The bright yellow leaves had poked out of the wicker and the dense needles in the green pines and verdant cypresses were sprouting. The cherry-apple trees were budding and the poplar trees had become taller and straighter.

The spring breeze brushed the lake surface, the trees, the pavilions, and the lawns.

The Hidden Dragon Sea in early spring was picturesque. Every corner was full of vitality and the breath of spring, which was incredible.

The Hidden Dragon Sea was the general name of the Hidden Sea and the Dragon Sea. It was actually just a clear small lake rather than a sea. In this solemn and respectful authority center in Zhongzhou State, this lake which was called a sea could be said to be the softest place. Even the greatest pressure would vanish if going boating on the lake.

In the morning.

At the border of the Hidden Sea and the Dragon Sea, two ancient boats drifted aimlessly along with the waves. Gu Xingyun, the city governor of Kunlun City, who was known as the G.o.d of War in Zhongzhou State, held a fis.h.i.+ng rod, sitting in the boat with a calm and gentle expression.

Gu Xingyun was in his fifties with gray ear lock and elegant appearance. His body was not big or stalwart without any flamboyant or fierce momentum of the G.o.d of War. He was a middle-aged man who looked extremely elegant and gentle, peaceful and quiet both from a close or far distance. He gave everyone a fathomless feeling in trance.

He put down the fis.h.i.+ng rod in his hand, took out a cigarette, and suck on it after lighting it. The smoke swirled, falling into the lake casually. Gu Xingyun calmly watched the Hidden Dragon Sea surrounded by the vigorous spring scenery, smiling softly and feeling fresh.

Who had ever thought that at the meeting of the Decision Making Committee last night, this G.o.d of War in Zhongzhou State was attacked jointly by the three groups, which was too humiliating?

In another wooden boat beside Gu Xingyun, a ferocious and even ugly one-eyed man kept watching Gu Xingyun’s reaction. Seeing the smile on the face of the G.o.d of War, he subconsciously reached out to touch his eye-catching big bald head and said helplessly, “Your Highness, are you just letting them fool with it?”

“Hum?”

Gu Xingyun, as if had been thinking about something alone, picked his eyebrows slightly. This elegant old man, who had an ill.u.s.trious status and splendid influence, didn’t have any sharp momentum. The casual movement of picking his eyebrows made him show a trace of mature charm immediately.

He took a drag on his cigarette and said with a laugh, “What’s your opinion?”

Gu Fengbo.

One of the deputy city governors of Kunlun City and the most important right-hand man of Gu Xingyun in Hidden Dragon Sea. He was ugly and looked even more ferocious after losing an eye in a fierce battle many years ago. Anyone who saw him would keep him at a distance at a glance and he had changed his character seemingly because of his appearance. He acted ruthlessly and cruelly, extremely fond of unorthodox ways. Especially in recent years, as his strength had surpa.s.sed the peak of the Thunder-shocking Realm and stayed between the Fulfilment and the Invincibility in Half Step in the Thunder-shocking Realm, his style of behavior became even more arrogant. It could be said that he was notorious in the Special Warfare System and was the most famous mad dog of Gu Xingyun. He attacked whoever he saw and wouldn’t stop until the death.

Since Gu Xingyun became the G.o.d of War in Zhongzhou State, he had always been acting extremely prudently. Cooperating with Gu Fengbo who acted ruthlessly and cruelly in unorthodox ways was good teamwork. They could even be regarded as a dream ticket.

Gu Fengbo had never treated Gu Xingyun as a stranger because of the friends.h.i.+p and tacit understanding over the years. He grasped the fis.h.i.+ng rod in his hands and said coldly, “What the h.e.l.l is Zhuang Huayang? He is an old b.a.s.t.a.r.d. Why doesn’t he measure himself before embarra.s.sing you? Doesn’t he really think that he is still who he was five years ago? Your Highness, I am going to challenge Zhuang Huayang and find an opportunity to kill him. The worst result is to destroy him, which can give a lesson to others. If we don’t declare our position on this matter, everyone can jump out and embarra.s.s us afterward. Therefore, I’ll simply take this opportunity as a warning to others.”

