Mu Jinyu retracted his gaze, left the stele, and walked towards a nearby residence.
"What was he doing staring at the List of Outstanding Talents just now? Is he preparing to challenge it?"
"Probably. When he first entered the Inner Gate, he was provoked by the Huang brothers, but he defeated Huang Daotian and took the forty-fifth place on the list. At that time, he was at the Fourth Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm. Now, having cultivated to the Eighth Layer of the Divine Transformation Realm, he's likely learned several techniques and his strength has increased substantially. He must be unable to hold back any longer."
As soon as Mu Jinyu walked away, several disciples who had been secretly observing him immediately began discussing in low voices.
They concluded that Mu Jinyu was definitely seeking to challenge someone.
So, they followed behind Mu Jinyu to see whom he intended to challenge.
Would he challenge them?
They weren't worried at all.
Because they were quite weak, ranking around the sixtieth place on the List of Outstanding Talents. Naturally, Mu Jinyu wouldn't target them.
For the first time, they felt that being perceived as unremarkable wasn't so bad.
After trailing behind Mu Jinyu for a while, they saw him stop in front of a courtyard door from a distance.
"Hey, isn't that Senior Brother Gu's house? Could he be…"
"No way, is he really planning to challenge Senior Brother Gu? Senior Brother Gu is ranked eighth on the List of Outstanding Talents! His West-most Geng Metal Twelve Swords are masterful. He wouldn't dare, would he?"
Seeing this scene, everyone's pupils contracted in surprise.
They had assumed Mu Jinyu would conservatively choose to challenge someone ranked around twentieth place since he was only ranked forty-fifth himself.
Who could have guessed he intended to challenge the eighth rank directly? This seemed quite audacious.
However, considering Mu Jinyu had never failed any of his actions since joining the Heavenly Sword Faction...
Perhaps he really could leap upwards and become the eighth on the List of Outstanding Talents?
With this thought, everyone's eyes shone with excitement as they looked at Mu Jinyu's back.
Mu Jinyu stood before Gu Qianqiu's courtyard, gently knocking on the door.
"Knock, knock, knock."
The sound wasn't loud, but if Gu Qianqiu was at home, he would definitely hear it.
The reason Mu Jinyu didn't kick the door open like last time was because he had no enmity with Gu Qianqiu. There was no need to be so aggressive and leave no room for maneuver.
Inside the courtyard.
Gu Qianqiu was sitting cross-legged on the ground, a treasured sword placed across his knees, eyes closed in meditation.
"Knock, knock, knock."
The knocking sound stirred ripples in Gu Qianqiu's previously calm state of mind.
He suddenly opened his eyes, sensing something, a glint of sharpness flashing in his eyes.
"Knock, knock, knock."
"Senior Brother Gu, it is I, Mu Jinyu, ranked forty-fifth on the List of Outstanding Talents, here to seek your guidance. I humbly request your instruction."
Mu Jinyu's voice penetrated the Defensive Formation, drifting into the courtyard.
"Ranked forty-fifth? The Metal Spirit Root prodigy?"
Upon hearing Mu Jinyu's words, Gu Qianqiu immediately knew who he was.
"Hmph, he seeks to challenge me just after exiting seclusion. Let's see how strong he really is!"
Feeling somewhat insulted, thinking Mu Jinyu underestimated him as an easy target, Gu Qianqiu prepared to teach him a lesson!
Gu Qianqiu stood up suddenly, gripping his treasured sword, and walked straight to the courtyard door, opening it all at once.
"You are the Spirit Root prodigy?"
Gu Qianqiu opened the door, looking at Mu Jinyu with a cold expression.
"Yes." Mu Jinyu nodded slightly and said, "However, I'd prefer not to be called the Spirit Root prodigy all the time. I have a name, Mu Jinyu..."
"Let's go to the practice field!"
Gu Qianqiu didn't bother with pleasantries, gripping his sword tightly, striding towards the practice field.
