MTLNOVEL Chapter 408, Tuoba Gu
Looking at the silhouette of the glowing figure, Chu Ming felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity. He frowned slightly. When the light faded and the true face of the figure emerged, Chu Ming was stunned, instantly understanding what the Ancient Sword Emperor meant about defeating himself during the second layer of the test.
"This is your doppelganger, constructed from the remnants of my soul. He possesses all your understanding of the Sword Dao, knows all your Sword Techniques, and is even intimately familiar with the Cultivation Techniques you've developed. In short, he is you. In this challenge, you must kill him, or be killed by him!"
At this moment, a faint and elusive voice rang out—it was the Ancient Sword Emperor.
Whoosh!
As soon as the Ancient Sword Emperor finished speaking, the glowing figure's lips curled into a cold smile, and the Treasure Sword in his hand was instantly drawn. In that moment, it was akin to a gazelle hanging its horns, with a mix of red and green light slicing out. The space became clear instantly, leaving only the piercing sound of the sword.
Clang!
Chu Ming also struck at this moment, a terrifying Sword Light tearing through the air. Grey space turbulence spread outwards on both sides. The tips of their Longswords met, sparking flames flying in all directions.
The Star Trace Sword in his hand trembled slightly. Chu Ming's right foot stomped hard on the ground, and his figure instantly retreated, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. The Star Trace Sword transformed into multiple illusions in an instant, slicing towards the glowing figure from all directions.
Clang clang clang clang clang clang...
The sounds of Longswords clashing rang out, like stone striking metal. The two illusions shot through the air, Chu Ming's eyes remaining cold and composed, sparks flying and then dissipating upon touching the ground.
The two went back and forth, exchanging hundreds of strikes within just a few breaths, neither willing to yield.
Bam!
After another collision, the glowing figure's arm trembled slightly, Sword Force scattering. Without a moment's hesitation, Chu Ming's figure flew back instantly, only to see a domineering red light slicing out horizontally from the glowing figure's Longsword, like a blazing sun. The air along its path exploded.
"Flying Fire Blade!"
Whoosh!
In a white robe, his black hair flying, Chu Ming's Star Trace Sword simultaneously struck. The blazing red light sliced through swiftly, with a hint of elusive Void amidst its dominance.
"Flying Fire Blade!"
Bam bam!
Crack!
The two red lights collided and exploded, terrifying white waves flying in all directions. In an instant, the glowing figure struck again, Sword Light shooting out in all directions with a feeling akin to celestial horses galloping.
Clang clang clang...
Splat!
Suddenly, Chu Ming's foot lightly touched the ground, the Star Trace Sword raised above his head. A vague and somewhat Void Sword Light burst forth from it, while the glowing figure simultaneously raised his sword, his Sword Momentum identical to Chu Ming's.
Splat! Splat!
Both figures disappeared simultaneously, reappearing ten meters away. A trace of crimson blood slowly oozed from Chu Ming's left arm, his eyes extremely cold. Although the glowing figure wasn't bleeding, the light on his left arm had noticeably dimmed.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Without pause, Chu Ming raised his sword again, his energy, spirit, and will instantaneously peaked. Countless Sword Dao Auroras flew through his mind, a veil of bright Flowing Cloud appeared in his sword, and the surrounding space became thick like flowing water.
"Flowing Cloud Like Water!"
Splat splat splat...
As Chu Ming swung his sword, the world went silent. The subsequent sound was the shattering of air, as if the world split in two.
The glowing figure sneered, a similarly gray Sword Light burst from his sword, sweeping towards Chu Ming, causing the world to darken.
"Flowing Cloud Like Water!"
Splat splat splat...
Around the two Sword Lights, the space thickened like water, intertwining, gradually forming a vast water dragon tornado with chaotic gray air currents swirling within.
Bam bam bam...
The Sword Lights couldn't withstand the surrounding pressure, colliding and extinguishing one after another. Step step step. Chu Ming retreated continuously for dozens of steps. Before he could react, the glowing figure rushed forward again, his Sword Momentum converged into a fine line, like a tiny beam of light in the night sky.
Clang clang clang...
Amidst the fierce collision, Chu Ming's mind constantly devised ways to respond, realizing that dragging this out would greatly deplete his mental energy, which was extremely unfavorable for him.
...
That day, an unexpected visitor arrived at the Ye Family—a green-robed elder with a black mole the size of a green bean at the corner of his mouth. His eyes were extremely small but occasionally emitted a sharp light. Below his hooked nose was a pair of goatee whiskers.
"Hahaha, for what purpose does Steward Gu visit my Ye Family this time?"
With a burst of laughter, Ye Feiying walked out from the Ye Family hall, his arms spread in a welcoming gesture. Behind him were several elders of the Ye Family.
"Let's discuss this inside."
Tuoba Gu's face didn't look good. Though puzzled, Ye Feiying said nothing. While Tuoba Gu was just a steward of the Tuoba Family, he was a trusted confidant of the family's ancestor, deeply trusted by the ancestor.
There were even rumors in the Tuoba Family that if not for Tuoba Gu's mediocre talent in cultivation, he would have become the patriarch of the Tuoba Family back then. Although these claims were greatly exaggerated, they reflected Tuoba Gu's extremely special status within the family.
Everyone took their seats, and a maidservant slowly brought in fragrant tea from the hall door. Ye Feiying gently waved his hand, and the maidservants immediately withdrew.
"Brother Gu, you can speak now, right?"
Although Tuoba Gu was merely a Guiyuan Realm Sixth Layer cultivator, Ye Feiying did not dare to show any contempt. In some respects, Tuoba Gu was considered the spokesperson of the Tuoba Family's ancestor, every word and action conveying the will of the Great Power of Transcendence.
"Ah, to be honest with you, Brother Ye, just over twenty days ago, the soul tokens of two geniuses from my Tuoba Family who entered Sword Peak shattered at the same time."
Tuoba Gu's lips formed a faint bitter smile as he spoke.
"Tuoba Rong'Er is dead too?!"
Ye Feiying's expression changed slightly. The two geniuses of the Tuoba Family were Tuoba Rong'Er and Tuoba Wu. Tuoba Wu's death wasn't of much consequence and wouldn't be pursued by anyone. However, Tuoba Rong'Er's death was a different story.
She was the apple of the Tuoba Family ancestor's eye. Within the Alliance of Twelve Families, the ancestor's fondness for her was well-known. For this reason, when Tuoba Rong'Er rampaged through Ye City and even committed violence, Ye Feiying dared not interfere.
"That's right."
Tuoba Gu nodded slightly.
"Brother Gu, you know, there are many arrays within Sword Peak. Although most pose no real danger to them, a few are quite powerful."
Ye Feiying pondered for a moment and responded, his meaning clear: Tuoba Rong'Er likely died within an array.
"Brother Ye, to be honest, Tuoba Rong'Er's soul token shattered within a few days of entering Sword Peak. I originally planned to report this to the ancestor, but the ancestor was in seclusion. I waited until today, and the ancestor has still not emerged, so I came to find you."
Tuoba Gu explained.
"So, someone must have harmed Tuoba Rong'Er within Sword Peak."
Ye Feiying mused. He was well aware of Sword Peak's circumstances. The initial arrays were low-level ones, graded one or two, which Tuoba Rong'Er could easily overcome. Therefore, she must have been killed by someone.