Gu Xingyun did not say anything but seemed to be moved inwardly. He considered it for five minutes before shaking his head slightly and said smilingly, “Princ.i.p.al Zhuang is not weak. Five years ago, you were no match for him.”

“I just entered the peak of the Thunder-shocking Realm five years ago. Of course, I couldn’t defeat him.”

Gu Fengbo wanted to say more with an unsatisfied look, but he was interrupted directly by Gu Xingyun. “Even now, you also can’t defeat the Princ.i.p.al Zhuang of five years ago. Forget it. The old Princ.i.p.al has been staying in the Sky Academy for many years and has the students all over the world. He is a contributor to Zhongzhou State and the Special Warfare System. I hope very much that he can reach the destination safely at his last stop.”

Gu Xingyun paused for a while. Looking at Gu Fengbo who looked uglier because he was still unconvinced, Gu Xingyun calmly said, “I am serious.”

Gu Fengbo gritted his teeth without any word.

Zhuang Huayang’s state had declined rapidly in recent years and was even seriously inconsistent with the ranking of the Top Ten Experts in Zhongzhou State. It was a fact that everyone knew. Ten years ago, it could be said to be the peak period for Zhuang Huayang. After the death of Liu Tianqing, Zhuang Huayang ranked fourth among the Top Ten Contemporary Experts, only next to the three highnesses—w.a.n.g Tianzong, Gu Xingyun, and Situ Cangyue.

Five years ago, the Top Ten Experts were ranked again. The First Elder Gu Qianchuan in Kunlun City, the Nirvana Sword Master Wei Kunlun in Mount Shu, the G.o.d of Ma.s.sacre Dongcheng Wudi in Zhongzhou State overtook Zhuang Huayang one by one. The ranking at that time was still true. But for an old man in his 70s, the cruelest thing was the time. As another five years was coming, Zhuang Huayang’s strength had declined more and more rapidly because he had been worn out with age. If the Top Ten would be ranked again this year, it would be extremely reluctant for him to get on the ranking.

Gu Fengbo was the odds-on favorite of the top ten experts of this session. He really hoped to beat Zhuang Huayang and take the t.i.tle of the Top Ten Experts ahead of time. By then, Gu Xingyun, Gu Qianchuan and he would take three seats of Kunlun City among the Top Ten Contemporary Experts. Who would dare to challenge them?

It was just that Gu Xingyun obviously didn’t want Zhuang Huayang to lose in his old age.

During the twenty years in charge of the Sky Academy, Zhuang Huayang had sent off six generations of graduates, which could really be said that he had students all over the world. Gu Xingyun was a steady person. Under the circ.u.mstances of no profits, he naturally did not want Gu Fengbo to attack Zhuang Huayang. Whether it would succeed or fail, it would be likely to cause numerous hostility, which was not wise at all.

“So will you just let go of this matter?”

Gu Fengbo took a deep breath, looked at Gu Xingyun, and waved his hands casually.

A pack of cigarettes beside Gu Xingyun flew directly into his hand. He took out one cigarette and lit it silently.

“Forget it.”

Gu Xingyun nodded his head and said with a smile, “Over the years, the foundation of Kunlun City has become more and more stable, but the people that are directed against Kunlun City have also become more and more. What a big deal with a few perfunctory rebukes?” Hold on and remain calm. We will make a comeback sooner or later.”

“As for now…”

He narrowed his eyes slightly with sparkle, but without any sharpness or determination that belonged to a G.o.d of War. Instead, his sparkling eyes were filled with deception and tactics after ups and downs.

He sucked on his cigarette and continued saying, “The most urgent thing now is to find out who killed Changjiang on earth. I don’t know why I feel a little uneasy at the thought of this.”

Gu Fengbo said, “Hm, the task force has already gone down to Huating.”

“It’s not enough.”

Gu Xingyun shook his head. “In a few days, I am going to go down to Huating personally. This matter must come to light within a month.”

