Xu Junlin Requests Guidance!

Buzz! Ripples spread across the distant space. Two Bloodhoof Imperial Bulls, each a full ten zhang in size, burst forth. Behind them trailed a magnificent carriage exuding sheer nobility. The colossal carriage spanned more than ten zhang across and had two tiers, its golden silk wood carved with intricate, elaborate patterns. From within the carriage stepped a young man dressed in a navy-blue robe. Xu Junlin looked toward Li Guanqi on the distant mountain peak, a peculiar expression in his eyes. Watching the profound undulations dissipating around Li Guanqi, Xu Junlin's cheek twitched involuntarily. "Gaining enlightenment?" With that, Xu Junlin's gaze flickered as he scanned his surroundings. He found that this was merely a scenic spot with nothing unusual about it. Why would Li Guanqi suddenly gain an epiphany here? Hearing his question, Li Guanqi smiled and remarked casually, "Yeah, just drinking some wine and suddenly had a moment of insight." He flashed beside the carriage and clicked his tongue in admiration. "So luxurious?" Xu Junlin's gaze casually drifted toward the chasm on the distant earth. The long furrow was charred pitch-black, with fiercely potent arcs of lightning still crackling around it. It contained not a shred of sword intent or anything else, which rattled Xu Junlin to his core. *This fellow... is absurdly strong...* After grumbling inwardly, he turned to the side and teased, "With who you are today, if you wanted one, it would probably be countless times more luxurious than this." With his hands clasped behind his back, Li Guanqi chuckled softly. "I have no interest in such things." With that said, the carriage doors shut, and the divine Bloodhoof bulls shattered the void, hurtling forward. Inside, the ride was remarkably smooth, without the slightest tremor. Looking around, Li Guanqi smiled. "It's just a mere carriage, yet it even uses a spatial stabilization formation. That's a bit extravagant." Xu Junlin showed no inclination to defend himself; to him, such things were of little consequence. Nor had he ever denied his illustrious background. Tossing a jug of wine to Li Guanqi, Xu Junlin said quietly, "Let's have a fight." Catching the jug, Li Guanqi looked up at Xu Junlin with a faint smile. "When?" Xu Junlin smiled faintly and answered softly, "Anytime. Up to you." Li Guanqi tipped his head back and took a swig of wine, praising, "Fine wine!" His eyes gleaming, he slowly stood and extended a single finger to tear open the void. Within breaths, a sturdy domain spanning a hundred li took shape within the rift! Guiding with one hand, he said softly, "After you!" Xu Junlin laughed heartily, raising a hand as a golden spear materialized in his palm. His face now bore several hideous scars, lending the handsome young man a touch more ferocity. Enveloped abruptly in a faint golden glow, Xu Junlin stepped into the domain, with Li Guanqi following closely behind. The void was originally nothing but emptiness, but Li Guanqi mobilized the energy of heaven and earth with a wave of his hand, conjuring boundless plains and towering mountains within the domain. On the barren, vast plains, Li Guanqi and Xu Junlin stood ten zhang apart. A gentle breeze blew across the ground, sending loose pebbles tumbling. The overcast sky felt somewhat oppressive. Xu Junlin's expression was calm, yet his eyes were laden with solemnity. He knew that today, defeat was inevitable! The scene in Nanjiang back then, where Li Guanqi had slain six Mahayana realm experts with a single sword, was still vivid in his mind. Even Xu Junlin had to admit that even now, he was still no match for Li Guanqi. Yet he had come nonetheless. For no other reason than to discover just how vast the gulf was between himself and Li Guanqi today. Planting his spear into the ground, Xu Junlin slowly stripped off his navy-blue robe, baring a body crisscrossed with grotesque scars. Looking down at his torso, Xu Junlin rubbed his nose and pointed at a jagged, dragon-like scar curling across his ribs, cursing with a laugh. "Every single one of these was left on me by that bastard Xiao Chen." Li Guanqi's heart jolted. Staring at Xu Junlin in dazed disbelief, he murmured, "Xiao Chen... reached the Mahayana Realm?" Xu Junlin nodded as if it were only natural, sneering, "If a man capable of earning my respect broke through too slowly, wouldn't that just prove I have terrible judgment?" Li Guanqi hadn't expected Xu Junlin to hold Xiao Chen in such high regard. "Uh... are you certain... you're talking about my fourth brother Xiao Chen?" "In my memory, he was just a spoiled scion who never thought about the long run." "Even if he's matured, he shouldn't warrant such high praise from you, should he?" At those words, Xu Junlin's expression darkened, and he fixed Li Guanqi with a solemn gaze, his voice deep. "When you see him again, your opinion of him will change completely." "Even I have to give Xiao Chen a thumbs-up and call him a real man now." "The only reason he hasn't ended his seclusion yet is that he hasn't finished the final trial Long Hou gave him." At that, Xu Junlin grinned. "Of course, I've already finished mine." As soon as he spoke, Xu Junlin kicked the base of the spear with his right foot. The spear spun rapidly into the air. Without even looking, he thrust out his hand and caught the spinning weapon in a firm grip! The spear's tassel was a cluster of blood-red hair, likely the mane of some great demon beast, shimmering like a blazing flame. The spear shaft was engraved with intricate patterns and runes. Gripping the spear with both hands, Xu Junlin took a stance! His aura shifted dramatically. The spear gleamed with the razor-sharp brilliance of Geng Gold as he declared in a steady voice: "The spear is named 'Coiled Dragon.' Length: eight chi and six cun. Renowned for its sharpness!" Li Guanqi's expression turned grave. From the other man's words, he clearly sensed that Xu Junlin was treating this sparring match with absolute gravity. Originally, Li Guanqi had intended merely to condense a sword from primal energy, but it seemed he could not treat this casually. The sword coffin slowly materialized behind Li Guanqi, then swung wide open! Clang! A crisp sword cry rang out, and the Red Lotus instantly shot out of the sword coffin and flew into his grasp. Xu Junlin stared intently at the four-chi, crimson-red sword! With a solemn face, Li Guanqi said deeply, "The sword is named Red Lotus!" Forcing down the restless unease in his heart, Xu Junlin lowered his head, narrowing his eyes at Li Guanqi. In an earnest voice, he said, "Li Guanqi, fight me with all your strength!" "Do not hold back, for I won't show any mercy either." "I want to know... just how wide... the gap between us really is!" Li Guanqi sighed inwardly. Xu Junlin was truly a martial fanatic. Knowing full well the difference in their strength, he had specifically come all this way to find the definitive answer. Li Guanqi's chest rose and fell slightly. He stripped off his robe, cast it aside, and half his body instantly underwent the Dragon Transformation! Holding Red Lotus, he twirled the blade deftly. A single sweep of his sword tore a hundred-zhang chasm into the earth beside him! "I will."