The Sky Leaderboard’s number one was a legend in the Sect.
About twenty-five years ago, a Elder from the Sect Master’s bloodline picked up an abandoned infant amid a pack of wild wolves. Those wild wolves were originally going to devour that abandoned infant, but that baby let out a piercing, long whistle which forced that wolf pack from rashly charging over. Originally, with the passage of time, the baby’s whistle would’ve ended, and that pack of wild wolves would’ve eaten that infant. But at this time, the Elder’s appearance was that abandoned baby’s fated chance.
After the infant was picked up, it was only to be expected to be taken under that Elder’s wings. At that time, this Elder was just a mid Immortal Realm martial artist, so his strength was only decent. Also, his position in the Sect Master’s bloodline wasn’t high, and his authority didn’t have much weight. This Elder was unmarried, and didn’t have any descendants. Although he regarded this abandoned infant as his own child, his lifespan was already reaching its final stages. The remaining time was only enough for his golden years. There was basically no way to provide the baby with too many resources and benefits.
Thus, although the abandoned infant’s growth was in the Inner Sect the entire time, she was still just like an ordinary disciple, where she had to rely on her own efforts to gain sufficient status little by little.
Due to the infant’s past history, the Elder gave this child the name Huang Ji.
Since childhood, Huang Ji was capable of using whistling sounds to chase away wild beasts. Hunting by herself for many years, most of her skills were about close-quarters combat and her killing intent was astonishing. She obtained countless contribution points by herself, and her strength often had sudden increases.
However, when she was fifteen years old, Huang Ji smoothly entered Xiantian. And at twenty years old, Huang Ji smoothly entered the Immortal Realm. Now, she was just twenty-five years old, and she was already a high Immortal Realm powerhouse!
Since five years ago, Huang Ji had already dominated first place on the Sky Leaderboard. And after these five years, even though countless geniuses sprung up later on, not a single person could wrest away her honored seat.
Merely, Huang Ji had only one issue that made the people of the Sect raise their eyebrows.
She thought that she was a man. He was firmly convinced that he was a man.
Originally, the Sect also thought that his constitution was special, which made others misjudge him. But no matter how the pharmacists investigated, regardless of whether it was an Atomic Realm or even the Sect Master himself, everyone could see that he was a woman.
For lack of a better option, the Elder who raised Huang Ji to adulthood later went to ask him. Why did he think that he was a man and not a woman? Huang Ji replied that he didn’t like men, and he felt uncomfortable when he thought about marrying a man. He only liked women. And since he liked women, naturally he should be a man.
When these words were spoken, it made people wonder what to say.
Huang Ji was incomparably gallant and handsome. His aura and bearing were far above that of countless Inner Sect male disciples. In Huang Ji’s presence, even the imperious and imposing Xiao Tianqi held restraining fears in his heart as if he was a full head shorter than Huang Ji. On top of that, when Huang Ji said that he liked women, there were also many women who became his fans and were willing to marry him.
It was just that, although Huang Ji liked women, his heart had never once been emotionally moved or impassioned. Consequently, many Inner Sect female disciples were broken-hearted because of him. It was hard to free themselves from this situation.
Originally, with such a legend like the number one of the Sky Leaderboard, his story should’ve only been known to other Immortal Realm powerhouses like him. But his strength rose too quickly. While some Inner Sect disciples were still trapped within the Xiantian Realm, he had already shot straight up in leaps and bounds to such a degree that people would have to tilt their heads up to see him — As a result, there were many Xiantian martial artists who could say that they had watched him “grow up”. How could anyone not know about his story?
However, after Huang Ji achieved first place on the Sky Leaderboard, he went out on adventures all year round. It was mainly for the sake of harsh cultivation. On rare occasions, people would see him carrying enormous wild beasts and leaping over while dripping with blood. Thus, among those who came later, there were very few who knew about him.
Presently, the instant that everyone saw Huang Ji, they began to discuss things spiritedly:
“Senior Sect Sister Huang actually came out of seclusion?”
“The mighty Senior Sect Sister Huang! Her power seems even stronger!”
“Don’t call her Senior Sect Sister in front of her face. You need to say Senior Sect Brother...”
“Yes, yes, yes. Once, someone called her Senior Sect Sister, but was beaten half to death by her!”
These were all male martial artists.
“Senior Sect Brother Huang is still so handsome. In the world, there are only a few men who can be compared to him!”
