Chapter Twenty-Nine: A Difficult Dilemma-Acha que não posso cultivar e quer cancelar o noivado? Na verdade, já alcancei o Estágio de Fundação.(Guerreira Bela Jovem)

Gu Liuyun slowly unfolded the ancient invitation in his hand; the four characters "Cultivator Gathering" inscribed upon it seemed to radiate an inexplicable majesty. His gaze was resolute, and a faint smile played on his lips, for he had already devised a strategy to handle the situation. He knew that this journey would be fraught with danger, yet it was also the perfect opportunity to display his strength and consolidate his standing.

"Jiaojiao, let us go." Gu Liuyun turned back to look at Chen Jiaojiao, who was following closely behind him, and patted her hand gently, his eyes filled with tenderness. Chen Jiaojiao gripped his arm tightly, her eyes flashing with determination, though the tension in her heart remained impossible to conceal. She knew that this gathering of cultivators would be anything but peaceful.

The two made their way along the winding mountain path, the surrounding forest scenery receding as if signaling an approaching storm. The wind carried a faint scent of vegetation, and the occasional cry of a bird only added to the tense atmosphere. From time to time, Chen Jiaojiao looked up at Gu Liuyun, whose face remained fixed in a confident smile, causing the unease in her heart to gradually dissipate.

Finally, they arrived at the gathering site. It was a vast, open space surrounded by towering cliffs, with a massive stone table placed in the center, around which many cultivators had already gathered. Their gazes converged upon Gu Liuyun, some whispering to one another as if plotting some conspiracy. Elder Zhao stood to the side with Guard Wu, watching Gu Liuyun coldly with unconcealed hostility. The aura of Guard Wu was imposing, and the powerful spiritual pressure emanating from him made the surrounding air feel stagnant. Gu Liuyun sensed this oppression but merely smiled, unfazed.

"Gu Liuyun, I fear this trip will not be an easy one for you," Elder Zhao said, his voice low and cold, as if issuing a warning. Gu Liuyun offered only a faint smile in response.

Suddenly, Cultivator Qian emerged from the crowd and walked straight toward Gu Liuyun, as if there were no one else around. The surrounding cultivators stepped aside, their eyes filled with anticipation, as if waiting for a good show. "Gu Liuyun, I hear you possess a fragment of the Seven-Colored Stone?" Cultivator Qian’s voice was thick with greed, his eyes fixed intently on Gu Liuyun as if he intended to devour him whole.

Gu Liuyun smiled slightly and flicked his sleeve. A pale golden light surged forth, rotating like a tornado and throwing the surrounding air into chaos. His voice was low and powerful: "Enough talk, come!"

Cultivator Qian’s expression shifted, a flicker of fear flashing in his eyes, but he did not retreat. Instead, he shouted more fiercely, "Then let me see what you are truly capable of!" Before the words had even faded, bursts of magical light erupted from Cultivator Qian’s hands, shooting toward Gu Liuyun like sharp arrows. Gu Liuyun dodged sideways, skillfully evading the spells while utilizing unique cultivation techniques to rapidly absorb the surrounding spiritual energy to bolster his own power. The onlookers widened their eyes, astonished by his agility and swift reaction. Nearby, Elder Zhao and Miss Sun wore smug smiles, believing Gu Liuyun was on the verge of defeat.

However, Gu Liuyun seized the moment to unleash a technique from the memories of the Immortal Venerable. His hands moved like flowing water, and brilliant golden beams shot from his fingertips, striking Cultivator Qian directly. The force of the blow sent Cultivator Qian staggering back several paces, drawing gasps from the onlookers and heightening the tension. Incensed, Cultivator Qian launched an even more ferocious attack, summoning a magical artifact that radiated intense light. Gu Liuyun remained unhurried; using the Immortal Venerable’s memories to discern the flaws in his opponent’s technique, he easily avoided the attacks and delivered a heavy blow to Cultivator Qian.

Cultivator Qian vomited blood and collapsed to the ground in a sorry state. The surrounding cultivators were stunned by Gu Liuyun’s immense power, and Elder Zhao’s face turned ghastly, filling Gu Liuyun with a sense of accomplishment. "Hmph, I trust you are convinced of your defeat now!" Gu Liuyun sneered, his gaze sweeping across the crowd; in that moment, he seemed to have reclaimed the majesty of the Immortal Venerable.

No sooner had Gu Liuyun struck Cultivator Qian down than Chen Jiaojiao pounced into his arms like a small kitten, her eyes sparkling with pure adoration. Gu Liuyun instinctively wrapped his arm around her soft waist, the sensation sending a surge of warmth and tenderness through his heart. The jealous glares from the female cultivators were sharp enough to cut, while the men looked on with envy and hatred, wishing they could take his place. The air was thick with a palpable romantic tension, catching everyone off guard with such an overt display of affection.

Seeing that Cultivator Qian had been dispatched in an instant, Elder Zhao’s face turned blue with fury. Being an old fox, he knew he might not fare well if he stepped in himself, so he cast a sinister glance, signaling Guard Wu to take action.

Guard Wu received the instruction and walked toward Gu Liuyun like a moving glacier, each step seemingly falling upon the heartbeats of those watching. The surrounding air felt as though it had frozen solid, the tension so suffocating it made it hard to breathe. Sensing the powerful aura radiating from Guard Wu, Gu Liuyun frowned, thinking to himself: *This one is a tough nut to crack; it seems another fierce battle is at hand.*

Without a word, Guard Wu lunged, his attacks swift and violent, descending like a tempest. Gu Liuyun did not dare to be careless, responding with cool-headed composure as he engaged in a fierce struggle with the guard. Every strike was lethal, and the onlookers watched in terror, not daring to draw a full breath. As the battle progressed, Gu Liuyun gradually gained the upper hand; he seemed to operate with effortless mastery, unleashing increasingly powerful immortal techniques that forced Guard Wu into a retreat. Seeing this, Elder Zhao’s face turned as pale as a withered vegetable, but he could do nothing but glare helplessly.

Just as Gu Liuyun prepared to deliver a finishing blow, the entire gathering site suddenly seemed to be caught in a pause button. A mysterious, overwhelming force surged in like a tide, instantly enveloping the entire grounds.

"What... what is happening?" Chen Jiaojiao’s voice trembled as she gripped Gu Liuyun’s hand. Gu Liuyun’s brow furrowed as he scanned his surroundings, silently reciting the cultivation memories of his past life in an attempt to identify the source of this power. The cultivators began to flee in every direction, screams and shouts echoing as the entire area descended into chaos.