Chapter 129: Storming the Gates

Lin Yanghao nodded after hearing this, but his curiosity was piqued, and he couldn't help but ask, "What on earth is your plan?"

"That's a secret. Let's go." Gu Shi, surprisingly, remained evasive.

Lin Yanghao shook his head in confusion; since Gu Shi refused to speak, he didn't bother asking further.

"We must hurry. We have to let the three great sects know our power and make them regret everything they have done." With that, the reinvigorated Gu Shi grabbed Lin Yanghao and soared through the air, heading toward the distance at lightning speed.

The first place Gu Shi intended to strike was the Alchemy Sect.

Although it is commonly said that one should pick the softest persimmon to squeeze, the Alchemy Sect was not only not the weakest of the three great sects, but actually the strongest.

Gu Shi’s purpose was simple: he wanted to serve as a deterrent to the other two sects.

If he were facing all three sects at once, Gu Shi would have lacked confidence, but against the Alchemy Sect alone, he had already devised a strategy.

...

"You bunch of useless trash! You couldn't even handle such a small matter. What face do you have to return and see me?" A roar from the Alchemy Sect's leader echoed through the silent grand hall.

"Sect Master, this is not our fault. By the time we arrived, they had already vanished without a trace, and then we were inexplicably besieged by spirit beasts, which is why we ended up in this state." The one speaking was the cultivator previously addressed as the Senior Brother. He gritted his teeth at the mere mention of those spirit beasts.

The Alchemy Sect Master, known as True Monarch Jin Ming, possessed a cultivation level at the Unity Stage, while the man speaking was named Song Han.

The powerful elders within the sect who had reached the Tribulation Stage had long since lost interest in worldly affairs, focusing entirely on pursuing the Heavenly Dao. They would certainly not appear unless the sect faced total annihilation.

"Hmph, what are you still standing there for? Get out and find them!" True Monarch Jin Ming looked as if he were lamenting their incompetence. If his disciples remained in this state, the sect would likely decline within a thousand years. This was the last thing he wanted to see, and he could only do his utmost to prevent it.

True Monarch Jin Ming fell into deep thought. If what Song Han said was true, the matter was indeed full of suspicious circumstances. How could spirit beasts clash with Song Han and the others for no reason?

Meanwhile, in the Talisman Sect and the Artifact Sect, almost identical scenes were unfolding.

...

Before long, a figure descended from the sky above the Alchemy Sect.

"You treacherous scoundrels of the Alchemy Sect, get out here!" Gu Shi's roar shook the earth, resounding throughout the entire sect.

Lin Yanghao stared blankly at this unbelievable scene, feeling like he could cry. *Is this the brilliant plan you promised? Is your brilliant plan just to come here and commit suicide?*

*I wouldn't stop you if you wanted to die, but you don't have to drag me down with you! I haven't lived enough yet.*

*The Alchemy Sect is the head of the three great sects; do you think they are pushovers? Even if you had targeted the other two, they are relatively weaker, but you—you actually came straight to the Alchemy Sect.*

Lin Yanghao truly suspected that Gu Shi had lost his mind. If that were the case, saving him was a complete waste of his own Immortal Realm origin essence.

At this moment, countless disciples of the Alchemy Sect were startled by the roar and rushed out of the main hall. They were stunned—how could anyone be so bold? To challenge the entire sect single-handedly, especially the number one sect in the cultivation world? With their limited experience, these disciples naturally did not recognize Gu Shi.

"Hmph, who are you? We seem to have no enmity with you, do we?" a Void Refinement stage elder of the Alchemy Sect barked angrily. The dignity of the Alchemy Sect could not be challenged by an outsider.

However, he regretted it the moment the words left his lips. Only then did he begin to truly scrutinize Gu Shi. Soon, his heart began to thrum with anxiety. This person was clearly no pushover; he couldn't discern Gu Shi's cultivation level in the slightest. This meant the opponent’s cultivation was far above his own—and not just by a small margin. Furthermore, he felt a profound sense of danger emanating from Gu Shi.

Thinking of this, he broke into a cold sweat, regretting his actions. *Why did I have to be the first to stick my neck out? So many elders in the sect didn't step forward; why did I have to join in?* Now, instead of showing off, he had made a fool of himself.

"Elder Gao is mighty!"

"Elder Gao, crush him! Let him taste the power of our Alchemy Sect!" The cheers of the disciples erupted.

In their eyes, Gu Shi was merely a clown, and Gao Hai was their esteemed Void Refinement stage elder. They were purely there to watch the show.

Meanwhile, Gao Tong (Gao Hai) was stunned, staring blankly at the damned disciples. He felt like killing them.

*My Sect Master, why haven't you arrived yet? If you don't come soon, your beloved Elder Gao is going to end up lying here. Could you really bear to see that?* Gao Tong prayed silently, hoping for the Sect Master's quick return. The other elders, having realized Gu Shi's extraordinary nature, had already hidden themselves. *Why stay and die?* They were not as foolish as Gao Tong, so they could only watch him with pity.

As it turned out, True Monarch Jin Ming had left the sect a few days prior to an unknown location. He had only been messaged the moment Gu Shi arrived, and it was unclear when he would be able to return.

"Hmph, you arrogant brat, take my palm!" Gu Shi said, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, clearly suppressing a laugh.

Lin Yanghao was deeply confused, wondering what Gu Shi was up to. Since Gu Shi refused to explain, Lin Yanghao could only watch. What Gu Shi was doing now was equivalent to defecating on someone's head. The Alchemy Sect would never let them off, but why hadn't the Sect Master appeared yet?

"Then let's see what you're made of," Gao Tong said. At this point, what choice did he have? He had to bite the bullet. He needed to stall for time until the Sect Master returned. *Perhaps his aura is just a bluff? I am, after all, a Void Refinement stage cultivator, a name of some standing in the cultivation world,* Gao Tong consoled himself. *Even if I'm not his match, I should be able to hold him off for a while.*

Gao Tong dared not be the least bit negligent; he unleashed his full strength the moment he engaged. If he could win, that would be for the best; if not, he could plan his next move.