In an instant,

Gu Zhan seemed to have just returned from the battlefield. All of a sudden, a steely and blood-soaked aura appeared around him,

Mo Beiyan, who was following by his side, looked a little dazed. His eyes filled with confusion as he asked, "Brother Gu, what’s with you...?"

A flash of killing intent flickered in Gu Zhan’s eyes, gone in a heartbeat, as he replied flatly, "Nothing much, just had a bit of insight and made a small breakthrough."

Mo Beiyan twitched the corner of his mouth, muttering, "Unbelievable. You can make breakthroughs just on the road?"

Gu Zhan only smiled without explaining, and swept his eyes across the system screen:

Player: Gu Zhan

Realm: Celestial Destiny Realm

Cultivation Technique: Profound Yang Skill (Tenth Floor 0/10 million)

Skills:

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)

Frost Ice Finger (Great Success)

Killing Fist (Great Success)

Netherworld King’s Array-breaking Saber (Great Success)

Experience Points: 500541

...

Just as the sun was about to set,

The Embroidered Uniform Guard arrived outside Thousand Lights Town.

Yellow sand swirling, horse hooves rumbling—a desolate wasteland outside the town, but just a step within, you could see how bustling it was, crowds coming and going, every kind of market, shop, and tavern you could ask for, the streets and alleys all interwoven and orderly.

In that moment,

Gu Zhan was suddenly a little lost,

as if the last time he’d come to Thousand Lights Town was only yesterday—back then, snow was thick, and he was covered in road dust.

"Brother Gu." Mo Beiyan called softly, asking, "What’s wrong?"

"Nothing, I’m just feeling a bit sentimental."

With that, Gu Zhan tugged his reins and urged his horse forward.

Outside the main gate of Thousand Lights Town, that same teahouse was still serving tea, a few brawny Martial World types inside still watching the comings and goings of passersby, and they also spotted Gu Zhan and his group.

Yet, when they saw that mighty procession, all of them swallowed nervously, squeezing out a friendly smile inside the teahouse.

At the same moment, on that long street, everyone instinctively moved to the sides.

After the hundreds-strong Embroidered Uniform Guard entered Thousand Lights Town and passed far down the street,

in a flash, the streets were abuzz with discussion.

Inside the teahouse, one Martial World tough spat on the ground and cussed, "Damn it, since when did the Embroidered Uniform Guard get this ostentatious?"

A swordsman sipping tea sneered and said, "The Embroidered Uniform Guard themselves are nothing, but did you see the banner that squad just flew?"

"Saw it, the big ’Gu’ character, right?" The Martial World tough said. "What big shots surnamed Gu do we have in Canglan Dao?"

The swordsman scoffed, "And you call yourself a Martial World runner? Never heard of God of Slaughter Gu Zhan? Never heard of Pingyang Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

The tough was stunned, swallowing hard, and exclaimed, "You mean those Pingyang Embroidered Uniform Guards who leave rivers of blood wherever they go?"

"Is there a second Embroidered Uniform Guard like that in Yunzhou?"

"I heard he’s already taken over as Branch Leader of the Kaiyang Sub-Branch of Beidou Sect. Why’s he still wearing the Embroidered Uniform Guard outfit?"

"Haven’t you heard about what the Pingyang Embroidered Uniform Guard have been up to lately in Pingyang? The killing piled up—corpses like mountains, blood like oceans! In today’s Martial World, in Pingyang, the name of Embroidered Uniform Guard is more useful than that of the Kaiyang Sub-Branch!" 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

...

The Pingyang Embroidered Uniform Guard entered Thousand Lights Town, hundreds of ironclad riders sweeping through the heart of town toward Bu’Er Inn, making quite a scene and drawing the eyes of many.

Lately, because of the Martial Arts Conference,

many great powers from Canglan Dao had all rushed to settle just outside Canglan City, at black market towns like this—Thousand Lights Town being the biggest, with the most factions gathered.

With the arrival of Pingyang Embroidered Uniform Guard, many Martial World people also rushed over to see. They wanted to find out what the legendary God of Slaughter really looked like.

But when they saw Gu Zhan’s handsome face, many couldn’t believe it—he looked nothing like the three-zhang-tall, green-faced, fanged demon who could swallow children in one bite as the rumors claimed.