"Alright." Seeing his decisive approach, Mu Jinyu didn't say anything further and followed him.
When he became the number one on the List of Outstanding Talents, and even the Four Sects' Genius Ranking, no one would call him by such dismissive titles again!
Seeing Mu Jinyu and Gu Qianqiu heading towards the practice field, the bystanders' eyes lit up with excitement.
"There's going to be a good show! Let's go watch!"
They followed along while calling out to friends, inviting them to watch the duel.
By the time Mu Jinyu and Gu Qianqiu reached the practice field.
A dozen or so people had gathered behind them, having put aside their tasks to witness Mu Jinyu's challenge to Gu Qianqiu.
Gu Qianqiu stood in the middle of the practice field, suddenly turning to face Mu Jinyu with eyes sharp as swords, saying, "Let's begin!"
With that, he drew his sword swiftly, the bright blade streaking through the air like a shooting star, his form following the sword as he lunged directly at Mu Jinyu!
"Swish, swish, swish!"
Mu Jinyu didn't expect Gu Qianqiu to start the fight with barely any words, presumably angered by being chosen as the first target.
Seeing this, Mu Jinyu flicked his fingers, summoning three-foot-long bamboo swords that encircled Gu Qianqiu!
"There it is, his renowned Wood Attribute Divine Power, the masterful 'Great Freedom Heavenly Wood Sword Qi'!"
"Gu Qianqiu's 'West-most Geng Metal Twelve Swords' are formidable too. Though he lacks a Metal Spirit Root to turn his Sword Qi into true Geng Metal Sword Qi, its sharpness isn't far off. This fight will be a fierce battle!"
The onlookers whispered among themselves as they saw Mu Jinyu and Gu Qianqiu clash.
"Bang, bang, bang!!"
In the field, seeing Mu Jinyu wield the 'Great Freedom Heavenly Wood Sword Qi' to manifest numerous bamboo swords, Gu Qianqiu's eyes gleamed coldly as he waved his sword.
In an instant, sharp Geng Metal Sword Qi burst forth, destroying the bamboo swords completely!
The bamboo swords were shattered like dry wood, and Gu Qianqiu pressed on, swiftly closing in on Mu Jinyu, raising his sword to strike down while shouting angrily:
"Geng Metal Unmatched Slash!"
"Swoosh!"
As soon as he spoke.
A sword Qi nearly three meters long slashed from his blade, cutting straight towards Mu Jinyu!
"Good!"
Mu Jinyu saw, without fear, and shouted in approval. Gripping a peculiar bone whip, he brought it forth.
The Sacred Wood Branch given by Elder Cheng was powerful, but Mu Jinyu didn't want to rely on it unnecessarily.
So he brought out the bone whip magic treasure, forged from the Dragon Bone found in the Dragon Marrow Immortal Spring, to challenge Gu Qianqiu!
"Snap!"
Mu Jinyu swung the bone whip fiercely at the enormous sword Qi in front of him!
"Boom!!"
While swinging the bone whip treasure, Mu Jinyu continued using 'Great Freedom Heavenly Wood Sword Qi'.
He first invoked tree trunks from the Sword Qi to block, then swung the bone whip to strike the trunks hard!
With a thunderous crash, the trunks exploded, unleashing a fierce Heavenly Wood Sword Qi that clashed violently with the Geng Metal Unmatched Slash.
Both shockwaves annihilated each other!
Seeing this, Gu Qianqiu showed a hint of surprise, then his sword once again unleashed sharp Sword Qi as he thrust towards Mu Jinyu!
At this moment, Mu Jinyu suddenly put away the bone whip treasure, employing 'Ten Steps Move,' advancing like a descending tiger, exuding an unstoppable and terrifying force, and formed a Fist Seal, punching directly at Gu Qianqiu's sword!
Gu Qianqiu saw this and showed a trace of disdain.
To use a fist against his sword—truly courting death.
Today, he would cripple Mu Jinyu's arm to teach him a lesson!