.

Gongsun Li sighed. Gongsun Sheng was the most outstanding person of the Gongsun family's current generation, and the Elders and the Clan Chief all held him in high regard.

If something happened to him here, what would they do?

A place with many people isn't necessarily a good place.

Opportunities are often accompanied by danger.

"Look, Old Li, my cousin has arrived. Truly a hero of his generation. In the entire Yun Prefecture, who else can compete with him? Is Chu Jiang even worthy?"

Gongsun Sheng said excitedly, wishing he could transform into the Human Ranking's number one, Gu Jian, right now and personally hack that bastard Chu Jiang into eight pieces.

Gongsun Li also looked into the arena and immediately spotted the young man who stood out from the crowd, stepping into the venue like stars surrounding the moon.

He had a slender figure, wearing a pristine white robe that moved with the wind. His face was cold and determined, with sword-like eyebrows reaching his temples, and eyes like stars—deep and sharp.

The sword in his hand was like a pool of autumn water, shimmering with a cold, eerie light.

His temperament was arrogant and cold, making him hard to approach yet attractive; an invisible Sword Qi seemed to surround him, inspiring awe in those who looked at him.

Behind him was a group of Sword King Sect Disciples, led by Gu Hongchen of the Sword King Sect.

"The main act is here! The show begins!"

"Is this the number one on the Human Ranking? Is he really only in the Innate Realm? His Aura is too powerful; he's like a sharp sword piercing through heaven and earth."

A Jianghu warrior exclaimed in admiration.

"This time, the Sword King Sect has really spent a fortune for the duel with the eleventh-ranked Chu Jiang. They brought out a bottle of Jade Dew Nectar; this stuff can nourish one's foundation and improve martial Dao talent," the representative from the Ten Thousand Flower Sword Sect said.

An old man beside him added, "There's also a Six-Turn True Essence Pill. If taken at the Peak of the Innate Realm, there's a fifty percent chance of breaking through to the Vajra Realm."

"To offer such a huge prize just for a fight against the eleventh on the Human Ranking... I really don't understand what kind of medicine the Sword King Sect is selling in its gourd."

Many Jianghu Loose Cultivators were very confused. Was the Sword King Sect just looking for places to throw away money?

"You know nothing. No matter how big the prize is, can Chu Jiang win? It's just going through the motions. If it were someone from the top three of the Human Ranking, they might be able to trade a few blows with Gu Jian."

"Eleventh on the Human Ranking? It'll likely be a one-shot kill. Just wait and see."

Regarding today's battle, ninety percent of those present were not optimistic.

"Look, so many experts on the high platform..."

"Annan Prefecture, Fire-Hand Judge!"

"Ziyan Prefecture, Loose Cultivator Chi Huo!"

"Lingfeng Prefecture, Iron-Faced Ghost!"

"..."

Just the experts in the Vajra Realm alone numbered nearly thirty, hailing from various prefectures in Yun Prefecture.

Their seats were closest to the battlefield, allowing them to clearly see the two's battle.

"Iron-Faced Ghost, who do you favor?" the old man in the red robe on the high platform said.

Iron-Faced Ghost frowned slightly and said, "Old Man Chi, what does it matter to you who I favor?"

"How about we make a bet?"

Loose Cultivator Chi Huo licked his lips, looking slightly excited.

"Get lost, get lost, who the hell would bet with you? Go die!" Iron-Faced Ghost said with a cold face. Betting with this guy meant losing nine out of ten times, unless he was crazy.

"I bet on Chu Jiang to win?"

"I don't give a damn who you bet on! Get away from me!" Iron-Faced Ghost said angrily.

Loose Cultivator Chi Huo was stunned. He didn't take the bait. He had originally thought that by betting on Chu Jiang to win, it would trigger a contrarian reaction in him, causing him to bet on Chu Jiang, and then he could bet on Gu Jian.

As a result, he didn't take the bait at all. Fine, you win.

He immediately set his target on others. There were so many experts in the Vajra Realm here; before the battle started, he had to scam a wave. He didn't believe no one would take the bait.

"Chu Jiang is here!"

Hearing this, everyone looked toward the road halfway up the mountain; it was indeed Chu Jiang's figure.

Unlike the Sword King Sect, which moved in a large group.

On Chu Jiang's side, there was no one following behind him; he went up the mountain all alone.

Compared to the Sword King Sect, he appeared exceptionally lonely.

"Let's start. I'm in a rush to get home for lunch," Chu Jiang said lazily, looking as if he hadn't fully woken up yet. The tone seemed to say, "I'm just here to go through the motions."