“It’s a pity that, up until now, no one has been able to capture Senior Sect Brother Huang’s heart. If Senior Sect Brother Huang falls for me, how great would that be?”
“Although Senior Sect Brother Huang’s temperament isn’t pleasant, he’s very good to us. Last time, when I was out in the countryside, I came under attack. Nevertheless, when Senior Sect Brother Huang was passing by, he moved to save me. Those couple of fawning sect brothers who were traveling with me didn’t dare to help!”
“Yes, yes. It’s only Senior Sect Brother Huang who’s truly a man among men!”
These were female martial artists.
It was also due to these many discussions that, after Gu Zuo discharged his psychic power, he was able to swiftly gather information related to the Sky Leaderboard’s number one. It also made his impressions extremely complicated.
Actually... Women could also like other women.
Because he liked women, he believed that he was a man. Huang Ji needed to reconstruct his worldview without delay!
At first, Gu Zuo thought that there was an error in Huang Ji’s gender perception, but now it seemed that, while there was an error, it wasn’t the kind that he had originally thought.
But in any case, Gu Zuo developed a bit of curiosity towards this woman whose feet could trample upon most of the men in this Sect. Under this curiosity, he wanted to take a closer look. Thus, his psychic power let off an additional thread, which extended towards the stone pillar where that Huang Ji was located...
Whoosh!
Huang Ji instantly turned his head.
In a split second, there seemed to be a sword-like gaze piercing over, which made Gu Zuo’s heart shudder. He swiftly withdrew his psychic power!
Indeed, that gaze was merely an astonishing and imposing aura, and it didn’t truly harm him. However, this was the first time that someone discovered his psychic power — At the very least, this was someone who perceived it!
Originally, he was always careful in all aspects, but in the past, even if it was an Immortal Realm powerhouse, they had no way of discovering him. He had also never encountered an Atomic Realm powerhouse, and he had long decided that he absolutely couldn’t have such small thoughts in the presence of an Atomic Realm powerhouse. But how could he have imagined that Huang Ji would actually be so powerful? Aiya, it was sensed at last!
What should be said...
Sure enough, should it be said that the Sky Leaderboard’s number one enjoyed a well-deserved reputation?
His heart was a little alarmed. Gu Zuo couldn’t deal with anything else, and hastily transmitted to Tianheng in his consciousness. Gu Zuo told him all about the matter just then.
And after Tianheng heard what was said, he also faintly furrowed his brows.
This matter was indeed unexpected. He never thought that the psychic power, which had always been successful in every endeavor, would kick an iron plate here. Fortunately, Gu Zuo had only released his psychic power to take a quick glimpse. If he had truly gone over in full, then it wouldn’t have been good. But when all was said and done, it was best that no bystanders found out about this. If anyone did know, then they would need to think of some methods.
Right now, the most crucial point was that they needed to know what that Huang Ji was thinking about. If he wanted to threaten them, it would be troublesome. If Huang Ji was only going to admonish them and didn’t have any intention of making enemies, then this was possibly a way to develop friendly relations with Huang Ji instead.
Tianheng secretly transmitted back.
[Ah Zuo, don’t get flustered.]
[Big brother, I’m sorry...]
[There’s no need to worry. For now, we’ll only watch how that Huang Ji responds later. For the remaining matters, just leave them to your big brother.]
Gu Zuo was somewhat dispirited.
[This is all because I was too careless. I still need to let big brother clean up my messes.]
Tianheng actually gave a faint smile.
[After this event, Ah Zuo will be even more careful in the future. Think about the bright side. If you didn’t receive your first blow now, wouldn’t it have been even worse later on when confronting an enemy and discovering that something was amiss? Moreover... Ah Zuo helps me quite a bit every day, but there isn’t much that I can do for Ah Zuo. Cleaning up a mess for Ah Zuo is interesting, too.]
Gu Zuo was a little exasperated.
However, he also understood that this was his big brother’s way of deliberately consoling him.
Actually, he was still a fool who pitted his big brother... After this, he would certainly be more careful when handling matters again! As for anything else, he wanted to go back to refine some medicinal pills to make up for it. Even if it was the Sky Leaderboard’s number one, weren’t there always medicinal pills that one needed?
Thinking about that pile of medicinal ingredients that formed a mountain and countless types of pill prescriptions in his storage space, Gu Zuo felt a little bit more confident from the bottom of his heart.