Gu Fengbo took a deep breath and whispered to himself, “Dongcheng Wudi, Zhuang Huayang, and even Jiang Qiannian have been strong enough to kill Changjiang. In addition, there were two freshmen from Sky Academy appearing at the scene that day.”

“These people are all suspicious.”

Gu Xingyun continued to say, “But their suspicion is not big. The two freshmen can be ignored. How can they kill Changjiang? “Do you think the unique techniques of Kunlun City are the so-called secrets that can be casually painted by charlatans?”

“As for Dongcheng Wudi and Zhuang Huayang… I have talked to Zhong Yongming. They did not have direct conflicts that day. And even if they are narrow-minded and have the killing intent, they would not take actions so quickly. The two old foxes would not be so untactful.”

“Samsara and Qin Weibai are most suspicious. But even if it was a provocation, Qin Weibai wouldn’t directly choose Gu Changjiang as a target and she went to the airport first…”

Gu Xingyun a.n.a.lyzed one by one, and there was only one name left.

“What about Jiang Qiannian?”

Gu Fengbo seemed to know what he was thinking and directly mentioned the name. He hesitated for a while and continued saying, “A few days ago, the First Elder also seemed to be in Huating…”

“Crack!”

The fis.h.i.+ng rod in Gu Xingyun’s hand was crumbed directly, sinking into the lake. A fish that had just swallowed a bait right escaped.

Gu Xingyun muttered to himself without any expression, “The First Elder…”

In recent years, the foundation of Kunlun City had gradually been stable and some internal contradictions had gradually come out. For the Gu family, Gu Qianchuan’s descendant was the real direct descendant, but now, the power of Kunlun City was controlled by Gu Xingyun’s descendant.

The contradiction between Gu Xingyun’s unwillingness to hand over power and Gu Qianchuan’s unwillingness to give up his orthodox position could be barely mediated. And as time went by, the contradiction had become more and more obvious in recent years under less external pressure.

As a confidant of the city governor’s descendant, Gu Changjiang had always been at odds with Gu Qianchuan. It was too normal for him to have the killing intent to Gu Changjiang.

And the Jiang family, a huge monster, had been keeping a hazy connection with Kunlun City visibly or invisibly for many years. In all, Gu Qianchuan seemed to have a closer connection with the Jiang family.

“But can this tiny closer relations.h.i.+p enable Jiang Qiannian and the Jiang family to take part in the internal strife in Kunlun City? And it even let Jiang Qiannian, a master in the Invincible Realm, personally clear away the obstacles of power grabbing for Gu Qianchuan?”

Gu Fengbo seriously pondered for a while, shook his head, and said with hesitation, “The First Elder can’t use this as a bargaining chip.”

“He can.”

Gu Xingyun said with no expression, “It’s just that does he really dare to use this as a bargaining chip?”

A phone rang suddenly.

Gu Xingyun took out his mobile phone. Looking at the two characters of Gu Yunxia in the caller ID, he frowned slightly and smiled softly after connecting, “What’s the matter, Yunxia?”

Gu Yunxia said something urgently at the other end of the phone.

The smile on Gu Xingyun’s face suddenly disappeared.

He silently put down the phone and narrowed his eyes.

“Your Highness, what’s the matter?”

Gu Fengbo glanced at him confusedly and asked.

“Yunzong is dead,” said Gu Xingyun.

Looking at the grim and malicious face of Gu Fengbo, he continued saying, “Mengjiang has mysteriously disappeared in Yunxia’s office. It has been all day long without any clue.”

Gu Fengbo clenched his fist tightly, his face livid.

“What an eventful year.”

Gu Xingyun gently sighed. The air around his whole body slightly vibrated and the ripples spread on the lake surface. The next second, he had appeared at the lakeside. “Let’s set out at once. You and I go to Huating.”

Gu Fengbo stood up and jumped out of the boat, walking in the waves. The monstrous waves shot around his whole body with astonis.h.i.+ng momentum.

…

At the same time.

Under the Qingyun Peak of Mount Kunlun.

In a place of ice and snow that was thousands of meters above sea level, a figure that was wrapped in a black cloak appeared at the gate of Kunlun City.

He carried a long sword and walked slowly.

