FIMA Ch155: Loud and Clear

The previously quiet front of the Cultivation Technique Pavilion suddenly buzzed like boiling water.

“The unfinished duel from the Five Mountain Grand Competition two years ago—is it finally happening?”

“When is it starting? I must watch it!”

“A showdown between the top disciple and Junior Brother Ji… it’s really exciting…”

Though there were only a dozen or so people at the pavilion’s entrance, they were chattering like a flock of ducks on stage, discussing fervently.

No other sound could be heard.

Xie Xueyi’s bright eyes scanned Gu Siyuan’s face, and he said with a grin: “As expected of our top disciple, not only impressive but also decisive.”

Gu Siyuan glanced at him: “Weren’t you just saying you were angry?”

Xie Xueyi blinked, his eyes shining brightly with excitement: “So, did you propose this because of me?”

Gu Siyuan interrupted calmly: “No, just incidentally.”

“Ah, no need to be shy, brother. I understand, my heart matches yours.” Xie Xueyi clung to his sleeve like a three-year-old begging for candy.

“No… I’m not, I didn’t think…”

Not far away, Ruan Li, hearing the commotion, turned pale.

He had only intended to taunt Gu Siyuan verbally. How… how did it come to this?

He had already fallen out of favor with Ji Jinghuan recently. If he acted too rashly again, it would only make Ji Jinghuan dislike him more…

Especially since Jinghuan had lost considerable cultivation power to save Xiao Xinchi. He had overheard elders suggesting Jinghuan go into seclusion for some time to stabilize his foundation, warning against rash actions.

Now this…

Panicking, Ruan Li instinctively looked towards the third floor of the Cultivation Technique Pavilion.

Gu Siyuan noticed this out of the corner of his eye and raised an eyebrow: “Is Junior Brother Ji here too? Perfect, let’s set the time and place.”

“How did you know…” Ruan Li widened his eyes, but stopped mid-sentence.

The onlookers had already caught on.

A disciple said: “I think I saw Junior Brother Ji on the third floor.”

“Oh, I remember now. This morning is Ziji Mountain’s Dao Discussion Conference. Traditionally, after the discussion, they all come to the pavilion to choose or replace spiritual techniques.”

“Right, right. It was Junior Brother Ji who brought them over. No wonder the pavilion was full of disciples in purple robes.”

Just then, a group of people emerged from the pavilion.

All in purple robes, with a few in blue, white, red, and other colors mixed in.

They had been selecting cultivation techniques and spiritual skills inside, but upon hearing the commotion outside, especially about a potential duel between the top disciples, they eagerly put down their jade slips and came out to watch.

“Is there really going to be a duel? Where?”

“I definitely have to watch it. Tell that guy to postpone his seclusion. Missing this battle would be a lifelong regret!”

“Yes, I’ve always thought Junior Brother Ji should have fought the top disciple long ago.”

Xiao Xinchi saw the situation escalating and more people gathering. He glanced at Ruan Li with a bitter expression: “Cousin, you shouldn’t have provoked the top disciple just now.”

Ruan Li was initially flustered, but upon hearing Xiao Xinchi speak, he was only left with anger.

That wretch Xiao Xinchi, always pretending to be so considerate, what right did he have to lecture him?

“What did I do wrong? Wasn’t I speaking the truth? If Jinghuan hadn’t been injured saving you, his cultivation unstable, what’s the problem with him challenging now? Jinghuan is the rightful top disciple.”

Some disciples who had just come out of the pavilion were from Qingchen Mountain, naturally siding with Gu Siyuan.

Hearing this, they were instantly furious: “You Zi Mountain folks are something else. Disqualified from the competition for breaking the rules, now the top disciple graciously offers a rematch, and you use injuries as an excuse…”

“Hah, always making excuses, avoiding a fair fight, acting like common riffraff, gossiping behind people’s backs.”

“Hmph, by that logic, I should be your top disciple. Why? No reason, I just think I should be. I feel I can crush all of you from Ziji Mountain.”

“Hahaha, senior brother, I agree you should be the top disciple. Your thinking matches Ziji Mountain’s perfectly. No reason, no need to fight, just having a mouth is enough.”

The provocation was obvious.

Ziji Mountain disciples immediately took offense: “What did you say? How dare you insult our Ziji Mountain!”

“You want to die? Come fight us if you dare!”

The front of the Cultivation Technique Pavilion turned into complete chaos.

