Most of the Gu Masters flooded into the training ground, crowding around to watch the duel.
In the arena, Shan Shayuan and Shen Kuang stood facing each other from a distance. Without any probing words, both moved at the same time.
Pill Fire Gu, Doubling Gu, Divide into Two Gu!
Shen Kuang raised both hands, and blazing flames surged from his body, condensing into crimson pill fires the size of human heads. With every breath, the pill fires split and multiplied, their numbers rapidly increasing until they filled the sky.
Opposite him, Shan Shayuan remained calm. Iron Sand Gu, Manipulate Sand Gu, and Rock Wall Gu activated in succession. Rings of black light spread outward as the sand and soil beneath his feet churned and rose.
Rumble!
In the next instant, countless pill fires shot forward like a rain of meteors, their momentum terrifying. Yet none of them reached Shan Shayuan himself—instead, they crashed into a towering fortress of black sand and gravel that had formed in front of him. Explosions erupted one after another, firelight blazing as the ground trembled violently.
The surrounding Gu Masters felt the vibrations beneath their feet and couldn't help but exclaim, "Just a probing exchange, and they're already using multiple Rank 3 Gu… as expected of Peak Rank 3 experts, almost stepping into Rank 4."
On the stage, Shan Shayuan's gaze turned sharp. He was never one to passively defend. With a single thought, the swirling iron sand around him shifted, condensing into over a dozen black-gold chains that pierced through the arena and shot straight toward Shen Kuang.
Seeing this, Shen Kuang stretched out both hands, and two crimson flame blades formed instantly—Rank 3 Flame Blade Gu.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Though aged, his momentum remained fierce. The twin flame blades flashed like lightning, cutting through the incoming iron chains one after another. Flames burst beneath his feet as he lunged forward like a hunting beast, breaking through the layers of iron sand and closing the distance in an instant.
Shan Shayuan did not retreat in the slightest. He activated Stone Fist Gu. Iron sand coiled around his arms, condensing into heavy black iron fists that met the flame blades head-on.
Two clashed at close range, their blows heavy and overwhelming. Firelight burst and stone fragments scattered wildly. A single slash grazing the ground carved deep trenches, while a casual punch left craters in the arena floor.
Every move carried hidden depth, their attacks flowing back and forth without pause.
"They're too strong… both close combat and long-range are flawless and they've already formed complete combat systems."
The battle quickly escalated to its peak. Neither side could gain the upper hand, and after a long exchange, both chose to unleash their ultimate moves.
Shen Kuang moved first. Age had already begun to affect him—his stamina and reactions were no longer at their peak. Under Shan Shayuan's relentless pressure, he had been struck several times, and his defensive Gu were nearing their limits.
"Very well, Crazy Sand. If you can withstand this, I will admit defeat!"
Shen Kuang roared. Dark red flames surged violently around him, rising like a blazing tide. Nine crimson flame patterns appeared across his body, while five flame vortices spun within him, pouring out endless fire that coursed through his limbs and bones. His skeleton glowed through his flesh, shining with a crystalline, jade-like red light.
Killer Move · Flame Demon True Body!
In the next moment, he transformed completely. A towering Flame Demon hovered above the arena, his hair like writhing fire, his eyes burning like twin torches. His aura expanded wildly, oppressive and overwhelming, his strength rising several times over.
After such a prolonged battle, Shen Kuang had finally revealed his true foundation—nine Rank 1 Fire Pattern Gu, five Rank 2 Fire Aperture Gu, and most importantly, the Rank 3 Glass Flame Bone Gu that Lin Yan recognized at a glance.
All of Shen Kuang's strength—both long-range and close combat—was built upon this set of Gu. After transforming into the Flame Demon, he waved his left hand, and the power of his Pill Fire Gu surged severalfold. A vast sea of flames spread across the arena. With his right hand, he condensed a ten-foot Flame Blade greatsword, its edge tearing through the air as it slashed forward.
Seeing the danger, Shan Shayuan did not hesitate. He activated Magnet Gu and Sandstorm Gu in succession, merging them with his previous three Gu to form a single killer move.
Sandstorm Burial!
In the next instant, the ground trembled violently. Endless black iron sand erupted from beneath the arena, sweeping outward like a collapsing storm. It smothered the raging sea of fire and surged upward, swallowing the Flame Demon whole in mid-air.
Boom!
A deafening explosion shook the entire training ground. The arena shattered, the impact spreading outward in waves. The surrounding Gu Masters were thrown off balance by the heat and shock, forced to retreat as they cried out in alarm.
"What terrifying power—who won?!"
The disturbance was so great that even the Rank 4 and Rank 5 experts across the Family were alerted. Some rose into the air, while others activated investigative Gu to observe from afar.
Moments later, the smoke and swirling sand gradually settled. The two figures finally appeared.
Shan Shayuan stood amid the ruins, his body scorched in many places, his clothes charred black. Not far away, Shen Kuang lay collapsed on the ground, his eyes wide with unwillingness, blood seeping from his wounds.
"Crazy Sand… Shan Shayuan won!"
The surrounding Gu Masters burst into an uproar, cheers rising one after another. On the ground, Shen Kuang lay motionless, his consciousness fading. A trace of bitterness surfaced in his heart. He had become nothing more than a stepping stone for another's rise, his reputation crumbling in his final years. How had he fallen to such a state…?
At that moment, a figure appeared in the sky. Huang Ming stood above, looking down at the two with an indifferent gaze. His voice spread calmly across the ruined arena.
"Enough. This farce ends here."
"Shan Shayuan, for showing disrespect to a Family Senior, you will be punished. You are to guard the Family caravan for five years. You will depart next spring—there will be no delay."
Hearing this, Shan Shayuan grinned instead of resisting. He cupped his fists slightly and said, "Shayuan accepts the Family Head's order."