"The traditional powerhouse, the Guye Clan; the newly rising Bai Family Stronghold; and the Bear Family Stronghold, which cannot be underestimated..." Fang Yuan's gaze swept across the crowd as he stood among them, surveying the overall situation.
The Guye Clan had Qing Shu, Chi Shan, and Moyan, while the Bear and Bai families also had their own outstanding elites of the Second Transformation.
Added to the Elders and patriarchs of each family atop the Stone Tower, the Alliance Slope could truly be called a gathering of heroes.
"I wonder which one is Bai Ningbing? The man who symbolizes the rise of the Bai Family!"
"Bai Ningbing already has Third Transformation cultivation, so he definitely wouldn't be among the Second Transformation Gu Masters."
"He doesn't seem to be up on the Stone Tower either."
Gradually, the topic of everyone's discussion converged on Bai Ningbing.
Although Bai Ningbing hadn't appeared, his brilliance already overshadowed every Gu Master below the Stone Tower.
"If one recalls three years ago at the Alliance Slope in Chapter 125—'Oh, Then I Surrender'—it was Bai Ningbing who first stepped forward and publicly challenged others to Gu combat. In just three years, he's already become a Third Transformation Elder. When you think about it, it's truly terrifying."
"He soared to greatness. Even at the Second Transformation, he defeated an Elder of the Bear Family Stronghold. This young man's future is limitless."
"The key is that he's already grown to this point. At this rate of progress, he's bound to become a Fourth Transformation powerhouse, and maybe even Fifth Transformation. As for Sixth Transformation..."
"Fifth Transformation marks the boundary between mortal and immortal. Fifth Transformation alone is already remarkable. Sixth Transformation? Ha! Don't overestimate him..."
"That's not necessarily true. Who can say what the future holds?"
...
Amid such discussions, three patriarchs on the Stone Tower stood up, looking down at the thousand-plus Gu Masters below.
The Guye Patriarch stood in the center, with the Bai Family Patriarch and the Bear Family Patriarch flanking him on either side.
The Alliance Slope gradually fell silent.
Gu Yue Bo rested his hand on the railing, swept his gaze across the crowd, and spoke concisely: "The Three Strongholds form an alliance, sharing the same boat in troubled times. The Gu Combat Tournament is primarily for mutual exchange—stop when the point is made. Let it begin."
The Alliance Slope fell into complete silence. Everyone looked at one another.
Every alliance gathering among the three families included a Gu Combat Tournament. Its purpose, besides demonstrating each clan's strength, was also to promote exchange, temporarily resolve grievances, and reach cooperative consensus.
But who would be the first to step forward?
The first Gu Master to step forward and challenge—if they failed publicly, it would be a devastating loss of personal face. More importantly, it would diminish the dignity of their family's senior members on the tower.
Last time, it was Bai Ningbing who stepped forward. But this time...
Just as everyone hesitated, a group from the Bear Family Stronghold suddenly emerged from the crowd. It was Xiong Li's group.
Instantly, all eyes turned to the five members of that group.
Xiong Li's group walked past the Guye Clan's section and, under the watchful eyes of everyone, planted themselves before the Bai Family Stronghold's formation.
"It's Xiong Li."
"The strongest man on Qing Mao Mountain?"
"That's right. I heard that recently, even Chi Shan of the Guye Clan lost to him publicly. His reputation is unshakable—even Bai Ningbing can't compare."
"How infuriating. The Guye Clan won't go, so they're specifically here to bully our Bai Family Stronghold?"
From the Bai Family Stronghold's formation, a wave of subtle commotion arose. Many people recognized Xiong Li and felt a spike of pressure.
But Xiong Li merely scanned the crowd and stood where he was. It was Xiong Jiang, beside him, who stepped forward.
Xiong Jiang was thin and gaunt, standing out conspicuously in the Bear Family's environment of burly men.
He walked a few steps forward, faced the numerous Gu Masters of the Bai Family Stronghold, and cupped his fists: "Xiong Jiang of the Bear Family Stronghold. I would like to learn from Brother Bai Bingyi."
The moment these words left his mouth, irrepressible gasps erupted from below the Stone Tower.
Bai Bingyi's status was comparable to that of Chi Shan or Xiong Li. Among the young Gu Masters of the Bai Family, he was second only to Bai Ningbing. Xiong Jiang wanted to challenge him to Gu combat—this was clearly an attempt to pit the weak against the strong.
But could he pull it off?
Bai Bingyi stepped forward with a grim expression. He was short in stature, his face pale, looking like a patient who had just recovered from a serious illness—somewhat frail and delicate. But no one dared underestimate him.
"Xiong Jiang, you dare challenge me? That takes some courage. How do you want to compete? Name it, and I'll take it," he said to Xiong Jiang.
Xiong Jiang let out a cold, sinister laugh: "I specialize in defense, Brother Bai, while you excel in offense. Here's my proposal—your attacks against my defense. I'll give you three chances to attack, and then we'll see the outcome."
This wasn't a life-or-death battle, just a friendly exchange.
But Xiong Jiang's confidence suggested he had come thoroughly prepared, which planted seeds of doubt in many onlookers.
Bai Bingyi raised an eyebrow: "Xiong Jiang, no matter what Gu you've obtained, you're still just a Second Transformation Gu Master—your cultivation speaks for itself. Do you really think you can withstand my Water Drill Gu? If I hurt you, don't come crying to me."
Xiong Jiang chuckled darkly: "How will we know until we try? Come."
As he spoke, he activated the Gu within his body. His entire skin immediately lost its color, becoming withered and sickly green, like the dead wood of a gloomy swamp.
At the same time, his teeth grew sharp and long, the four canines—upper and lower—protruding past his lips.
Furthermore, his pupils turned into glowing green orbs.
This was the Second Transformation Wandering Corpse Gu.
Once activated, it could transform a person into a zombie.
Compared to a living person, a zombie was far more resistant to physical attacks and possessed much greater regenerative ability. However, they feared fire, lightning, and light. Against water, wind, and poison attacks, their defensive capabilities were actually superior.
Additionally, a zombie's combat strength under sunlight was far inferior to its power at night, influenced by the time of day.
"Even so, I have nothing to fear," Bai Bingyi sneered, raising his right hand.