Chapter 314: Peacock Spirit Race

Gu Mo asked, puzzled, "Possessed by a ghost? Why describe it like that?"

Qi Tianshu turned his head to look at Gu Mo, chuckling, "He's very much like you, suddenly displaying many powerful martial arts.Back then, after I defeated Wang Yunshen and seized Mount Canglan, Wang Yunshen disbanded the Misty Sword Sect and moved with his family to Qingyang Prefecture. In less than a year, Wang Yunshen died of depression. Although his son's martial arts were decent, they were barely at a first-rate level. Forget about restoring Wang Yunshen's glory, he could barely even hold onto the family estate.Later, when Wang Dongli grew up, he once again made the Wang family's name known. However, strangely, Wang Dongli didn't rebuild the Misty Sword Sect; instead, he established the Dongli Sect, named after himself.At that time, the Four Swords Sects in Qingyang Prefecture were closely knit and supported each other, which greatly restricted the Dongli Sect's development. It remained confined to a single county town. Nevertheless, in those years, Wang Dongli didn't show a strong ambition to advance and was always known in the martial arts world for his gentle disposition.It wasn't until five years ago, when you investigated the cat demon case in Qingyang Prefecture and uncovered the sordid affairs of the Four Swords Sects. After that, the Four Swords Sects disintegrated overnight, and only then did the Dongli Sect emerge, seizing a large territory in Qingyang Prefecture.Even then, Wang Dongli showed no unusual traits, other than his martial arts being stronger than estimated by the martial arts world. This was quite normal, as the Dongli Sect had been confined to a corner for years, and Wang Dongli rarely made public appearances, so errors in the estimations of his martial arts were reasonable.However, starting last year, things became strange.Wang Dongli's personality suddenly changed dramatically. He abandoned his former gentle nature and became a martial arts fanatic, constantly challenging others with a very aggressive attitude. If someone refused to fight, he would block their doorway, annoying them until they finally engaged him.Fortunately, although he forcibly challenged others everywhere, his methods were limited to blocking doors and uttering provocative words; he didn't resort to despicable tactics like abducting wives or daughters to threaten people. This was one of the reasons I agreed to his challenge.Besides the dramatic change in personality, Wang Dongli's greater change was in his martial arts. Since last year, he has challenged over forty experts in Yunzhou, using no fewer than ten unrelated martial arts styles, none of which were from the Wang family. Yet, there's no trace of them belonging to any other sect or family."

At this point, Qi Tianshu looked at Gu Mo and asked, "Does that sound familiar?"Gu Mo smiled and said, "It is indeed very similar to me."Qi Tianshu continued, "You hunt down wanted criminals everywhere, while Wang Dongli challenges experts everywhere. From initially challenging top-tier masters to later challenging Grandmasters, and now he's come to challenge me. Even now, though we've arranged a fight for the ninth of this month, he's still challenging others today.You see, he's either fighting someone or on his way to fight someone. And you? You're either killing wanted criminals or looking for them, and you also display an endless array of mysterious and strange martial arts. You two must have stumbled upon the same fortune, right?"Upon hearing Qi Tianshu's words, a hint of suspicion truly arose in Gu Mo's mind.Could he really have encountered someone of his kind?"So, are you intrigued?" Qi Tianshu chuckled.Gu Mo nodded slightly and said, "I am one of the 'born with knowledge' who has awakened past life memories."Qi Tianshu exclaimed in surprise, "There truly are 'born with knowledge' people?"Gu Mo replied, "Is that so hard to believe? Emperor Xiao Zhaolin of Chu is known throughout the land for his innate double pupils. As natural-born sages, if one can have double pupils, then it's not strange for another to be 'born with knowledge,' is it?""Strange," Qi Tianshu retorted, "How can it not be strange? Double pupils merely indicate a special physique; while unusual, it's not incomprehensible. But awakening past life memories is truly too miraculous. Is there really reincarnation? Are there really past and present lives?"As Qi Tianshu posed his questions, Gu Chudong and Shen Bai also became very curious.The rumor about Gu Mo being a legendary 'born with knowledge' person had circulated in the martial arts world for a long time. Later, after Gu Mo intentionally or unintentionally acknowledged it, he became the third widely known natural-born sage, after Xiao Zhaolin and Ye Chen.However,While hearing rumors was one thing, hearing Gu Mo himself recount it still evoked immense shock and doubt.Gu Chudong, meanwhile, couldn't help but feel a little nervous.She had heard about Gu Mo awakening past life memories long ago, but she had concerns and so pretended not to know, never asking about it. Now, hearing Qi Tianshu's questions, she couldn't help but feel anxious.The only one present who didn't care was Hongyi, as her knowledge base contained information related to 'born with knowledge' individuals. To her, it was nothing out of the ordinary.

