Kao Dao Ji was playing around with what he called 'Gun Gu.'
Whilst not remarkably powerful, it was a 'unique' recipe of his, or at least one he had developed independently.
While not that valuable on itself, it still carried a certain research value, which was why he did not hesitate to spend some time playing, ehem.
Testing the gun.
He discovered that the Gu itself feed on gunpowder, just 5 or so grams per day would suffice.
Another quality of the Gu was that contrary to a gun from earth, just plain gunpowder and ignition were insufficient.
For the Gu to show its power, one needed to input faint amounts of Primeval Essence into it.
But in the other hand, the Gun was several times stronger than it had any right to be.
So, it balanced out.
Hell, it would be much stronger if he were a Metal or Fire Cultivator.
Moreover, this evolutive branch was nowhere reaching its limit.
After all, it had been done in a rush if he truly wanted to, he could have easily created a far more sophisticated tool, but that would have taken far more time than he was willing to use.
He lowered his brows.
"Regardless, it is of little use to me. But I guess it could be useful for my subordinates?
Yeah, I guess I could reward good behavior by giving away this Gu, in this way I can motivate them to work hard."
Of course, the Gu would not be crafted by himself, at most he would arrange a few craftsmen to produce them privately, of course he would have to employ a few means to keep their lips sealed.
While he was immersed in his thoughts suddenly, he felt a buzzing sound.
"Kao Yu Hun?" He raised his eyebrows.
Meanwhile.
"Do you have any good plans?" The short man with a brown hair, and a crooked nose spoke.
Turning his glance towards Le Tu.
Who was frowning.
Le Tu sighed.
"We are truly low on options, my friend.
Neither of our Paths especially in gathering information, so trying to collect those flags will almost be impossible, without divine luck we will simply not succeed.
Regarding strength we are also outmatched, we may be two, but we are merely newly ascended Immortals, whilst our opponents are the greatest in their Realm especially Qin Jiji, thus if it came to blows, chances are we would lose too."
Qiao Yun gritted his teeth.
"I know that! But what if we have no chance? I am supposed to give up like this?
If I don't win this inheritance my sister is dead!" He almost shouted in the end.
But Le Tu shook his head.
"You misunderstood me, my friend, I did not say to retreat, instead I do have a plan.
You Cultivate Light Path, and you are quite good at attacking from afar, whilst I specialize in defense and underground movement.
We will need to rely on that.
Listen, this plan is risky but I think we need to follow it.
We need to create an underground shelter, hidden deeply beneath the earth.
Once the bunker is complete, I will use my Killer Move Earth Sensation to spread my roots everywhere to track all other contestants.
While I do that you must observe your surroundings, and try to find the other's locations, do not try to engage, just find them, and once you do immediately head back.
If you are chased, run as fast as possible to the shelter.
If they do follow you here, we will join forces to defeat them.
Of course, is unlikely that they will be so reckless as to follow you, however, that is not the main goal.
Instead, we simply need to pay heed to their approximate locations, a Blessed Land size is limited, and Shung Mia Yin was still a Rank 7.
Twenty-five days should be just enough to spread those roots and cover the full aperture, of course the density of those roots will be pitifully low, but it will be enough for my plans.
During this period, however we will need to continuously interfere and prevent others from gaining the required 6 flags to attain victory, which will be difficult, however I have my own ideas, listen carefully…"
Whilst Paradise Earth begun his complicated plan.
A young handsome man with red eyes, stood there with a wide smile.
Uru Hong Jing chuckled.
"There it is."
He observed ahead of him a deep pool of magma, stretching from kilometers of view.
It was also several dozens of meters of depth; it was simply a suicide for most to dare enter.
However, he was not worried by this.
His eyes shone with a cold gleam.
The red eyes spun rapidly, their ocular power accumulating.
[Penetrating gaze]
Immediately the sea of lava was split in two, a massive deep cut spread through several kilometers of view.
Of course, soon the lava would fill the gap, but using that small chance was all he needed.
[Glimpse Ahead] His eyes darted to where a flag was located at, it was a red flag surrounded by an spherical like barrier.
With a flicker of his fingers, without even observing the flag itself, he grasped it with his bare hands, before glimpsing at the skies above.
Teleporting again.
After returning to the skies, his vision turned blurry.
He blinked a few times, rubbing his eyes lightly.
However, the sensation of mild discomfort rapidly vanished, as he used a Killer Move to heal his eye.
However, suddenly his expression changed.
A sword projectile was shoot towards his nape from behind.
Uru Hong Jing closed his eyes, as if he were panicked.
