Pictures of the lightning bolt that was as thick as a barrel striking down were taken by people from the ancient martial arts world, and the energy that pulsed from that single lightning bolt was enough to be felt all the way in the Imperial Capital. As the spectators watched, they mused internally and prayed for whichever poor soul the heavenly path was striking down.

The next moment, the entire ancient martial arts world was shaken to their feet by a certain post by Murong Feiye.

Murong Feiye himself was so astonished by Gu Xiqiao that he only managed to react in time to take a ten-second video, but almost everyone used more than ten minutes to process the video They were shocked stiff!

The thick lightning bolt crashed down and ripped a hole in the fabric of space itself, and whoever watched the video could feel how absolutely terrifying the aura wafting off the young lady was.

The violet lightning crackled threateningly as the thin silhouette stood there, her features lit up by the lightning, and even though she was minuscule compared to the bolt of lightning and the energy vortex, but she was no less terrifying!

Many people recognized her immediately, and

Its Miss Gu!

I thought this was caused by the heavens will, but it was Miss Gu! I should have guessed it was her!

She f*cking became stronger again!!!

Shes from our ancient martial arts world!

Only Miss Gu would be able to cause such a commotion!

The ancient martial arts world prioritized and respected strength over everything else, especially someone that was so terrifyingly strong!

We cant be the only ones that get to see this, we should share! Someone immediately sent this video abroad.

***

Meanwhile, in America.

The leader of America was in the middle of a meeting with the leaders of the superpowered forces when he suddenly got a call. Knowing that this call was from his personal assistant that would never kid with a situation such a this, he excused himself to accept the call.

Leader, watch this video and youll understand! The leader was quite puzzled as to why his voice was trembling, but he didnt think much of it as he tapped on the video to play it.

After ten minutes, the leader re-entered the meeting room.

America will be pulling out from this operation. He spoke as he sat down on his seat, and the operation in mention was planned by the forces from Japan to combat the ancient martial arts world.

This operation was exactly the reason why they called a meeting on that day.

As soon as he said this, the representative from Japan furrowed his brows in displeasure. Are you crazy? Now that Jiang Shuxuan isnt in the ancient martial arts world, the world is our oyster! Are you going to watch as those Chinese take up all the resources? All of the resources that we get combined dont even amount to half of theirs!

This leader was going senile! Was he going to just let his forces dwindle away?

Crazy? Youre the one thats the crazy one here! The American leader raised his hand, and the video from earlier played on the large screen behind him.

It was an extremely short video, but it almost made the representative from Japan choke as he stared in wide-eyed shock at the screen, not being able to say anything for a long while, and the other representatives in the room werent doing much better either!

Their first reaction was that this was a fake video! How could someone be as strong as this? It just wasnt possible!

Such a thought was quickly batted awayWho would be able to fake such power?

Seeing their reactions, the American leader stood up and adjusted his suit before saying, Good luck with giving pressure to those people from the ancient martial arts world, Im rooting for you!

??!!

How would they even dare to do that now?!

In a single moment, everyone in the room felt chills run up their spine.

It was true that moments earlier they had such an idea in mind, but how now

She summoned such a terrifying lightning bolt without even breaking a sweat! Was she even human?

It was clear even through the screen that this girl could sink Japan if she ever so wished, so who would be so suicidal?

Everyones gazes drifted over to the representative from Japan, and his expression was stormy and shocked, quite unsurprisingly.

And so, this meticulously planned and scheduled meeting was disbanded just like that, and the representative from Japan was left sitting there dazed in the meeting room.

After the leader from America left, he called Wanqi Jue immediatelyThe latter had made it clear that he wasnt going to be a part of this operation, and it was easy to deduce that Wanqi Jue knew of Gu Xiqiao.

Wanqi Jue only chuckled when he picked up the phone. Why would you ask me? That Cecily from your country doesnt know less than I do.

Cecily? The leader knew of this rising star, of course, and he immediately scheduled to meet her.

Wait, you guys wanted to band up against the ancient martial arts world? Cecily blinked and shook her head in disbelief, as if she thought she had heard wrong.

Upon seeing this reaction, the leader furrowed his brows perplexedly before nodding. The operation hasnt started yet, and weve already declared that we wouldnt be a part of it!

Upon hearing him admit to this, Cecily almost bashed her head into the nearest hard surface in frustration, seriously contemplating the prospect of migrating to another country.

Leader, listen to me. Cecily didnt say that out loud, of course, and she continued, Miss Gu loves precious jade and all sorts of precious ore, so you better gift her as many as you can!

The leader was unexpectedly not very excited at this prospect, and Cecily continued with a serious tone, Dont say I didnt warn you, but Miss Gu is nothing if not one to hold grudges! Even though you never actually did anything, she would definitely know that you people have been plotting behind her back, so listen to me, okay? Start getting those gifts ready for her and give them to her as soon as you can, or else youre going to regret it when she has the time to deal with you! You saw that video too, do you think you can take the brunt of that lightning bolt?

