The Lingxi Sword Sect was exterminated,

In front of many witnesses, this renowned and righteous sect that had stood over a hundred years in the Pingyang Martial World was thus wiped out.

Gu Zhan, the Embroidered Uniform Guard Thousand Households, gathered together numerous martial world gangs from the Youyang region and charged straight into the Lingxi Sword Sect’s mountain gate, leaving a river of blood and wails echoing everywhere.

That night, atop Lingxi Mountain, the stench of blood filled the air,

That episode of slaughter began at dusk the previous day, continuing until dawn the next morning. The ground was awash in blood,

Gu Zhan, as a Great Cultivator,

personally struck down the Lingxi Sword Array, and then spent the whole night slaughtering. Those who accompanied him were all shaken to the core—he was like a killing machine, chasing the surviving members over the mountains and valleys,

On this night,

it utterly proclaimed the end of the Lingxi Sword Sect,

Almost all high-ranking and personally taught disciples perished.

The morning sun cast streaks of red light, shining on the blood within the sect’s mountain gate, rendering it eerily enchanting.

Patriarch Gu, Gu Fengwei, led the Gu Family’s high elders and several hundred disciples up Lingxi Mountain. When the Gu disciples saw the carnage left behind, many of the younger ones began to vomit; even the most seasoned old hands of the martial world found themselves uneasy.

Judging from the environment along the way, they could only imagine what kind of nightmare the disciples on this Lingxi Mountain suffered through last night.

In many people’s hearts, the words "God of Slaughter" flashed up once again,

Before they had seen this God of Slaughter,

they already felt his terrifying presence.

Gu Fengwei’s face looked awful as he strode quickly up the mountain.

The Lingxi Sword Sect, mountain gate collapsed, smoke still curling everywhere.

As they approached the entrance,

they saw Gu Shanyun and Gu Mo, father and son, hurrying out.

Gu Fengwei hurried forward and said, "Second brother, such a massacre truly defies the Celestial Dao! Why didn’t you try to stop Gu Zhan?"

Gu Shanyun shook his head helplessly and replied, "If I could have stopped him, I would’ve done so long ago. I truly have no idea what that child has been through—his bloodlust is frightening. And those Embroidered Uniform Guards he brought with him, every one of them is cut from the same cloth, killing without so much as a blink. They’re just like... the Embroidered Uniform Guard of thirty years ago..."

Gu Fengwei took a deep breath and glanced around, exclaiming, "Where is Rou’Er?"

"Don’t worry, Rou’Er is fine," Gu Shanyun said. "That girl is rather fond of her cousin Gu Zhan. She’s been following him this whole time. Right now, they’re probably searching for the Lingxi Sword Sect’s martial arts secret manuals. Gu Zhan is obsessed with martial arts."

Gu Fengwei said, "To have reached such cultivation at his age, he must indeed be mad for the martial path. Only..."

As he spoke, Gu Fengwei looked over the ruined surroundings and said, "The situation has become troublesome. I thought Gu Zhan would kill a few and disband the Lingxi Sword Sect, but I didn’t think he would actually slaughter the whole sect. The Five Great Sects will definitely seize the opportunity to make a move; and, with a single slip, he’ll be branded as Demon Dao, becoming a public enemy in the martial world!"

Gu Mo, who hadn’t spoken all along, suddenly said, "You know, truthfully, Gu Zhan’s actions are no different from those Demon Dao murderers who exterminate whole clans, perhaps even more ruthless."

Gu Shanyun shot Gu Mo a glare and said, "If you’ve nothing good to say, keep your mouth shut."

Having scolded him, Gu Shanyun looked at Gu Fengwei and asked, "Patriarch, what now?"

Gu Fengwei pondered for a moment, then said, "Take me to see Gu Zhan first. What we should do now is leave for Pingyang City at once. It’s best if the Sixth Young Master personally invites the Kaiyang Sub-Branch to mediate, suppress this matter first. If all else fails, we may have to relinquish the Embroidered Uniform Guard, bring Gu Zhan back to the Gu Family, and only act again when things quiet down."