The sword projectile cut through his nape, and kept advancing cutting through a nearby cloud, splitting in half.
The Immortal who was nearby, and whom had concealed his aura observed his action with shock.
"I was planning on using an attack from behind, to force him to turn his body to block or dodge, before I struck him at full speed.
But did he actually panic? Which kind of fool closes his eyes before receiving an attack, and how did he become an Immortal in the first place?" Suddenly his pupils widened.
Uru Hong Jing was not beheaded, or even lightly wounded.
He was staring at him with a faint smile in his face.
"What? How?" He stared at him with wide eyes his shock apparent.
Uru Hong's Yin smile widened, his eyes rotated at a rapid speed, creating an hypnotic sensation.
Then.
He flickered appearing just a few meters towards his location.
At the last moment, that frightened swordsman snapped out of the hypnosis.
He raised his arm to attack, trying to force the man to retreat.
But once more, he closed his eyes, the sword passed through his body.
He raised his arm, from which an skeletal red thing appeared again, this time in the form of spikes that were headed right at his chest.
The Immortal gritted his teeth, a thousand of minute swords appeared surrounding his body like a hedgehog.
The skeletal arm collided with him; several of the blades cracked, however most of the armor held on.
Still, his fragile human body was still harmed by the sheer force, his body pushed backwards, but using this same momentum he found an opportunity to recover.
He summoned a flying sword beneath his feet to regain control over his movements.
Of course, Uru Hong Jing would not give him the chance to recover.
His eyes shone with golden colors.
[Laser Eyes]
Intense light came out of his eyes that were shoot towards him.
The swordmen frowned, still in the air, he took the flying sword he was using to launch a powerful cut towards the imminent ray of light.
The two forces collided, naturally the sword projectile overwhelmed the laser eyes, after all offensive was Sword's Path specialty.
And yet.
When he saw from the aftermath of the attacks, he realized Uru Hong Jing was just in front of him, with his eyes closed that he was just now opening.
"He closed his eyes again…" He muttered.
Uru Hong Jing's eyes shone with intensity; he raised his eyebrows.
[Shocked Gaze]
A shockwave spread, pushing the swordman backwards, he gritted his teeth, whilst glancing at his opponent's feet.
After all, he knew the consequences of glancing at him in the eyes.
"While I do not understand its principles, it seems that he can turn himself intangible by closing his eyes."
His eyes widened, as he observed that a mirror crystalized at the feet of that man.
Cold sweat appeared in his face, as he closed his eyes.
"Shit! He can use mirrors, as an axis to extend his attack."
Uru Hong Jing's pupils which were rotating suddenly stopped, he stopped his hypnotizing gaze, and instead using that mirror he prepared another Killer Move.
A flame was lit in his eyes.
[Burning Gaze]
Immediately the swordmen whom had already prepared his defensive hedgehog-like Killer Move, was struck again.
But this time, intense red flames surged through his body.
The hedgehog defense, barely offered any real protection against the heat.
And so, he screamed in agony.
Uru Hong Jing smirk widened, he rapidly approached, however just as he was about to reach him.
The swordmen grinned.
[Hidden Sword]
from his sleeves an small dagger was shoot at divine speed aiming at his neck.
However, Uru Hong Jing merely smiled.
"Have you learnt nothing?" He transmitted through his expression, he closed his eyes and the attacked passed through him.
However, to his surprise, just as the blade passed through his body, it stopped in its tracks.
Remained fixed in the place where his stomach should be.
The young man understanding this, tried to move his body.
However, the dagger followed him.
"Hahahaha! I admit it was a good trick. Whatever move you are using, it allows you to turn your body incorporeal.
But there's a flaw!
To use it, you must close your eyes, and based on the looks of it, you are someone very dependent on your eyes, aren't you?
With your eyes closed, more than half of your Killer Moves are worthless, and that is without mentioning the cost.
Tell me, honestly, how long do you can keep yourself in that state?" He laughed heartily, the resentment in his heart was finally doused.
Of course, despite his arrogant words, he retreated backwards.
And unleashed even more small swords to pierce through his enemy, not only to his current location, but even to where he could move.
Like this, his victory seemed all but guaranteed.
"Your only hope of survival is on begging for Shung Mia Yin's aid, if you do not, you're dead meat.
So, what will you choose, to remain stubborn, or will you admit defeat?" He squinted his eyes, even now, he was completely on guard.
However, at the next moment he heard a calm voice say.
"Do you think you are safe? Simply because I do not have my eyes now?" Uru Hong Jing said with a tiny smile in his face.
The swordmen's guard rose, he stared at him skeptically.
