As soon as the opponents for the first match were announced, the crowd erupted in shock.
"This is way too coincidental! The very first match is between these two!"
"I have a feeling this fight might be even more thrilling than the final!"
"They are both among the top talents of the Gu Clan!"
"Who do you think will win? Although Gu Fei is more talented, I believe Gu Yao has a better chance because this is about strength, not just talent."
"I disagree. Gu Fei's talents aren't limited to cultivation!"
The onlookers engaged in heated debates about the two combatants, with the atmosphere immediately electrified without needing any warm-up. If this was the Gu Clan's way of setting the stage, it was undeniably successful.
Gu Yao and Gu Fei were both strong contenders for the leadership positions. Their fight promised to be packed with excitement, leaving everyone eager with anticipation.
Xiao Yi Xian feels tense and worried. Emotion value +100
Gu Fei glanced at Xiao Yi Xian, whose pale face was now even more bloodless due to her anxiety.
"Don't worry, I'll be right back," Gu Fei reassured her before soaring to the center of the large arena, the designated battle stage.
Gu Yao, who had been intently watching Gu Fei ever since learning he was his opponent, said to himself, "This time, I must win!"
With that resolve, Gu Yao also leaped into the air, landing on the stage after Gu Fei.
"Brother Gu Fei, since we're competing for the leadership positions today, let's not hold back…" Gu Yao spoke earnestly. He was aware that Gu Fei's talent surpassed his own, and this might be his only chance to defeat Gu Fei. In the coming years, Gu Fei's strength would undoubtedly leave him far behind.
Moreover… the image of Xun'er's sweet smile flashed in Gu Yao's mind, although that smile was rarely directed at him.
"Xun'er, for you, I must win!"
"Alright, no brotherhood on the battlefield, let's go all out!" Gu Fei nodded with a smile and then unleashed his powerful Dou Qi.
Gu Yao feels shocked. Emotion value +15
"Two-star Dou venerate… You've broken through again?"
As Gu Fei revealed his aura, Gu Yao was stunned. He remembered that Gu Fei had only recently broken through to Dou Venerate, and now, just six months later, he had advanced again?
Gu Fei's talent wasn't just exceptional- it was monstrous!
Gu Yao wasn't the only one shocked; both Gu Qing Yang and Xun'er were equally taken aback.
"It seems Gu Yao has little chance this time," Gu Qing Yang remarked, shaking his head.
The gap between a one-star and two-star Dou Venerate was like a chasm.
"Is his talent really that overwhelming?" Xun'er was momentarily dazed. Deep down, she had never truly wanted to divorce Gu Fei, as he was the most outstanding among the younger generation. Who would want to abandon a husband who was an unparalleled genius?
Now, a sense of unwillingness spread in Xun'er's heart. She bit her pale lips, hoping that Gu Yao could surpass his limits and defeat Gu Fei!
After a brief standoff, the match officially began.
Gu Yao's Dou Qi erupted, and his black and white hair fluttered as he vanished like a phantom, his figure undetectable even by the air.
Seeing this, Gu Fei's expression grew more serious. He knew he couldn't afford to lose this battle. Such events were the perfect stage for making a name for oneself. Losing would only invite ridicule, so victory was his only option!
"Boom!"
Gu Fei clenched his right fist, and the simple act of tightening his grip caused the air to explode with sound. His Dou Qi surged like a tidal wave, and he swung his right arm forward, aiming for the space in front of him.
Just as Gu Fei was about to strike, a hand suddenly emerged from the void, aiming for the back of Gu Fei's hand with incredible speed.
"Boom!"
The collision of Dou Qi resulted in a fierce explosion, with waves of energy rippling outward. The figure of Gu Yao, who had just disappeared, reappeared in front of Gu Fei. At this moment, Gu Yao grasped Gu Fei's fist with one hand, Dou Qi swirling around their locked fists, and his other hand shot towards Gu Fei's chest.
But Gu Fei wasn't one to be easily caught off guard. With a peculiar shake of his arm, he dispelled Gu Yao's grip with a burst of Dou Qi, dodging the incoming punch.
The exchange happened in the blink of an eye, appearing instantaneous to the onlookers, making it seem like the two were evenly matched.
However, only Gu Yao knew that Gu Fei hadn't even used his full strength.
"If you think you're so strong, I'll knock you to the ground!"
"Open Mountain Seal! Sea Flipping Seal!"
Gu Yao's expression turned serious as he rapidly formed hand seals, creating several massive handprints that surged towards Gu Fei.
He didn't attack one at a time but poured almost all his Dou Qi into sealing off all of Gu Fei's escape routes, forcing him to face the attack head-on.
Gu Fei's face remained expressionless. He understood Gu Yao's intention.
"If you want to go head-to-head, I'll oblige you!"
"Open Mountain Seal! Sea Flipping Seal!"
Gu Fei's hands moved even faster, forming identical gigantic handprints that collided with Gu Yao's.
(TL/n: They're using the God Seal Technique, a high Earth Tier Dou Technique. It's a secret inheritance of the Gu Clan, consisting of five distinct styles: Open Mountain Seal, Sea Flipping Seal, Overturning Land Seal, Sky Burying Seal, and Ancient God Seal. Each seal is linked to one another. When one reaches complete mastery of all five seals, it is comparable to a low Heaven Tier Dou Technique at its peak.)
The collision of their techniques triggered a chain reaction of explosions, sending waves of energy crashing outward.
If the arena wasn't large enough and reinforced with seals by powerful experts, the spectators might have been caught in the aftermath.
After the dust settled from the collision, Gu Fei remained standing firm, while Gu Yao's face had turned much paler. Clearly, Gu Yao, who was a star lower in rank, wasn't a match for Gu Fei.
Gu Fei, not wanting to waste any more time, decided to go all out.
As Gu Fei unleashed his full power, Gu Yao found himself completely outmatched, forced into a defensive position with no chance to strike back. Even his defenses were full of gaps under Gu Fei's relentless assault.
"Having fighting spirit alone won't win…"
This thought crossed Gu Yao's mind just as Gu Fei suddenly appeared behind him, delivering a palm strike to his back.
The surge of heavenly flame into his body made Gu Yao feel as if he was facing death.
Seeing the serious expression on Gu Fei's face, Gu Yao realized he had no hope of winning.
"No more, no more, I surrender!"
Gu Yao dejectedly admitted defeat.
As soon as Gu Yao surrendered, Gu Zhan, one of the four commanders of the Black Submerged Army, immediately declared Gu Fei the victor.
"Thank you for going easy on me!"
Gu Fei said with a lighthearted tone as he stepped down from the stage, having easily won the match with Gu Yao posing no real threat.
The other participants took turns entering the arena afterward.
The competition continued as expected, with the final match pitting Gu Qing Yang against Gu Fei.
Although Gu Qing Yang was stronger than Gu Yao by one star, he, too, was no match for Gu Fei.
After a series of formalities, Gu Fei emerged as the final victor.
As a result, Gu Fei became the seventh commander of the Army, with Gu Qing Yang taking the eighth position.
This victory solidified Gu Fei's status as the top talent of the younger generation, as the six previous commanders were all over thirty, with some nearing forty.
The two previous commanders hadn't voluntarily stepped down but were eliminated after years of little progress in their cultivation.
With this glorious achievement, Gu Fei stood beside Xiao Yi Xian, chatting and laughing.
Because of Gu Fei, Xiao Yi Xian also basked in the glory.
Watching this scene, Xun'er felt an inexplicable sadness rising within her. "Originally, all of this should have been mine," she thought, her heart heavy with regret.