He knew Gu Changqing fairly well, but his cousin was on the Hundred Battles Ranking. A beginner like him was likely to take a beating.

After hesitating for a long time, Gu Changhuan still decided to invite Gu Changqing as his sparring partner.

A stronger opponent meant a worse beating, but he would learn more in less time.

With this thought, Gu Changhuan issued his invitation to Gu Changqing.

"Do you have time to give me a few pointers, Ninth Brother?"

Gu Changqing clearly had not expected Gu Changhuan, a newcomer freshly arrived at Hundred Battles Valley, to invite him as a partner. He looked at Gu Changhuan with a hint of appreciation in his eyes.

"Very well."

He walked toward the Hundred Battles Platform.

"You pay the Contribution Points, though."

He said it lightly.

"Naturally." He was here to learn; how could he possibly let the teacher pay the venue fee!

Gu Changhuan walked up onto the Hundred Battles Platform from the opposite side.

Noticing the figures on the platform, Hundred Battles Valley instantly grew lively.

"Who is that? Is he challenging Brother Changqing?"

"He looks unfamiliar! Seems to be a newcomer."

"He probably asked Brother Changqing to be his partner!"

"Hehehe, a good show is about to begin."

Smiles broke out simultaneously across everyone's faces.

Those veterans who frequented Hundred Battles Valley knew Gu Changqing's methods all too well. If he wanted to teach a newcomer a lesson, he could force them to their knees begging for mercy using just a single hand.

They were all clanmates, though. There was no need to humiliate someone who had come to learn. Besides, this newcomer must have prepared himself before asking Gu Changqing to be his partner.

Once both were on the platform, a burly, red-faced man joined them: Gu Shiyang, the elder in charge of Hundred Battles Valley.

Upon seeing Gu Changqing, he spoke with a trace of surprise.

"You were challenged only yesterday; you didn't need to take the stage today."

Gu Changqing's expression remained unchanged. "Uncle Shiyang, this is not a Challenge Match."

Only then did Gu Changhuan learn the elder's name.

"Gu Changhuan pays his respects, Uncle Shiyang."

Upon learning Gu Changhuan's identity, Gu Shiyang displayed a faint flash of displeasure, but he said nothing further. After deducting the Contribution Points, Gu Shiyang used his token to activate the protective formation.

Then he left the area.

A veteran instructing a newcomer would hardly cause any trouble; staying here would merely be a waste of time.

Bouts in Hundred Battles Valley were divided into two types: Challenge Matches and Training Matches. Challenge Matches determined the standings on the Hundred Battles Ranking, whereas Training Matches were ordinary sparring sessions. Regardless of victory or defeat, they could continue until one side called a halt, subject only to a time limit.

Each Training Match lasted an hour.

"If you can force me back half a step today, you will have learned something." Gu Changqing spoke with a touch of arrogance.

Both men drew their weapons.

Gu Changhuan carried a longsword, one of the most common types of artifact. He had bought this high-grade first-tier weapon with Clan Contribution Points and named it Azure Cloud.

Gu Changqing also used a long sword.

"Ninth Brother, be careful!" Gu Changhuan channeled his Spiritual Power into the Azure Cloud Sword, which let out a hum and lunged toward Gu Changqing.

Gu Changqing stood his ground, sword in hand. Only when Azure Cloud came within reach did he flick it away with his blade.

With his first strike failing, Gu Changhuan recalled his spiritual sword.

Controlling a sword through Spiritual Power alone was still somewhat sluggish.

Sword in hand, Gu Changhuan used the Light Body Technique and darted several meters forward.

Two breaths later, he materialized on Gu Changqing's left flank and slashed down with his sword, only to be easily deflected once more.

Gu Changhuan tried chops, jabs, thrusts. Gu Changqing blocked them all with ease.

Gu Changqing was even parrying him using only one hand.

Half an hour later, Gu Changhuan stopped attacking, drenched in sweat.

