Chapter 153: Chapter 134: The Bait, Primordial Magnetic Treasure Mirror
The person bowing amidst the gathered is none other than Su Huazheng, who was defeated by Gu Yuan at the Flowing Cloud Banquet.
At this moment, he respectfully requests, with an earnest attitude, yet his malicious intent is all too evident.
This is a veiled assassination!
"Be silent, Su Huazheng, stop putting on a false show of affection here. Senior Brother Gu only broke through to Foundation Establishment a year ago. This campaign against the Great River was merely to assist the senior brothers. How could he possibly surpass that Jade Water Fire-Eyed Ape!"
As soon as Su Huazheng spoke, Ma Wu, who was by Gu Yuan’s side, could no longer sit still. He stood up and rebuked loudly.
Su Jingming cultivated for thirty years, and with a high-grade Spiritual Artifact, he barely escaped with his life. No matter how astonishingly talented Senior Brother Gu may be, his time in cultivation is short. How could he battle this Heaven-Earth Exotic Species?
Though Senior Brother Gu has borne animosity toward the Su Family, it was unexpected that during the campaign against the Great River, a unifying battle such as this, they would still make trouble.
Truly heartless.
"Senior Brother Gu’s talent is bestowed by the heavens, a truly exceptional figure; one year of cultivation equivalent to our decades of effort is not something mundane individuals can compare to."
"Were it not so, how could he face many alone in the Ancient Mountain Secret Realm?"
"You, a mere talentless individual, who barely reached Foundation Establishment by the age of fifty, how could you comprehend Senior Brother Gu’s gifts?"
"Among all aboard this Dharma Boat, if anyone could surpass that Jade Water Fire-Eyed Ape, it must be Senior Brother Gu, unless his heart has turned to iron, willing to watch Senior Brother Ji’s remains devoured without aiding!"
Su Huazheng first lavishly praised Gu Yuan, then feigned ignorance and sighed, turning his ardent gaze towards Gu Yuan.
"Indeed, Senior Brother Gu’s talent is unparalleled; he is certain to triumph over that Demon Ape!"
"Solely obtaining nine paths of Spiritual Qi, establishing a peak from humble lineage, unheard of before. How could such a prodigy not overcome a hair-covered beast?"
"Senior Brother Gu will certainly do it!"
"I believe in Senior Brother Gu!"
Among the Su family’s Spirit Disc, several Foundation Establishment cultivators also began speaking, lavishly praising Gu Yuan.
Even the few Seven Vein disciples previously defeated by Gu Yuan, though silent, also gazed towards Gu Yuan with fervent expressions.
"Silence! If you all wish to retrieve the corpse, go yourselves! Why must you pressure Senior Brother Gu!"
Ma Wu erupted in fury immediately, shouting.
Fu Hongling and others also spoke, reprimanding the noble families.
"Had we acquired nine paths of Spiritual Qi, we would have already turned the demon race into rivers of blood. Why must we plead with Senior Brother Gu here?"
"Pitiful our Daoist School, painstakingly cultivating geniuses, granting nine paths of Spiritual Qi, merely to shoulder burdens and protect fellow disciples. But unexpectedly, a single Demon Ape blocks our way, and we must watch as our comrade’s body is devoured..."
Su Huazheng sighed long, shaking his head regretfully, yet cold light flashed in his eyes.
When his uncle returned severely injured with a high-grade Spiritual Artifact, Su Huazheng thought it was ill-omened.
Losing this battle strength from his uncle would affect the campaign against the Red Moon River, and the matter of exterminating great enemies might also stall. Presently, only an open scheme might drag them down.
"No matter how much of a genius Senior Brother Gu is, he cannot grow in an instant. If anyone must go, you go retrieve the corpse yourselves!"
Ma Wu chastised in anger.
"Our Su family has fought two battles already, with my uncle gravely injured. Is this not wholehearted enough?"
"Had I not been defeated by Senior Brother Gu, I would have gone already!"
Su Huazheng turned around, infuriated, speaking righteously.
Ma Wu was momentarily speechless.
Indeed, the Su family had contributed significantly and was hard to dispute.
He couldn’t help but turn his gaze to Senior Brother Gu, finding him calm and composed, sitting cross-legged, as though the crowd’s pressure was nonexistent.
