Chapitre 45: Chapter 45 Make Me
Xuanyuan and Tai Yang stared at each other from across the platform. Both boys were tall for Gu Masters, although Xuanyuan even at barely sixteen stood a solid head above most of his peers. Even after a year of growth and development, Tai Yang still had to tilt his head back slightly to look up at Xuanyuan's face.
The otherworldly demon just smiled at Tai Yang, sending shivers down the young man's spine. Most of the time Xuanyuan was quite aloof, but more than happy to have a conversation with someone, so long as it was about Gu, or a topic relating to Gu.
But standing against Xuanyuan in a ring, made the tall young man appear... somewhat sinister. Tai Yang kept glancing behind Xuanyuan, towards his shadow, numerous dark orbs floating within his shadow, like the silhouette of piranhas in dark murky waters.
Tai Yang wasn't afraid of Xuanyuan in terms of fighting him. If both parties were at maximum strength, Tai Yang would just overwhelm Xuanyuan with heat, to the point where he couldn't physically withstand it anymore.
Xuanyuan's defenses were quite effective against opponents that needed to get close to him in order to attack him. Using something like heat against his shadows, showed him that he absolutely no defenses against such attacks.
All of his fights had given something for Xuanyuan to think about.
His distinctly non-existent movement type Gu.
His lack of any proper defensive type Gu.
His weak physical qualities in comparison to other Gu Masters.
His lack of any offensive area of effect type Gu.
His inefficient methods of using offensive type Gu without proper enhancement type Gu to support them.
His inability to obtain any healing type Gu, and his decision to not obtain any concealment type Gu.
Not to mention, his lack of a Rank 2 Cloud Essence Gu and a Rank 2 Beggar Moth Gu. These two particular Gu highlight the possibility of extended fights in the Gu World. Cloud Essence Gu directly converts ambient primeval energy into primeval essence but at a horrible conversion rate. The speed at which accumulates is slightly higher for those with a higher innate talent, so comparing someone like Fang Yuan and Fang Zheng, the latter would receive greater benefits form the Gu.
And Beggar Moth Gu was simply just more primeval essence. It only stored excess primeval essence, but still, if any of Xuanyuan's Rank 2 opponents possessed such a thing, he doubted he would be able to win the tournament.
Xuanyuan suspected that Tai Yang possessed a Rank 3 Fire Path Gu, and if he did possess a Beggar Moth, he would more than likely lose this fight. Each were fighting to the point where their opponent could no longer fight, so other than killing blows, anything else was allowed.
The pair of young men stared intently at each other, this particular fight having to referees, each placed on either side of the arena. For the final match of the tournament, the entirety of the arena was available for use, roughly two acres worth of flat ground for Gu Masters to battle each other for supremacy.
Both of the referees, one a Rank 3 Earth Path Gu Master, and the other, a Rank 3 Wood Path Gu Master stood by, both turning towards Xuanyuan and Tai Yang, seeing both of them nod without removing their gazes from each other.
The referees lifted their heads and looked towards Elder Chang. The large, Strength Path Elder just smiled raising his hand, bringing the screams of the crowd to a halt, filling the arena with a tension filled silence.
The Strength Soul Hall Elder paused for a few seconds, before swinging his hand down firmly, causing a large gust of wind to billow throughout the arena.
"Let the bout... begin!".
The entire crowd roared into action, screaming out Xuanyuan's and Tai Yang's names. They expected the pair to immediately use everything they had all at once to defeat the other person, but instead, just watched each other, waiting to see who would make the first move.
Xuanyuan just raised his head slightly before walking towards his right. Tai Yang unconsciously mimicked his actions, each moving towards each other in a counter clockwise motion. Like the sun chasing after the moon, Tai Yang reflected Xuanyuan's actions, causing him to smile seeing how cautious Tai Yang was.
Tai Yang was a peak Rank 2 Gu Master, while Xuanyuan himself was a Middle Stage Rank 2 Gu Master. Theoretically, if Tai Yang's dark red primeval essence was diluted down to Xuanyuan's scarlet red primeval essence, it would equal a 1600% primeval essence sea. That was the advantage of having a higher cultivation over his opponent.
But Tai Yang's Gu, while powerful were all extraordinarily draining on his primeval essence. Rank 1 Fire Cloak Gu and Rank 2 Burning Lantern Gu both drained primeval essence by the second, while of all of Xuanyuan's Gu, only Shadow Stinger Gu drained primeval essence per second, but, it wasn't nearly as intensive as Fire Cloak Gu.
Fire Cloak Gu had a much higher output in comparison to Shadow Stinger Gu. It affected the area within three feet of Tai Yang, and the heat within ten feet of him. While Shadow Stinger Gu only affected the area that it could touch, which was within five meters of Xuanyuan.
This didn't include Burning Lantern Gu, which possessed a significantly higher cost than Fire Cloak Gu.
Xuanyuan had studied how much primeval essence his opponents Gu used per second in comparison to per use. While the former was significantly stronger than the latter, it was much more wasteful in the long run.
Including these two Gu, Tai Yang possessed a Rank 2 Fire Qi Gu, a Rank 1 Fireball Gu, a Rank 1 Flash Burn Gu, a Rank 1 Fire Fist Gu, and a Rank 2 Heat Distortion Gu, which could even affect Song Pei's Raging Waves Crocodile.
His Fire Qi Gu and his Heat Distortion Gu also used primeval essence up per second, and even with his Peak Rank 2 Gu Master cultivation, using too many Rank 2 Gu at once drained his primeval essence rapidly.