"How to explain it?"Gu Mo thought for a moment and said, "Since I've awakened past life memories, then there must be past and present lives, and there must be reincarnation, but not like the underworld or the Book of Life and Death from folk legends."As he spoke, Gu Mo looked at Qi Tianshu and continued, "You should still remember what happened with your master, the elder Yu Jinghong. Under normal circumstances, when a person dies, their consciousness and primordial spirit still exist.However, they don't last long. Unless there are special methods involving forbidden items like the White Jade Capital, or one reaches the Ascension Realm, generally, soon after death, consciousness dissipates, and the primordial spirit returns to the void, becoming the life substance of the world.Then, under certain coincidences, those substances recombine and form a new life that is born, thus completing the so-called reincarnation.So, strictly speaking, after reincarnation, there's no connection to the previous life; it's already a different person—in body, soul, mind, and will.However, the number of people reincarnated and born every day is immeasurable. Over decades or centuries, the number becomes impossible to calculate. With such a massive population being born, accidents are inevitable. Perhaps the life substance didn't return to the void completely, or amidst trillions of cycles, there must be an anomaly who suddenly remembers past life memories. This is the awakening of past life memories, or what is called being 'born with knowledge.'"Gu Chudong quickly asked, "Brother, what does that feel like? Are the emotions very profound?"Gu Mo shook his head, "They are basically negligible. Awakening past life memories is akin to having a dream, just a more complete and clearer one.People might remember emotions from a dream, but no one lives within those dream emotions. It's like watching another person's entire life from an observer's perspective, like watching a play or a revolving lantern."Gu Chudong secretly breathed a sigh of relief, whispering, "That's good, that's good, as long as my brother is still my brother!"Qi Tianshu then realized, "So, those martial arts of yours are from your past life? But they're completely unknown in the martial arts world?"Gu Mo calmly replied, "Don't you think there's a possibility that my cultivation realm is simply high enough that I comprehended them myself?""That's true, haha!" Qi Tianshu chuckled, "Hey, then in that case, it's very possible that Wang Dongli is also a 'born with knowledge' person like you?""That, I don't know," Gu Mo said, "But theoretically, it's unlikely. However, Wang Dongli's demonstrated characteristics also make it very possible."Regarding Wang Dongli's situation, as just described by Qi Tianshu, it indeed aligns very well with that of a natural-born sage. This is because Gu Mo had recently learned from the Venerable Huineng that the book spirit of the Great Sun Demonic Art was constantly searching for natural-born sages, and given the nature of the Great Sun Demonic Art, it would be normal for Wang Dongli to undergo a rapid transformation.Qi Tianshu let out a knowing chuckle, "Your realm is high, and you're a natural-born sage, so you can observe Wang Dongli closely then and see what's really going on with him!" After speaking, Qi Tianshu looked at Gu Mo and asked, "You're not in a hurry to leave this time, are you?""I shouldn't be," Gu Mo replied."That's great then!" Qi Tianshu chuckled, then suddenly pulled his fishing rod. A three-foot-long silver fish broke through the ice. He quickly shouted, "Shen Bai, take this fish to stew, and bring out that old liquor you stole from me! Tonight, we two men will have a good drink with Grandmaster Gu!"Shen Bai's face froze, and he sheepishly said, "Father-in-law, you knew?"Qi Tianshu snorted exasperatedly, "Don't I know my own daughter's character? Would that girl suddenly go clean my room for no reason? If it weren't for you, kid, telling her to steal my wine, how could she get into my room? A girl who's complained about my room smelling since she was little, sigh, truly a daughter married off is like spilled water..." As he spoke, Qi Tianshu angrily used his fishing rod to give Shen Bai a whack, grumbling, "You're no good either, making your wife steal your father-in-law's wine..."Shen Bai, holding the silver fish, scurried away.Gu Mo watched from the side, laughing heartily!

