The shocking scene of the black-robed middle-aged man being crushed like an ant by the enormous spiritual palm remained etched in the hearts of everyone who witnessed it.
Chaos City had returned to silence, yet a certain atmosphere still lingered—a reverent fear for the unknown Nascent Soul expert who had struck so decisively.
Gui Xinmeng, Gui Yiyi, and the rest, under Xuan Yi's lead, quietly left the city amid the stunned gazes of the crowd. No one dared to stop them. No one even dared to approach them.
The road after leaving Chaos City was peaceful. Even Gui Xinmeng and the others, who originally intended to chat and accompany Xuan Yi, became much more cautious and reserved after witnessing his true strength.
The black-robed middle-aged man's fate was a warning to all: provoking such an existence was courting death!
The Scarlet Flame Sparrow carried the group steadily through the clouds.
The early morning sunlight stretched thin golden threads across the sky as Half Moon City gradually came into view in the distance.
The incident yesterday caused Gui Xinmeng and the others to have a little more respect for Xuan Yi. Along the way, they were much more reserved. Other than Gui Yiyi, who from time to time said a few words to Xuan Yi, the others did not dare to communicate with Xuan Yi at all.
Xuan Yi saw all of this.
He smiled bitterly but did not mind. It would be better if no one bothered him. That way, he could focus on teaching Gui Yiyi.
Xuan Yi planned to raise Gui Yiyi's strength by a few levels before they arrived at Half Moon City. It would be best if she successfully comprehended the embryonic form of sword intent.
Originally, with Xuan Yi's guidance, even without the Sword Soul Grass, it was inevitable for Gui Yiyi to comprehend the initial form of Sword Intent. However, the appearance of the Sword Soul Grass had greatly reduced Gui Yiyi's time needed for her to comprehend the initial form of Sword Intent.
At a certain moment, Gui Yiyi's eyelashes fluttered as she sat cross-legged on the back of the Scarlet Flame Sparrow, and her eyes suddenly opened. A wisp of ecstasy was hard to conceal in the depths of her eyes.
"Master...I ..." Gui Yiyi couldn't help but open her mouth in excitement.
But Xuan Yi gently raised his hand and interrupted her with a soft smile.
Xuan Yi's gaze was gentle as he sent a voice transmission, "Don't be in a hurry. At that time, the Half Moon City Grand Competition will give that so-called Duan family's 'genius' a pleasant surprise. Haha..."
The moment Gui Yiyi had opened her eyes, Xuan Yi sensed it clearly.
She had already comprehended the embryonic form of sword intent.
In the entire Heavenly Wind Kingdom, even though there were people who comprehended Sword Intent, there was no one in the entire Heavenly Wind Kingdom who could comprehend it at the Qi Condensation stage!
Gui Yiyi, who was only at the fourth level of Qi Condensation, had achieved what countless others could not dream of. Now, an ordinary ninth level of Qi Condensation cultivator would likely be defeated by her in a single move.
The ability to fight across five or six levels seemed extremely exaggerated, but this also benefited from the fact that Gui Yiyi's cultivation realm was still low. The lower the cultivation, the easier it was to fight across realms.
Satisfied, Xuan Yi nodded slightly.
"We're here."
A massive city appeared before their eyes, surrounded by towering walls and bustling with countless cultivators.
This city was Half Moon City.
Meanwhile, in Half Moon City.
Inside the Gui Family mansion, Patriarch Gui Tiancheng was pacing back and forth anxiously in the main hall. His brows were furrowed tightly.
The atmosphere in the hall was solemn. Around him sat the senior members of the Gui family, all with worried expressions.
Everyone was waiting for their final hope.
"Patriarch! They are back! Second Elder and Young Master Gui Lan have returned!"
A hurried figure rushed into the hall, bringing news.
Everyone in the hall brightened immediately upon hearing this. Gui Tiancheng rushed out impatiently, with the other senior members following closely behind.
Outside, Gui Tiancheng and the elders quickly spotted the Second Elder and the group.
However, their gazes didn't linger long on the Second Elder.
Their eyes immediately locked onto Gui Lan.
Gui Lan—the number one genius of Half Moon City, the hope of the Gui family!
"How is it? Gui Lan, have you been chosen by the Profound Sword Sect?"
Gui Tiancheng couldn't help but blurt out, his voice trembling slightly.
The air seemed to freeze at that moment, and everyone held their breath.
Gui Lan's face twisted awkwardly, and he hesitated under the anxious gazes.
"Lan'er, tell us!"