Humph. Unless Huang Ji really didn’t need any medicinal pills, so long as Gu Zuo had something that he sought, Gu Zuo could use medicinal pills to keep Huang Ji’s mouth shut!
After thinking up to here, Gu Zuo slowly set aside his worries.
It was better that he didn’t overthink things. When a boat reached the bridgehead... En, it would go straight with the current.
After Huang Ji came, the venue was filled with peals of discussion and noise. At the same time, in the hearts of all the spectators, they felt that things had become even more interesting.
If nothing else — The quality of the people watching the fight could also indicate the status of both parties involved in the battle. Even Huang Ji, that cultivating madman and murderous ruffian, came to watch this bout of martial prowess. This was even more proof that these two people were very worthy of face.
Soon, the time arrived.
He Chenghong stood up, and his body moved forward. His full-body brocade robe fluttered in the wind. He was like a white crane, and his posture was extremely graceful as he swiftly glided down. He landed precisely upon the leftmost point of the Martial Prowess Platform.
At almost the exact same time, Xiao Tianqi also moved.
His figure seemed like a bolt of black lightning. In the blink of an eye, he stood at the rightmost point. His movements were simple and agile. He also bore the hints of a mad tyrant.
The two of them were exceptional talents, and both were proud sons of heaven. Although one person was taking advantage of the other’s time of weakness to issue a challenge, there was no need for doubts that this was still a formidable battle between geniuses.
He Chenghong calculated, but he calculated without the faintest of burdens, and his thoughts were sensible. Xiao Tianqi was someone who’d been schemed against, but he was broad-minded, and had already settled down his subordinates. Even after a hundred battles, he would have no regrets.
The imposing auras of the two constantly rose. One side was like a white crane giving a long cry as it dashed above the nine firmaments. The other side seemed like a storm that engulfed everything as it shook the highest of heavens.
The two auras opposed each other with equal harshness. They suddenly clashed, and let out a loud rumbling sound.
The surging qi waves rushed out in all directions and frantic gales blew abruptly, which made some spectating Immortal Realm martial artists feel compelled by the dreadful auras. It was as if it wanted to drive them away.
Xi Yangyun immediately took Xi Shuangyun into his arms, fending off the violent and overbearing winds for her.
At first, Gu Zuo wanted to release his psychic power to obstruct the blasts of wind, but then immediately realized that he couldn’t do so. In the next moment, he sank into a warm embrace.
He swallowed a mouthful of saliva.
B-big brother...
Tianheng used one hand to caress his hair and the other hand to hold his waist. A thin layer of reddish-gold power covered the surfaces of the two people, but every time a gale blew past, it would vanish under this power.
“Ah Zuo, don’t move.”
Gu Zuo’s back was ramrod straight, and he didn’t dare to fidget: “Okay, big brother.”
Sitting on big brother’s legs, leaning on big brother’s chest, and being directly held by big brother’s arms... He wasn’t that young. This was so embarrassing.
However, as a young teenager who’d left his dad for a long time, after being protected so lovingly, a warm feeling still arose from the bottom of Gu Zuo’s heart.
Although he said it was embarrassing, his big brother’s embrace really had a strong sense of security. Tianheng’s muscles were rugged and strong. Compared to his dad’s flimsy build, it actually made one feel even more at ease.
When Gu Zuo thought such things, his face became a little hot.
In his heart, he silently told himself again: I’m getting older, I’m going to be an adult soon.
After that, he obediently continued to lean against his dear big brother.
Gu Zuo’s gaze fell upon that Martial Prowess Platform once more.
Because, after the colliding auras tossed around the spectators down below, the people on the platform also officially started the battle.
He Chenghong’s hand held a long halberd, and at some point in time, Xiao Tianqi grasped a large saber with both hands. The halberd presented a bright silver color, while the saber was as jet-black as concentrated ink.
There was a black one and a silver one, and the color and luster were opposites. One was handsome and leisurely, and the other was heroic and forthright. Their temperaments were also opposites. Even the two’s martial skills were such that one was graceful and the other overbearing... During this battle, the two people were such polar opposites. They both used their strongest powers to suppress their counterpart and to conquer this Martial Prowess Platform!
Gu Zuo watched on very earnestly.
Although the halberd was classified as a relatively heavy weapon, the one used by He Chenghong was a light halberd. The halberd’s pole was very long, and when it was put to use, it would often bend to have an arc-shaped appearance. When he leaped up and down, his body techniques were quick and skillful. It was also like a white crane catching its prey. Both the man and weapon were well-matched. That crane’s beak appeared to be the sharp point of a cold spear. When the white crane spread its wings, every step was filled with great danger.