Time flowed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was the ninth day of the fifth month.Mount Canglan erupted in a great clamor.The summit of Mount Tianqin, originally a scenic and tranquil spot in the Canglan Mountain Range, was now bustling with noise. This was because Wang Dongli, the Grandmaster who had risen meteorically over the past year, was set to battle Qi Tianshu, formerly the top-ranked martial artist in Yunzhou and now second, here.Martial arts elders, sect leaders, family patriarchs from Yunzhou and surrounding areas, along with adventurers drawn by the news, packed the snow-covered mountaintop.The Six Doors also dispatched elite personnel, led personally by a commander, to maintain order and prevent chaos from the large crowd.The air was thick with a mixture of anticipation, excitement, and tension.The wind and snow seemed to have considerately lessened, with only scattered snowflakes falling, adding a touch of solemnity to the impending Grandmaster duel.As the host, Qi Tianshu naturally arrived early at the summit of Mount Tianqin. He stood silently amidst the wind and snow, allowing snowflakes to cover his entire body, unmoving like a snow sculpture.Gu Mo, Gu Chudong, Hongyi, and Shen Bai sat huddled around a small fire pit in a pavilion on a distant mountainside. All four were martial arts experts and not afraid of the cold. The reason for the fire pit was purely because Gu Mo had recently fallen in love with Qi Tianshu's treasured century-old aged wine. Boiling wine in the snow while watching a battle was a refined and tasteful pleasure!"Brother, Grandmaster Qi won't lose, will he?" Gu Chudong asked, "I heard that recently, Wang Dongli has challenged four Grandmasters in a row, and even Yunzhou's third-ranked Grandmaster was defeated by him. His sword momentum must be terrifyingly strong now!"Gu Mo slowly poured a cup of wine and said, "Grandmaster Qi's sword is also terrifyingly strong. In today's world, even Su Qianqiu and Old Heavenly Master Zhang cannot estimate Grandmaster Qi's limits!"Gu Chudong looked at Qi Tianshu in the heavy snow and was about to say something else when a clamor suddenly rose from Mount Tianqin. Someone shouted, "Wang Dongli is here!"Immediately, the crowd parted automatically.Wang Dongli slowly emerged from the dense crowd and leisurely walked up towards the summit.Gu Mo also stood up and walked to the edge of the pavilion, looking over.Wang Dongli appeared to be around forty, with a thin, gaunt face and a lean build. He wore a somewhat faded greenish-gray cloth robe, strikingly different from the image of a vengeance-fueled, deeply resentful avenger that Gu Mo had imagined.Wang Dongli's steps were steady, his gaze calm, even carrying a hint of gentleness. A simple, unassuming long sword was slung diagonally across his back.Were it not for the profound, restrained Grandmaster aura emanating from him, one might easily mistake him for an ordinary scholar.He was very calm, not even building up momentum, as if he had come to Mount Tianqin for sightseeing rather than a challenge.