All along the way,

Gu Zhan could feel the gazes on him from all directions. He didn’t care, heading straight to Bu’Er Inn.

And just then, the usually closed-off Bu’Er Inn opened its doors with the arrival of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the one to greet them was Bai Jiu’Er’s maid, Hong Zhu.

"This maid welcomes Young Master Gu and Sixth Young Master," Hong Zhu bowed as she came out, "The young lady has already arranged quarters for the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Young Master Gu and Sixth Young Master will stay in the inn, while the other guards can rest in the manor at the back."

Gu Zhan nodded.

Mo Beiyan grinned and said, "Hong Zhu, go ahead and arrange things. After rushing for days on end, my whole back’s about to break. I have to sleep until the sun and moon swap places!"

Hong Zhu smiled, immediately directing attendants to lead the Embroidered Uniform Guard while she personally escorted Gu Zhan and Mo Beiyan into Bu’Er Inn.

Just as Gu Zhan was about to step inside,

A loud voice rang out suddenly from the long street: "Meng Yikang of Wushan challenges Lord Gu!"

Gu Zhan’s group was stunned,

and even the Embroidered Uniform Guard squad, who had been about to rest, halted,

and the onlookers who had been preparing to leave also stopped in their tracks.

Gu Zhan slowly turned around and saw a swordsman in his thirties standing in the center of the street.

Gu Zhan was a bit surprised; he’d never even heard of this man. What was even more surprising was that, compared to what he’d expected—a great cultivator bold enough to issue a challenge—this guy was only a Great Innate Martial Artist.

Gu Zhan was a little puzzled. Was this bravado of youth, or was the man just brain-damaged?

At this moment, more and more people gathered around. Many who hadn’t cared about Gu Zhan before poked their heads out their windows to get a good look, and those who’d planned to leave returned too.

Meng Yikang, seeing the growing crowd, got excited and shouted, "Martial World friends, I am Meng Yikang of the Wushan Meng Family! Today, by chance, I meet the God of Slaughter, Lord Gu, listed on the Celestial Pride List—I came especially to ask for guidance!"

In an instant, people started to jeer. Everyone here was a Martial World character, and now that someone was publicly challenging the red-hot Gu Zhan, their interest was piqued.

By now,

Gu Zhan understood—this guy wasn’t seriously challenging him at all, but was here for a publicity stunt.

Lately, Gu Zhan’s fame was soaring.

And what Martial World sorts craved most was fame and profit—and the fastest way to stardom was stepping on the shoulders of those already celebrated.

This Meng Yikang wasn’t stupid,

He knew well he wasn’t Gu Zhan’s match, but he still came, because he understood how Martial World rumors worked: even if he lost, with the right spin, he could turn the tale into something amazing and ride Gu Zhan’s fame to the top.

Honestly, this kind of thing happened in the Martial World all the time; stories like this came up every year. Sure, they lost the bout, but after leaving, they spread the word and suddenly it became "barely lost to a top Celestial Pride," hitching a ride up the rankings.

Of course, Meng Yikang was still being cautious,

because Gu Zhan now served as Branch Leader of the Beidou Sect Sub-Branch, and the Beidou Sect was currently gathering all major Canglan Dao forces for the Martial Arts Conference. That made Gu Zhan tantamount to a host here—if a guest comes for pointers, even if you decline to entertain, you wouldn’t just openly flip the table, right?

Figuring out how things stood, Gu Zhan instantly lost all interest—he didn’t even want to deal with this sort, preparing to turn away and leave.

But when Meng Yikang saw Gu Zhan getting ready to leave, he wouldn’t let up, yelling: "Gu Zhan, you don’t dare accept my challenge? Afraid you’ll lose? I’d say all your battle records are a sham! If you admit defeat in front of everyone, you want to walk away, I won’t stop you!"

Gu Zhan halted his steps, turning back slowly.

Meng Yikang’s face lit up with glee.

Gu Zhan spoke slowly, his voice ringing out, "Embroidered Uniform Guard, hear my order—hack him to death! And as for the Wushan Meng Family, if their sons can’t be taught, keeping them alive is a waste of grain. Kill them all!"