As he spoke, the several high-ranking members of the Gu Family headed into the mountain gate.

Soon,

they arrived at a cluttered great hall.

As soon as they entered, they saw Gu Zhan sitting on the ground, surrounded by piles of books and bamboo slips.

Gu Zhan was reading intently.

"Brother, I found a few more secret manuals here, come see if you like any of them!"

Gu Rou came running out of a room, hugging an armful of books; seeing Gu Fengwei and the others, she quickly called out, "Patriarch, Father, you’re here!"

Gu Fengwei nodded, leading the group before Gu Zhan. Glancing at the focused Gu Zhan, he hesitated, then cupped his hands. "Gu Qianhu..."

Gu Zhan raised his hand slightly and said, "Wait a moment."

Gu Fengwei paused, looking at Gu Shanyun for guidance.

Gu Shanyun looked helpless and nodded.

Gu Fengwei then motioned for the others to stand aside.

The great hall fell into silence,

The members of the Gu Family began to size up Gu Zhan,

But, covered in blood, hair disheveled, nothing much was apparent—except for the two Horizontal Sabers stabbed into the ground beside him, each giving off a chilling air.

Gu Zhan ignored the Gu Family crowd,

continuing to sort through the Lingxi Sword Sect’s martial arts secret manuals—his heart remained impassive,

He was neither satisfied nor disappointed with the Lingxi Sword Sect’s collections. Mediocre, nothing more.

There wasn’t much of use to him. As for cultivation techniques, only one—the "Lingxi Secret Technique," which only the sect leader could practice. This Inner Power Heart Method was well-balanced and enduring, but in terms of explosive power, it was far inferior to the Creation Skill. However, it could be cultivated up to the Third Realm of the Dao Realm—the Profound Mysterious Realm.

As for martial arts, there were plenty of Profound and Yellow Tiers, but they were useless to Gu Zhan. There were two Earth Tier Lower Grade swordsmanship manuals, but even these held little significance for the current Gu Zhan.

Soon, having sorted through all the Earth Tier martial arts,

Gu Zhan finally put down the books and looked up.

Off to one side, Gu Shanyun quickly said, "Gu Qianhu, let me introduce you. This is our Lingyang Gu Family’s Patriarch, Gu Fengwei."

Gu Fengwei stepped forward and saluted.

Gu Zhan studied Gu Fengwei—a cultured, elegant, and gentle-looking middle-aged man.

"Patriarch Gu, you’ve come from afar; please forgive me for not welcoming you sooner." Gu Zhan returned the salute.

Next, Gu Shanyun introduced several other Gu Family high elders to Gu Zhan.

When the introductions were done,

The air grew somewhat awkward.

Most of the Gu Family’s high elders felt uneasy. If they didn’t know of Gu Zhan’s background, it wouldn’t matter, but now, knowing the truth, they found it strange that they couldn’t treat him simply as a kinsman.

After a while,

Gu Fengwei cupped his hands and said, "Gu Qianhu, this is no place for polite conversation. Why not descend the mountain first and discuss our future cooperation in detail?"

Gu Zhan nodded. "Let’s leave the mountain then. As for the aftermath on Lingxi Mountain, I’ll have to trouble the Gu Family."

"That’s only natural,"

Gu Fengwei glanced at the martial arts secret manuals on the ground, then suddenly asked, "Gu Qianhu, did you not find any secret manual to your liking just now?"

Gu Zhan nodded. "The cultivation technique I practice has already reached Great Success, so I need to switch to something even deeper. But the Lingxi Sword Sect’s techniques are still a bit too low in grade."

Gu Fengwei slowly drew a book from his sleeve and handed it to Gu Zhan, saying, "This is the Gu Family’s inheritance technique. The grade is not low, and in theory you can train with it to Grandmaster level. I’ll give this to you, Gu Qianhu, as a token of our goodwill in return!"

Instantly, in the great hall, all the Gu Family high elders were stunned.

Even Gu Zhan was a little taken aback.