Wang Dongli slowly walked to the open space reserved in the center of the ice lake. His gaze was serene as he looked at Qi Tianshu, who stood with hands clasped behind his back on the opposite mountaintop. He cupped his fist and bowed, his voice clear and steady, resounding across the entire area:"Wang Dongli of the Dongli Sect in Qingyang Prefecture greets Grandmaster Qi. Thank you, Grandmaster, for agreeing to this duel."His opening words surprised everyone. There were no angry accusations, no fierce condemnations, not even a hint of resentment.In fact, before today, the grievances between Wang Dongli and the Canglan Sword Sect had already spread throughout the martial arts world. Rumors were rampant that a descendant of the Wang family had endured for decades and now, finally, a gifted descendant had emerged to seek revenge.Therefore, most people assumed that today's battle would be a story of an avenger drawing his sword against his enemy.This was always a popular spectacle in the martial arts world.But at this moment,Wang Dongli's politeness made many spectators feel quite disappointed.Even Qi Tianshu was somewhat surprised. He slowly opened his eyes, and the snow covering his body instantly dispersed. Looking down at Wang Dongli, he said, "Sect Master Wang, your grandfather's death back then was indeed due to my youthful impetuosity. I apologize to your Wang family!""Grandmaster Qi, you've misunderstood. Today's challenge is not for old grievances."Wang Dongli's voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears. "My ancestor, Wang Yunshen, was defeated by Grandmaster Qi in a fair martial arts contest; he was simply outmatched and humbly accepted defeat. My ancestor's depression in his later years was due to an unresolved inner conflict, not your fault, Grandmaster. The entire Wang family has never considered that defeat an enmity."At these words, the entire crowd erupted in an uproar. Many had traveled thousands of miles, expecting to witness a fierce clash fueled by blood feud, but they never imagined Wang Dongli would say such a thing."For all these years, the Wang family has been able to live peacefully in Qingyang Prefecture, benefiting greatly from the Canglan Sword Sect's efforts in suppressing demonic forces and stabilizing the martial arts world," Wang Dongli continued, his tone still calm. "Today's challenge is merely for martial arts matters: first, to let my Wang family return to Mount Canglan, and second, to earn a name for myself. Wandering the martial arts world, one seeks nothing more than fame and fortune, right?"These words, candid and magnanimous, immediately won the favor and respect of many present. Even a trace of surprise and approval flashed in Qi Tianshu's eyes. He nodded slightly and declared, "Since Sect Master Wang is so direct, then I, this old man, shall say no more. Please enlighten me!"As his voice fell, a killing aura suddenly surged!Without any further pleasantries, both figures moved almost simultaneously.Wang Dongli flicked his wrist, and the ancient long sword slid silently from its sheath. A flash of sword light appeared, not the ethereal and elusive one might expect, but rather carrying a strange sense of weight. As the sword momentum unfolded, it was like an antelope hanging its horns—its trajectory cunning and unpredictable. With each tremor of the sword tip, it subtly stirred the surrounding wind and snow, transforming into countless fine ice crystal vortices that swept overwhelming towards Qi Tianshu!The sword technique's strangeness, the force's cunning, and the angles' deviation were such that no one present could name its style. All they felt was chilling cold and hidden killing intent.Facing this unpredictable attack, Qi Tianshu appeared calm and unperturbed.He did not draw his sword. Instead, he joined his fingers as if they were a sword, swinging them casually. Where his fingertips passed, sharp and unparalleled sword qi materialized out of thin air. Each strand of sword qi precisely struck the weakest points of Wang Dongli's sword momentum, where changes were about to occur but had not yet manifested.His movements seemed slow but were in fact as fast as lightning. His footwork shifted within a small area, like a leisurely stroll, yet he always managed to narrowly evade the opponent's most lethal attacks.

