Top-Tier Perception Starts From Basic Fist Techniques

Chapter 186.1: Gu Nian Falls; Lu Changsheng Ventures Out in the Third Layer of the Ancient Region! (I)

Gu Nian remained cool and detached, as if the stares around him had nothing to do with him.

"Lu Changsheng, don't let their stares bother you. This is just a spar between the two of us—winning or losing is beside the point," he said, calm and composed. "And if things turn dangerous in the arena, you'll be sent out immediately, so you won't suffer any serious harm. That said, if you can't hold against my mental secret technique, you must call for a stop. Even minor damage to the mind can lead to serious consequences."

Lu Changsheng nodded. He had not expected Gu Nian to be so considerate, but he wouldn't step onto the arena if he weren't prepared.

"Very well. Let's begin," Gu Nian said.

Without wasting another breath, Lu Changsheng launched his attack. "Heart Sword!"

A faint buzz rang out. Then, from within his Mind Space, the Golden Heart Sword shot forth.

Gu Nian also activated his mental secret technique. "Heart Vortex, devour!"

A white light flashed, then gathered into a massive vortex that instantly swallowed Lu Changsheng's Golden Heart Sword.

Lu Changsheng's expression shifted slightly. This was the first time he had encountered a mental secret technique capable of standing against his Heart Sword.

He knew better than anyone how powerful his Heart Sword had become, yet Gu Nian's Heart Vortex had swallowed it without the slightest sign of strain. That alone spoke volumes about Gu Nian's reputation as a Dao Foundation expert from the Ancient Region's third layer. He had spent decades tempering his heart and refining his mental secret technique, and the results of his efforts showed.

Lu Changsheng drew in a slow breath and finally took the match seriously. Gu Nian was not going to be an easy opponent, and if he were to treat Gu Nian lightly, he would suffer.

Gu Nian stood with his hands behind his back, his expression unchanged. "Lu Changsheng, I know your mental secret technique is capable of more than that. Don't hold back. Show me its full power. Once I start my counterattack, you won't get another chance."

Lu Changsheng’s expression turned grave as he nodded. "Alright, I will give it my all."

He had indeed held back earlier. But after seeing just how strong Gu Nian's mental secret technique was, every last bit of reservation fell away.

Buzz...

The next moment, the Golden Heart Sword within Lu Changsheng's Mind Space trembled violently, its radiance blazing bright. However, he did not release his Mind Space. This was a pure contest between mental secret techniques. Neither Lu Changsheng nor Gu Nian was going to use their Mind Space.

"Sever!" Lu Changsheng shouted. The Golden Heart Sword shot out of his Mind Space once more.

During the previous attack, the Golden Heart Sword had been only a few cun long. This time, Lu Changsheng unleashed it at full power, and by the time it emerged from his Mind Space, it had already become a massive golden blade several zhang in length.

Even from a distance, the spectators could sense its sharp, mind-piercing aura.

"That's Lu Changsheng's mental secret technique? How can it be this powerful?"

"Didn't he just forge his Dao Foundation? How come his mental secret technique already rivals a Dao Foundation expert's?

"He's the greatest martial artist of this generation. You can't judge him by the normal standards."

"Lu Changsheng had unleashed something so terrifying; can Gu Nian really hold on?"

Even some Dao Foundation martial artists who knew Gu Nian well felt uncertain.

On the surface, Gu Nian still looked calm and composed, but inwardly, his heart sank. Everyone watching could see that Lu Changsheng's Heart Sword was powerful, but as the man standing directly in its path, only he could feel how horrifying it was.

Gu Nian drew a deep breath. "Heart Vortex, devour!"

He unleashed the Heart Vortex again. This time, the vortex expanded, swelling far beyond its previous size. However, he could not say for certain whether it could still swallow Lu Changsheng's Golden Heart Sword. All he could do was give it everything he had, as he could not afford to lose to Lu Changsheng.

