Da Xuan Martial Saint

At this moment, Chen Mu's feelings were just like this.

Mastering the complete Qiankun Artistic Conception, he felt that at this moment, the entire world was filled with mystery everywhere and the flow of all things seemed present at each corner, as if every direction he looked at was an Artistic Conception Map laid before his eyes!

This feeling almost approached what he had felt when he initially swallowed the Earthly Green Lotus Seed, as if he had merged into the world, becoming a part of it, where a blink was the rise and fall of the sun and the moon, and a breath was the swell of the Vast Ocean.

Just like that.

Chen Mu, in a dazed state, aimlessly continued his ascent.

He did not know how far he had walked up the mountain path or how long he had been climbing until a pathway illuminated by the brilliance of cloud and neon light appeared in his view, leading to the very peak of Yunni Sky Peak.

At that moment.

Looking up the mountain path, he could clearly see dozens of figures. Some were standing at the edge of the path, overlooking the rolling Cloud Sea, deeply comprehending something, while others were exchanging blows, their moves and Artistic Conceptions clashing and verifying Martial Arts.

These dozens of figures, none of them were unknowns, all of them were the proud talents listed in the register of newcomers!

Even though some were not ranked in the newcomer register, they were still talents rivalling those listed, or were individuals not yet included in the register, such as Gu Hong who had gone through the process of 'breaking and re-establishing' in the past two years.

Further up the path, the number of people dwindled, until finally only a few such as Hua Nongyue, Yuan Yingsong, and Zuo Qianqiu stood at the end, each comprehending the heavens and the earth on their own.

Chen Mu's arrival did not attract much attention.

However,

as Chen Mu also stepped onto the mountain stairway and began to ascend, he gradually began to draw some eyes.

"He is..."

Some people on the mountain steps, slightly puzzled, looked toward Chen Mu.

Because the Cold North Path of the Eleven State was too vast, even among the proud talents on the register of newcomers, many were strangers to each other, only able to judge each other's identity by their clothing. Chen Mu was currently dressed in plain clothes, not the attire of the Seven Profound Sect, making it difficult for many to recognize him at a glance.

But.

There were still those who recognized Chen Mu.

"Hmm? Chen Mu!"

Gu Hong, who was standing at a spot on the mountain steps, immersed in comprehending the world, suddenly felt his Heart Sword stir. Snapping out of his immersion, he glanced toward Chen Mu ascending the steps, his eyes immediately blazing with light.

He had been wanting to find Chen Mu for a rematch to reaffirm his own path, but had not seen any sign of Chen Mu even after coming to Yunni Sky Steps and climbing up, and had wondered if something had happened to Chen Mu.

"You've finally arrived!"

Gu Hong took two steps along the stairway, approaching Chen Mu as he ascended, a strong surge of Sword Intent rising within him, mixed with a mood of combativeness, his eyes twinkling, "I thought something had happened to you, it's good you're here!"

"You managed to comprehend the three Artistic Conceptions of wind, thunder, and fire in the remote lands of Yu County, and joining the Seven Profound Sect certainly hasn't disappointed me. You've also mastered Qian Heaven. I once underestimated you, but I won't do so in the future. You truly are my greatest lifetime rival!"

As his voice fell.

Others nearby also began to turn their eyes, looking toward Chen Mu who was making his way up the mountain steps, each revealing various expressions.

Chen Mu?

"So he is Chen Mu, the one who comprehended the Qian Heaven Artistic Conception in just a year and a half. But this person had been hiding and had not appeared before the upheaval in the Cloud Sea, only appearing after climbing the Yunni Sky Steps and attaining the momentum of Qian Heaven..."

Sparks flashed in someone's eyes.

Martial Arts competition has always been about avoiding weaknesses and playing to strengths, and timing and geographical advantage are also part of it. Chen Mu had waited to take advantage of the right timing, which was not wrong.

If they were in control of the Qian Heaven Artistic Conception, perhaps they would do the same. This was not a despicable act.

But rather, it was Gu Hong.

It was said that having been defeated by Chen Mu before, his Heart Sword was shattered before being rebuilt, subsequently leaping to become the man second only to Zuo Qianqiu in the entire Heavenly Sword Sect. Indeed, his spirit was extraordinary. Knowing full well that Chen Mu had borrowed momentum to arrive, he nonetheless showed no fear and dared to challenge Chen Mu to a sword fight!