"Clang, clang, clang..."The sounds of sword qi clashing with sword edges were as dense as rain.Each collision of sword qi against sword edge, or sword qi against ice storm, unleashed visible concentric rings of energy waves.These waves, carrying shattered ice crystals and snow, swept outwards like white shockwaves, violently crashing against the rocks at the edge of the ice lake, producing thunderous "thump" sounds and dislodging large amounts of accumulated snow.The sturdy ice surface groaned under the residual power of the two masters, giving off stressed "cracking" sounds. A network of spiderweb-like cracks rapidly spread outwards from the two combatants.The wind and snow, stirred by their power, became utterly furious. No longer falling naturally, they formed massive, chaotic vortices, pulled by the surging true qi and sword intent of the two. At times, they soared skyward, at others, they swept wildly across the ice surface. The entire summit of Mount Tianqin seemed to transform into a chaotic domain dominated by ice, snow, and sword qi.Qi Tianshu's sword intent was pure and vast, imbued with the Grandmaster's aura of discerning all things and controlling the overall situation. No matter how strange and unpredictable Wang Dongli's sword techniques were, Qi Tianshu always resolved and suppressed them in the simplest, most direct manner.Although Wang Dongli's sword momentum was extraordinary, it remained constantly enveloped by Qi Tianshu's seemingly casual yet impenetrable sword net. He was completely unable to break through and was instead forced to retreat step by step, defending more than attacking.The spectators watched, dazzled. A Grandmaster's battle, every move contained a profound understanding of martial arts, from which they greatly benefited.Gu Mo stood a little further away, his gaze calm as he watched the scene. Shen Bai and Gu Chudong stood beside him, somewhat nervously. Hongyi's brow was slightly furrowed, as if sensing something."Three more moves, and Wang Dongli will lose!"Gu Mo drained the wine in his cup and sat down on a chair.Indeed, just as three moves passed,A sharp glint flashed in Qi Tianshu's eyes. His finger-pointing motion suddenly changed, transforming his fingers into a palm, and he lightly pressed it forward.An irresistible, colossal sword intent instantly coalesced. It was as if all the icy coldness of Mount Canglan had been drawn forth, transforming into an extremely condensed colossal ice sword, imbued with an intent to freeze all things, and it slashed thunderously towards Wang Dongli!This sword strike was unavoidable!Wang Dongli's expression subtly changed, and he horizontally blocked with his sword."Boom!"With a loud crash, vital energy surged outwards. The hard ice surface of the ice lake instantly cracked into a spiderweb-like pattern. Wang Dongli was hit as if by a heavy hammer, grunting, and was sent flying backward by the immense force. A dazzling jet of blood spurted from his mouth, and he crashed heavily onto the ice surface dozens of feet away. The ancient sword in his hand also flew out, sticking into the ice nearby, still humming. He struggled to stand but another mouthful of fresh blood welled up, his chest tearing open and seeping blood.Victory and defeat were decided!The field fell silent, then erupted in thunderous cheers.

However, just as everyone thought the dust had settled, Wang Dongli, who was lying on the ground, painfully lifted his head and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. His eyes, far from showing defeat, burned with a near-mad, fervent light. He gasped, his voice hoarse yet remarkably clear:"Grandmaster Qi... your martial arts are divine... This junior... I am truly impressed! However... this junior still has one more sword strike... please... critique it!"Before his words finished, a completely different aura suddenly erupted from Wang Dongli.Gu Mo, who had been about to pour himself more wine, stood up again. He stared intently, witnessing a truly miraculous scene: Wang Dongli's blood instantly froze and ignited with ice flames, and his wounds healed in an instant.He didn't pick up the sword on the ground. Instead, he painstakingly raised his right hand, joined his fingers like a sword, and pointed them distantly towards Qi Tianshu!This single point seemed ordinary.But at the moment his fingertip pointed, Gu Mo whispered:"Primordial Spirit power?!"Gu Mo clearly perceived a supremely condensed mental power, imbued with a shattering intent, like an invisible, sharp awl. It disregarded the spatial distance and directly pierced towards Qi Tianshu's glabella and Sea of Consciousness.Yet, this 'sword' was not purely Primordial Spirit power.Gu Mo could clearly sense that Wang Dongli's blood had frozen at that moment, yet he was still able to move. And from that frozen blood, strands of sword intent were released, remarkably compelling Wang Dongli's primordial spirit to unleash the externalization ability only achievable by those in the Ascension Realm.In that instant,Wang Dongli's primordial spirit, which should have been firmly fixed in his Sea of Consciousness, was forcibly externalized, transforming into a Primordial Spirit Sword that launched itself at Qi Tianshu.At this moment,Most people in the arena only felt a chilling sensation sweep through their hearts, but they didn't understand why. Only a few top masters, like Shang Buyu, vaguely sensed an indescribable terror descending.Facing this strange, unpredictable, and soul-targeting fatal blow, Qi Tianshu's eyes suddenly became incredibly bright. He declared in a deep voice, "Good sword!"Before his voice faded, a terrifying sword intent, as if it could tear the sky and annihilate all things, surged from Qi Tianshu.This sword intent was violent and decisive, filled with a destructive aura of mutually assured destruction and all things returning to the void.It was completely different from his usual calm demeanor when fishing!He joined his fingers into a sword and, facing the invisible Primordial Spirit awl, thrust a finger forward!There was no earth-shattering sound, only a sense of "annihilation" that seemed to freeze the very soul!Where Qi Tianshu's fingertip pointed, space itself seemed to subtly twist.At this moment,Gu Mo and Hongyi witnessed a peculiar scene.The Primordial Spirit Sword, which Wang Dongli had unleashed with his last ounce of strength,was, theoretically, a power of the Ascension Realm. Non-Ascension Realm energies should not be able to touch it; it should be able to disregard human martial arts.However, the moment it touched the destructive sword intent from Qi Tianshu's fingertip, it silently melted and disintegrated like ice and snow under a blazing sun. It was completely erased without even a ripple.At this moment,Gu Mo finally understood why both Zhang Daoqi and Su Qianqiu had held Qi Tianshu in such high regard, believing that even if Qi Tianshu couldn't enter the top five of the Qian Kingdom's Heavenly Ranking, he possessed the ability to drag anyone in the world down with him.It turned out that when Qi Tianshu fought with his life on the line, his sword intent could become powerful enough to elevate its energy level, allowing him to contend with primordial spirit power using the true intent of martial arts.It is well known that only Qi Cultivators can reach the Ascension Realm.This is because only Qi Cultivators can separate their primordial spirit from their physical body after cultivating to a certain realm.It seemed that Qi Tianshu had discovered a new path to Ascension.

"Pffft!"At this moment, Wang Dongli, as if struck by lightning, trembled violently in his already gravely injured body. Thin lines of blood oozed from his seven orifices. His eyes were filled with unbelievable horror and bewilderment as he stared fixedly at the slowly dissipating, heart-stopping aura of destruction from Qi Tianshu's fingertip, muttering, "This... what kind of sword is this..."Qi Tianshu slowly withdrew his finger, and the sword intent receded like a tide. A hint of weariness appeared on his face as he said, "This sword is called 'Born Towards Death.' You are the fourth person in this world to receive this sword strike from me."Wang Dongli asked, "Who are the other three?"Qi Tianshu replied, "Jiang Ruoxu, Su Qianqiu, and Zhang Daoqi!"Wang Dongli paused slightly, then coughed up a mouthful of blood. He cupped his fist towards Qi Tianshu and said, "Many thanks, Grandmaster, for sparing my life. I shall take my leave!"Immediately,Wang Dongli picked up his sword from the ground and staggered down the mountain.At this moment, in the pavilion on the other side, Hongyi suddenly said, "Master, Wang Dongli's last sword strike... it was a method of forcibly stimulating the primordial spirit using one's bloodline as a guide. This method originates from Penglai Island and was created by a member of the Peacock Spirit Tribe with the aid of the White Jade Capital!"Gu Mo raised an eyebrow, surprised, "The guardian spirit tribe of the Seven-Colored Peacock?"Gu Mo had encountered records of the Peacock Spirit Tribe while browsing in Dragon Tiger Mountain. The four divine beasts of the world—Azure Dragon, Fire Kirin, Black Tortoise, and Seven-Colored Peacock—all have corresponding guardian spirit tribes."It is that Peacock Spirit Tribe!" Hongyi affirmed.Gu Mo said, delighted, "So, you're saying it's possible that this Wang Dongli is from the Peacock Spirit Tribe?"Hongyi nodded slightly and added, "Furthermore, Master, do you remember the divination I performed for you before? To find Iron Head, you need to travel east. Wang Dongli also has the character 'Dong' (East) in his name!"