“This aura… someone is constructing a Dao Platform here?”

“Why is the fluctuation so intense?”

“Spiritual Qi as dense as a dipper… this is the sign of a Perfect Dao Platform. Someone is actually constructing a Perfect Dao Platform right now?”

“Who is it?”

“It’s coming from the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion!”

The sudden explosion of Spiritual Qi drew the attention of every faction gathered at the entrance of the Falling Rain Valley. The arena competition was about to begin, and a breakthrough of this magnitude was impossible to ignore.

However, the curiosity was short-lived.

“Just a minor cultivator at the early Foundation Establishment stage,” someone scoffed, withdrawing their gaze. “I thought it was some monster. Gave me a fright.”

“Hahaha, me too! I thought someone was forging their eighth or ninth Perfect Platform. It’s just a second one.”

“Constructing a second Perfect Platform isn’t that rare if you have enough resources and a decent technique. The Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion is wealthy, after all. Throwing resources at a minor cultivator isn’t surprising.”

The crowd dispersed, their interest waning. While a Perfect Dao Platform was impressive, the second platform was widely considered the easiest to form. It was a sign of wealth, not necessarily genius.

But within the Wanbao Tower delegation, the reaction was very different.

“How long has it been?” a steward whispered, eyes wide. “If I remember correctly, Elder Feng only broke through to Foundation Establishment a few days ago. How is he already constructing his second platform?”

“It’s only been a month and a half since he was at Qi Condensation Layer 4! This speed is terrifying!”

“Is he a monster?”

Ordinary cultivators might dismiss it, but the Wanbao Tower staff knew the truth. Gu Xiu’s cultivation speed defied all logic. To go from mid-Qi Condensation to a two-platform Foundation Establishment in six weeks was unheard of.

“Pavilion Master,” Elder Chen whispered to Wan Xiaobei, his voice trembling slightly. “Did Manager Su mention the quality of Elder Feng’s first platform?”

“He didn’t say,” Wan Xiaobei replied, shaking her head. “Why?”

“The second platform is easy to form if the first one is solid,” Elder Chen explained, his eyes locked on Gu Xiu’s cabin. “The stronger the foundation, the faster the second one forms. But even then… three months is considered fast. One month is god-like speed. To do it in a few days, and make it Perfect…”

He took a deep breath.

“Pavilion Master… I think we’ve picked up a true monster.”

Inside his cabin, Gu Xiu was oblivious to the commotion. His entire consciousness was focused on his Dantian Qi Sea.

The Eight Trigrams Auspicious Cloud Dao Platform, already vast as a mountain range, sat at the center of his spiritual ocean. Now, a new structure hovered above it.

It was a lotus.

A lifelike, crystalline flower bloomed, its seedpod shimmering with countless streams of light and ancient runes.

This was the Seven-Treasure Lotus Platform.

But the true spectacle wasn’t the lotus itself. As it settled onto the Eight Trigrams Platform, it began to resonate. An aura of absolute permanence—the power of Indestructibility—flowed from the first platform into the second.

In an instant, the Seven-Treasure Lotus Platform transformed. It expanded, fusing with the base until it, too, became an Indestructible Dao Platform the size of a small house.

Gu Xiu observed the process with calm satisfaction. He had planned to condense this platform before leaving Cloud Firmament City, but the sheer size of the first platform had delayed him. Now, after days of relentless cultivation during the journey, it was finally complete.

Two Perfect Indestructible Dao Platforms.

Although his realm was still technically early Foundation Establishment, the compound power of these platforms unlocked something new. He could now use another of his sword techniques.

He had once been the Azure Mystic Sword Immortal. The Startling Swan Strike was merely the beginning.

Sunlight pierced through the window. Gu Xiu opened his eyes and stood up.

Dawn had broken. The arena battle was about to begin.

The clearing outside the Falling Rain Valley had been transformed into a makeshift arena. Disciples from the Five Sects and Three Clans lined the perimeter, their expressions a mix of excitement and bloodlust.

Wan Xiaobei stood with her team, geared up in high-grade artifacts but looking pale. When Gu Xiu emerged, she blinked in surprise.

“Elder Feng, didn’t you just breakthrough? Shouldn’t you consolidate your realm?”