I Are you being serious? She already knew about their plans before they even did anything?

You know Englands last leader, right? He betrayed the ancient martial arts world and soon enough Wanqi Jue took his place! Cecily reminded.

Her words got the cogs in the leaders brain turning, and his expression was once again tinged with shock as he immediately got up and went towards the treasure vault.

Upon seeing him leave, Cecily breathed a sigh of relief before sending Wanqi Jue a message: [Thanks!]

After she sent the message, she tapped on another application to watch the video once again, and even though this wasnt her first time watching it, it still got her blood pumping in her veins. Who would dare think of doing anything to the ancient martial arts world with Gu Xiqiao holding the fort?

From that day on, Gu Xiqiaos name became the second signature of the ancient martial arts world. If Jiang Shuxuan was known for his ruthlessness and almost brutal tactics, then Gu Xiqiao was known for her sheer strength that earned the respect of many.

Who would be the stronger one between those two? Would it be Gu Xiqiao?

***

Meanwhile, back in the Imperial Capital.

Zhu Yuan was researching medicine in an atelier, and all of a sudden a gray-robed man appeared outside the entrance.

Master Tengen? Zhu Yuan was quite taken off guard by the sudden appearance as he put down his apparatus. Why have you come here?

Youre the first to inherit the medical legacy from Delxun Forest. Tengen smiled. You youngsters might think that my old masters prowess in battle was impressive, but his true abilities lay in his study of medicine! Judging from how your research is going I can see that youve already gotten a thorough grasp of it, well done!

It was clear from his tone just how satisfied he was with Zhu Yuan.

Zhu Yuan could barely explain that the atelier was set up by Gu Xiqiao before the elder noticed the elixirs and research books placed on Zhu Yuans table.

His expression changed all of a sudden, and his voice started to tremble. Wait! This isnt from my masters legacy! Where did you get this from?

This was all given by Junior Gu This was the first time Tengen reacted in such a way, and Zhu Yuan didnt even know how to react.

Who is she? Where can I find her?! Tengen grabbed Zhu Yuans collar, his eyes glinting red. Tell me!

Zhu Yuan was silent for a moment before he spoke: She has always been difficult to track, but you can go ask the great elder.

Even if he knew where she was, he would definitely be killed if he even so much as said a word about it since Tengens reactions were quite worrying, and he had ties to Dubhe at that!

Make no mistake, all Gu Xiqiao would probably do was block his number and socials for a few months or so, but Jiang Shuxuan would definitely kill him on the spot!

It was only after Tengen left in a hurry that he took out his phone and messaged Gu Xiqiao: [The watcher of Delxun Forest is looking for you!]

***

Gu Xiqiao knew with a single glance that Zhu Yuan had accepted the legacy of Delxun Forest when they first met, so he didnt need to explain much to her.

When Gu Xiqiao got the message, she had already arrived at the restaurant. Hua Youlin wasnt there, and only Shao Ge was sitting outside and playing his guitar, so Gu Xiqiao leaned by the entrance and watched him silently.

Sister Gu? After quite a while, Shao Ge finally noticed that Gu Xiqiao was there and his expression brightened. Youre back!

Mhm. Gu Xiqiao replied to Zhu Yuans message before continuing, How long have you been using this guitar?

Ah, you can tell that its worn out too? Shao Ge rubbed the back of his head bashfully. It was a gift from my parents

Upon saying this, his expression became somewhat sullen.

It sounds fine, dont worry. Gu Xiqiao stuffed her phone back into her pocket. Lets go grab something to eat, and then well go somewhere fun, yeah?

***

Meanwhile, the second elder and co. had already returned to Wei Manor.

The members of the Wei family were all converged in the living room at the sudden collapse of their mountain! Earthquakes had never happened in Mingzhou before, and now that it did an entire mountain collapsed?

And so, they immediately reported their findings to the higher-ups.

With the many incidents that were happening in Mingzhou over the past few days, Wei Chenxi almost became bald from stress.

Right at that moment, the elders heard what they were discussing about, and the second elder waved his hand. Sorry about that, we didnt hold back when we fought, so the mountain collapsed, you see?

Oh, okay.

Wait, what did he just say?!

Wei Chenyan and the others were shocked stiff!

They knew these people from the ancient martial arts world were strong, but to the extent of making an entire mountain collapse? Was this a xuanhuan[1] movie?

Wei Chenxi in particular had seen the photos of the site of the collapse, and this was caused by a fight? What were these elders made of?!

And so, the recognition of these elders immediately skyrocketed in the eyes of the members of the Wei family as they looked up at them in awe and fright.

The second elder thought, Hey, dont look at us! Gu Xiqiao was the one that did it, we wouldnt be able to do it even if we tried!

[1] T/N: Literally means Mysterious Fantasy.