Fairy, please don't do this!

Upon receiving the news, disciples and elders of the Qingyun Sect gathered from all directions.

The scattered cultivators who were originally watching the excitement in various parts of the city, the disciples of other sects who had arrived early, and even ordinary people all surged towards the square like a tide.

The windows of the surrounding restaurants and inns, wherever they offered a view of Yuntai, were instantly filled with people.

Before anyone knew it, a wind began to blow through Qingyun City.

Gu Jinchao also drew his sword!

He did not use [Crimson Sky], but only his own sword.

The sword was slowly drawn from its sheath.

Above the cloud platform, the rising sun, as if drawn by some force, instantly transformed its rays into visible streaks of crimson light, cascading down.

Boom—!

A deep, thunderous roar exploded on the cloud platform!

The seemingly impenetrable golden wall of energy was instantly pierced by the supreme Yang sword intent of the True Yang Sword Intent, creating a large hole.

The sword's momentum didn't stop; it charged straight in!

The seated Zen Master Huineng's expression changed drastically. He only had time to gather all the Buddhist light in his body in front of him to withstand the sword strike.

He was struck as if by a heavy hammer, blasted off the platform and sent flying backward before crashing heavily to the ground below, his life force instantly waning.

One sword!

Just one sword strike!

Not only did it break through Huineng's "Immovable Zen", it also directly blasted him off the cloud platform, causing him to be seriously injured and cough up blood!

The entire venue was deathly silent!

Everyone's expression froze, their mouths slightly open, their eyes wide open, as if they had seen a ghost.

Didn't you say your sword is slow and clumsy?

Didn't you say that when you spar with your fellow disciples, you can only defend?

Didn't you say you only managed to move Huiyu a little?

What is this domineering and unparalleled sword intent that can shatter mountains with a single sword strike?

"You flatter me."

Gu Jinzhao sheathed his sword and stood with his hands behind his back on the edge of the high cloud platform, looking down at Elder Jiekong and the group of Zen monks below, like a hawk soaring in the sky, scrutinizing its prey on the ground.

For the first time, a noticeable change appeared on Elder Jiekong's calm and gentle expression.

He looked down at Huineng, who was seriously injured and coughing up blood, at his feet, then looked up at the calm-looking young man on the cloud platform, his eyes flashing with a sharp light.

"Amitabha." Jiekong put his hands together, his voice still steady, revealing no emotion: "Huineng's skills are not good enough, please forgive him."

He tilted his head slightly and called out, "Huixin."

"The disciple is here."

A lean, sharp-eyed young monk stepped forward in response.

Jie Kong's tone became slightly harsher: "Go up there and continue to help Benefactor Gu hone his swordsmanship."

"Yes, Master!"

Huixin bowed and accepted the order. With a swift movement, she leaped onto the cloud platform and landed opposite Gu Jinzhao.

Jie Kong already understood this in his heart.

Gu Jinzhao is no ordinary inner disciple of the Qingyun Sect; he is very likely a hidden true disciple of the Qingyun Sect!

The Qingyun Sect's higher-ups sent him out to block the gate, clearly hoping to use him to save face for the sect.

It was all in vain!

As one of the four sects, Qingyun Sect naturally has a few outstanding disciples, but none of them could possibly shake Zen Realm.

Chapter 78, My Childhood Sweetheart Comes to My Rescue (3K)

Several figures quietly appeared on the viewing platform.

These were high-ranking members of the Qingyun Sect who had rushed over upon hearing the news.

Third Elder Yun Qihe couldn't help but look at Wan Qingsong and asked suspiciously, "Fourth Junior Brother, I remember that when your disciple left the sect half a year ago, his cultivation level had only just stabilized at the early stage of the eighth rank, right?"

"How could he have broken through to the seventh rank in just half a year, and his swordsmanship is so much better now, he's like a completely different person!"

"Could it be that you knew all along that he was exceptionally talented, and had him hide his abilities, just waiting for this gathering of heroes to make a name for himself?"

Second Elder Chen Jianzhou stroked his beard and sighed, "Fourth brother, you've kept this a secret for a long time. Even we old folks were kept in the dark."

Although Elder Chu Wuyai did not speak, he also cast a probing glance at him.

As the acting leader, upon learning of the trouble caused by the Zen Realm, he urgently contacted the Dao Realm and the other three sects while rushing to the rescue with two true disciples in an attempt to buy time.

Unexpectedly, as soon as they arrived, they saw Gu Jinzhao single-handedly confronting Chanjing, and using the argument of "an eye for an eye" to move the battlefield directly to the cloud platform!

After that, he defeated Huineng with a single sword strike.

Regardless of how long Gu Jinzhao can ultimately hold on, his willingness to sacrifice his life for the sect is enough to impress Chu Wuyai.

He had even begun to consider whether he should make an exception and promote him to the third true disciple of the sect!

At this moment, Wan Qingsong was actually even more bewildered than the other three elders.

He knew that Gu Jinzhao possessed extraordinary luck and opportunities far beyond what ordinary people could have, so his cultivation speed must be quite fast.

But isn't it a bit too fast to go from the early stage of the eighth rank to the seventh rank in just six months?

The speed at which he approached made him somewhat suspicious that Gu Jinzhao might have cultivated the demonic art of "Seizing Yuan Demonic Technique".

Boom—!

Just as the elders were having different thoughts, another muffled thud came from the cloud platform!

Just as Huixin stepped onto the stage and even unleashed her [Immovable Zen] technique, Gu Jinchao's sword arrived!

This time, the sword seemed to be faster and more domineering than before.

The sword light pierced the sun like a white rainbow, or split the sky like thunder, striking with unparalleled precision at a weak point in the flow of Qi in the [Immovable Zen] technique.