“It’s fine. Let’s not delay,” Gu Xiu said, shaking his head.

Normally, a cultivator risked shattering a new Dao Platform if they fought too soon. But Gu Xiu’s platform was Indestructible. Consolidation would help him utilize its power better, but for the opponents waiting outside? It wouldn’t make a difference.

“But…” Wan Xiaobei started to argue, but she was interrupted by a loud thud.

Niu Xifang, the massive disciple from the Artifact Resonance Peak, leaped onto the arena. The ground shook under her weight. She pointed a greasy finger directly at Wan Xiaobei.

“You little vixen! I’ve been thinking about last night. That punch was too light. It didn’t vent my anger at all.”

Niu Xifang grinned, her teeth slick with oil. “Get up here. Let me teach you a proper lesson. And let’s be clear—no holding back, and no surrendering. If you quit early, you’re looking down on the Azure Mystic Sacred Land!”

The crowd’s gaze snapped to Wan Xiaobei. Her face turned ashen.

Last night’s punch had been a humiliation, but she had let it slide due to Niu Xifang’s status. Now, the woman was forcing her into a corner. If she went up, she would be beaten. If she refused, she would disgrace the Wanbao Tower.

Anger flared in Wan Xiaobei’s chest. She wanted to slice this fat woman apart. But when she tried to step forward, her legs felt like lead. The memory of Niu Xifang’s brute strength paralyzed her. She had no real combat experience. She was a merchant, not a warrior.

“What’s wrong? Don’t dare to come out?”

“Can’t the Wanbao Tower even find one defender? If you’re scared, just hand over the spots and go home!”

“Hahaha! What did you expect from a bunch of peddlers?”

The mocking laughter was like a thousand needles pricking her skin. Wan Xiaobei trembled, her face flushing with shame and fear.

“Being afraid of losing is normal.”

A calm voice drifted into her ear. Wan Xiaobei started, realizing Feng Bugui had walked past her without her noticing.

“The goal of cultivation is to go from fear to fearlessness,” Gu Xiu said, his voice low but clear. “But fearlessness isn’t the recklessness of a newborn calf. It is a choice made after careful planning.”

He stepped onto the arena, his black robes fluttering in the wind.

“Being afraid for a moment… is not shameful.”

Wan Xiaobei stared at his back, a strange sense of familiarity washing over her.

Niu Xifang scowled as Gu Xiu took his place. “You little bitch, you’re so scared you send a substitute? And the Wanbao Tower sends this? A minor early Foundation Establishment cultivator to seek death?”

She cracked her knuckles, the sound like breaking stones. “I’m in a very bad mood today. If you stand there, you might leave as a corpse.”

“Can people be killed in the arena?” Gu Xiu asked, his tone mild.

“The rules say no,” Niu Xifang sneered. “But blades have no eyes. Who can say for sure? If I accidentally crush a weakling like you… well, accidents happen.”

She expected fear. Instead, the man in front of her shook his head slightly, muttering something under his breath.

“In broad daylight, it’s better not to kill for now. Let’s spare her life.”

Huh? Niu Xifang blinked, then laughed. This insect is sparing MY life?

“Can we start?” Gu Xiu asked.

“Since you’re eager to die, I won’t stop you!” Niu Xifang roared, her aura exploding outward. “I’ll let you experience true despa—”

Before the word “despair” could leave her mouth, Niu Xifang suddenly froze.

A look of utter confusion crossed her face. She lowered her head, staring at her own chest.

The spectators frowned. What is she doing?

Then, everyone’s eyes widened in horror.

A thin line of crimson appeared an inch below Niu Xifang’s heart.

Spurt!

Blood erupted from the wound, a high-pressure jet that painted the arena floor red.

Niu Xifang didn’t scream. She didn’t even sway. Her massive body simply stiffened, then collapsed to her knees with a heavy thud.

She fell face-first into the dirt, unconscious before she hit the ground.

She hadn’t even made a move.

Gu Xiu stood two zhang away, his hands clasped behind his back, his posture relaxed. He didn’t look at the fallen woman. Instead, he turned his gaze to the stunned Azure Mystic delegation.

His voice was calm, cutting through the dead silence.

“Who’s next?”