The cultivators watching from the shadows evidently recognized Gu Yulou, and thus they became excited and expectant. Currently, three top ten ranked contenders have already come forth to challenge Lu Yiye. Bao Shi was pulverized, Mokeduo retreated after one blow, and Youping seemingly could not find an opportune moment to strike. What kind of performance will Gu Yulou deliver? Since ancient times, the clash between the first and second rank has always been the most noteworthy and anticipated. If Lu Yiye can even defeat Gu Yulou, then the top position will be unshakable, truly making him the legitimate first place in this Divine Sea competition. What sparks will ignite between these two, is genuinely intriguing. Under the watchful eyes of numerous gazes, Gu Yulou, carrying his Silver Spear, walked straight to the pile of rubble, stared silently at the stones for a moment, and then raised his head to look at Bao Shi: "Were you killed?" Bao Shi, arms crossed, replied leisurely, candidly admitting, without feeling awkward for having been killed once before. Gu Yulou nodded lightly, planted his spear in front of him, and sat down cross-legged. Youping's eyebrows furrowed in confusion over his actions and couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you here to challenge him? Why are you not making a move?" Gu Yulou lowered his eyes and replied plainly, "I can't beat him!" Youping immediately wore an expression of disappointment, annoyed, "You haven't even fought him yet, how do you know you can't beat him?" Gu Yulou appeared disinterested in explaining, but Bao Shi beside him laughed heartily: "He fought me, so he knows he can't beat him!" The remark sounded a bit convoluted, but Youping understood the meaning behind Bao Shi's words. Gu Yulou clearly had a confrontation with Bao Shi before. Though the outcome is unknown, judging from the current situation, that battle seemed closely matched, even if Gu Yulou had a slight edge, it wouldn't have been significant. However, using Bao Shi as the common opponent, Lu Ye was able to crush him utterly. Comparing these results, Gu Yulou could judge Lu Ye's strength level without needing another direct confrontation. A foe capable of slaying a monster like Bao Shi is likely another beastly monster. Gu Yulou has no interest in fighting such a monster. Youping was visibly upset: "Gu Yulou, you come from the Yellow Dragon World, not bringing back first place, would your elders let you off easily?" Gu Yulou said coolly, "The Yellow Dragon World's first doesn't lack this time." Youping persuaded earnestly, "But your Yellow Dragon World is a brand after all, how can the brand be ruined in your hands? As the Divine Sea Realm's most exceptional representative of your generation, you must carry your responsibility to bring back another first for Yellow Dragon World, it's your duty!" Bao Shi curiously glanced at Youping: "You, a Specter Race from the Northern Underworld Land of Specters, why worry for someone else's Yellow Dragon World?" Youping couldn't help but glare at him: "Mind your own business!" ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⚫𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⚫𝘯𝘦𝘵 Bao Shi laughed knowingly, revealing her intention: "You are hoping to reap the benefits while they fight tooth and nail!" Gu Yulou seemed indifferent to the fight for first place, while Youping was highly invested. She had no confidence in overcoming the two ranked above her, but if those two fought, it would present her a rare opportunity to perhaps maneuver and eliminate both. Unfortunately, Gu Yulou was unmoved, no matter her persuasion, taking it as nothing more than the wind by his ears. For such a strong person, once he's made up his mind, it's difficult for outsiders to alter his perceptions and determinations. After a few more attempts at persuasion, seeing Gu Yulou truly indifferent, Youping finally sighed: "Pointless!" Saying so, she sat down, idly playing with two dirks spinning at her fingertips in boredom. Youping wasn't the only one feeling pointless; the cultivators originally hoping to witness an earth-shattering battle also felt the same. No one anticipated that after Gu Yulou arrived, there would be no clash with Lu Yiye, and merely after a few words, he quietly took a seat beside him. Within this small area are gathered five figures. Except for Yuk Yaorao, the remaining four are all top ten ranked, including the first, second, and third ranks, even Bao Shi, who is seventh, hardly does justice to his actual strength. If truly calculated by strength, he wouldn't just be seventh. This formation is immensely luxurious and enough to make anyone feel overawed. Historically, during the centennial Taichu Realm Divine Sea contention, it seems never had such an odd scene occurred in its concluding phase, with several top-ranked geniuses not hunting around to enhance their gains but silently waiting here. There's no agreement, nor discussion, just a spontaneous and natural behavior, yet they seem to be getting along quite harmoniously... Lu Ye couldn't figure out what was going on. The place he chose to rest slowly evolved into a