Chapter 31: A Head-On Clash with Li Shan! Modifying a Century of Fist Intent! Li Shan recognized Gu Yang. After all, Gu Yang’s earlier refusal of Du Yu’s invitation had already caught his attention. Although surprise briefly flashed across his face, Li Shan didn’t show any intention of holding back. Both fists, as if cast in steel, came crashing down toward Gu Yang! Gu Yang was merely at the third level of the Qi Gathering Realm, yet he had the audacity to seize a rare treasure on his own. He needed to be punished! Seeing that Li Shan had no intention of showing mercy, Gu Yang’s brows furrowed slightly. Originally, he had intended to avoid conflict with his fellow disciples as much as possible. Things clearly wouldn’t go as he wished! Gu Yang lifted his gaze. The aura of the peak of the ninth level of the Qi Gathering Realm exploded forth! Without a moment’s hesitation, Gu Yang raised his fist and clashed head-on with Li Shan! One-tenth Fist Intent quietly wrapped around his right fist. Boom! It collided violently with Li Shan’s fist. Spiritual water shook violently. Even the ground beneath them seemed to tremble. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on novel★fire.net The terrifying impact force made the inner sect disciples who had followed Li Shan immediately scramble backward in panic. They had to dodge the terrifying shockwave! At the center of the storm, both men each took a step back. “You actually broke through to the ninth level of the Qi Gathering Realm!?” Li Shan was utterly shaken. He hadn’t expected that in a direct clash of fists, Gu Yang would manage to fight him to a draw! He cultivated a top-grade Xuan-rank body refinement technique, possessing fifty thousand jin of raw power. Even ordinary Foundation Condensation experts wouldn’t dare take a single punch from him, let alone block it head-on. Of course, he had also noticed the Fist Intent hidden within Gu Yang’s punch. It deeply shocked him with its terrifying might. But what stunned and confused him even more was… How had Gu Yang’s cultivation become this strong!? Just before entering the secret realm, Gu Yang had only been at the third level of the Qi Gathering Realm! Could it be that he had been hiding his strength all along? That didn’t seem likely! Gu Yang had only entered the inner sect a month ago. To reach the Qi Gathering Realm from the Body Refinement Realm within a month—and even break through to the ninth level? Even more impossible! This brat must’ve stumbled upon some extraordinary fortune! At that thought, a trace of jealousy flickered in Li Shan’s eyes. This brat’s luck was simply too absurd. But right after, his jealousy turned to fury. “Gu Yang, hand it over! That’s not a fortune you were meant to touch!” Li Shan spoke in a commanding tone. When Gu Yang remained unmoved, Li Shan’s brows immediately creased. With a face full of anger, he said, “You’re merely at the ninth level of the Qi Gathering Realm, not even the tenth. That Heavenly Spirit Flower is of little use to you. But to us Qi Gathering Realm tenth-level geniuses, it could directly allow a breakthrough.” “From the sect’s standpoint, whether emotionally or rationally, you have no right to take it.” “Or do you plan to defy me?” From the outset, Li Shan took the moral high ground and tried to guilt-trip Gu Yang with righteous reasoning. His words sounded convincing. The nearby inner sect disciples were visibly shaken by what they heard. This Heavenly Spirit Flower actually had such tremendous power? It could help a tenth-level Qi Gathering genius break through to the Foundation Condensation Realm!? After all, all core disciples of the Flowing Cloud Sect were Foundation Condensation cultivators. If Li Shan could break through, wouldn’t they, his followers, also benefit tremendously? The significance was undeniable. Immediately, they shouted: “That’s right, Gu Yang! The Heavenly Spirit Flower is useless to you—why are you hogging it all for yourself?” “Are you even a disciple of Flowing Cloud Sect? How can you snatch such an important treasure for your own?” “Just hand it over to Senior Brother Li Shan. If he breaks through to Foundation Condensation, maybe he’ll protect you and help you get more cultivation resources.” “Yeah, Gu Yang, don’t be so stubborn. This is an amazing opportunity! As a sect disciple, you should support him!” To them, if Li Shan succeeded in breaking through, it would be a great blessing. After all, they would also bask in his glory. When one rises to power, even the dogs and chickens follow. So naturally, they didn’t care what Gu Yang thought. “Heh. You all speak of righteousness and justice, but in your hearts, it’s all about your own gain.” “You want me to hand over the Heavenly Spirit Flower? Fine.” With a wave of his hand, the jade box containing the Heavenly Spirit Flower appeared in Gu Yang’s palm. “If you want it—then come take it!” “If you can, it’s yours. If not… you’ve only yourself to blame for being weak!” Gu Yang looked straight at Li Shan. Upon hearing that, Li Shan’s face instantly twisted in anger. He actually dared to look down on him! “Gu Yang! I don’t care what kind of absurd fortune you stumbled upon to jump from the third to the ninth level of the Qi Gathering Realm.” “But to challenge my authority… you’ll pay for it!” Li Shan’s eyes locked onto Gu Yang. They burned with boundless fury. “You think just because you’re at the ninth level of the Qi Gathering Realm… you can be my match?” With a cold snort, Li Shan suddenly exploded with surging blood energy. The terrifying aura burst forth. Like a mountain bearing down, it swept straight toward Gu Yang. The next moment, Li Shan raised his hand, clenched his fist, and aimed it at Gu Yang’s face. Gu Yang didn’t even attempt to dodge. True energy burst out, engulfing both fists as he charged into combat with Li Shan! The two exchanged blow after blow. A series of muffled thud thud thud echoed through the air. As the battle intensified— At first, Gu Yang managed to keep up with Li Shan. But clearly, his physical strength was far inferior to the body-refining Li Shan. As the fight dragged on, Gu Yang began to fall behind. He didn’t even have time to raise his fists before being overwhelmed by Li Shan’s flurry of attacks. “I told you—you could never be my match!” Li Shan sneered, eyes full of disdain as he looked at the retreating Gu Yang. An unpleasant expression spread across Gu Yang’s face. He focused his thoughts. A hundred years later! In an instant, Gu Yang felt countless insights about fist techniques flood his mind. In that moment, he suddenly realized just how weak his previous punches had been. His understanding of Fist Intent skyrocketed! He instantly grasped two-tenths of Fist Intent! Realizing that he’d only mastered two-tenths, Gu Yang couldn’t help but feel slightly disappointed. It was mainly because his previous comprehension of Fist Intent had been shallow. Even with a hundred years of cultivation… He had only just managed to grasp two-tenths of it. But for dealing with Li Shan… It was more than enough! Just as he was wildly throwing punches and feeling invincible, Li Shan suddenly noticed that Gu Yang’s retreating steps had come to a halt. His brows furrowed deeply. Li Shan immediately increased his force, determined to leave Gu Yang no room to counterattack. But just as his speed increased— The next moment, Gu Yang abruptly retreated several steps, narrowly dodging Li Shan’s punch. Then, Gu Yang suddenly raised his fist. Vajra Fist—unleashed in full! “Still using that same move? It’s useless!” Seeing Gu Yang suddenly retreat, Li Shan’s expression showed a trace of surprise. He thought Gu Yang had some hidden trick. But upon seeing the same old technique, he immediately burst into mocking laughter. This move couldn’t even block one of his punches before. And Gu Yang dared to bring it out again? But Gu Yang’s expression remained calm. A glint of brilliance flashed in his eyes. Two-tenths Fist Intent… explode!