Dao Equaling the Heavens
Chapter 90 - 78: Looking Down Upon the World

Chapter 90: Chapter 78: Looking Down Upon the World

Gu Wen took a sip of tea and asked, "Is the purpose of the three rankings to incite strife? And who established them?"

A group of young and ambitious elites gathered in one place would inevitably lead to strife, and once the rankings were established, fighting was unavoidable. In literature there is no first place, in martial arts there is no second, so a bloody battle is a necessity to determine the true leader.

"It was established by the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, but they merely acted according to the situation. If they hadn’t done it, someone else would have."

Ao Tang lay on one side, ignored and unheard by the people around him, with no one finding it odd to bring a donkey into the tea house.

"There are many idle people in the world who enjoy watching a spectacle. Even if there were no rankings, would you not compete? Impossible. Those who diligently cultivate by severing their emotions and desires are also competing with heaven and earth. Those who turn into stones are failures, unable to maintain their true self without emotions and desires."

"Cultivation values competition, only by contending with heaven and earth can one achieve transcendence and become an Immortal."

Seeing the unmoved Gu Wen, Ao Tang laughed and said, "Second Ancestor, you are currently ranked tenth, and since you have ties with this youngster, naturally you are not interested. But what if someone ranked seventh were to emerge?"

No sooner had he spoken than a gust of wind carried the sound of a sword’s ringing, and a flash of white light arrived in an instant.

The newcomer, dressed in blue, stood with a sword in hand, his face stern and his temples meticulously groomed.

"No disturbance or troublemaking is allowed in the city."

Hee Huan explained, "I do not offend others unless they offend me first. A bunch of nobodies tried to rank themselves above me and even claimed Brother Red Dust is better than you, which infuriated me for a moment."

He then carried his silver spear on his shoulder, looking at the wooden-like swordsman before him and laughed, "It seems they were indeed mistaken. Your seventh rank on the list does not look secure."

Xiao Yunyi said indifferently, "I never cared for the three rankings. I am ranked seventh only because the one who challenged me was victorious."

"Then today, let us see what you are capable of."

Hee Huan’s mana surged unhidden, his Yin and Yang dharma form at the First Level, theoretically possessing double the mana of ordinary people.

Third Level dharma form, fulfilled at the First Level.

A level higher than before, yet the gap between him and Gu Wen was visibly wider than it was the first time they met; Gu Wen was two levels fulfilled above him, creating a clear division in realm.

There were disparities even among the elites, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t one of them.

Xiao Yunyi, seeing the opponent’s eagerness to fight, knew this could not be resolved with a few words and slowly drew his soft sword from his waist; green as bamboo, slender as a willow leaf. The drawing of the sword brought a gentle breeze.

With one sword thrust, the sword light spread like a fishing net.

Hee Huan’s spear radiated Gang Qi for five yards, with spear and Sword Qi clashing, competing in their individual mana and their understanding of their weapon Dao. This process wouldn’t take long.

For a split second, everything slowed down. Everyone present with cultivation was unaffected.

Time had not stopped; only those with a dharma base could perceive the fast pace of their battle.

Hee Huan’s mana was much more profound. His spear’s Gang Qi was slowly breaking through the sword net, inch by inch, foot by foot... the sword net grew thinner, from an impenetrable web to mere strands of Sword Qi, yet it never broke.

Two breaths in, the spear’s Gang Qi was exhausted.

Xiao Yunyi stepped forward, lightly tapping the silk drapes of the tavern, leaping up to the eaves with another sword strike. Hee Huan used his spear to block, but his figure was blown away tens of yards high by a blast, like a kite being continuously knocked back.

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Inside the tea house, Gu Wen put down his teacup, his eyes slightly narrowed, yet he made no move.

Hee Huan would not die, and he was indeed interested, already estimating the opponent’s level of cultivation.

Fourth Level dharma form, fulfilled at the Third Level, one level higher than himself, with skills also beyond any ordinary contender.

The sword, thin as cicada wings, and Sword Qi, fine as silkworms thread, yet incredibly tough—using ingenuity over strength, commanding the sword with the wind.

This differed from the spear techniques he had learned, as well as from all opponents he had encountered before. He could sense the opponent’s profound mastery in the Sword Dao.

The thought of a challenge was inevitable; contending only with the stronger was Gu Wen’s nature.

Ao Tang laughed and said, "What do you think? Do you want to test your strength? The purpose of the three rankings is not a reason for the elites to compete, it’s because each is an exceptional being in their own right, the strongest among the strong, the elite among humanity, the heavens beyond the heavens."

"Indeed, that’s true," Gu Wen could not deny, "The three rankings are just additional factors. Those of high ability do not view themselves as inferior to others. It’s a pity that now is not the time. We still need to keep our identities hidden."