gathering place for the strong. First, Bao Shi clung and wouldn't leave; then Youping and Gu Yulou came running over to join. As time went by, more and more figures gathered from all directions, each finding their own spot to sit quietly! In just less than two days, the cultivators gathered here have exceeded ten, and the number continues to increase. Not just anyone is qualified to come here. Those who dare to merge into such a special small group at this time are not top-tier elites without ample achievements. In other words, even if they gain nothing more in the future, they can still guarantee a position at the forefront. Among the enlightenment bestowed by the Reincarnation Tree, seven of the top ten rankings have gathered here, and the remaining ones are basically all within the top thirty. Those cultivators beyond thirty ranks did not have the courage to join here at all. The number gradually increased, and after several days, there were more than twenty people gathered within this small range, each looking condensed and focused. Yuk Yaorao felt pressured like a mountain! Staying in such a place where top elites gather, she always felt somewhat out of place. She knew very well that her strength wasn't enough to be qualified for such a conventionally accepted place, but at this time, even if she had the courage to leave, she couldn't. She could only strive to lower her presence. Fortunately, Lu Ye was sitting not far from her, his figure providing her with invisible protection at all times. The elites who dared to gather here now, and who can gather here, are almost certainly candidates who can win, ranking high. They have no intention to engage in the upcoming competitions, which might not be a bad thing for other cultivators. Therefore, these people gathered, instead of others enjoying the scene, because they don't have to worry about encountering Gu Yulou, Youping, such strong individuals in future actions, nor need they fear encountering Lu Yiye from the Nine Heavens World, infamous for his killing spree. The range where cultivators can move within the Taichu Realm has shrunk to the last 10,000 miles in square radius, but the competition isn't over yet because the final list of a hundred candidates has not been decided. At this crucial last moment, battles everywhere have become more frequent than ever, as cultivators engage in more ferocious fights after encountering each other. No one withdrew! Everyone has persisted to this point, one step away from ultimate victory; who would be willing to quit? All gritted their teeth, hoping to last longer than others! More people gathered on Lu Ye's side, and it started to become lively. The hospitable ones took out fine wine and food from their own storage sacks from their domain to share and drink with others. The elites, from different domains, supposedly opposing one another, inexplicably achieved harmonious coexistence here. Such an experience is rare for any cultivator. Besides the Taichu Realm of the Reincarnation Tree, where else can so many cultivators from various races and places across the stellar space gather all at once? Even if they elevate to the Constellation level and travel the stellar space, similar experiences will never happen again. For talented youngsters whose current cultivation is only at the Divine Sea Realm and nearing promotion to the Constellation level, this is undeniably a precious experience. Everyone can meet like-minded fellow Daoists here, broaden their horizons, and see things they wouldn't have the chance to witness normally. No matter whether they meet again as enemies or friends while traveling the stellar space in the future, today's encounter here is a sort of fate recognized by all. In such an atmosphere, even someone as aloof as Gu Yulou couldn't help but integrate. Youping, who wished Lu Ye and Gu Yulou would fight until both were severely injured so she could benefit from their strife, boldly walked over to Lu Ye, wrapped an arm around his neck, grabbed a wine jar larger than a human head, and poured wine into his mouth: "Drink up, you pretentious ones, I can't stand hypocrites like you who are full of scheming insides!" She seemed to be convinced that there was some unspeakable backdoor deal between Lu Ye and Yuk Yaorao; otherwise, how could cultivators from different domains come together? Moreover, the more powerful one was protecting the weaker one everywhere. Lu Ye was filled with liquor poured by her, yet could hardly utter a word. In a drunken daze, Lu Ye was greatly puzzled at how the situation here developed as it did. He stayed because Yuk Yaorao needed time to heal and was too lazy to hide constantly. So he simply remained here, waiting for challengers due to his confidence in his abilities, never expecting to unintentionally attract so many top-tier elites by chance. But just looking at the result, it seemed quite okay indeed! While this side was buzzing with glasses clinking and cheerfulness, other parts of the Taichu Realm harbored sinister intentions, with relentless competitions unfolding. Under the same sky, two entirely different situations formed a very stark contrast.