In comparison, Xiao Tianqi’s saber techniques were indiscriminate.
One basically couldn’t see any compositional rules. Each slash didn’t seem to have any particular trajectory, like he was chopping at random. But it was this disordered chopping that could cut down every surprise attack that He Chenghong made. And after cutting them down, it also gave He Chenghong intense jolts. If one watched carefully, it would even be discovered that, after the large saber and long halberd clashed, every one of the halberd’s oscillations were different. This undoubtedly showed that the strength of each saber strike was also different!
In the current state of affairs, He Chenghong’s steps were lighter and faster, while Xiao Tianqi seemed to be a bit encumbered — Perhaps, this also had something to do with his unhealed injury, but his saber techniques didn’t give people the impression of being only tyrannical and unwieldy. Two people collided, and the long halberd and the large saber clashed. Unexpectedly, they were evenly matched!
Gu Zuo secretly thought to himself: No wonder He Chenghong wanted to plot against Xiao Tianqi to make his realm drop. Even if they can fight to a draw now, if Xiao Tianqi’s realm hadn’t fallen, then it’ll be a long time before He Chenghong is capable of striking down Xiao Tianqi. Only, after this is over, I don’t know if He Chenghong will use similar methods to plot against Huang Ji after experiencing the sweet taste of victory...
With such thoughts, Gu Zuo couldn’t help transmitting over to Tianheng.
Tianheng smiled.
[It’s not necessarily as such. However, I also can’t guarantee that the He Clan won’t take a risk out of desperation. The reason why Xiao Tianqi was easily plotted against is because, although he is strong, he hasn’t yet apprenticed himself to a master. He also hasn’t truly joined any bloodlines. Thus, dealing with him is comparatively easy. But Huang Ji is different. The master that this woman apprenticed to was part of the Sect Master’s bloodline. The Sect Master’s bloodline naturally watches over her to some degree. Moreover, the potential that Huang Ji displays is much better than that of Xiao Tianqi. Presumably, the Sect Master’s bloodline also values her greatly. If the He Clan plotted against Huang Ji, I’m afraid it’ll be more than ten times harder than plotting against Xiao Tianqi.]
Gu Zuo thought it over, and the matter seemed to be like this. He nodded his head.
But, Tianheng’s words still had a follow-up.
[However, the Elder who adopted Huang Ji has already passed away. If Huang Ji can’t truly join the Sect Master’s bloodline, things may change. And if Huang Ji is willing to continue being of the same breath and branches as the Sect Master’s bloodline, the situation also won’t be the same.]
Gu Zuo pursed his lips.
[Big brother’s meaning is that if Huang Ji wants to continue to be within the Sect Master’s bloodline, the He Clan might try to obstruct her so that she can’t receive the protection of the Sect Master’s bloodline?]
Tianheng had a smile on his face, and faintly nodded.
[Logically speaking, so long as Huang Ji isn’t stupid and so long as the Sect Master’s bloodline doesn’t have any internal power struggles, it’ll be impossible for this matter to occur. For such a genius like Huang Ji, the Sect Master’s bloodline will spare no effort in roping her in and befriending her. If one were to make the Sect Master’s bloodline abandon Huang Ji, one could only let Huang Ji herself offend the Sect Master’s bloodline. It would need to cause both sides to become irreconcilable. Otherwise, no matter what plans the He Clan thinks up, it would all end in certain failure.]
Gu Zuo thought he understood.
In any case, if the He Clan didn’t want to do anything, then it didn’t matter. If it did, then the probability of success was very low.
Wanting to make Huang Ji offend the Sect Master’s bloodline, and wanting to prevent the Sect Master’s bloodline from realizing that Huang Ji was being framed... Neither side would be so foolish.
Moreover, Gu Zuo thought of something else.
They had only mentioned reaching the end of one’s lifespan and passing away... For a medicinal pill that could prolong the life of a Xiantian martial artist, there was the Life Extension Pill. As for when one reached the Immortal Realm, there should also be a corresponding pill. Otherwise, at what time would he search for this pill prescription and refine backups for later use?
— But such thoughts were still too far away. First, he would observe the fight.
He Chenghong and Xiao Tianqi were both powerhouses. Their battle naturally didn’t have too many instances of probing the other’s strengths. It quickly entered a high period where things turned white-hot.