The few disciples from Qingchen Mountain looked at the dozens, nearly a hundred, people opposite them, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Damn, what bad luck today, running into Ziji Mountain’s Dao Discussion Conference, with most of the purple-robed disciples here.

At this moment, the sound of light footsteps approached, steady and powerful, pleasant to hear.

A tall, slender figure walked over, standing protectively in front of them, facing the angry crowd alone, with a clear voice: “If we’re going to fight, let’s start with me!”

The scene was in an uproar.

The disciples of Ziji Mountain looked at the figure opposite them, their expressions changing slightly. Whether they admitted it or not, since he was the first in the Five Mountain Grand Competition, he was undeniably the top disciple of the Immortal Sect.

If they dared to act, it would be an offense.

The few disciples of Qingchen Mountain, looking at the back of their own top disciple, inexplicably felt like crying.

But more than that, they felt an inner sense of reassurance.

In an instant, they were filled with boundless courage. Ignoring the fact that the other side outnumbered them by dozens of times, they shouted loudly, “Come on, fight! Who’s afraid? Our Qingchen Mountain isn’t like you, all talk and no action.”

“Yeah, let’s fight now,” said a young disciple of Qingchen Mountain, looking towards Ruan Li not far away. “Aren’t you Junior Brother Ji’s fiancée? Hurry and call him here too. Let’s settle this once and for all, so we don’t have to hear excuses later.”

Others echoed, “Right, call Junior Brother Ji too. Let’s finish this once and for all.”

“I… I… no…”

Ruan Li’s previously handsome face turned deathly pale, completely flustered.

How could he dare go?

How would Ji Jinghuan look at him?

…

By the window on the third floor of the Cultivation Technique Pavilion.

An elderly and a young figure watched everything below.

“Go down and bring him up,” said the gray-clad elder. “Huan’er, you’re excellent in everything except you’re too indecisive in matters of the heart. How can such a fool be worthy of you?”

Ji Jinghuan’s expression was somewhat unpleasant, but he didn’t know what to say. He nodded and turned to go downstairs.

The Cultivation Technique Pavilion had five floors.

Each floor had a guardian elder, all in the Nascent Soul stage, and the third-floor guardian elder came from Ziji Mountain, being Ji Jinghuan’s grandmaster uncle.

In front of the Cultivation Technique Pavilion.

Xie Xueyi looked at Gu Siyuan’s still cold face, wondering how to end this situation.

The disciples of Qingchen Mountain, though few in number, created the impression of an army.

“Junior Brother Ji’s fiancée, what are you waiting for? You started this, but now you’re cowering. What do you think our Qingchen Mountain is?”

Ruan Li stumbled back a few steps, almost wanting to flee the scene.

At this moment, a voice sounded: “Junior Brother Ji.”

Ruan Li jerked his head up. Despite the call coming from the person he hated most, Xiao Xinchi, he felt a glimmer of hope.

He called out mournfully, “Jinghuan…”

Ji Jinghuan, however, seemed not to hear. His gaze lightly swept past Xiao Xinchi beside Ruan Li and then directly walked towards Gu Siyuan in the middle of the crowd.

Ji Jinghuan cupped his hands in salute: “Senior Brother.”

It was “Senior Brother,” not “Top Disciple.” Even now, he maintained his pride.

The mountain path rustled with the wind, leaves fluttering.

Gu Siyuan raised his eyes to the person before him, his expression cold: “Junior Brother Ji finally arrived, making everyone wait.”

Ji Jinghuan shook his head, emotions unclear: “Though the Five Mountains compete, we ultimately belong to the same Immortal Sect. I truly don’t wish to intervene and add to the strife. I hoped Senior Brother could handle it properly, but it seems things have escalated to the point of drawing swords.”

Hearing this, Xie Xueyi’s face darkened with displeasure.

What an interesting remark. Though he claimed it was his own fault, he was subtly blaming Gu Siyuan for mishandling the situation.

Gu Siyuan narrowed his eyes, his expression indifferent: “I’m not as capable as Junior Brother Ji, who can sit tight and have a loyal fiancée charging ahead for him.”

Ji Jinghuan’s mouth twitched slightly.

Was this implying he instructed Ruan Li to act this way, causing such consequences?

“Ruan Li, being from a rural background and of a free-spirited nature, often acts inappropriately. I deeply regret it and will ensure stricter discipline in the future,” Ji Jinghuan said.