Seeing this, Ma Wu’s heart calmed, and he sat back down.
"What kind of heart nature does Senior Brother Gu possess, that he would make unwise choices due to just a few words? I am worrying needlessly."
He sneered inwardly and then remained silent.
Seeing this, Su Huazheng grew anxious, unable to restrain himself from glancing at Yinn Xingchao seated at the head.
But Yinn Xingchao remained unmoved.
Challenges before the array can only happen voluntarily; how could he appoint anyone?
Moreover, he saw through this trivial trick at a glance, quietly rehearsing the Spiritual Mechanism, wearing down the Earth Evil Celestial Water Array.
"Could it be that camaraderie is insufficient to compel Senior Brother Gu to leave the array?"
"If that’s the case, I am willing to offer a Middle-grade Spiritual Artifact. As long as Senior Brother Gu returns victorious, this artifact belongs to senior brother!"
Su Huazheng’s expression fluctuated, ultimately gritting his teeth, drawing out a palm-sized Jade Mirror from his sleeve and displaying it in front of Gu Yuan.
"This realm is called the ’Primordial Magnetic Treasure Mirror,’ adept at controlling all metallic materials in the world. All metal Spiritual Artifacts are restrained by this mirror. Even a Sword Seal, as long as it contains the metal of a Spirit Sword, will have its might greatly reduced."
"Were it not for this treasure being linked to my heart and spirit, even gifting it to senior brother now would enable him to refine it. Otherwise, how could I not offer it directly to you?"
"But as long as senior brother leaves the boat to engage the enemy and retrieves Senior Brother Ji’s body, I, Su Huazheng, will spare no effort!"
Su Huazheng raised the Treasure Mirror, a sorrowful expression in his eyes, bowing once more to Gu Yuan.
"Hmph, such pretense!"
Ma Wu only snorted coldly hearing this.
They intended to put Senior Brother Gu in a difficult position, but fortunately, Senior Brother Gu’s heart nature was remarkable, and he remained unmoved.
But at that moment, a clear voice suddenly rang in his ears:
"Senior Brother Ji died for our Daoist School; retrieving his body is only right. Even if Junior Brother Su hadn’t requested, I would have intervened anyway. I would never allow Senior Brother Ji’s body to fall into the demon race’s belly."
"However, since Junior Brother Su is willing to offer a Spiritual Artifact as a prize, I shall not refuse. I shall certainly slay this demon and fulfill Junior Brother’s request!"
Saying this, Gu Yuan stood up, bowing to Yinn Xingchao, then casually walked out of the Dharma Boat.
"Senior Brother Gu! You must not!"
"No! Senior Brother Gu, don’t do this out of spite!"
Ma Wu was startled, quickly advising against it.
Fu Hongling also stood up, urgently urging him.
But Gu Yuan’s form turned to light, and in an instant, he had left the Dharma Boat, leaping onto the floating clouds.
...
...
In truth, Gu Yuan had no desire for this contest of spite.
He had even discovered issues with his cultivation pathway during those days.
He was drawn into the Daoist School’s factional and resource struggles.
Since obtaining the Spiritual Qi at the Flowing Cloud Banquet, he had become somewhat fixated on the Daoist School’s resources.
However, possessing the Stone Liquid, under the vast heavens, his search for resources wasn’t constrained to one school or place. There were broader methods to open up new paths.
During this campaign against the Red Moon River, as long as he used the Stone Liquid to seek opportunities, he could cultivate peacefully, with no need for this challenge.
Even without the Red Moon River, he could travel widely, seeking opportunities as they arose.
The Stone Liquid was his greatest capital.
Being drawn into so many disputes between the Seven Clans was unwise; quietly seeking opportunities, accumulating wealth, and biding time was the proper way.
The cautious path might suit him better.
But Spiritual Qi was hard to find, and that battle had already exposed him, stirring up some disputes.
The past was irreversible, so he might as well resolve these conflicts with a strong demeanor, then cultivate with peace of mind.
The Primordial Magnetic Treasure Mirror, a Middle-grade Spiritual Artifact of no small power, equated to an opportunity.
It was a good reason to make a move!
If that’s the case, he might as well fight a battle to understand the Red Moon River’s demon methods.
It would also establish his reputation, paving the way for the struggle over islands.