"Hah! And what gives you such confidence? I already blocked all your moves! Tell me why should I fear you now?"
Uru Hong Jing chuckled.
"Well…Is because in the same way swordmen may use more than a sword to fight, I also can do more than employ my two eyes to kill you."
The swordmen's eyes widened, the sudden realization of his words petrified him to the core.
Whilst his mind was in a trance.
From beneath the ground.
Over a dozen of azure rays were shoot at divine speed.
He tried to block, however there were simply too many attacks to avoid.
Thus, he was forced to use his hedgehog-like defenses yet again to block the remaining rays, however.
Just as he did this.
He suddenly felt that the armor which was covering suddenly hardened all around his body.
"What did you do to me!" He shouted.
Uru Hong Jing merely smiled at him.
"Heh. That is nothing, is just my Petrifying Gaze Killer Move, whilst it does not excel in Killing Power, it has quite the effect in keeping things in the same spot.
While that does not affect your defenses in the slightest, it prevents your Killer Move from being retracted, which means that if you try to stop it recklessly, you will suffer a backlash." Uru Hong Jing explained calmly.
He was now freed from his shackles, after all, just like he could unleash several attacks towards the swordmen.
He also unleashed a few, towards his location, shooting away all those annoying swords surrounding him.
The swordmen's expression grew darker, as he glanced at his opponent.
"What a clever tactic! Through his words he made me lower my guard temporarily.
Then, he unleashed an attack towards me at such a rapid speed, making it almost impossible to avoid.
Even if I had avoided it somehow, he would have used that opening to free himself, and while I was still being attacked, he would strike me from another angle.
No matter what, he would have won the initiative." Despite his realization of how outmatched he was, he still did not give up.
He unleashed several sword projectiles towards Uru Hong Jing who chuckled in response.
Without even bothering to block, he simply looked away and teleported backwards.
He explained.
"Naturally, while I managed to force you to keep this move activated, and the petrification also slows you down greatly, it does not stop you from unleashing other moves.
However, I am very curious.
Just how much Immortal Essence do you burn every second that you keep your Immortal Killer Move active?
I on the other hand, only need to keep some distance.
Far enough that most of your attacks will not reach me, but close enough so that when you stop your Killer Move, and you experience a backlash I will be able to retaliate.
Thus, no matter your choice you are in a tough spot, unless of course you can solve my petrification Killer Move, however, do you truly think I will give you the chance?" He smirked.
He raised his hands, intense flickering lights appeared surrounding him.
And from thin air, several dozen of eyeballs of all colors and sizes appeared.
He spread those eyeballs, around the swordmen covering every angle.
Then he snapped his fingers, and over a hundred of rays of light where shoot from all directions, the swordmen tried to block, however it was pointless.
Once more the petrification Killer Move had affected his body.
"Even if you use any method to heal yourself from your current state, I will merely need to keep pressing you with the same move over and over again, until you finally run out of energy.
The only way out you have is figuring out a way to truly counter my petrifying gaze, if you find a way to become immune then you truly may be able to win.
But how long will that take, just how much Immortal Essence will you require?
Even if you do, do you think I am devoid of other techniques or trump cards?
And even if we assume you defeat me, what then? After facing me off, after wasting almost all your Immortal Essence, do you truly think you stand a chance in winning this competition?" Uru Hong Jing explained in full detail.
At this point, he believed his victory was certain, it was only a matter of how little or how much energy would he require in winning.
The swordmen squinted his eyes, he analyzed his current circumstances.
Before finally shaking his head, and saying.
"Shung Mia Yin, I concede from this competition, please escort me back to safety…"
He muttered.
In the next instant from the flames, a red-haired girl manifested from thin air.
She stared at Uru Hong Jing with a wide grin in her face, her expression looked delighted of the battle she had just witnessed.
"You truly are an exceptional Gu Master, Uru Hong Jing, I really do hope someone like you becomes my master, instead of…
Hah….Those two turtles." Her eyes moved towards Le Tu's location.
Suddenly, she covered her own mouth.
"Oh right, I should not be helping any of you, contestants." She shook her head helplessly.
The swordman stared at Uru Hong Jing, he sighed.
Bracing himself he cancelled his Killer Move, and immediately he felt a sharp pain spreading through his body, even his Immortal Gu was slightly wounded.
After a few seconds, he finally calmed himself down and stared at Uru Hong Jing before saying.
"I underestimated you, but life is long, it won't be long before I ask for a rematch." He said.
Uru Hong Jing smirked.
"I will be ready by then."
After saying those words, the red-haired girl took the swordmen and the two left.