Chapter 278

"Father, what you said makes sense. That alchemist Gu is indeed formidable with his disguise techniques," Liu Wangyue also guessed Gu Yao's true identity from their conversation. He did not expect Gu Yao to actually have the audacity to run over here, seemingly just to watch the lively situation. This made him and his uncle break out in cold sweat. Was he asking for people to keep an eye on them?

Zhang Qianfeng laughed and cried at how things had developed: "That's the Lord of the Wind Sound Pavilion. I had some contact with him before, but never expected he would be the uncle Gu Yao was looking for. Their disguise techniques are quite similar indeed."

After all, he had seen Yin Hua's bearing from the images Gu Yao provided. Having seen it before, how could he possibly link such a person to an elder cultivator with average looks?

Hu Mei was similarly overjoyed and wanted to wag her fox tail. If not for the inappropriate timing, she would have rushed over the moment she recognized Gu Yao's identity. But demonic cultivators also needed to join the other cultivators in resolving the present chaotic situation, minimizing injuries and deaths among cultivators. Even so, she still frequently got distracted, constantly peeking at Gu Yao's direction. She made up her mind that no matter what, she must make Gu Yao help her refine more pills this time.

Hu Da blocked an attack from a turncoat demonic cultivator for her, scolding: "Concentrate! Otherwise when you die, all the spirit stones and pills you've saved up will be mine!"

Hu Mei quickly pleaded for mercy. Not only had Huo Shu and his people infiltrated agents into the major sects, they had also infiltrated the demonic cultivators.

Gu Yao did not have time to consider what they were thinking. Most of his attention was on Yan Yuanjing who had suddenly popped up, just like Lou Huaijing and Ying Muqing, wanting to know which side Yan Yuanjing stood on.

Yan Yuanjing's eyes were fixed tightly on Gu Yao whom Chi Changye shielded behind him, not reacting at all to the words of others around him. It seemed he was determined to take Gu Yao away no matter what.

Chi Changye took out his Zi Lei Sword. Sensing his fighting spirit, the Zi Lei Sword buzzed and vibrated. "Elder Yan, the ten year agreement has yet to arrive. Does Elder Yan want to bring forward our duel?"

Only then did Yan Yuanjing shift his gaze to Chi Changye, asking emotionlessly: "Is it really you?"

The two knew their identities could no longer be concealed, so in front of everyone, their facial muscles rippled and in a short while, they reverted back to their original appearances. Nearby cultivators and those with high cultivation bases noticed this scene, feeling somewhat astonished in their hearts. As for other cultivators, they could let it slide. But even Yuan Ying stage cultivators previously were unable to see through their disguises. No wonder they could fool people over and over again, keeping their identities firmly hidden.

"So it really is you." This time, his tone was certain as he unsheathed his sword, pointing it at Chi Changye. "Someone asked me to bring the alchemist away. You are not my match now."

"Elder Yan!" Lou Huaijing and Ying Muqing cried out in alarm. The so-called "someone" was most likely Huo Shu. In such a situation, Elder Yan still wanted to do Huo Shu's bidding? Not only was it detrimental to Chi Changye and Gu Yao, it was detrimental to himself too. When settling Huo Shu's remaining forces, could Elder Yan absolve himself?

The Zi Lei Sword buzzed even louder. Strands of sharp sword qi erupted around the sword, influenced by its master's mood. Chi Changye grabbed the sword hilt. "Whether I'm a match or not can only be determined through fighting. As for wanting to take Xiaoyao away, that's only happening over my dead body!"

Hearing this, Gu Yao's heart tightened. If not for his confidence in Chi Changye's strength, he would have almost called out to stop this fight. There were many ways to slip away, no need to insist on a battle with Yan Yuanjing. Yan Yuanjing was only at early Yuan Ying stage, he did not have the final say here.

The cultivators who heard this not only admired Chi Changye, but also cried out inwardly. Indeed, the earlier rumors were true after all. This Chi Changye swordsman and Gu Yao alchemist were a dao companion pair. Otherwise, how could he utter the words "only over my dead body can he be taken away"?

Right after Chi Changye spoke, a gentle force pushed Gu Yao out to Yin Hua's side. He would not feel at ease leaving Gu Yao anywhere else. On this chaotic battlefield, who knew how many had ideas about Gu Yao? Was Yan Yuanjing just a pawn to restrain his eyes out in the open?

The moment he pushed the person out, dazzling radiance erupted from Chi Changye's body, as if the roar of dragons could be heard. Two silhouettes had already tangled in battle, swords clashing countless times in but a few breaths. Cultivators of slightly weaker cultivation bases simply could not discern their movements, only able to see remnants of afterimages in the air.

