A youth dressed in white landed not far from Nalan Yanran.
The illusory blue and white wings on his back swiftly vanished, and a gust of wind rustled the sleeves of his robes.
His long, ink-black hair drifted with the wind. His features were exquisite, his gaze firm and profound, as if he had seen through all worldly matters, reflecting the precision and coldness of his sword intent. Between his brows was a heroic air that feared nothing.
Paired with his plain white Sword Dao Robe, he looked even more like a lone swordsman on a snowy plain.
When the girls present saw him, ripples of emotion appeared in their eyes.
"So this is Gu Han. His looks and bearing are indeed outstanding." Standing between Jia Xingtian and Fa Ma, Yao Yue crossed her arms and tilted her head. "If he were to become my elder sister's imperial son-in-law, she definitely wouldn't mind."
"If Yao Ye hears this, be careful you don't get a beating," Jia Xingtian said, shaking his head with a smile.
Even an old man like him had to admit that Gu Han's appearance was quite good, and his disposition was exceptional. All that remained to be seen was the true extent of his strength and Talent.
Behind the head of the Mittel clan, Ya Fei's red lips curved slightly, her eyes shining brightly. "He will definitely be one of my two most successful investments."
As for the other investment, it was Xiao Yan of the Xiao Family, whom she had accidentally discovered had recovered his cultivation and taken an Alchemist as his master.
"So this is how you show off in style," Xiao Yan thought to himself, feeling like he had learned a new trick.
"Gu Han, it's Senior Brother Gu Han!"
"I heard Senior Brother Gu Han is already a Nine-Star Fighter. I wonder if it's true."
"His cultivation level must be real, but the rumors say he killed the Seven-Star Dou Fighter, Liu Suifeng. I don't know if that's true or not."
"With so many people spreading it, it must be true."
"That's hard to say. I just went to Qingyang Town the day before yesterday. People who were there said they only saw Liu Suifeng lying on the ground, seriously injured and unconscious. Gu Han returned holding a blood-dripping longsword. No one personally saw him kill Liu Suifeng head-on."
"Regardless, he's a genius we can't compare to."
"Indeed, a fifteen-year-old Nine-Star Fighter. He's the top favorite for the Outer Sect Disciple Competition."
"..."
The surrounding disciples of the Cloud Mist Sect, as well as people from the various major families of the Jia Ma Empire, were all discussing animatedly.
Unmoved, Gu Han nodded at Nalan Yanran, received his number tag, and then lightly tapped his feet on the ground, leaping high into the air and landing on Arena Ten.
"Fellow disciple, if you please," Gu Han said, looking at Nie Tianquan.
Nie Tianquan was speechless.
Feeling that forfeiting directly would be too humiliating, he could only brace himself and step onto the arena.
While waiting for him, Gu Han looked toward Yun Yun and cupped his fists in salute. "Sect Master, my friend and her Flying Magical Beast are in the sky. Please allow her to come down and watch."
"Granted," Yun Yun uttered calmly, a hint of a smile hidden in her eyes.
Gu Han took out a long flute from his Storage Ring and played a rhythmic melody.
In the sky, Xiao Lan emerged from the clouds, swooping down toward the high platform and finally landing in an open space near Arena Ten.
The Little Fairy Doctor pressed down her skirt and jumped off Xiao Lan's back, holding Gu Han's sword. Her long dress fluttered in the wind.
When her face came into clear view, a flash of astonishment appeared in the eyes of many men present.
After activating the Woeful Poison Body, the Little Fairy Doctor's figure, skin, and features had all been enhanced, and she possessed a uniquely contradictory aura.
Originally a rarely seen beauty, she was now an absolute stunner, not losing out in the slightest even when compared to Yun Yun on the high platform.
"Where did this little fellow find such a friend," Yun Yun thought, the smile in her eyes fading.
"Gu Han's Talent and strength aside, his luck with women is quite good," Yun Shang said with a smile, toying with the prize money contributed by Yun Yun, herself, and Yun Sheng.
Once the first-place winner was decided, she, as the Punishment Elder, would be the one to present the reward.
"Cultivation requires a calm and quiet heart, undisturbed by external things," Yun Yun said in a flat tone.
Yun Leng, Yun Sheng, and the others were a little surprised. They all felt that Yun Yun was not in a good mood right now.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, this kid's luck with women is good. Little Yan Zi, you should give him a few more doses of your master's personally concocted medicine," Yao Lao's voice appeared in Xiao Yan's mind.