The city gate that was originally destroyed by w.a.n.g Tianzong’s sword had been urgently repaired more than half within a few days. The black figure with a long sword looked at the busy figures at the city gate, his eyes sardonic.

“Who are you? Stop!”

The guard who was repairing the city gate first found the black figure in his sight and shouted loudly.

The black figure moved on forward.

The guards in front of the city gate suddenly became nervous. Dozens of people gathered quickly and said together, “Stop.”

In their sights, the black figure stopped as expected.

However, before the guards could breathe a sigh of relief, the black figure had already spoken directly and his voice rent the air. The snow all over the city flew wildly in the fierce and dense sword comprehension, following his voice to spread throughout the city. “I’m a saint from the Samsara Palace. By the order of the Palace Master, there is a letter to be delivered to Your Highness, the G.o.d of War.”

He put his hand into the lining and took out an envelope.

Under the suddenly nervous gazes of all the guards, the saint swung his hand.

The snowy envelope pierced the snow instantly.

The strong wind whistled, and the city was full of sword comprehension.

The envelope was like a white flowing light, shooting straight toward the city gate.

A loud crash.

In the blizzard, the city gate of Kunlun City that had been repaired urgently more than half collapsed again.

The rubble was flying.

The saint safely turned around and left, neither hastily nor slowly.

In Kunlun City, several experts in the Thunder-shocking Realm appeared at the same time. Looking at the envelope at the top of a pile of stones and then the back of the saint, they darkened their faces in silence.

“Who is willing to goad the First Super Master of Samsara?”

The expert Skull in the Thunder-shocking Realm, who used to show up when w.a.n.g Tianzong was about to enter the city, hesitated for a while, reaching for the envelope and opening it. His face was darkened dramatically instantly at a glance.

…

Finally, Gu Xingyun was unable to go down to Huating personally.

Even Gu Fengbo did not go over.

Because just as the two of them were about to leave, a piece of news instantly spread through every corner of the Dark World fast as a hurricane.

It was a letter from the Palace Master of Samsara Palace to the city governor of Kunlun City.

It was delivered by a saint.

When the news of the letter was heard by Gu Xingyun, it was also spread all over the whole Dark World.

It caused a stir at the whole Dark World instantly. The whole world burst into an uproar.

“I have heard that the martial arts in Kunlun City are unique in the world. They are the pillars of the martial arts in Zhongzhou State. I have admired it for a long time, so I come to consult. Your Highness is the G.o.d of War in Zhongzhou State with the matchless battle strength, which will definitely not disappoint me who is just a woman. On June 15th, in the Sky Academy, I will await respectfully Your Highness. I wish to catch a glimpse of Your Highness and hope Your Highness will offer an opportunity.”

“Sabers and swords have no eyes. Hope that Your Highness will put aside the worries of life and death, success and failure to reproduce the glory of Kunlun City. Although I am a woman, I am willing to lay down everything and compete with Your Highness about the peak of the martial arts. No death, no retreat. No death, no cease!”

“If Your Highness loses the battle, I hope Your Highness will not be miserly with the head.”

“If Your Highness avoids the battle, it’s ok. You just need to call yourself a mean fellow in the future. Someday, the Samsara Palace will go eastward to slaughter the mean fellows and destroy the nest of Your Highness.”

“Your Highness is responsible for the glory and honor of hundreds of years of the Gu family. I hope Your Highness will consider it carefully.”

“Signed, Samsara.”

No death, no retreat. No death, no cease!

On June 15th, in the Sky Academy.

The whole Dark World thought that the Palace Master of Samsara Palace was crazy.

The whole Dark World was also waiting for the response of Gu Xingyun.

And on the same day when Gu Xingyun remained silent.

In the northeast of Zhongzhou State.

For the first time in many years, the Hidden G.o.d Situ Cangyue in Zhongzhou State walked out of Sigh City, Mount Taibai.

He threw down the gauntlet to the First Elder Gu Qianchuan from Kunlun City.

It was almost the same wording as the Palace Master’s of the Samsara Palace.

No death, no retreat. No death, no cease!