By now, the chaos had been mostly quelled, because the top powers of the continent were all here. No matter how thorough Huo Shu's arrangements were, they could only have a short-lived effect. Thus at this time, some attention could be spared to observe this battle.

Appreciative looks burst out from the eyes of many Yuan Ying cultivators. Yan Yuanjing originally had quite a reputation on the continent. Any cultivator who could challenge above their level, as long as they did not fall midway, would have great potential for development. His excellence was undisputed.

However, the astonishing one was Chi Changye, this cultivator who often appeared only in rumors. His swordsmanship was so astounding, his cultivation level was not fabricated - Golden Core in late stage, considered to have outstanding talent among his peers. Yet there was still a gap to Yuan Ying stage, and this small gap was sometimes a chasm that cultivators found hard to cross in an entire lifetime. Before this, it was hard to imagine a late Golden Core cultivator battling evenly against a Yuan Ying cultivator.

Quite a few Yuan Ying cultivators simply stopped what they were doing to specially pay attention to this battle. Of course, they harbored another intention - Yan Yuanjing had come for Gu Yao. Gu Yao's importance to them was no longer just his identity as a genius alchemist. He also held the key to constructing the passage - the whereabouts of Huo Shu also lay with his uncle Yin Hua.

This uncle-nephew pair really left others at a loss for words.

They also considered that at this moment, Huo Shu should not be too far away from them. Creating the current chaos had the deliberate purpose of putting them in a difficult position. Another main purpose should be to hinder their movements, allowing Huo Shu to escape smoothly.

But a Yuan Ying cultivator of similar strength intentionally hiding and evading would not be easy to locate even if they wanted to find him. Thus, Yin Hua's safety was also very important right now.

These two fought from the ground up to the sky, then from the sky back down to the earth. Even the Foundation Establishment cultivators watching were shocked still. Since when were Golden Core cultivators so formidable? They did not believe Yan Yuanjing was fighting for empty fame.

Purple spiritual power surged out from within his body, all of it pouring into the Zi Lei Sword. In that instant, the Zi Lei Sword lifted its head with pride, transforming into a purple thunder dragon. Compared to the battle at the Ten Directions City in the Tianlin Continent previously, the scales on this purple thunder dragon's body could be clearly seen, reflecting brilliant, shimmering light.

A huge black eagle also burst out from behind Yan Yuanjing, spreading its wings wide. Its eagle eyes were cold and merciless, looking down from on high at the lifeforms below. The black eagle let out a cry, and its extremely tough iron talons slashed towards the incoming purple thunder dragon.

Boom! A ground-shaking rumble sounded as massive energy fluctuations were produced. Even Yuan Ying stage cultivators could not approach, only barely managing to see the two figures collide then swiftly separate again. As the dust settled, the ravaged earth between them was revealed, along with the two figures still proudly standing at either end.

A massive ravine now lay between the two, split open by their sword qi.

The purple thunder dragon had shrunk to a fraction of its original size, hovering around Chi Changye. Its scales could still be clearly seen, as well as its dragon horns, whiskers and even its lively eyes.

The black eagle across was no less impressive. Its feathers - during that earlier collision, some had even been struck off and drifted to the ground where they dissipated into sword qi.

"I didn't expect there would appear two outstanding sword cultivator geniuses on our Qianhao Continent. Not only can they materialize their sword qi, they have also comprehended sword intent, fusing that intent into their materialized sword qi. This allows the thunder dragon and black eagle to seem as if they possess their own wills." Tang Xiuyuan watched with praise. No matter which one was lost, it would be an enormous loss for the Qianhao Continent.

The Qianhao Continent did not have any specialized sword cultivation sects. Sword cultivators developed in an unsystematic manner, needing to expend far more effort to comprehend principles. There were simply no shortcuts they could take. However, records in the classics described how true sword cultivators battling were earth-shattering, a single sword strike able to slice open space itself. Thus, watching the battle between these two sword cultivators now felt especially touching.

All sword cultivators who attained great accomplishments in the sword dao had unwavering determination. Originally, Tang Xiuyuan and the rest felt that Yan Yuanjing should be an accomplice or remnant of the Huo father and son. But after watching this fight, they now felt things might not be as they imagined, and decisions regarding Yan Yuanjing needed more careful consideration.

"Pfft." Chi Changye spat out a mouthful of blood, greatly worrying Gu Yao. But this mouthful of blood was not necessarily a bad thing.

In the end, there was still a difference of one cultivation realm. Furthermore, Yan Yuanjing himself was no ordinary cultivator. Otherwise, even with his early Yuan Ying cultivation level, he might not necessarily have fared so well against Chi Changye.Therefore, in this battle, Yan Yuanjing is slightly superior.