The air barrier shattered instantly!

Huixin let out a muffled groan, her body flying backward off the stage like a kite with a broken string, even faster than Huineng, and crashing heavily to the ground.

Another sword strike!

Another one defeated!

Elder Jiekong frowned slightly.

Huineng and Huixin, one with the early stage of the seventh rank and the other with the middle stage of the seventh rank, plus the [Immovable Zen] which has been cultivated to the third realm, originally thought they could defeat Gu Jinzhao.

Unexpectedly, the result remained the same.

This is not only because the other party has cultivated the Supreme Yang Sword Technique, but also because he has an extremely good understanding of the weaknesses in the flow of Qi in the [Immovable Zen], as if he has a pair of double pupils that can see through illusions!

Thinking of this, Jiekong spoke again: "Huiren."

"master!"

A tall, kind-faced monk stepped forward.

"You go."

Jie Kong only said two words.

"Yes!"

Hui Ren took a step forward, and the ground seemed to tremble slightly.

Instead of leaping, he walked like a golden Arhat, his steps heavy and steady, covering several meters in one stride and ascending directly to the high cloud platform.

Where he landed, a faint footprint outline was faintly left on the hard blue granite surface!

He stood opposite Gu Jinchao, almost a head taller than Gu Jinchao, standing like an iron tower.

Without needing to form hand seals, a powerful Buddhist force, as thick as a mountain and as solid as a peak, naturally spread out, forming a vortex of pale golden energy around him.

At the center of the vortex were his eyes, as calm and steady as an ancient well.

With a difference of two minor realms, plus the cultivation of the third realm of Immovable Zen, Jie Kong believed that this battle was already a foregone conclusion.

Gu Jinchao's winning streak has come to an end.

Next, once Gu Jinchao is defeated, the Qingyun Sect should send their two true disciples to the stage.

Chen Jianzhou frowned slightly as he looked at Hui Ren on the stage, who exuded an astonishing aura: "This Hui Ren's cultivation has reached the late stage of the seventh rank, and his [Immovable Zen] is unfathomable."

"Junior Nephew Gu's chances of winning this match are probably slim..."

He turned to his disciple, who stood beside him with his sword in hand and his back to the crowd: "Are you confident you can defeat him?"

Mo Zangfeng maintained his aloof demeanor and said calmly, "One sword is enough!"

Although Chen Jianzhou was somewhat displeased that he had his back to him, seeing how confident he was, he still smiled and said, "In that case, if Junior Nephew Gu loses, then you will go up!"

“This Huiren may not be a match for Junior Brother Gu.”

Mo Zangfeng said meaningfully.

He knew that although Hui Ren seemed to be two minor realms higher, Gu Jinzhao not only cultivated the sword path, but also the Heavenly Mandate path.

If Gu Jinchao were to use the art of cause and effect in his destiny, it would be enough to close the gap.

Chen Jianzhou asked, puzzled, "What do you mean?"

Mo Zangfeng didn't explain further: "Master will know in a moment!"

Boom—

Just as the two were talking, Hui Ren's figure flew backward again.

This time, not only did everyone in the arena widen their eyes, but even the four elders of the Qingyun Sect and Jie Kong were somewhat surprised.

Having advanced two minor realms and cultivated the [Immovable Zen] to the third perfect realm, he was still defeated by a single sword strike.

This is truly unexpected...

Although he was surprised that Gu Jinzhao had such a good understanding of the Zen concept of "immovable Zen," Jiekong knew that the current situation could not continue to proceed at the other party's pace.

"If Master Gu's sword is so domineering and sharp, and the disciples of the Zen Realm only defend and do not attack, I'm afraid your sword will lose its edge because it lacks the tempering of an evenly matched opponent."

These words have two meanings.

The first layer points out that Gu Jinzhao's initial statement that his sword was as slow as an old ox and as clumsy as a child was clearly a deliberate act of weakness to deceive Zen Jing!

In the second stage, the next contest will be much more challenging. My disciples in the Zen Realm can no longer just defend and not attack. They must fight fairly and each show their strengths!

Upon hearing this, Gu Jinzhao sighed and said, "Master Jiekong's words have truly wronged this junior."

"My swordsmanship is indeed only mediocre in the talent-rich Qingyun Sect."

"If that weren't the case, with such meager skills, how could I still be just an inner disciple and not yet among the true disciples?"

But then he changed the subject, following Jie Kong's words, his tone becoming meaningful: "However... Master Jie Kong's second half of his statement makes sense."

“If Zen disciples only defend and do not attack, my swordsmanship will indeed be difficult to hone. This principle is the same as that of Zen Master Huiyu.”

"His [Immovable Zen] has clearly reached the second stage, and ordinary external force is no longer effective, but he still wants to set up a challenge arena in the city."

The sarcasm in his words was obvious: your Zen Realm provoked and deceived us first, and I, Gu Jinzhao, am now simply giving you a taste of your own medicine.

We're all in the same boat, so let's not accuse each other of being dishonest!

Jie Kong remained calm: "Now that all the fellow Daoists from the Qingyun Sect have arrived, and everyone is here, why don't we have our disciples formally exchange ideas?"

Now that Gu Jinzhao has stirred up the situation, the Qingyun Sect is in a precarious position, caught in the crossfire of public scrutiny, and has no choice but to bite the bullet and fight back.

And this is just the beginning.

Once the other four sects arrive in Qingyun City, they will inevitably have to fight them again because of the provocation from the Zen Realm.

At that time, all the disciples of the Zen Realm will be dispatched to fight against the four sects, including the Dao Realm, which will inevitably stir up an unprecedented storm.

In the course of a contest, there will inevitably be winners and losers, but that is irrelevant.