Xiao Yan, remembering that he was soon to be a married man, pretended he didn't hear a thing.
At this moment, Nie Tianquan had already walked onto the arena and cupped his fists in salute to Gu Han. "Junior Brother, please be merciful."
Gu Han returned the salute. After the referee announced the start of the match, he raised one hand and beckoned with his finger.
This somewhat disdainful gesture made Nie Tianquan feel slighted. He immediately mobilized his Dou Qi, executing the High-Level Yellow Rank Movement Dou Skill, Idle Cloud Step, and raised his hand to use the Low-Level Profound Rank Dou Skill, Wind Probing Hand.
The aura of a Six-Star Dou Fighter emanated from him, causing many onlookers to sigh in admiration that any disciple of the Cloud Mist Sect who could participate in the Outer Sect Disciple Competition was no weakling.
Swish.
Gu Han waited until Nie Tianquan was right in front of him before making a move.
As if he could teleport, just as he was about to be struck by the wind pressure created by Nie Tianquan, his figure suddenly vanished, reappearing behind Nie Tianquan.
"Such speed, such an agile movement technique."
Most people's attention was focused on Arena Ten. The cultivators at the Dou Grand Master realm and above were somewhat astonished.
Gu Han was only displaying the cultivation of a Six-Star Dou Fighter, yet he possessed such speed and movement. It was clear that he had cultivated a Profound Rank movement Dou Skill to at least the proficient level.
Swish!
Gu Han raised his hand and executed the Profound Yin Finger.
Icy power entered Nie Tianquan's limbs and bones through the acupoints on his back, restricting his mobility and the circulation of his Qi Cyclone in a single breath.
"I... I surrender!" Realizing he had lost the ability to move, Nie Tianquan straightforwardly admitted defeat, a bitter taste in his mouth.
To be defeated in a single move, and without even being able to probe anything.
If he had known this would be the result, he should have kowtowed to Nalan Yanran just now and immediately switched opponents.
"First match, Gu Han wins," the presiding deacon announced the result.
"You let me win," Gu Han uttered softly. With a flash, his figure appeared ten feet away in mid-air, and with another flash, he landed beside the Little Fairy Doctor.
"Congratulations, Young Master," the Little Fairy Doctor said with a beaming smile.
"The pleasure is mutual," Gu Han said, his hands behind his back, a serene expression on his face as he looked at the arena.
"The pleasure is mutual?" The Little Fairy Doctor mulled over his words, the smile on her face growing even wider.
For the Young Master's Sword-bearing Maiden, it was indeed a mutual pleasure.
"Next match!"
The deacon announced loudly.
On each arena, matches proceeded one after another, continuously capturing the audience's attention.
But for some reason, after watching for a while, people would always subconsciously glance over at Gu Han.
They felt that his presence was particularly strong, making him impossible to ignore.
The second match on Arena Ten was between Zhou Yuan, who was originally ranked tenth among the outer sect disciples, and an ordinary disciple. Zhou Yuan won with ease.
The third and fourth matches that followed also ended extremely quickly in one-sided victories.
Arena Ten began its second round of matches, with Gu Han facing Zhou Yuan.
"Junior Brother Gu Han, please give me your guidance," Zhou Yuan said with a serious gaze and a resolute expression.
"Please," Gu Han replied, still only extending one hand.
Zhou Yuan did not feel offended. Instead, he drew his sword.
After the deacon announced the start of the match, he charged toward Gu Han without hesitation, unleashing his strongest technique—an Initial-Level Profound Rank Wind Attribute sword skill, its power comparable to some Mid-Level Profound Rank Dou Skills.
Swish!
A wall of Qi appeared along with Zhou Yuan's body, descending upon Gu Han from three directions as if to blot out the sky.
But the three sword gleams only slashed through an afterimage, leaving deep gashes on the high platform.
"Not good!" Zhou Yuan immediately turned his head.
But his movements were not as fast as Gu Han's. The latter's palm had already landed on his back, pushing him ten feet away.
Zhou Yuan's eyes showed a hint of astonishment. Gu Han's palm strike was not imbued with Dou Qi, nor was it some kind of Dou Skill. Otherwise, he would have either been knocked off the arena or been injured and unable to continue fighting.
"Are you showing me the gap between us, and then launching a sneak attack?" Zhou Yuan spoke, preparing to admit defeat.
But the next moment, he was interrupted by Gu Han.
And what the latter said and did...
Left him, and all the spectators, utterly stunned.
"Use that Dou Skill again."