On Lingxi Mountain, rivers of blood flowed.

Corpses and bones lay everywhere, and under the sunlight, the scene appeared rather desolate.

At the foot of the mountain,

The high-ranking members of the Gu Family all descended. When they arrived beside Gu Zhan, none could suppress a trace of fear; when Gu Zhan lifted his head, some even involuntarily stepped back a few paces.

In truth, previously some within the Gu Family had been dissatisfied with Gu Zhan. After all, in their eyes, Gu Zhan was too arrogant—he refused to acknowledge his ancestry, and boldly demanded the Gu Family become a vassal, which was utterly audacious.

But now, none dared think this way anymore,

They even felt a sense of terror towards Gu Zhan.

Even Gu Fengwei, the Patriarch, felt a chill when looking at Gu Zhan.

"Sixth Young Master, Gu Qianhu," Gu Fengwei stepped forward to pay his respects.

Mo Beiyan gave a slight nod.

Gu Zhan rose and said, "Patriarch Gu, the Embroidered Uniform Guard is short-handed; the aftermath here will trouble the Gu Family."

Gu Fengwei clasped his hands and replied, "Gu Qianhu, please rest assured, I have already sent word. The Gu Family will dispatch many personnel from Lingyang."

Gu Zhan nodded, saying, "That’s settled, then. Let’s rest for two days. This matter isn’t over yet."

Gu Fengwei raised his eyebrows. "Gu Qianhu, what do you mean?"

Gu Zhan stood up and said, "Since the Five Great Sects dared to besiege this official, they must prepare for extermination!"

Gu Fengwei’s face twitched fiercely.

Gu Zhan walked to the riverbank, mounted his warhorse, and led his men back to Youyang City.

Today’s battle, though won,

He was also exhausted and needed proper rest.

Galloping ahead, Gu Zhan summoned the system, saw that his experience points had accumulated over four million, and immediately began to allocate points:

[Using 3 million Experience Points]

[Profound Yang Skill upgraded to Ninth Floor]

[Current Realm elevated to Profound Mysterious Realm]

...

At that moment,

Gu Zhan sensed his realm sublimating, undergoing a revolutionary transformation.

He looked up to the sky, seeing white clouds drifting across the azure blue, morphing into myriad shapes—each transformation seeming governed by a unique order.

Leaves fell, peach blossoms readied to bloom, rivers flowed, mountains basked in sunlight,

Everything seemed like countless streams converging,

Becoming brooks, then brooks merging into rivers, traversing tens of thousands of li through valleys, hills, plains, and shoals, finally raging and surging forth to the sea,

This natural spectacle,

Was the law of heaven and earth,

But now, as he observed these laws, it was as if he held reins in his hand—he could control them at will, grasp or let go as he pleased,

This is the Profound Mysterious Realm,

Both Dao Realm, but this is a higher level,

With this sublimation, after reaching Profound Mysterious Realm, there’s no need to rigidly follow the primordial qi’s order; one can alter its operation, mobilize Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi for personal use, with the more exquisite usage, the greater the power; thus it is called Profound Mystery.

As for Gu Zhan’s realm,

It always comes naturally; once achieved, he instantly stands at the peak, as if immersed in Profound Mysterious Realm for years,

Whenever a thought arises,

The warhorse beneath him began to conform to the order of heaven and earth, speed increasing greatly, and it became much easier.

He smiled slightly, glancing at the system page:

Player: Gu Zhan

Realm: Profound Mysterious Realm

Cultivation Technique: Profound Yang Skill (Ninth Floor 0/5 million)

Skill:

Willow Leaf Flying Knife Technique (Great Success)

Creation Golden Body (Great Success)

Four Seas Unification Blade Technique (Great Success)

Lingxi Sword (Great Success)

Wangchuan Swordsmanship (Great Success)

Experience Points: 1,060,541

...

The Pingyang Martial World had become thoroughly lively. An unbelievable news swept across the entire martial world, shaking even the Canglan Daoist Martial World.

The first-class sect Lingxi Sword Sect, which stood in Pingyang for years, was exterminated,

This news alone caused uproar,

Yet, it was only an appetizer,

The news that followed was truly like tossing a stone into a stagnant lake.

Longmen Chen Family, Xiushan Lu Family, Pengshui Ma Family, Mountain Moving Sect, Changfeng Valley—the Five Great Sects gathered countless factions, almost half the Pingyang Martial World, stormed Lingxi Mountain to demand an explanation from Gu Zhan, eventually escalating to violent conflict!

The top expert of Pingyang Martial World, Celestial Deformed Leg Yu Fengxing, faced Gu Zhan in a one-on-one duel and was slain; numerous Great Cultivators besieged the gravely wounded Gu Zhan, yet he counter-killed,

Lingxi Mountain was awash in blood,

That day, many witnessed the torrents of blood on the mountain, as if washed away by heavy rain—even the river in front of Lingxi Mountain was dyed red,

Gu Zhan, single-handedly, challenged the entire Pingyang Martial World,

The God of Slaughter’s name resounded through the martial world once more,

This time, not only did the news spread through Pingyang’s martial sphere—many throughout the Canglan Daoist Martial World followed the story closely, and rumors spread that the God of Slaughter Gu Zhan would enter the Yunzhou Celestial Pride List,

However, this news received no response from Yunzhou’s martial news brokers, its authenticity unknown.

But some believed he would not make it,

After all, the Yunzhou Celestial Pride List is one of the most prestigious ranking lists in the martial world; all of Yunzhou’s celestial prides, yet only eighteen spots on the list.

Still, many thought Gu Zhan deserved a place. Based on various rumors, Gu Zhan’s realm was only Second Realm Mingzhi, while even the last ranked person was Third Realm Profound Mystery.

Yet Gu Zhan’s achievements already surpassed many on the list; with Second Realm, he slew the long-renowned Celestial Deformed Leg, and single-handedly defeated seven Great Cultivators and successfully killed several.

Moreover, the main criterion for the Celestial Pride List is battle achievement.

For a time, unrelated bystanders debated whether the Celestial Pride List would change. Meanwhile, the Pingyang Martial World plunged into sorrow.

The Battle of Lingxi Mountain impacted not just the Five Great Sects; many second and third-rate forces lost their pillars overnight, beset by internal and external turmoil. Pingyang Martial World was thrown into chaos.

The root cause of this turbulence, Gu Zhan,

Was now recuperating in Youyang City,

The Battle of Lingxi Mountain, though he inspired terror in countless hearts, was also the most severe injury he suffered since entering the martial world.

Fortunately, with the Gu Family’s support, spirit medicines were abundant, and his recovery was swift; of course, most crucial was Gu Zhan’s realm advancement to Third Realm Profound Mystery.

That day,

In the Youyang County Yamen, Gu Zhan was changing bandages when Gu Fengwei and Mo Beiyan entered the room.

The two inquired about his wounds, then Mo Beiyan spoke directly: "Messages have arrived from all Embroidered Uniform Guard branches—the Five Great Sects have been terrified, their leaders are all in hiding. Yet, the Embroidered Uniform Guard is tracking them, and there will be news soon!"

Gu Zhan nodded slightly, saying, "Expected. But they may escape the monk, but not the temple—they can’t get out of Pingyang Prefecture."

Gu Fengwei smiled and said, "And one more thing—the martial news brokers have jointly released a new edition of the Celestial Pride List, Gu Qianhu, your name is prominently listed!"