Many experts teleported into midair one after another to watch the spectacle.
The Eight Generals usually did not stay in the First Layer, spending almost the entire year in the Second Layer.
That the commotion here had alerted them was proof enough that the combatants had truly been ready to go all out.
The Red Lotus in Li Guanqi's hand had pierced a finger's depth into Ye Mohan's throat!
Yet Ye Mohan's sword was only a palm's width from Li Guanqi's chest.
The Red Lotus Sword was four feet long, meaning Li Guanqi had gained the advantage of reach this time.
His opponent had struck second but arrived first—his sword speed was a notch faster than Li Guanqi's!
Fresh blood flowed down the blade of the Red Lotus Sword toward the hilt, until Nangong Xuandu separated the two in irritation.
Hong Zhi crossed her arms and smiled as she watched the scene, sighing with admiration.
"Youth is wonderful... Such fiery spirit."
The others, however, were not so relaxed. The only exception was Chan Kongzi, whose eyes shone brightly as he looked at Cao Yan, who was being reprimanded by Xiang Huaizhi!
If Cao Yan's punch earlier had landed solidly, that fellow opposite him would have lost a layer of skin even if he didn't die!
His fist momentum was dense and heavy, yet it harbored the explosive nature of flame itself.
Seeing Chan Kongzi's gaze, Hong Zhi teased, "If you dare try to snatch Old Xiang's disciple, I bet he'll definitely beat you up."
Chan Kongzi muttered nonchalantly, "Taking a beating in exchange for a disciple like this would be totally worth it!"
"No... I have to figure something out..."
"Such great potential. Under Xiang Huaizhi's teaching, his fist momentum will end up like an old man's, not wild at all!"
"Sister Hong, haven't you noticed?"
"That kid's gaze—there's ruthlessness bred right into his bones!"
As Chan Kongzi rattled on, he suddenly cut himself off, turned his back to that direction, and faced Hong Zhi, his voice quavering.
"Sister Hong... did Old Xiang just glance at me?"
Hong Zhi kept her arms crossed over her chest, cradling that blood-red saber in her embrace. A bell chimed softly as she walked.
"Mm, indeed. More than just a glance—he's glaring right at you now."
With a mournful face, Chan Kongzi mumbled, "I'm dead, I'm dead, I'm dead..."
Hong Zhi smiled faintly and strode toward the crowd.
Long Hou took a deep breath and looked toward Ye Mohan with a dark expression.
"If you have excess energy to burn, next time roll yourself over to the Fourth Domain battlefield with me!"
Ye Mohan's eyes remained indifferent as he silently nodded.
"Fine."
The moment Song Bin and his companions heard "Fourth Domain battlefield," their faces turned ashen in an instant.
Long Hou narrowed his eyes at the sulking Ye Mohan and sneered, "Fine, you said it yourself."
"Do you think you're strong? Just because of your Sword Po realm intent?"
Ye Mohan did not speak, merely looking at Long Hou with composure.
Long Hou wasted no more words. He glanced back at Nangong Xuandu and said coldly, "One incense stick of time. If you don't beat him into submission, I'll toss you to the Tiger King!"
Hearing this, Nangong Xuandu couldn't help shivering. Without another word, he seized Ye Mohan, tore open the void, and forged a domain realm.
Long Hou said nothing, simply raising his hand to light a stick of incense.
His gaze swept casually over Li Guanqi and the people beside him!
Wu Mian's eyelids twitched. Tugging on Gu Li's clothes, he whispered through a sound transmission, "Apologize on your own in a moment and promise you'll never do this again! Otherwise, even I won't be able to protect you."
Before Wu Mian could even finish, Gu Li had already stepped forward to Long Hou with an apologetic expression and bowed deeply.
With his head lowered, Gu Li said with utmost sincerity, "I am truly sorry. I acted too impetuously and broke the rules, failing to consider the feelings of the seniors and causing panic. I am dreadfully sorry. Being young and hot-blooded, I couldn't stomach repeated provocations. In the future, I will definitely temper my state of mind."
Even as he finished speaking, Gu Li did not straighten up. Shuffling his feet, he bowed apologetically toward the many cultivators hovering in the distance.
"I am sorry, senior cultivators! My name is Gu Li. Though untalented, I possess a little skill in the Dao of inscribed talismans. In the future, if you seniors ever have greater demon essence blood or hides, you can bring them to me. I will craft inscribed talismans for you free of charge!"