"Do you want to continue? If you reach the Yuan Infant stage, I may not necessarily surpass you, but you are not my opponent now." Yan Yuanjing seemed to have much more tolerance for cultivators who could make him consider them as opponents, so he made an exception to say these words.

"Our battle is not over. I've said it before, unless I die, you won't be able to take Gu Yao away from me." Chi Changye wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, took out a pill and held it in his hand. "Are you sure you want to continue?"

"Explosive Spirit Pill!"

Seeing the crimson pill in Chi Changye's hand, many knowledgeable people exclaimed. Just by smelling the pill's fragrance, they felt their spiritual power stirring, as if they wanted to take a bite, as if their cultivation could break through.

"Top-grade Explosive Spirit Pill! After taking it, the side effects can be minimized!"

Even Tang Master Meng and the leader of the Silver Clan couldn't help but speak out. At this moment, it was obvious who had produced the top-grade pill. Apart from Gu Yao, no one else could refine such a top-grade pill. His alchemy skills were indeed extraordinary, just one step away from becoming a sixth-grade alchemist, ready to break through at any time.

Upon hearing this, many cultivators looked at Gu Yao with concern.

While deeply admiring Chi Changye's strength, his strength was ultimately only his own, but a master like Gu Yao could benefit many cultivators and make many cultivators become strong.

Yan Yuanjing looked deeply at Chi Changye and Gu Yao behind him, waved his hand, and the black eagle dispersed, turning into a spiritual sword and drilling into his body. The Explosive Flame Pill could quickly elevate Chi Changye's cultivation from the late Golden Core stage to the early Yuan Infant stage. With Chi Changye's Yuan Infant strength, Yan Yuanjing knew he couldn't defeat him.

Chi Changye also put away his spiritual sword and took back the Explosive Spirit Pill. Many cultivators who were watching showed regret, wishing they could snatch it for themselves. Such a pill could save their lives at critical moments.

Yan Yuanjing still had a look of determination in his eyes, showing no sign of defeat. "Two years later, we will come back to compare again. Don't forget our ten-year agreement."

"Good, at that time I will fight you with my true strength and not let either of us have any regrets." Chi Changye knew that this time he had taken advantage, but if there was another chance, he would do the same. He would not let Yan Yuanjing take Gu Yao away from him, no matter what Yan Yuanjing's purpose was.

But in ten years, he would do his best without any ulterior motive and fight Yan Yuanjing with all his heart.

Yan Yuanjing understood his meaning and said, "Good!"

After saying that, Yan Yuanjing was about to leave. Others were a bit dumbfounded. Did Yan Yuanjing really think he could just come and go as he pleased? Did he think of these cultivators as mere puppets?

Suddenly, someone stood in front of Yan Yuanjing. Yan Yuanjing looked up coldly, with no trace of battle intent in his eyes. "What do you mean by this, Laozu Lou?"

It seemed like another clash was about to happen. Even though Laozu Lou had the strength of the middle Yuan Infant stage, he was not without the ability to fight.

Laozu Lou smiled bitterly in his heart. Perhaps his position in Yan Yuanjing's mind was not as high as Chi Changye's, but that was understandable. It was only a matter of time before Chi Changye's cultivation caught up with him.

The disciples of Changxian Gate looked at these two with complex emotions. One had left Changxian Gate after hiding for a long time and now it was uncertain whether he still counted as an elder of Changxian Gate. The other was their respected senior brother or uncle, but now it was unclear which side Yan Yuanjing was on. Given Yan Yuanjing's personality, they found it hard to imagine him staying to clean up the mess at Changxian Gate.

Because of what happened before, there were very few Yuan Infant cultivators left in Changxian Gate now. Even if there hadn't been the incident with Huo Shu, their status would have plummeted significantly, from a first-class sect to a second or third-class one. Changxian Gate was now being eyed by many forces wanting to take a piece of it.

"Stay. You are a disciple of Changxian Gate. Stay and help us rebuild Changxian Gate," Laozu Lou said.

Lao Huaijing and Ying Muqing also stepped forward, removing the disguise charms on them to reveal their true selves. "Yan Shishu, Changxian Gate needs to be reorganized."Seeing Lou Huaijing appear, there was another commotion among the disciples of Changxian Sect. Senior Brother Lou was fine, and at this time, Patriarch Lou appeared, which calmed the restless and anxious disciples.

Yan Yuanjing seemed to be someone who greatly feared trouble. For example, being punished and confined to the forbidden area previously would have been unbearable for anyone else, but he couldn't have been more pleased. He asked, "Aren't you afraid?"