Not a single crow cawed, it was dead silent.

In the distance, one of Di Kan’s followers asked, “Young Valley Master, how did you foresee that he was so strong? You never had this kind of ability before!”

Di Kan didn’t speak. Like hell I foresaw anything! I knew he wasn’t weak, but I didn’t know he could be this strong!

***

However, Gu Han didn’t spare Chu Kuang a single glance. He only stared regretfully at his sword. “What a pity I still haven’t found it.”

Though the sword strike appeared effortless, he had actually gone all out, using every bit of comprehension and technique at his disposal. Yet he was still unable to release the sword light’s full power. Had he done so, Chu Kuang would be dead by now.

The crowd was dumbstruck. Haven’t found what? What are you trying to find! You already sent the famed heavenly pride Chu Kuang flying in one blow, what more do you want?!

In the distance, Chu Kuang forced himself to stand. He was a mess. His face was as pale as a ghost, while his white robes were drenched in blood. Unwillingness and resentment filled his bloodshot eyes. No trace of his courteous, powerful, and confident bearing remained.

Given his temperament, he would never have lost his composure even in defeat. Yet Gu han’s sword strike had reminded him of certain unpleasant experiences. In the past, a similarly effortless sword light had easily defeated him. Not only was his Dao foundation severed, even the Saint realm he had spent nearly half his life struggling to reach was erased.

Upon sensing his gaze, Gu Han raised an eyebrow. “That’s it? You’re not much either. Want to go again? Want me to let you have a hit?”

He was still somewhat dissatisfied from being unable to kill Chu Kuang.

Chu Kuang’s expression twisted. “GU! HAN!”

Gu Han and the old blind man suddenly overlapped in his mind. If Chu Kuang was mostly wary of him before, now they were nothing short of overwhelming hatred.

For some reason, Luan Ping found himself wishing that Chu Kuang would accept the offer. Yet Chu Kuang ultimately did not strike again. Without using his trump cards, he simply had no confidence in withstanding such a sword light.

Gu Han frowned deeply. If Chu Kuang refused battle, forcing a kill on him would be extremely difficult.

Murong Yan’s delighted laughter carried over. “Eight rings from the Dao Bell, a heavenly pride of his generation, can’t even beat my brother’s single ring? What the hell were you bragging about!”

With that one line, she had basically roasted everyone. Not a single one could muster a rebuttal. That universally praised heavenly pride, who had dominated the spotlight just moments ago, had been reduced into a drowned dog. How could they rebut? They had no ground to stand on!

Di Kan frowned deeply. “No! There’s absolutely no way he only has one ring.”

The crowd silently sneered. Yeah, even a blind man could—hm?

Suddenly, they caught the deeper implication in Di Kan’s words. Could it be... No way!

Just then, Zhao Mengyou’s voice rang out once more. “Young Master Gu, you really know how to deceive people.”

Compared to before, the cold detachment that kept others at arm’s length had vanished.

Gu Han raised an eyebrow. “Deceive? About what?”

Zhao Mengyou’s tone carried a hint of playful teasing. “Clearl, you have nine rings from the Dao bell, yet you insist that you have one ring. If that isn’t deception, what is?”

After hearing her words, the crowd had no more doubts that he was actually one of those four with nine rings from the Dao bell. If Chu Kuang’s eight rings had brought them shock before, then Gu Han’s nine rings now was a thunderclap.

In an instant, everyone’s gaze converged on Gu Han. The more they had dismissed him before, the more they valued him now.

Wu Han and Qi Jun’s faces turned sour. They felt like they had just been slapped dozens of times across the face!

That demon clansman’s flattery continued without pause. “Young Valley Master, excellent judgment!”

The corner of Di Kan’s mouth twitched. He suddenly felt very grateful that he had hair on his face, hiding his embarrassed expression from others.

Gu Han shook his head. “You’re wrong. I really did not elicit nine rings.”

No one believed him. At the same cultivation level, you nearly killed a heavenly pride with eight rings! If you aren’t, we’ll cut off our own heads!

