Chapter 13: The Importance of Foundation! The Inner Sect’s Gamble Duel!

“It seems that each modification ties into either my current foundation or innate talent.”

“I had a deep understanding of Vajra Fist, so when I modified it to a hundred years later, my comprehension naturally deepened further, allowing me to upgrade it to a Low-grade Profound martial art.”

“My aptitude for footwork isn’t as strong, which is probably why Phantom Step didn’t evolve into a Profound-grade martial art.”

“And while Blazing Wind Sword didn’t improve either, that’s because it’s already at its limit—there’s no more room to grow. But because of that, I gained Insight-Level sword comprehension…”

A strange gleam flickered in Gu Yang’s eyes.

“I seem to be able to directly modify both sword intent and fist intent.”

“But if it’s based on my current foundation…”

“Then I’ll have to hold off for now.”

Gu Yang hadn’t yet tried modifying his sword intent, but he knew for sure that even artistic intent (意境) could be altered directly.

Of course, this realization only came after he broke through to the Qi Gathering Realm.

Had he known earlier, he definitely would’ve modified his sword intent to ten years in the future before breaking through—free ten years of sword insight!

What a shame…

Still, it’s not too late.

Now he could modify up to a hundred years forward or backward.

A hundred years’ worth of sword intent cultivation…

It should be significantly deeper!

But before that—

He needed to further refine his current sword and fist foundations!

Once he had read and trained with more sword and fist techniques, and modified their timelines to strengthen his martial foundation, then went ahead and modified his sword and fist intent by a hundred years…

That would yield the greatest results!

After all, the sword intent of an average cultivator after a hundred years, and that of someone with a solid foundation after the same duration, would be vastly different.

This, Gu Yang understood very clearly.

And he had a solid grasp of how this system worked.

From the subtle differences in his past modifications, he could deduce that the rewards from modifying techniques, martial arts, and artistic intent weren’t fixed—they all depended on his own foundation.

With that in mind, Gu Yang finally suppressed the impulse to directly upgrade his sword and fist intent.

He calmed himself down.

Putting aside those modifications for now—

This session alone had brought him immense gains!

Even his weakest techniques were top-tier Human-grade martial arts.

He now possessed two Low-grade Profound martial arts.

And one Low-grade Profound cultivation method!

Such a foundation could surely make waves even within the inner sect!

And within the first level of the Qi Gathering Realm…

He was undoubtedly in a league of his own!

His cultivation session finally came to an end.

Gu Yang didn’t continue pushing forward.

Training should be a balance of effort and rest.

Plus…

He didn’t have many spirit stones left.

They might not be enough to yield any significant improvements.

So he shelved the idea of immediate cultivation.

Instead, he decided to take a walk around the inner sect.

After all, it had only been two days since he arrived.

He hadn’t had the chance to properly explore.

Strolling along the inner sect streets,

He found that few disciples were idle.

Most were either immersed in cultivation or off completing sect missions down the mountain.

Disciples with free time like Gu Yang were rare.

But before long, he discovered something interesting—

A Duel Arena!

There was an explanation posted at the entrance:

“If a disciple harbors conflict with another, they are forbidden from fighting privately within the sect. Instead, they may enter this space and engage in a wagered duel. Both parties stake a bet. The winner takes the spoils. These duels serve both as contests and conflict resolution.”

Seeing this, Gu Yang’s eyes lit up.

This place was intriguing.

Even though he didn’t have any grudges to settle—

He could still participate in duels for the sake of it.

With that thought, Gu Yang stepped inside.

The space was huge.

At its center stood five dueling platforms.

Several disciples were currently fighting atop them.

Their strikes were ruthless.

And all of them, without exception, were at the second or third level of the Qi Gathering Realm.

Quite a few disciples were gathered nearby watching the matches.

Gu Yang scanned the area and noticed the fifth platform was vacant.

His heart stirred, and he walked toward it.

Then he wrote a line on the signboard next to it:

“Wager Duel. Limited to those below the fourth level of Qi Gathering. Stake: Five low-grade spirit stones. Winner takes five stones from the loser. Loser must be able to pay the five stones to proceed.”

Once finished, Gu Yang stepped onto the platform and sat to wait.

Coincidentally, the fight at the fourth platform had just ended.

Several inner sect disciples turned their eyes toward him, curious.

Among them—

Ding Xuan was also present.

The moment he saw Gu Yang on the platform, his eyes widened.

“What the hell is that guy doing?”

He was momentarily stunned.

Then he spotted the sign in front of the platform.

He was even more shocked.

A duel?

Five low-grade spirit stones?

Limited to under the fourth level of Qi Gathering?

Is this guy serious?

He’s only at the tenth level of Body Refining, yet he wants to challenge the Qi Gathering Realm?

And not just any—up to the fourth level?

Is Gu Yang looking to die?

The others around had also noticed what was written.

Sneers and jeers broke out.

“Hey? A new face? Fresh blood?”

“Let me see what he wrote… Hahahaha!”

“This kid must’ve been dropped on the head! A newbie daring to act this cocky? Wants to fight someone at Qi Gathering level four?”

“Five low-grade spirit stones… I’m tempted!”

“Hey, newbie on the stage, you serious about this?”

Hearing this, Gu Yang nodded calmly.

“I’m serious. But you’d best be ready to pay up. If you lose and can’t cough up the spirit stones, I think everyone knows what happens next.”

That was one of the reasons Gu Yang dared to set this up.

If someone lost but couldn’t pay the bet,

The sect would step in to enforce it.

No need for him to worry.

“Newbies these days sure are bold.”

“Already planning how to collect his winnings before the fight? Arrogant brat!”

“Kid, I’ll be your opponent!”

Soon enough, a Qi Gathering third-level disciple stepped onto the stage.

“Kid, don’t be so arrogant. But hey, since you’re practically giving me free spirit stones, I’ll… teach you a little something about respecting your seniors!”

As he spoke, the inner sect disciple immediately struck.

True Qi erupted.

Gathered around his palm,

He aimed a vicious strike toward Gu Yang’s shoulder!

Seeing this, Gu Yang’s eyes flicked with a glint,

And then he feigned surprise, narrowly dodging the strike.

In the same motion, he launched a punch to the man’s abdomen.

Bang!

The impact sent the inner sect disciple stumbling backward.

But the punch had no real effect.

“That’s it? That weak?”

“Well then, I’ll happily accept your spirit stones!”

The inner sect disciple had assumed Gu Yang had some kind of trump card.

So he had initially held back, cautious.

But after feeling that weak punch—

Even without using true Qi to guard, he could tank it easily.

He burst into laughter.

This was practically free money!

Below the stage, the other disciples watched, eyes gleaming with envy.

“So weak? Damn it, I should’ve gone up first!”

“Thought he had some hidden strength, turns out he’s just all bark—misjudged that one!”

Hearing all this,

Gu Yang grinned inwardly.

Exactly the reaction I wanted!

Then he continued to fight the disciple, looking “barely capable,”

Until finally—after a seemingly lucky punch—he knocked the guy off the platform.

And claimed victory.