Chapter 31: A Resurgent Reputation

Elder Zhao grew even more furious when he saw the unconcerned expression on Gu Liuyun’s face.

He slowly stepped out from the crowd, fixing Gu Liuyun with a sinister stare.

“Boy, do you really think you can escape my grasp?” Elder Zhao’s voice was filled with menace, as though victory were already within his grasp.

He waved his hand, signaling his subordinates to seal off the exit and cut off every possible avenue of retreat for Gu Liuyun and Chen Jiaojiao.

“Today, I’ll show you exactly what happens to those who offend the Profound Heaven Sect!” Elder Zhao snarled as he advanced toward Gu Liuyun, each step seeming to pound against everyone’s heartbeat.

A ferocious smile spread across Elder Zhao’s face, as if he could already see Gu Liuyun kneeling and begging for mercy.

He continued forward step by step, his arrogance nearly setting the entire tavern ablaze.

“Boy, today I’ll teach you what it means to—”

Before he could finish, Elder Zhao’s voice abruptly cut off.

A visible wave of spiritual energy shot from Gu Liuyun’s fingertips as fast as lightning and slammed into Elder Zhao’s chest.

Boom!

With a deafening crash, Elder Zhao flew backward like a kite with its string cut. He smashed through several tables, sending wine jars, bowls, and chopsticks scattering across the floor. Wine splashed everywhere, filling the air with a rich fragrance.

He landed heavily on the ground, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, his face filled with disbelief.

The tavern fell utterly silent. Everyone was stunned by the sudden turn of events.

Elder Zhao had been arrogant and overbearing only moments ago, yet in the blink of an eye he had been reduced to this state. The reversal had come so quickly that it caught everyone completely off guard.

Seeing this, Guard Wu’s expression changed drastically. Without stopping to think, he immediately unleashed his strongest technique, transforming into a blurred shadow as he lunged viciously at Gu Liuyun.

“You dared injure my master? You’re courting death!”

The corners of Gu Liuyun’s lips lifted slightly in a disdainful smile.

With a flash of his figure, he easily evaded Guard Wu’s attack.

Guard Wu’s strike missed. Realizing that something was wrong, he was just about to change his move when he discovered that Gu Liuyun had already appeared behind him.

Gu Liuyun casually snatched up a wine jar and smashed it hard against the back of Guard Wu’s head.

Crash!

The wine jar shattered on impact. Liquor splashed in every direction, and shards flew through the air, leaving Guard Wu dizzy and disoriented from the sudden blow.

Taking advantage of the opening, Gu Liuyun kicked Guard Wu in the rear and sent him flying. He crashed heavily to the ground with a miserable cry.

“What was that supposed to be?” Gu Liuyun said, clapping his hands with an easy, carefree expression, as though he had just finished doing something utterly insignificant.

The surrounding drinkers drew sharp breaths. The way they looked at Gu Liuyun was now filled with awe.

They had never imagined that this seemingly ordinary young man could possess such terrifying strength.

“Is there anyone else who objects?” Gu Liuyun swept his gaze across the room, his voice cold and commanding.

Everyone exchanged glances, not daring to make a sound.

“Looks like…” Gu Liuyun paused, his eyes settling on Chen Jiaojiao some distance away. “Someone is already too impatient to wait…”

Chen Jiaojiao had been watching with burning excitement. Her little fists waved through the air with impressive enthusiasm, and she looked as though she wished she could charge forward and fight alongside Gu Liuyun herself.

“Come on, Gu Liuyun! Beat him until he’s crawling around looking for his teeth!” she shouted excitedly, her eyes sparkling like stars. She was practically Gu Liuyun’s number-one admirer.

Gu Liuyun glanced at her, the corners of his mouth curving into an indulgent smile. This girl really was adorable.

He gave Chen Jiaojiao a confident look, as if saying, “Don’t worry. Leave it to me.”

Their little exchange was so sweet it made the air thicken with the sour scent of romance, leaving the surrounding onlookers force-fed a feast of affection.

Elder Zhao was so furious that he nearly spat blood. As an esteemed elder of the Profound Heaven Sect, he had actually been humiliated by a mere youngster. This was an utter disgrace!

With trembling hands, he pulled a black bead glowing with an eerie light from his storage pouch.

“Boy, you forced me into this!” he said through clenched teeth, the venom in his eyes almost taking physical form.

The black bead radiated an immense pressure. The temperature throughout the tavern suddenly plummeted, as though everyone had been transported into an icy cellar.

Even the air seemed to grow viscous, making it difficult to breathe.

Gu Liuyun felt the tremendous pressure, but he showed not the slightest trace of fear.

He drew a deep breath and mobilized the small amount of spiritual energy remaining within him. His hands moved rapidly through a series of seals as he muttered an incantation under his breath.

An ancient and mysterious aura emanated from his body, as though it had come from a primordial deity.

“Grand Profound Ninefold Revolution—First Revolution!”

A pillar of golden light erupted from Gu Liuyun and soared into the heavens, illuminating the entire tavern.

The golden radiance collided with the black aura released by the bead, producing a piercing shriek. The entire tavern began to tremble violently, as though it might collapse at any moment.

In the end, the golden light gained the upper hand. The black aura gradually dissipated, and the black bead dimmed before dropping to the ground with a crisp clatter.

Elder Zhao suffered the backlash. A mouthful of blood burst from him, his face turning as pale as paper as his entire body weakened.

The tavern was silent once more. Everyone had been shaken by Gu Liuyun’s overwhelming strength, and their eyes were filled with awe.

This was no ordinary youngster. He was clearly a powerful master who had been pretending to be weak while waiting to strike!

Gu Liuyun took Chen Jiaojiao’s hand and left the tavern with effortless grace beneath the reverent gazes of everyone present.

“Wait…” Chen Jiaojiao suddenly stopped and turned toward the direction of the remote mountains. “Did we forget something?”

Gu Liuyun smiled faintly, determination shining in his eyes. “Don’t worry. The place we’re going is right there.”

The two of them set off along the road leading into the remote mountains. The scenery around them gradually grew lush and verdant, while the air became increasingly fresh.

Within the mountains, clouds and mist curled through the landscape, seemingly concealing countless secrets.

Gu Liuyun’s heart was filled with anticipation. Chen Jiaojiao followed closely behind him, while the surrounding silence heightened the mysterious atmosphere of the unknown.

“This is the hidden abode we’ve been looking for.” Gu Liuyun pointed toward a valley shrouded in drifting mist.

A winding path stretched from the valley into its depths.

The two proceeded along the path, their feet sinking into soft moss, as though they had stepped into an ancient world.

The entrance to the hidden abode was concealed behind a veil of dense fog. It appeared and disappeared by turns, lending it an especially mysterious air.

Gu Liuyun drew a deep breath and stepped into the hidden abode first.

The interior was spacious. Glowing ores were embedded in the walls, illuminating the cavern as brightly as broad daylight.

However, the ground was covered with all kinds of mechanisms and traps. The slightest carelessness could trigger a deadly danger.

“Be careful. These mechanisms are no simple matter,” Gu Liuyun reminded Chen Jiaojiao in a low voice, a trace of vigilance in his eyes.

The two advanced cautiously, every step as perilous as walking on thin ice.

Suddenly, a faint sound came from ahead. Gu Liuyun instantly became alert.

He seized Chen Jiaojiao, and together they dodged to the side. A relentless whistling filled the air as volleys of arrows shot in from every direction, striking the surrounding stone walls with a succession of sharp impacts.