Zhao Mengyou’s voice sounded again, noticeably colder than when she had spoken with Gu Han. “Zhang Kun, after returning, face the wall for a hundred years.”

Zhang Kun turned deathly pale. “Understood!”

Outsiders wouldn’t understand, but he knew he had just lost his status as a guardian.

Zhao Mengyou was somewhat angry and regretful. She regretted not intervening when Zhang Kun had acted earlier. Otherwise, combined with the favor of breaking the siege just now, her relationship with Gu Han would surely have advanced by a huge step!

The significance of nine rings from the Dao bell was extraordinary. Once this got out, many forces ten times stronger than the Tiansheng Hall would absolutely fight to recruit him. Still, it wasn’t like she had completely lost her chance.

Decisive by nature, she bit her rosy lip and quickly formed a plan. “Young Master Gu, might I invite you forward for a conversation?”

The crowd paused, their hearts once again flooding with bitterness. The Divine Maiden is actively trying to recruit him? Just like that, Chu Kuang has been completely outshone!

Murong Yan scratched her head. “Little girl, you’re not worried about this?”

Ah Sha was earnest. “No. Young Master won’t like her.”

In her heart, there was really only one real rival: the demoness. She had a feeling that faced with the demoness’s temptations, Gu Han would eventually lose his restraint.

Gu Han raised an eyebrow. “A conversation? Then you’ll need to show a bit of sincerity, won’t you?”

Sensing an opening, Zhao Mengyou’s tone even carried a hint of delight. “Oh? And what constitutes sincerity?”

Gu Han smiled very brightly. “You come down, and we’ll talk face to face.”

Elder Li’s expression darkened. This is outrageous! First that domineering Chu Kuang, now Gu Han! And he’s even worse! Who does he take our Divine Maiden for? Some servant girl he can summon and dismiss at will?

However, out of consideration for Zuo Yang’s reputation, he ultimately refrained from voicing a rebuke. He silently congratulated himself. Good! Our Divine Maiden is reserved and proud by nature. There’s no way she’ll—

“Alright,” said Zhao Mengyou.

Elder Li froze and nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood. Divine Maiden, w-where is your dignity?!

Following that, a delicate, slender hand appeared in everyone’s sight, gently lifting the curtain. It was as white as snow, sparking endless imagination.

Di Kan glanced once, then immediately looked away with disdain. “No hair!”

Gu Han’s smile grew even brighter. Now I’m seventy percent certain!

Wu Han and Qi Jun nearly blazed with jealousy. In the distance, Chu Kuang’s chest felt tight. His qi and blood churned violently and he spat out another mouthful of blood.

He nearly ground his teeth to dust. Bitch!

The crowd silently lamented. How pitiful...

He had drawn eight rings from the Dao Bell, hailed as a heavenly pride of his generation, yet Gu Han’s strike shattered it all. As if that weren’t enough, the Divine Maiden who had kept him at arm’s length, never once stepping down from her chariot, now showered Gu Han with favor. It could be said that everything Chu Kuang had done today had merely paved the way for Gu Han. His glory had only made Gu Han more glorious.

At this moment, the more Zhao Mengyou’s hand appeared, the darker Chu Kuang’s face became. The curtain lifted further, revealing a graceful, alluring figure. The thin veil covering her face only added to her enigma. Her waist was so slender, it seemed one could span it with two hands. A purple long dress adorned her, making her appear like a fairy descending to the mortal world.

The crowd was instantly dumbstruck.

Only Di Kan’s composure was unmatched. “That’s it? Not even one-tenth as beautiful as my Xiao Rou!”

Xiao Rou was the ape clan young woman.

Ah Sha glanced at Zhao Mengyou’s chest, then looked at her own, and felt a little angry. I can’t compare...

Zhao Mengyou greeted him gracefully, “Young Master Gu, may we talk now?”

Gu Han’s smile was somewhat unsettling. “You’re too far away. Come, come closer. Let me get a good look.”

Zhao Mengyou felt a bit flustered.

Elder Li’s eyes nearly blazed with fire as he stared intently at Gu Han, wishing he could tear him apart on the spot. You brute, what exactly are you trying to see?!