"Gu Hong indeed possesses some prowess."

High on the mountain path, Jiang Yifei in his Mysterious Robe gazed at Gu Hong, his eyes flickering slightly.

As one of the newcomers ranked seventh, his true concern in this generation of the Heavenly Sword Sect was only Zuo Qianqiu. However, now that Gu Hong had shattered and reformed his Heart Sword, his whole spirit seemed utterly different, truly qualifying him to compete with the top ten newcomers.

If Gu Hong could go against the odds to defeat Chen Mu... no, even if he managed just to withstand dozens of moves unscathed using the borrowed force of the heavenly momentum from Chen Mu, it would most likely strengthen his resolve, making him a formidable enemy for him eventually.

At this moment.

Apart from Zuo Qianqiu, who was always looking up at the sky from the highest step of the mountain, others including Yuan Yingsong and Han Cang were also glancing over curiously, watching Chen Mu who was ascending the steps, and Gu Hong with his soaring Sword Intent.

Under the attention of many prodigies, Chen Mu ascended the mountain steps, gradually approaching Gu Hong.

However.

Surprisingly.

Chen Mu gave no response to Gu Hong's words and his gaze did not even touch upon Gu Hong. Regarding Gu Hong's challenge and that soaring Sword Intent, he seemed oblivious as he continued up the mountain steps.

His eyes appeared vacant, as if he were in a trance, almost seemingly lost in a realm beyond this world, oblivious to everything on the mountain steps.

"Junior Brother Chen?"

Zhou Hao was also on the mountain steps. Observing Gu Hong's challenge against Chen Mu, he was concerned, although a peer of Chen Mu in the Seven Profound Sect, he had never seen Chen Mu's Qian Heaven technique. Noticing that Chen Mu's demeanor seemed off, he frowned slightly.

Gu Hong had already issued a challenge with his Heart Sword Intent, which filled the entire mountain steps clearly perceivable to everyone, yet Chen Mu seemed completely unaware. Could it be that he was too engrossed in the mysteries of nature to notice?

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If Chen Mu was overly immersed in understanding the universe, that would undoubtedly expose a huge vulnerability. In martial arts, one should avoid weaknesses and exploit strengths. He could ascend to the peak by leveraging the heavenly momentum, and others could naturally exploit his opening to break his Artistic Conception!

Indeed, almost the moment Chen Mu stepped toward the peak, coming within three meters of Gu Hong, Gu Hong brashly made his move. He would not consider Chen Mu's condition—he had already stood against Chen Mu's borrowed force from heaven, challenging him and naturally could not posture any longer waiting for Chen Mu to fully regain consciousness and recover to his peak form before engaging him.

Whoom!!!

Gu Hong raised his right hand, pointed as if it were a sword, and then an invisible Qi Sword several meters long suddenly soared upwards, stirring the heavenly momentum above the mountain steps, as if it had torn through Qian Heaven, falling straight down towards Chen Mu's head.

This move's momentum was extraordinary, drawing the attention of almost everyone on the mountain steps. Gu Hong had indeed displayed a strength worthy of challenging the top ten newcomers, and although Chen Mu was not ranked among the top ten, having cultivated Qian Heaven and borrowed heavenly momentum, he was undoubtedly one of the most powerful there.

Though there seemed to be a vulnerability now, everyone wanted to see the outcome of Gu Hong's sword attack.

However.

A bizarre scene occurred.

The grand invisible Sword Qi from Gu Hong, overwhelming as it descended upon Chen Mu, was forcibly stopped just shy of reaching Chen Mu's head, then started eroding and shattering inch by inch!

While Chen Mu exhibited no additional movements, he didn't even pause his steps, still looking entranced as he continued up the mountain steps. With each step Chen Mu took, a section of Gu Hong's invisible Sword Qi collapsed.

By the time Chen Mu arrived before Gu Hong.

Gu Hong's face had turned pale as paper, and the arm with which he pointed as a sword trembled violently. Soon, the Sword Intent around his body exploded outward and he spit out a large mouthful of blood, his breath quickly fading.

Towards Gu Hong's collapse of his Heart Sword, spitting blood, and debilitation, Chen Mu still retained that vacant look, his mind apparently not returning, he showed no other actions, did not even raise his hand, only the steps he took in ascending continued without pause.

Step,

Step,

Step,

The suddenly silent mountain steps echoed only with Chen Mu's footsteps as he climbed.