Gu Siyuan looked at him coldly: “So, Junior Brother has no intention of challenging me?”

Ji Jinghuan, composed and graceful, said loudly, “Of course not. At the grand ceremony before, I was disqualified for not participating on time, which was my fault. Senior Brother earned the first place by sect rules. I certainly can’t privately challenge Senior Brother, as that would be disrespectful to both the sect and its rules.”

Xie Xueyi sneered.

Saying Gu Siyuan earned the first place by rules implies not by strength.

Ji Jinghuan, this guy, really knows how to play with words, setting traps everywhere…

Just then, Gu Siyuan’s voice rang out.

“Junior Brother Ji is clever. I earned the first place by rules, not by strength, right? Not being able to fight you is a pity. I hope you truly respect the sect and its rules and don’t be late for major events like the Five Mountain Grand Competition, causing unnecessary disputes.”

Xie Xueyi widened his eyes at Gu Siyuan.

He and his brother really have a connection.

“…” Ji Jinghuan was momentarily speechless, embarrassed.

Gu Siyuan, what’s with him? People of their status shouldn’t speak so bluntly, lacking restraint and class.

After a moment, Ji Jinghuan slowly explained: “Senior Brother misunderstood my actions, causing regret.”

Gu Siyuan had no intention of engaging in a verbal spat. He glanced at Ji Jinghuan and then at the Ziji Mountain crowd: “Since that’s the case, today’s matter ends here. As disciples of the Immortal Sect, we must uphold the rules, speak and act with caution, and conduct ourselves with discipline.”

“We respectfully follow the Top Disciple’s teachings,” everyone responded in unison.

Gu Siyuan and Xie Xueyi turned and walked towards the Cultivation Technique Pavilion.

They had been here for a while and hadn’t yet done their proper business.

Ji Jinghuan led Ruan Li and Xiao Xinchi down the mountain, his eyes dark.

Ruan Li didn’t dare make a sound.

At that moment, they passed by a giant black pillar piercing the clouds on the square.

Ruan Li glanced at Ji Jinghuan’s expression, trying to please him, “Jinghuan, your name is at the very top of the testing pillar, measuring eighty-six zhang and nine cun. You possess the Six Yang Physique and practice the ‘Purple Sun Burning Heaven Technique.’ Who among your peers can match you? Even the Holy Son of the Mingguang Immortal Sect, having cultivated their sect’s core technique to the fourth level, only reached eighty-seven zhang, which is on par with you, let alone some others…”

Xie Xueyi, who had just stepped into the threshold of the Cultivation Technique Pavilion, stopped and looked back at the unrepentant individual with a raised eyebrow, “Haven’t you learned your lesson?”

Ruan Li’s expression changed slightly, but he stubbornly held his ground, “I… I didn’t say who.”

The originally quiet crowd once again buzzed with murmurs and discussions.

Although the fight between Gu Siyuan and Ji Jinghuan didn’t happen, regardless of today’s events and who was at fault, strength was still strength, and everyone had their own opinions.

Especially when it came to the testing pillar, which measured the full power of each disciple’s strike, representing their raw strength on paper.

In the Taixuan Immortal Sect, the person with the best record was naturally Ji Jinghuan, with eighty-six zhang and nine cun.

Gu Siyuan had tested a year ago, reaching exactly eighty-five zhang.

The nearly two-cun difference was why most in the sect believed Ji Jinghuan was the strongest among his peers.

Xie Xueyi clenched his fists.

At that moment, he noticed out of the corner of his eye that the person beside him suddenly moved. He quickly turned his head.

Gu Siyuan gently extended his right hand.

His open, broad palm seemed to welcome the descent of the Milky Way.

And in the next instant, countless silver-white lights flashed between his fingers, brilliant and dazzling, gathering without dispersing, as if a star had fallen into his palm.

Simultaneously, a sudden wind came from nowhere.

Gu Siyuan’s long black hair, draped over his shoulders, suddenly flew up.

Those present, especially those with higher cultivation and spiritual power, felt a slight shiver, sensing an inexplicable sense of impending danger.

Though it was still afternoon.

The sky above them seemed to darken instantly.

Next, countless stars shone in the sky.

And the starlight, falling in countless specks from above, gathered towards Gu Siyuan like summer fireflies.

A layer of silver-white starlight gradually enveloped Gu Siyuan’s body.

“Astral Form…” An illusory figure formed from countless star lights extended from around him, gradually expanding outward, finally becoming a massive starry figure several meters tall.