The sound of the halberd and saber’s collisions rang endlessly, but this was negligible. The qi energy and the inexhaustible power emanating from the collisions were the important means to injure each other!
At this time, the martial skills appeared to be both magnificent and concise. While it was plain to see the weapons crashing together, the trajectories contained within and the countless saber marks and halberd techniques left people dazzled with a glance. Ah, it would really give one a headache.
Fortunately, Gu Zuo’s psychic power was very strong. Also, because he didn’t watch to gain a deeper understanding like other martial artists, his head didn’t particularly hurt.
But while his head didn’t hurt, there was worry in his heart — Did his big brother have a headache?
He was clear that his big brother certainly wouldn’t miss this opportunity. Tianheng would also certainly strive his hardest to use his formidable IQ to comprehend these witnessed martial skills.
Merely, reading secret manuscripts and watching people were two different things. Reading manuscripts was a sedate matter. If one didn’t understand, it could be set aside for later. However, when watching people fight, there were very intense movements. There wasn’t simply a single layer between the Immortal Realm and the Xiantian Realm. Even if it was Gongyi Tianheng, wanting to rely on his own IQ and memory to reconstruct these two people’s martial skills in his consciousness wasn’t an easy thing at all.
Sure enough, Gu Zuo didn’t even need to turn around. He could sense his dear big brother’s previously relaxed body becoming taut. The arm that embraced Gu Zuo’s waist also grew tighter and tighter.
...His waist was a little sore.
But this bit of pain could be ignored.
Gu Zuo nervously turned his head to look at his big brother’s face.
In the end, Tianheng’s expression was very normal, and Tianheng gave him a gentle smile like usual... Gu Zuo turned his head back around.
He felt that his big brother could endure very well. If he kept taking glances, then it would distract his big brother.
On the Martial Prowess Platform, the fighting of those two people became even fiercer.
Gu Zuo clearly saw that Xiao Tianqi’s chest was heaving up and down, and his complexion was becoming increasingly flushed. His saber force had become stronger, but this didn’t mean that his strength had suddenly skyrocketed. Rather, it was because he was nearly an arrow at the end of its flight. Right now, he had overdrawn his own power, and this was the final radiance of a setting sun. At the same time, He Chenghong was no better than him. His face wasn’t red, but it was growing more and more pale. If it got any worse, perhaps he would turn blue. Yet, He Chenghong’s aura was also undergoing a sudden increase. This showed that he was making a big move!
Xiao Tianqi seemed to have discovered this, too.
He swiftly withdrew and pulled back. The large saber in front of his body repeatedly changed into numerous, pitch-black saber marks. Each saber mark was continuously shattered under the long halberd’s offensive. Suddenly, He Chenghong’s left hand raised the halberd, and abruptly thrusted at that cluster of saber marks — Pew!
In a split second, more than half of those saber marks disappeared, but Xiao Tianqi used his full strength to unleash a blood-colored slash. It was a terrifying saber mark that seemed to cover half of the Martial Prowess Platform!
The power contained in this saber mark was extremely astonishing. It appeared to have rolled up innumerable amounts of tyrannical qi, and the people near and far who were intimidated by it seemed to surrender inside. And among all this, it even possessed a type of unparalleled cutting edge which would cleave and smash apart any enemies that dared to encroach upon it!
When the long halberd struck this blood-red saber mark, it was also like it had stabbed into an indestructible object. It was unable to advance a single inch further.
But He Chenghong was hardly alarmed. The palm of his right hand suddenly flipped up. Following this, it changed directions and swiped downwards!
He Clan Martial Skill: Consummate Skill — Heavenly Crane Palm.
First Form, The Crane Startles the World!
Five slim fingers were like an elegant white crane as they pressed down from high in the sky.
They quickly slammed into the saber mark, but the instant it was struck, the saber mark let out creaking and crunching noises. It seemed like the saber mark was going to disintegrate right away, but the downward power of this palm wasn’t extinguished.
Xiao Tianqi spurted out a mouthful of blood, and hastened the saber mark. He made the traces above suddenly disappear, and it became stable again.
But He Chenghong pressed down with another palm.
He Clan Martial Skill: Consummate Skill — Heavenly Crane Palm.
Second Form, The Crane’s Talons Grasp Heaven and Earth!
T/N: Thanks for the corrections, Charysa.
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