Gu Changqing deserved his reputation. Gu Changhuan could never force him back on skill alone. He needed a different approach.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Gu Changhuan gripped the Azure Cloud Sword with both hands and pushed his Light Body Technique to the limit, appearing before Gu Changqing in the blink of an eye.

"Take this!"

Sparks scattered in all directions the moment their blades met.

This blow possessed virtually no technique; it was a sheer contest of physical strength and Spiritual Power.

Gu Changqing felt a jolt of surprise: Such immense strength.

With their blades locked together, Gu Changhuan suddenly let the pressure go. Gu Changqing flicked Azure Cloud out of his hand. Gu Changhuan followed with a punch at his right side, closing too far in for the longsword to be much use. Gu Changqing dodged sideways.

At that exact instant, the Azure Cloud Sword materialized once more on his left, its tip threatening to pierce his left arm.

Gu Changqing leaped backward into the air, landing clear of the attack.

Gu Changqing glanced at the small slit the sword Qi had cut in his robe, surprised. In his very first bout, Gu Changhuan had distracted him with a physical attack while bringing his sword around for a surprise strike. The boy had far more aptitude for combat than most.

The spectators were stunned. The newcomer had actually forced Gu Changqing back in his first bout.

"Not bad."

Gu Changqing nodded and put away his long sword.

Gu Changhuan sat straight down on the platform, too exhausted to care how he looked.

Clearly not anticipating that Gu Changhuan would simply flop down to rest right on the platform, Gu Changqing looked at him with an amused expression.

"You have talent. But why didn't you use any spells just now?" he asked.

Gu Changhuan replied:

"You know I've spent these years at the market, Ninth Brother. All I've done is cultivate and learn alchemy. I only know a few basic Five Elements spells, and I'm not even good at those. Trying to fight with them would be a joke."

"So that's how it is."

"You have a point, though."

Gu Changhuan circulated his Spiritual Power, recovered his strength, and stood up.

"I should go to the Scripture Pavilion and pick out a few spells to learn. We can't fly on artifacts at Qi Condensation, but we can't just keep swinging swords like mortal martial artists either."

"Are you free tomorrow, Ninth Brother?"

Gu Changqing made for an excellent sparring partner, and Gu Changhuan felt he needed to seize the opportunity.

"Yes." Gu Changqing nodded.

"Then it's settled! I'll meet you here first thing tomorrow."

With that, Gu Changhuan grinned, reached into his Storage Bag, pulled out several items, and shoved them directly into Gu Changqing's hands.

"Payment for the lesson. Just a few things, Ninth Brother."

"I'm exhausted. Everyone, see you another day-I'm heading back first!"

Before Gu Changqing could utter a word, Gu Changhuan had already slipped away.

Gu Changqing quietly put the gifts away. Why had Seventeenth Brother run off so fast? He would have accepted them even if the boy had stayed.

Only an idiot turned down something for nothing!

He muttered inwardly.

Gu Changhuan returned to his quarters completely spent, washed up hastily, and crashed into a deep sleep, not waking until the following morning.

He then made his way back to Hundred Battles Valley, only to find that Gu Changqing was already waiting for him.

"Morning, Ninth Brother!" Gu Changhuan greeted him.

Gu Changqing gave a nod.

They climbed onto the platform and began to spar. Gu Changqing fought with ease; Gu Changhuan was soon gasping for breath. Without his deep reserves of Spiritual Power, he might not even have lasted the hour.

This pattern continued for several days in a row.

"You're improving fast, Seventeenth Brother!"

One day, Gu Changhuan barely managed to get through Gu Changqing's attacks unscathed and stepped off the platform. Gu Changming came over to him.

"I'm still far inferior to Ninth Brother," Gu Changhuan answered honestly.

"Your progress is indeed remarkable," Gu Changqing concurred.

"I'll consider myself trained when I can hold my own against you for a few exchanges, Ninth Brother," Gu Changhuan said with a laugh.