The starry figure emitted a dazzling light, turning the previously darkened sky as bright as day.

Gu Siyuan raised his hand, and the astral form raised its hand, lightly pressing forward.

In the next instant, the towering testing pillar shone brightly.

“Oh my… this… this is the Astral Form!”

“The Astral Form has appeared! Senior Brother has reached the fourth level of the ‘Nine Heavens Star Technique’!”

“It’s really the Astral Form! Is Senior Brother testing now?!”

“A year ago, Senior Brother measured eighty-five zhang without the Astral Form. How much will it be this time?”

On the testing pillar, a light started from the first cun, then streaked upward like a meteor, surpassing eighty-five zhang, eighty-six zhang, eighty-six zhang and nine cun, and even eighty-seven zhang, finally stopping at eighty-eight zhang and four cun.

“It’s surpassed, surpassed!”

“It surpassed the Holy Son of Mingguang by one zhang and four cun!”

At this moment.

The light slap Gu Siyuan gave to the testing pillar, though gentle, felt like a slap in the face to several people present.

Ruan Li’s face turned pale, then red, then pale again.

Thinking of what he had just said and looking at the eyes around him, he wished he could disappear on the spot.

In Ji Jinghuan’s eyes, a barely noticeable dark storm brewed.

“The Astral Form is amazing!”

“Haha, the Astral Form is indeed powerful, and there’s the Star Plucking Hand…”

“Haha, what does Mingguang Immortal Sect have to boast about! Haha, the number one under heaven is our Taixuan Immortal Sect!”

“Senior Brother is truly impressive!”

Everyone was excited to the extreme, wanting to turn back to find their Senior Brother, but found that he was no longer there.

The boundless starlight had also dispersed.

Only the name and mark at the top of the testing pillar proved what had just happened.

Everyone remained in the square.

Gu Siyuan and Xie Xueyi entered the Cultivation Technique Pavilion.

Xie Xueyi mischievously walked backward, “Brother, you were so impressive just now. How come I can’t learn even a tenth of your show-off style?”

Gu Siyuan’s expression was indifferent, “It’s boring and a waste of time. There’s no need to learn it.”

Xie Xueyi smiled, “What’s boring about it? It felt amazing. So, did you really plan to fight Ji Jinghuan and the people of Ziji Mountain to shut them up completely?”

Gu Siyuan nodded, “Why not?”

Xie Xueyi chuckled, “A group fight is exciting, but they outnumber us by more than ten times. Even if you can hold your own one-on-one, aren’t you afraid that if they all rush us, we’ll suffer a great loss?”

Gu Siyuan glanced at him, “If we’re prepared to fight, why worry about such a small thing as suffering a loss?”

Xie Xueyi nodded, “True.”

Gu Siyuan seemed to deliberately tease him and added, “Moreover, I saw from afar that today’s guardian elder on the first floor of the Cultivation Technique Pavilion is Elder Lu. He comes from Qingchen Mountain and is the junior brother of the mountain master. He probably won’t let us suffer too much.”

Xie Xueyi blinked, “The guardian elder should be a Nascent Soul cultivator, right?”

Gu Siyuan nodded.

Xie Xueyi frowned, “If a Nascent Soul cultivator intervenes, won’t the guardian elder from Ziji Mountain also get involved? Wouldn’t that escalate the situation, possibly alarming the mountain master and sect leader?”

Gu Siyuan pinched his cheek lightly and said calmly, “If the mountain master and sect master intervene, do you think this fight would still happen? Would they allow the two mountains to battle to the death over a verbal dispute?”

“…,” Xie Xueyi was speechless.

Xie Xueyi sincerely exclaimed, “You truly deserve to be Senior Brother.”

While others think only one step ahead, you’ve already thought three steps ahead.

He had spent years in the demonic path but had never seen such deep schemes.

“Your Qingchen Mountain lineage has produced another excellent disciple!” A faint sigh echoed from deep within the Cultivation Technique Pavilion.

The guardian elder, who had been on the first floor, appeared silently, chuckling, “The conflict between righteousness and evil is intensifying, and the world is becoming more chaotic. Being too clever isn’t always easy.”

“Those who are capable should shoulder more responsibilities. The Immortal Spirit Secret Realm is about to open. This time, the Immortal Sect might achieve unexpected gains, which could significantly influence the future situation,” the initial voice replied.

“Let’s hope so!”