"Why hide?"

Yu Hua, who had been absorbed in his book from the very beginning, looked up. His voice was calm and gentle as he said, "You mentioned they already knew we were coming, so why bother hiding? Above the level of True Monarch I am unbeatable, and below that, what have you to fear?"

Gu Wen was stunned for a moment before he understood the other’s intent. He said, "Even though these troubles are bound to arise sooner or later, they still give us a slight advantage."

"The troubles that are destined to come won’t be deterred by our evasion; those we attract are not mere trifles."

Yu Hua propped his chin with one hand, his gaze turning outside to the proud competitors for the first time. He smiled and said, "Go then, we are not the kind to scurry around in fear; they are the ones who should tread carefully."

With those words, Gu Wen had no more reservations.

Amidst the vast clouds, a streak of red light shot up into the sky, a dark red Gang Qi spreading open like fierce flames, dispersing the Qingfeng Sword Qi.

Xiao Yunyi’s expression changed slightly, a hint of solemnity appeared in his eyes as he transitioned from offense to defense.

The other dozen or so spectators were a breath slow to react; then they were all struck by a chill that ran down their spines.

The sky darkened slightly as clouds veiled the sun.

An invisible Red Dragon stood high in the sky, stretching its tens of zhang long body; its Red Scales reflected against the clouds, its head bowed as if to intimidate the millions within the capital city.

Among them, a seemingly ordinary man was holding onto Hee Huan’s collar and descending slowly. His deep eyes held a flicker of red light. Without a word, his mere gaze on Xiao Yunyi put him on high alert.

Hee Huan came back to his senses and saw Gu Wen. With a slight gasp, he said, "Brother Red Dust, why have you shown yourself? I was only sparring, not fighting for my life. By doing this, you’re putting yourself in danger!"

Because of the Lord Emperor’s involvement, everyone in the world knew that Gu Wen would come to the Luo River, as the Immortality Pill required the gathering of the Five Elements. The Sword Washing Pond was the epitome of Gold Extreme, and perhaps the Immortality Pill was in the Sword Pond at this very moment, but others couldn’t investigate it.

Only a Taoist Heavenly Girl could sense the Immortality Pill, and as the Guardian of a Taoist Heavenly Girl, his presence was naturally expected.

But Hee Huan had not anticipated that he would stand up so openly to rescue him, fully exposing himself—a true mark of a close friend!

Hee Huan was somewhat moved.

Gu Wen said, "Saving you was just convenient; don’t get the wrong idea."

"......."

Hee Huan’s eyes were filled with a silent reproach as he said, "Brother Red Dust, it’s clear you don’t have much luck with women, obviously not very appealing to them either."

"Cultivation hardly leaves enough time, let alone for talking of love and affection."

Gu Wen let go of him and casually took his spear, saying, "I’ll borrow your weapon for a moment."

Xiao Yunyi shed his usual carefree demeanor, regarding Gu Wen quite seriously. He said, "You actually dare to show yourself so openly?"

"And why shouldn’t I? Is it because I fear your encirclement or a True Monarch descending from the heavens?"

Gu Wen retorted, standing with spear in hand atop a building three stories high, overlooking the entire Luo River. At this moment, countless gazes converged upon him, some filled with malice.

Do not trouble those who do not trouble me; if one does, they shall be repaid a thousandfold. The encirclements of various factions did not mean they had to be afraid; If Yu Hua was indeed a peerless entity of this era, then naturally, so was he, Gu Wen.

Soaring high like a great swan, he would cover a thousand miles in one flight. With his feathers grown, he would span the oceans far and wide.

Having taken flight with the wind, there is no need to fear a fall from heights.

He grinned, and the dharma form of the Flame Red Dragon faintly revealed its dragon teeth, its boundless killing intent unrestrained, as he proclaimed loudly:

"Do you lowly dogs and chickens even qualify?"

Xiao Yunyi was taken aback, his own momentum subdued by Gu Wen in an instant.

The proud young cultivators and powerful beings gathered all around were stunned as well. They never expected not only for him to openly stand up but also to be so audaciously arrogant. It was as if they were not the ones being hunted, but as if they were Immortals ascending to the heavens.

Yu Hua looked on with a brimming smile.

Ao Tang was somewhat helpless, yet he said nothing.

Rather than the convenience gained from cautious concealment, it was more beneficial to boost Gu Wen’s morale. Cultivation is a battle for a single breath of prowess; those with high spirits naturally find their path smooth and unobstructed.

Throughout generations, all those who have reached the peak have done so by overwhelming their contemporaries.

It’s just that he had thought Gu Wen would retain some modesty, not expecting him to look down upon the world with such disdain the moment he stood up. These two ancestors, one more arrogant than the other, were indeed each a heaven-sent genius.