Xuanyuan had also heard from Yu Xiaolong that Tai Yang's innate talent was between 75% and 79% He was an B Grade Talent, but his maximum primeval essence sea was significantly lower than his own.
A difference of 20% went a long way even if Tai Yang's cultivation was two realms above Xuanyuan's. It lowered the conversion rate of 1200% primeval essence to 864%. Tai Yang had a higher quality of primeval essence to work with, but lost a large portion purely out of a lack of innate talent.
It was almost a third of his potential maximum primeval essence.
Xuanyuan didn't remove the smile from his lips, despite his joins aching and his abdomen clenching occasionally, a flash of pain hidden behind a carefree expression. Xuanyuan suspected one of his ribs might be broken, but ignored it, trying to worm his way into Tai Yang's mind.
"To be honest Tai Yang, if I didn't defeat your sister earlier in the tournament, I don't think you would be standing here now. I know Elder Tai has given you a Rank 3 Gu, just like he did her, the only question is, do you have enough primeval essence to use it?", Xuanyuan said, a curious expression marring his features.
Tai Yang frowned, shaking his head in denial.
"Father gave Yin a Rank 3 Gu for her own protection. Even if she is a Peak Rank 2 Gu Master, she is still a woman after all. It could save her life one day. I on the other hand, have no need for such a thing".
A few Gu Masters who could read lips raised their eyebrows, reading the conversation between the two combatants.
The otherworldly demon just nodding, rolling his eyes softly.
"I will not be fooled by such meagre excuses. A Father would do anything to protect his children, even an orphan like myself can understand such a thing. The only thing that I want to know is... if you want to take the cowards way out... just like Little Yin did?".
Tai Yang's gaze darkened as he watched Xuanyuan continue circling towards him. His sister used a Rank 3 Gu against a Rank 2 Gu Master, one that was given to her, not earned through the rules of the Sect.
Even if his Father could weather the consequences, Tai Yin and Tai Yang still both had their pride, as geniuses of the Righteous Path. Neither denied that Xuanyuan's innate talent was better than their own, but in terms of all other fields relating to Gu Masters, they refused to be second to him.
They were the descendants of Rank 5 Gu Masters. They lived and breathed Gu their entire lives, neither one of them wanted to admit that Xuanyuan knew more than them about Gu or being a Gu Master.
Tai Yang just remained steady, still staring at Xuanyuan, his expression cold and frosty.
"Don't talk about my sister Xuanyuan. She made a single fault. Do not let a single moment define her entire reputation".
Xuanyuan just smiled shaking his head. His expression irked Tai Yang to no end.
"I'm sure that is what Spectral Soul said after he killed his first man. "It was a one-off". "It didn't mean anything". "It was an accident". "I didn't mean to do it". And look how he turned out".
A few of the Elders frowned at Xuanyuan's words, glancing at Elder Tai and Elder Luo. The Water Path Elder remained as impassive and unmoving as usual, obviously already under an immense amount of scrutiny from the other Elders.
Elder Luo on the other hand didn't approve of Xuanyuan's words, standing up in his seat about to reprimand his disciple. He opened his mouth to speak, but found no words come out, instantly glancing towards the Sect Leader who gestured for Luo Yu to sit back down.
"His words are insidious and untrue, however Tai Yang and Tai Yin have broken the Sect rules. This shall be their punishment. The Ancient Soul Sect has never, and never will be a Clan. Senseless nepotism and biased favoritism of disciples based on bloodline is not permitted in my Ancient Soul Sect".
The Sect Leader watched as Elder Luo glanced at Xuanyuan, before sitting back down in his seat. His expression was a strange mixture of worry and disappointment, but the Sect Leader just waved Luo Yu off.
"Do not worry about the morality of your disciple Luo Yu. Discussions about... prophecies aside, Xuanyuan desires to rally Tai Yin and Tai Yang under his banner. Whatever he has in mind, will not go against the tenets of our Ancient Soul Sect. And besides...".
"Demonic Path Gu Masters are even more venomous than Xuanyuan. How can our disciples expect to combat them, if the sword in their heart is flimsy and weak?".
Elder Luo was reminded of the conversation between Xuanyuan and Tai Yin, soothing the worries in his heart. He nodded at the Sect Leader's words, giving him a bow.
"My apologies Sect Leader. My heart wavered for a moment, it will not happen again".
The Ancient Soul Sect Leader just nodding, moving his gaze back towards the arena. Things had become significantly more... tense after Xuanyuan spoke these words.
Tai Yang stopped moving, allowing Xuanyuan to circle around him, like a lion stalking its prey. He could see Tai Yang's fist clench, and begin shaking as the air around the Fire Path Gu Master started to become distorted under immense heat.
Xuanyuan just smiling, finding the right nerve. Shaking his head again, he continued his mental assault.
"I think it is quite an honor to be compared to a Venerable, even Spectral Soul. He was the greatest murderer in history. You know what they say right, kill a single man and you're a murderer, kill a million men and you're a conqueror, kill them all and you're a God. Do you think that Little Yin would appreciate what I am saying right-".
An enormous inferno burst out of Tai Yang's clothes, dying him, and everything within three feet of him a burning, searing, orange. His expression was murderous, teeth bared and a mixture of hatred, anger and wrath marring his expression.
"If you don't shut up right now Xuanyuan, I swear on my Ancestors name, you won't ever speak another word ever again!".
Xuanyuan just smiled, raising his middle and index finger together, his other hand behind his back. He gestured for Tai Yang to come closer, igniting further fury in the young man's eyes.
"Make me".
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone