[Discussion Platform Inner Mansion Realm Ranking, 87th.]

[Discussion Platform Inner Mansion Realm Ranking, 82nd.] 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

[...76th.]

[...53rd.]

Jiang Wang, having unleashed his Divine Skills, surged forward relentlessly. With combat skills he honed on the brink of death, he found hardly any contenders who could match him before the Samadhi True Fire and the Boundless Wind.

Not until he challenged the 27th ranked opponent did he slightly decelerate because he encountered an acquaintance.

Zuo Guangshu.

It was not surprising to encounter Zuo Guangshu,

A stubborn and diligent youth, he led a dull and monotonous life, dedicating his days to cultivating or battling in the Taixu Illusion Realm. As long as one climbed the ranks in the Inner Mansion, a confrontation was inevitable.

As their platforms merged, Jiang Wang greeted him with a smile, "Long time no see."

This was his first conversation with an opponent since he climbed from the 92nd to the 28th rank.

Zuo Guangshu also smiled upon seeing him, "Not that long. I’ve heard your name several times."

Jiang Wang felt a natural closeness to him and teased, "It seems your family has collected quite a lot of information for you."

Zuo Guangshu tilted his head, "Yes, defeating Ji Shaoqing who possessed Heavenly Gate Powers surely made you quite the sensation. I wonder how many are studying you, considering you a hypothetical rival for the Yellow River Gathering."

Jiang Wang gained fame within Qi Country by defeating Wang Yiwu at the same realm. However, his wider recognition came when he dominated the Near Sea Archipelago, hailed by many as the top Inner Mansion Cultivator of the Near Sea.

Of course, news from overseas was always slow to reach the mainland. Moreover, with the Near Sea Archipelago forming the Seize Sea Alliance and establishing the Sea Hero Chart, the affairs of the Sea Clan spread across the world... Against such significant events, mere conflicts at the Inner Mansion level seemed trivial. Jiang Wang’s name was not widely known, and not many discussed the battles at the End of the World Platform.

But every prodigy intent on making a name at the Yellow River Gathering would not overlook such an opponent.

Thus, Zuo Guangshu also ended up hearing his name several times, willingly or unwillingly.

Jiang Wang shook his head, "I haven’t yet received orders to participate in the Yellow River Gathering."

"Among Qi Country’s Inner Mansion Cultivators, you are the only one who can carry the flag, right?" Zuo Guangshu was quite confident in him, "By the time Zhongxuan Zun would come out, the parsnips would have gone cold. Members of the Royal Family can’t participate in the battle. Then there’s the reputedly formidable Wang Yiwu, but isn’t he one of your defeated foes?"

Laughter filled Jiang Wang’s eyes, "Qi Country is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Who knows if there’s a dark horse just waiting to surprise us?"

Zuo Guangshu wrinkled his nose, "You’re speaking just like those people now, all pretentious. Wait, that’s always been you, blurting out nonsense since the beginning. Just like Dugu Wudi."

Jiang Wang blushed.

That unfortunate kid, though terribly handsome, was somewhat petty. Dugu Wudi was a matter of ancient history, yet he still brought it up.

"By your account-keeping, your brother must have left behind countless loopholes in your books!"

Jiang Wang instinctively prepared to joke in this manner, but thankfully stopped himself before speaking.

"Master Ling Yue, small people don’t hold grudges against their betters; does that work for you?" He also used the name Zuo Guangshu took in the Taixu Illusion Realm.

Zuo Guangshu responded irritably, "How much older are you than me?"

"There’s nothing I can do about that." Jiang Wang feigned helplessness, "Everything in the world might change, but the fact that I am older than you has already happened and can’t be altered."

"Another way to put it, you are older than me," Zuo Guangshu pouted, "Old Ginger!"

As Zuo Guangshu got to know Jiang Wang better, he occasionally displayed some childlike temperament. The initial coldness and pride seemed increasingly rare. This was a sign of their growing closeness.

Despite his noble birth, his domain was deep and protected, devoid of confidantes. At a young age, he had witnessed much of the world’s coldness and warmth.

Jiang Wang chuckled, "Then here’s to me becoming a divine being soon, forever young!"

After facing the verbally destructive talents of Xu Gaoe and Zhongxuan Pang, Jiang Wang wasn’t about to be outmatched by a young man from the Zuo family who hardly ever stepped outside his own doors.

Zuo Guangshu, with a sudden seriousness, said, "Fellow Daoist, let’s not boast with words. Let’s see the truth in action instead!"

"Ling Yue, young master, please." said Jiang Wang, his tone light and breezy as he particularly stressed the word ’young,’ gesturing gracefully, infuriatingly composed.

Zuo Guangshu scoffed, "I was thinking of not using my divine skills and just fighting this out. But having met you today, I’ve decided to unleash my full potential."

His willingness to unleash his divine skills in the Taixu Illusion Realm was perhaps not solely due to encountering Jiang Wang. Another reason was likely a confirmation of the secrecy of the Taixu Illusion Realm.

Zuo Guangshu, who also held a key to the Taixu Illusion Realm, had achieved a prestigious name among the Six Harmonies cultivators and came from a notable family. There was no reason for him not to know what Jiang Wang could learn.

However, what caught Jiang Wang’s attention was, this young man had reached the twenty-seventh rank within the Inner Mansion Realm of the Taixu Illusion Realm solely with Dao Technique?

Jiang Wang thought to himself, it would be very difficult to achieve this without unleashing divine skills. Without the enhancement of the Boundless Wind, the Human Dao Sword technique wasn’t enough to decisively win at this level of battle, and the Eight Sounds Annihilating the Seas was repeatedly resisted...

Zuo Guangshu truly had exceptional talent!

But what came out of his mouth was, "Then today, I, too, will exert just thirty percent of my strength!"

Once in battle mode, Zuo Guangshu’s demeanor completely transformed.

He and Jiang Wang were old rivals, having sparred countless times. Thus, he skipped the probing phase, and the fight started at its peak.

Water elements formed.

They surged like a fountain, pulsing fiercely.

Over his body, there flowed a river, solidifying into a glimmering water-colored battle armor. Behind him, the water streamed down, flicked into the air to form a blue cape.

His eyes became like lakes, like rivers.

Looking into his eyes, one could see all bodies of water, except Zuo Guangshu was no longer visible.

His divine skill, River Lord!

The River Lord, master of all waters!

He ruled over the waters of the world, the rivers in every direction.

As Zuo Guangshu revealed his River Lord power on the Discussion Platform, all water elements within its bounds surrendered to him.

With a simple gesture, winds rose and waves towered, crashing down almost crushingly.

At that moment, the Eight Sounds Annihilating the Seas became meaningless.

Fire Dao Techniques of the Outer Building tier and below stood no chance in such circumstances.

Jiang Wang pointed forward, and Samadhi True Fire blazed forth, burning a hole straight through the massive wave.

There, in that hollow, he lunged forward, walking through the fire.

Zuo Guangshu mocked, "Worthy of being called Dugu Wudi! Even using the Samadhi True Fire, you only exerted thirty percent of your strength."

His azure cape fluttered as he pressed down with both hands.

Huge waves arose, and the towering waves enveloped the Discussion Platform, turning it into a vast ocean!

Everywhere within reach, above and below, was overtaken by the water, transforming the place into a world of water.

This scene was like a flashback to their first battle.

Imprisoning Jiang Wang within the water!