Watching this, Li Guanqi could not hold back a snicker. This was no longer just a matter of Gu Li being adaptable and knowing when to bend.
He was practically the textbook definition of glib and slick...
With these words, he had not only delivered a profound self-criticism but also painted a lavish promise for everyone present.
The crowd had already witnessed Gu Li's talisman prowess earlier.
Naturally, they were more than happy to accept an olive branch from a talisman genius—especially since they hadn't suffered any actual losses.
Amidst the teasing and peacemaking comments from the gathered cultivators, Long Hou could only say helplessly, "Let this be the last time!"
Cao Yan and Xiao Chen both suppressed chuckles. Seeing that Xiao Chen still dared to laugh, Long Hou's face darkened at once.
"Guanqi, come with me in a bit!"
Li Guanqi put away his sword and gave a slight nod.
Just as Li Guanqi was wondering why Long Hou wanted him, the void warped slightly and tore open into a fissure.
Ye Mohan, his purple robes dripping with blood and his entire body riddled with sword wounds, was tossed out like a dead dog, his eyes unfocused.
Nangong Xuandu's hair was somewhat disheveled, his robe slashed in several places, and even his body bore several long, bloody gashes.
At the sight, Chan Kongzi blurted out, "Is Nangong that weak now?"
Xiang Huaizhi glanced at Chan Kongzi and could not help giving him a thumbs-up. And things unfolded precisely as Xiang Huaizhi expected.
Nangong Xuandu licked his lips. Glancing at the sandalwood incense stick, which had burned only halfway down, he beckoned to Chan Kongzi with a pleasant smile.
"Come here, Kong. We haven't sparred in a long time. Let's exchange a few moves."
As he spoke, the sword intent around Nangong Xuandu began to leak out uncontrollably.
Frightened, Chan Kongzi shrank his neck and swallowed hard, casting a pleading look toward Hong Zhi.
"Sister Hong..."
Hong Zhi merely shrugged. In an instant, Nangong Xuandu appeared behind Chan Kongzi and dragged him right into the domain realm.
Long Hou ignored them, walking slowly over to Ye Mohan and crouching down.
Removing his helmet, Long Hou revealed wheat-colored skin and a resolute face.
With calm eyes, he looked at Ye Mohan, who was taking more breaths out than in, and spoke softly.
"This world has never lacked geniuses."
"And you... are merely a lucky fellow fortunate enough to glimpse Sword Po realm intent."
"Did you truly believe that relying on Sword Po realm intent would allow you to crush experts of your own level? What a laughable notion..."
"In my eyes, Nangong is ten times—a hundred times—stronger than you!"
With that, Long Hou slowly rose to his feet. Turning his head toward Li Guanqi, he said in a heavy voice, "The Realm Lord told you all to visit the Immortal Burial Pavilion and exchange your identity jade slips."
Li Guanqi nodded slightly. Then, leading Ye Feng and the others, he walked past Song Bin and his group. An enthusiastic cultivator pointed out the direction to the Immortal Burial Pavilion.
Li Guanqi led the group as they flew off. Along the way, Xiao Chen couldn't resist draping an arm around Gu Li's neck, laughing loudly.
"Old Six, not bad at all! Quite a fiery temper you've got there!"
Gu Li shoved Xiao Chen away in annoyance, scowling angrily. "I was genuinely furious, all right? I had just conceived an insanely powerful inscribed talisman, only for my train of thought to be interrupted by those bastards!"
Li Guanqi furrowed his brows and asked, "What kind of inscribed talisman?"
Gu Li replied with complete seriousness, "One... that allows female cultivators to experience pregnancy and childbirth without needing a Dao companion!"
The moment these words left his mouth, everyone fell silent...
Frowning and rubbing his chin, Gu Li walked forward while muttering to himself:
"Logically speaking, if my idea works, once the talisman is slapped onto someone, the process will be virtually irreversible!"
"Mm... or rather, anyone on the weaker side won't be able to resist it at all. Which means... this talisman could be called the 'Expert Appraiser Talisman'!"
The others zoomed right past him, making it abundantly clear that they did not want to be seen with him.
"Hey? Why are you all running off? If I actually create this thing, won't it be overpowered? Won't it?!"
Chapter 1180