The Great Elder urged, unable to suppress the urgency in his voice.
Gui Lan clenched his fists tightly, his body trembling slightly. Finally, with great difficulty, he spoke.
"No...No."
Boom!
It was as if a thunderbolt struck the hearts of everyone present.
The air grew thick with despair.
It felt as though the heavens had collapsed onto the Gui family.
"The heavens want to destroy my Gui family!!!"
The First Elder closed his eyes, his voice full of bitterness and helplessness.
At that moment, it seemed like all hope was lost.
But just then—
"Patriarch, don't worry. Although Gui Lan wasn't chosen, the young miss was chosen!"
The Second Elder quickly added, his voice filled with hope.
"What? Yiyi?"
"It's actually the young miss?"
"How is that possible? How can the young miss compare to Young Master Lan?"
Shock spread among the Gui family members.
Gui Yiyi was talented, but compared to Gui Lan, she was considered mediocre!
However, no matter how unbelievable it sounded, reality was right before their eyes.
The Second Elder could not, and would not, joke about such a matter.
"Second Elder, is this true?"
Gui Tiancheng's voice trembled with a sliver of hope.
"Absolutely."
The Second Elder nodded heavily.
"Not only that, but Yiyi has even become a disciple of an extremely powerful elder of the Profound Sword Sect! Patriarch, our Gui family is saved!"
The entire Gui family was stunned.
An elder of the Profound Sword Sect!
They all knew exactly what the word 'elder' meant!
The Profound Sword Sect was one of the top sects in Zhennan Province!
Only cultivators at the late stages of Soul Condensation Realm or even stronger could become elders!
Gui Yiyi had actually been accepted by such a figure as a disciple!
"Good! Good! Good!"
Gui Tiancheng could not stop himself from shouting excitedly, tears glistening in his eyes.
Fortunately, the Gui family still had hope!
"I almost forgot! Patriarch, let me introduce you."
The Second Elder suddenly remembered something important.
He turned to the side and respectfully gestured toward the young man standing quietly beside Gui Yiyi.
"This is Elder Xuan of the Profound Sword Sect, Yiyi's master. This time, Elder Xuan has come to Half Moon City with us to resolve the matter regarding Witherwood Gate!"
Only now did everyone notice Xuan Yi.
Earlier, everyone's attention had been entirely on Gui Lan and the Second Elder. They had completely overlooked this extraordinary young man.
When they saw Xuan Yi's youthful face, many senior members of the Gui family exchanged shocked glances.
This... young man was a Profound Sword Sect elder?
Although they knew not to judge by appearances, Xuan Yi's youthful aura made it hard to believe!
"Senior Xuan, welcome, welcome! Please come in and have some rest!"
Gui Tiancheng quickly bowed and welcomed Xuan Yi warmly.
After some polite conversation, Xuan Yi soon took Gui Yiyi away to resume her training.
The opening of the Purple Moon Secret Realm was fast approaching. Xuan Yi wanted Gui Yiyi's strength to rise as much as possible before then, so she could better protect herself inside.
Currently, her cultivation level was still not enough.
Meanwhile, back in the Gui family mansion.
The senior members of the Gui family were still overwhelmed by the many surprises today.
First, Gui Yiyi had joined the Profound Sword Sect and even became a disciple of a powerful elder.
Then, Gui Xinmeng returned, and upon learning her experiences and that her master was at the eighth level of Soul Condensation Realm, the Gui family's higher-ups nearly burst into laughter from joy.
The Sword Profound Sect, Elder Xuan, Gui Xinmeng's master...
The Gui family was about to rise!
"Right, Second Elder, how strong exactly is Elder Xuan? Who is stronger, Elder Xuan or Gui Xinmeng's master?"
The Grand Elder asked curiously, expressing the question on everyone's minds.
Second Elder smiled mysteriously.
"Hehe, you might as well guess."
"Seventh level Soul Condensation?"
Fifth Elder guessed.
The Second Elder shook his head.
"Eighth level of Soul Condensation?"
Patriarch Gui Tiancheng offered his guess.
The Second Elder still shook his head.
"Don't keep us guessing, just tell us!"
The First Elder urged impatiently.
Seeing this, the Second Elder no longer kept them in suspense. He took a deep breath and spoke calmly but heavily:
"Nascent Soul Realm."
Silence.
Dead silence.
Everyone stared at the Second Elder with wide eyes, as if they couldn't believe what they had just heard.
Nascent Soul Realm...
An existence that transcended the Soul Condensation Realm!
Such an expert... was now the Gui family's backer!