Everyone knew Lu Changsheng did not specialize in mental secret techniques, while Gu Nian had devoted himself entirely to cultivating them in his attempt to comprehend the Mental Principle. Hence, being beaten by a martial artist who had just forged his Dao Foundation, and in a contest of mental secret techniques at that, would make him a laughingstock throughout the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect.

I cannot lose to him. I must not lose! Gu Nian thought.

The Heart Vortex devoured the several-zhang-tall Golden Heart Sword in one gulp, and for a brief moment, it looked like it worked. But then, Gu Nian trembled. His Heart Vortex became violently unstable, and his face twisted under the strain. No... I have to hold on. I have to hold on!

But in a clash of mental secret techniques, determination alone was never enough.

Bang!

The Heart Vortex burst apart. Then, a flash of golden light tore through the air as the Golden Heart Sword plunged straight into Gu Nian.

"Ahhh!" A scream erupted from Gu Nian's throat as he was thrown off the combat stage.

At that moment, his vital essence, qi, and spirit were almost completely drained. His face had gone pale, and his aura had plummeted drastically.

Gah! I have no mental strength left... Gu Nian groaned inwardly as he looked up and stared at Lu Changsheng in horror and shock. His mental strength was not weak, so how had he failed to withstand even one of Lu Changsheng's strikes?

He was a martial artist seeking to comprehend the Mental Principle. How could he lose to someone who had just forged his Dao Foundation? And he was defeated in a mental secret technique spar to boot.

Gu Nian was not the only one shaken. In fact, the shock on his face was nothing compared to the uproar from many Dao Foundation experts watching the fight.

"What? Gu Nian lost?"

"How is that possible? His overall strength isn't exceptional, but at the mental level, Gu Nian is no weaker than any Dao Foundation expert who hasn't condensed the Mental Principle. How did Lu Changsheng overpower him so easily?"

"Unbelievable. Lu Changsheng hasn't even comprehended a single Principle, and he has just forged his Dao Foundation before arriving in the third layer, but he still managed to beat Gu Nian?"

"How embarrassing. With a performance like that, Gu Nian still wants to comprehend the Mental Principle? He must be delusional."

"What a shame. He's finished now. If he can't pull himself together and dispel the flaw this loss is going to leave in his heart, he may never be able to comprehend any Principle for the rest of his life."

"Lu Changsheng truly cannot be judged by any ordinary standards. He is truly a once-in-a-lifetime genius."

Gu Nian held Lu Changsheng's gaze for a long moment. He knew news of his defeat would soon spread throughout the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect, and the thought nearly dragged him into despair. Even so, he could not bring himself to resent Lu Changsheng. In the end, he only gritted his teeth and forced himself to speak.

"Lu Changsheng, I acknowledge your strength. I accept this loss wholeheartedly. But losing today does not mean I'll give up. Once I dispel the shadow of this loss in my heart, I may still be able to fully comprehend the Mental Principle," he said. Then he took out a porcelain bottle.

"Here's the promised essence blood of a fire-attribute heavenly demon," he said, tossing it over to Lu Changsheng.

Lu Changsheng caught the bottle. When he looked up to reply, Gu Nian was already gone. Oh well. I got what I came for anyway. I wonder how much this single drop of essence blood can improve my Fire Principle.

Lu Changsheng turned the bottle over in his hand for a few seconds, then put it away before leaving the arena.

***

Back at his residence, Lu Changsheng immediately took out the bottle containing the essence blood of a fire-attribute heavenly demon. He opened it gently and sensed the drop of essence blood inside.

Hmm... This is different from the drop Hall Master Wang Feng gave me last time. Although both are essence blood from fire-attribute heavenly demons, they are likely from different kinds of heavenly demons. I can use this one to contemplate the Fire Principle.

Without a moment's hesitation, Lu Changsheng began his contemplation. Days passed one after another. Even with Lu Changsheng's Perception, fully digesting a single drop of Heavenly Demon Essence Blood would take the better part of a month.