LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 493: Chapter 493: Guidance!
Chapter 493: Guidance!
The leading elder quickly interjected, "Gu Yao, while it's true that during the coming-of-age ceremony, you are allowed to challenge any clan member, you need the other party's consent if they are not part of our clan."
"I understand," Gu Yao nodded, his black and white hair strikingly prominent as he looked towards Xiao Ze. "Xiao Ze, I want to challenge you."
"Gu Yao, don't be reckless. Xiao Ze is a guest of our Gu Clan and has no obligation to indulge your whims," Gu Lan coughed, frowning at Gu Yao. He had anticipated this situation, which was why he had decided to oversee the ceremony.
Hearing Gu Lan's words, Gu Yao clenched his fists, his usually cold face showing a hint of frustration. Why? Why even Elder Gu Lan was siding with him?
Xiao Ze, however, seemed amused. He shook his head and declined the challenge while seated. "You are not qualified to challenge me."
In the original story, Gu Yao had made Xiao Yan challenge him, as challenges usually came from those seeking to rise above their station. Now, the roles were reversed: Gu Yao wanted to challenge Xiao Ze but lacked the necessary qualifications.
Xiao Ze's simple response made Gu Yao's expression shift dramatically. "You think I'm not even qualified to challenge you?"
"Of course not. I still believe Elder Gu Lan's advice to you is more meaningful. Don't do something foolish and blind."
Gu Yao gritted his teeth, the dissatisfaction in his eyes growing more intense. He knew Xiao Ze's strength was deep and unfathomable, but he didn't want to give up so easily. He was unwilling to simply walk away without at least challenging Xiao Ze once. He hadn't expected that the moment he issued his challenge, everyone, including the elders and even Gu Lan, would look at him with skepticism, treating his challenge as a child's tantrum.
This sharp contrast fueled his resentment. Gritting his teeth, he spoke each word with difficulty, "What if I insist on challenging you?"
Xiao Ze shrugged, ignoring Gu Yao and looking towards Gu Lan. Gu Lan sighed, recognizing the stubbornness in Gu Yao. In the outside world, an eight-star Dou Zong challenging a Dou Sheng would have been a death sentence. A Dou Sheng, as the pinnacle of the Dou Qi continent, commanded respect and could not be challenged lightly.
Seeing Xiao Ze's gaze, Gu Lan smiled wryly. "Xiao Ze, could you perhaps consider accepting his challenge, if only to guide our young generation?"
Gu Lan added privately through sound transmission, "Gu Yao has been a top talent for too long and needs to be humbled. Please teach him a lesson but go easy on him. The Gu Clan will be grateful and will present a significant gift as thanks."
Hearing Gu Lan's private plea, Xiao Ze smiled slightly, impressed by the elder's tact compared to Gu Yao's bluntness. "Alright, if you insist, I'll guide you," Xiao Ze said casually.
Gu Yao's expression darkened further, but it didn't matter. Now that Xiao Ze had accepted his challenge, he intended to leave his mark on Xiao Ze, no matter what it took.
Gu Yao glanced at Xun'er, who sat beside Xiao Ze with a composed demeanor. Seeing Xun'er's calm acceptance of Xiao Ze's decision, Gu Yao burned with jealousy. Xun'er was always distant and aloof with him, yet she was so compliant with Xiao Ze.
Xiao Ze stood up and, with a light step, appeared in the center of the square. Gu Lan nodded to him and waved his hand, creating a Dou Qi barrier around the arena.
"You might think I'm overestimating myself, but I'll make you change your mind," Gu Yao said, his cold demeanor intensifying along with his chilling aura.
"We'll see," Xiao Ze replied calmly, nearly causing Gu Yao to lose his composure again.
Suppressing his frustration, Gu Yao launched himself like a phantom towards Xiao Ze. The air temperature plummeted, becoming extremely cold. However, Xiao Ze seemed unaffected, as if standing in a warm breeze.
Xiao Ze slightly tilted his head and flicked his fingers towards the left. In an instant, a slender hand reached out from the void, meeting Gu Yao's icy attack head-on.
Boom!
In the next moment, Gu Yao's body slammed into the Dou Qi barrier. His previously cold expression was now filled with disbelief. Ignoring the pain from the impact, he stared at Xiao Ze.
"Your speed is decent, but your intent is too obvious. If you want to ambush someone, you should better conceal your emotions," Xiao Ze remarked casually.
The onlookers around the square were amazed, once again raising their estimation of Xiao Ze's abilities. Only the Dou Sheng level elders of the Gu Clan could truly understand Xiao Ze's strength, while the other guests could only speculate based on his actions.
"Didn't you want to challenge me? Why are you standing there?" Xiao Ze said lightly, giving Gu Lan some face by not using his full strength.
Gu Yao stood up, biting his lip. What kind of monstrous body did Xiao Ze have? Realizing close combat was futile, he decided to use his Dou Qi.
As Dou Qi surged around him, Gu Yao's hands formed a series of complex seals, creating afterimages. "Mountain Crushing Seal, Sea Turning Seal, Earth Overturning Seal..."
Xiao Ze stood still, watching as Gu Yao's hand seals formed. The crowd outside the barrier marveled at the intricate technique, but Xiao Ze noticed many flaws. These were not in the technique itself, but in Gu Yao's execution.
(End of Chapter)
Happy New Year friends, thank you for your support this year, I hope to continue counting on your support this new year.