After the third elder, Gu Xuan, deflected the fierce attack launched by Lin Tian, the second ancestor of the Nine Blades Sect, a mocking smile spread across Gu Xuan's face. He let out a scornful laugh that echoed through the arena and said with confidence and sarcasm:
"It seems... we have a guest!"
Lin Tian's face trembled with rage, and his eyes blazed with fury and defiance. He raised his right hand and launched a terrifying energy attack toward Gu Xuan. But Gu Xuan did not retreat. On the contrary, he released his own energy and stood firm against the oncoming storm.
Before the two attacks clashed, Gu Xuan turned to Gu Rui Tian and Gu Lan and said firmly:
"Return to the ship. Now!"
They didn't argue. They obeyed immediately and returned to the massive celestial ship belonging to the Gu family. At that moment, Gu Xuan unleashed his full strength, using condensed earth and layered defenses that he formed within seconds to block the strike.
Gu Xuan's voice boomed, piercing the skies:
"Warriors! The Twelve Guardians of our clan—it's time to fight! Emerge now and show these scum what it means to approach a fire they cannot endure!"
The ground trembled under everyone's feet.
From the gates of the ship, twelve men emerged—each radiating an awe-inspiring presence like an earthquake shaking mountains. They wore golden-black armor and stood in perfect formation, wielding weapons that shimmered with celestial light.
Five of these warriors had reached the peak of the quasi-immortal level, while the other seven were at the peak of the Emperor level, striking sheer terror into the hearts of the elders and disciples of the Nine Blades Sect.
One disciple gasped:
"Oh my god... what is this power? Are these the true resources of the Gu family?!"
Another shouted bitterly:
"Damn the fourth elder! If he hadn't acted that way, we wouldn't be in this situation!"
Amid the chaos, the ground beneath the sect cracked open, releasing a strange energy that rumbled like a roar from the depths of hell.
Lin Tian, the second ancestor, screamed as he stared at the ground:
"They... they're awakening! The Seven Legendary Guardians! Everyone thought they died a thousand years ago... but they've returned!"
From deep beneath the earth, seven warriors emerged, each wearing a black cloak with crimson glowing eyes. Their faces were hidden behind iron masks engraved with ancient symbols. Their energy was terrifying.
One elder muttered in disbelief:
"They're alive! The Guardians have returned! Our sect will finally reclaim its status!"
The levels of these seven warriors ranged from early to peak quasi-immortal emperors, leading many to believe the Nine Blades Sect might regain balance.
But suddenly...
An overwhelming silence filled the battlefield.
An indescribable pressure emanated from the ship.
The very air grew heavier, the sky darkened to pitch black, and even the stars appeared to tremble.
Both ancestors, Lin Tian (second) and Shi Yu (third), dropped to their knees. Even the seven awakened guardians were forced to bow under this crushing pressure!
Panic spread among all.
"Who... who is on that ship?! Other than Gu Xuan, who could release such power?!"
At that moment… a calm yet incomparably dignified voice rang out:
"It seems... these youngsters have yet to recognize me."
Hearts trembled.
Everyone recognized the voice before its owner even appeared.
Gu Xuan smiled broadly and said:
"Our First Ancestor… it's time for your return!"
And finally… he emerged.
Gu Jing.
He appeared in the sky, walking through the air as if time and space parted before each step. His long gray hair flowed down his back, and his stern features spoke of a thousand battles and a thousand victories. He wore a black robe trimmed with gold, surrounded by a golden aura, and behind him spread enormous wings of energy shaped like a dragon and a phoenix.
At that very moment, a golden light burst from the ancestral shrine of the Nine Blades Sect.
The earth shook, and the sky roared.
From the shrine emerged an old man with a long white beard and eyes of deadly frost.
It was the sect's first ancestor—Hong Ting.
He said in a deep voice:
"I never expected… that you would appear again, Gu Jing!"
The entire sect trembled.
Some disciples began to weep, and elders collapsed to the ground.
One whispered:
"Oh god... is that Gu Jing? The man who erased Blue Jade City alone?!"
There was no one unfamiliar with the name.
Gu Jing... a forgotten legend, a being of absolute power who had vanished decades ago.
Currently, he stood at the peak of the Immortal Emperor realm, while Hong Ting had only reached the mid stage.
Suddenly…
A wild, thunderous laugh rang out, like lightning crashing through the heavens.
"Hahahaha! Gu Jing! I didn't expect you to crawl out of your shell again!"
Time itself seemed to stop for a moment.
Everyone turned toward the voice.
Even Gu Jing narrowed his eyes toward the horizon in surprise.
Who had spoken?
And who dared speak to Gu Jing that way?!
To be continued… in Chapter Twelve.
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