Chapter 1711: Gu Changfengs Past
"Isn't that Gu Changfeng, the genius from the Gu Family who was expelled from Dragon Sword Heavenly Manor?"
The purple-robed youth grinned broadly.
"The peerless genius who comprehended Sword Intent at the age of six. Your Gu Family vanished without a trace back then, and I always wondered where you'd run off to. Who would've thought you'd sink so low and flee to the Dongling Region to play king of the hill? Hahaha!"
"Gu Changfeng? That name sounds familiar."
"Now I remember. Isn't he that so-called genius who got kicked out of Dragon Sword Heavenly Manor over twenty years ago?"
"I heard he came from some insignificant little family, but he caused quite a stir when he comprehended Sword Intent at six years old."
"What a shame. They say he was blinded by lust and secretly spied on his master's wife. His master destroyed his Sword Seed because of it. Back then, he was a super genius who possessed the Undying Sword Intent!"
The geniuses from the Xijian Region began chiming in one after another.
In just a few moments, they had practically laid out Gu Changfeng's entire past.
Ling Feng was somewhat surprised.
He had never expected Gu Changfeng to have such a history.
Still, although they were not particularly close, Ling Feng found it difficult to believe that Gu Changfeng was truly that sort of person.
There was probably more to the story than what these people were saying.
Gu Changfeng clenched his fists so tightly that the veins on the backs of his hands bulged.
Ling Feng could even see his body trembling.
Not from fear.
From anger.
"Sima Xu!"
Gu Changfeng raised his head and glared at the purple-robed youth.
"Don't push things too far!"
"Too far?"
Sima Xu burst into laughter.
"How would I dare? You were Dragon Sword Heavenly Manor's great genius, after all. Ah, that's right, I almost forgot. You were expelled long ago. Calling you a genius isn't accurate anymore. I should be calling you a disgraced pervert instead. Hahaha!"
Gu Changfeng's fists tightened even further.
After taking a deep breath, he turned his head away.
He knew he was weaker than Sima Xu.
There was no point arguing.
"Hah. Has the proud genius of the past become a turtle hiding in its shell?"
Seeing that Gu Changfeng simply endured the humiliation, Sima Xu quickly lost interest.
"Then again, turtles do tend to live longer. It suits you perfectly. Let's go."
He turned to leave.
Just then, a chilling killing intent locked onto him.
Sima Xu shivered instinctively.
He immediately spun around.
The source of the killing intent was not Gu Changfeng.
It was the Human Emperor standing beside him.
"Hm?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Sima Xu's eyes.
"Slaughterous Sword Will? One of the Ten Attributed Sword Wills, and one of the hardest to control at that."
The moment he spoke, many of the Xijian Region geniuses turned to look at Ling Feng.
Even in the Xijian Region, where Sword Dao cultivation was the dominant path, very few people could successfully comprehend Slaughterous Sword Will.
"Interesting."
Sima Xu sized Ling Feng up.
"For a native from the Dongling Region to comprehend Slaughterous Sword Will, you're a rather interesting native."
The word native carried obvious contempt.
To people who considered themselves civilized, it was a label used for uncultured barbarians.
In Sima Xu's eyes, everyone from the Dongling Region fell into that category.
The arrogance in his tone and his sense of superiority were enough to irritate anyone.
"Since comprehending Slaughterous Sword Will isn't easy, I'll spare your life."
There was no kindness in those words.
Sima Xu spoke from the lofty position of someone who believed he could crush Ling Feng whenever he pleased.
"Spare my life?"
Ling Feng almost laughed.
How could someone be this full of himself?
"Junior Brother Ling..."
Gu Changfeng quickly pressed a hand onto Ling Feng's shoulder and shook his head.
Ling Feng took a deep breath.
Forget it.
If he started a conflict with Sima Xu now, all the geniuses from the Xijian Region nearby might join forces against him.
Even if he managed to escape, Gu Changfeng would almost certainly die.
"Let's move. The Primordial Earthfire has dispersed. We can enter the Profound Sword Earth Palace now."
Someone noticed that the flames around the entrance had nearly vanished and immediately grew eager.
A moment later, a figure shot forward first.
He transformed into a streak of light and plunged into the pitch-black entrance, disappearing as though swallowed by some invisible monster.
Sima Xu glanced at Ling Feng one last time.
Then he led his two companions toward the dark entrance and vanished inside as well.
Gu Changfeng drew in a deep breath.
After remaining silent for a long while, he finally spoke through gritted teeth.
"Junior Brother Ling, I..."
"The innocent have nothing to fear."
Ling Feng looked at him calmly.
"Senior Brother Gu, I don't believe you're that kind of person."
The sword reflected the heart.
A swordsman whose sword was upright and honorable could hardly be a despicable person.
"Thank you."
Gu Changfeng sighed softly.
"Let's go. I just hope my past doesn't end up dragging you into unnecessary trouble."
"Even if it does, it doesn't matter."
Ling Feng shrugged.
"Besides, if possible, I'd like you to tell me more about the Profound Sword Earth Palace."
"Of course."
Gu Changfeng nodded.
He had no desire to revisit the past.
After that incident, it had taken him a very long time to regain his footing.
...
As they talked, Ling Feng and Gu Changfeng passed through the entrance and entered the first level of the Profound Sword Earth Palace.
Although it was called an underground palace, its scale was astonishing.
As far as the eye could see, the vast expanse seemed endless, with no visible boundary in sight.