CHAPTER 457: CHAPTER 252: HE XI BRAVE DEATH A HUNDRED TIMES FOR THE NATION_2

Gu Sheng felt a little uneasy under her gaze and could only smile wryly, saying, "Alright, I admit, I did hold you that day."

When Linghu Qingwan heard this, a faint blush appeared on her face, like the first rays of dawn reflecting on her fair skin.

She bit her lower lip lightly and said shyly, "Do you... have feelings for me?"

Gu Sheng looked at her coy and bashful demeanor, and his heart couldn’t help but ripple. He coughed gently to mask his inner turmoil and said, "Well... let’s leave it to fate."

Linghu Qingwan’s eyes revealed a trace of disappointment, but soon regained her resolve. She straightened her back, stared directly into Gu Sheng’s eyes, and said earnestly:

"Gu Sheng, I like you. Whether or not you feel the same way, I’ve already fallen for you."

Gu Sheng was moved by her unwavering gaze, and a warm current surged through his heart. He took a deep breath and said tenderly, "Miss Linghu, I understand your feelings. But right now, I can’t make you any promises—I hope you can understand."

Linghu Qingwan gave a faint smile, shook her head slightly, and said, "It’s alright, I’ll wait for you. I believe that one day, you’ll accept me."

"As far as I’m aware, Song Qingxian of the Governor Mansion is your partner!"

Though he was open-minded and unconcerned about someone having had past relationships, he still wanted to know how this woman felt deep down.

"We did have a brief connection in the past... He’s always pursued me..." Linghu Qingwan said playfully:

"I discovered that I already have someone I truly like. To be precise, I’ve already rejected him!"

"So now you won’t overthink things, right?"

Her heart raced wildly, fearing that Gu Sheng might have lingering reservations, leaving her partially anxious.

"What would I overthink? I was merely speaking offhandedly," Gu Sheng teased lightheartedly, "Besides, it’s not like we have any relationship..."

"Who says we don’t? You’ve already held me!"

Linghu Qingwan, resolute in her decision, was determined to claim Gu Sheng.

Recalling Gu Sheng’s intentions that night, she added, "I know you’ve stolen from the Giant Sword Sect treasury... and secretly learned the legacy of the Dugu Nine Swords... Having mastered the true essence of Dugu Nine Swords, if you’re not one of us, then who could be?"

Gu Sheng felt speechless, realizing this woman was rather persistent—yet he couldn’t very well draw his sword against her.

Aside from a princess’s invitation, Gu Sheng had also accepted the Holy Maiden of Su Ling’s proposition.

The next day, sunlight filtered through the gauzy clouds, sprinkling over the ten-mile peach blossom forest in Enlightenment Valley, the blossoms burning bright like poetry brought to life.

Gu Sheng happily kept the appointment, and the two stepped together into this enchanting secret realm.

"Gu Sheng, I invited you here today to co-cultivate the Illusion Spirit Divine Melody with me," Su Ling’s Holy Daughter said softly, her voice like a spring breeze brushing his face.

Gu Sheng nodded and smiled, saying, "It’s truly an honor to cultivate with the Holy Daughter."

"Of course, I also have my conditions," Su Ling cast a glance at Gu Sheng with a gentle smile and added, "I’ll need a cup of Divine Spring from you."

As she spoke, a tiny cup no larger than an egg was already in her hand.

Seeing the cup, Gu Sheng laughed and said, "No problem!"

Seated beside the Spiritual Spring Waterfall, Su Ling’s Holy Daughter lightly stroked a guqin, her jade-like fingers plucking its strings. Instantly, the notes of heaven resounded, echoing through the peach blossom forest.

The melodious sound stirred the air, unfurling a magnificent cultivation world before Gu Sheng’s eyes.

Immortal mountains stood tall, clouds churned and surged, celestial cranes soared, and ethereal fairies danced. It felt as though he was immersed in a dreamlike immortal realm, enveloped by immortal energy and entrancing sound.

"This Illusion Spirit Divine Melody is truly extraordinary, capable of conjuring such a wondrous world!"

Gu Sheng marveled as his cultivation accelerated visibly, golden light flowing through his bones, spreading to his limbs and his entire body, which gradually radiated a resplendent glow.

Observing this, Su Ling’s Holy Daughter’s eyes flickered with admiration as she continued playing the guqin. The melodious tune complemented Gu Sheng’s cultivation rhythm perfectly.

"Gu Sheng, your physical cultivation has reached an incredible level. Now that I’ve taught you the Illusion Spirit Divine Melody, I hope you make good use of it," Su Ling’s Holy Daughter said gently.

Gu Sheng nodded gratefully, aware that a Spirit Wheel had now materialized in his Qi Sea, constantly absorbing the spiritual energy from the heavens and earth and forming a vast sea of qi.

"Already a Spirit Wheel?"

Gu Sheng was a bit taken aback. Generally, martial artists achieve a Spirit Wheel only after entering the Marrow Refining Realm, and yet he had arrived at this stage while still an entire major realm short.

Though his cultivation had yet to surpass the ninth layer of the Golden Bone Realm, the strength of his body had reached unimaginable heights.

"Hm?"

Su Ling, playing the guqin, scrutinized Gu Sheng’s every movement and observed the surrounding flow of energy.

She was also borrowing insights from Gu Sheng’s martial arts path.

In the secret realm, the two cultivated in harmonious intimacy, their energies intertwining, while their emotions silently deepened.

An ambiguous atmosphere permeated the peach blossom forest, as though even the air was infused with sweetness.

"Roar~"

Uncertain how long had passed, Gu Sheng suddenly felt a surge of powerful energy within him. His cultivation finally broke through the bottleneck of the ninth layer of the Golden Bone Realm, elevating to an even higher realm.

The sky was filled with wondrous phenomena, dazzling and breathtaking, akin to celestial beings cheering for him.

Su Ling’s Holy Daughter sensed Gu Sheng’s breakthrough as well. She smiled at him, her eyes brimming with admiration and delight.

She knew that Gu Sheng had successfully overcome his cultivation bottleneck, and his future accomplishments would be limitless.

A full two days and nights of cultivation passed, yet neither of them felt any fatigue.

Instead, they strolled through the ten-mile peach blossom forest, appreciating the scenery.

This was an isolated small realm, part of Enlightenment Valley.

Only martial artists meeting the required cultivation talent could access this place.

At this moment, the vast ten-mile peach forest was occupied solely by the two of them, making it extremely private.

"Whew!"

Gu Sheng casually flicked a branch that struck a silver fox.

"Let’s get some meat!"

He activated the Great Moon Pupil Skill, scanning the entirety of the peach blossom forest.

He discovered several mysterious rabbits and deer.

"These creatures smell a bit odd!"

Su Ling hadn’t anticipated that Gu Sheng was so nonchalant about his food choices.

"There’s a way to deal with it!"

Gu Sheng, having come from a modern era, possessed all kinds of barbecue spices.

Spicy, flavorful, purely numbing, fragrant with basil, even invigorating blends—he had it all, along with ingredients like angelica and five-spice to remove any gamey smells.

Thanks to Gu Sheng’s deft cooking skills, mystical rabbit, silver fox, and deer meat were soon roasted to perfection, sizzling with oil.

"Try my cooking!"

Gu Sheng handed Su Ling a skewer of rabbit meat while taking a skewer of silver fox meat for himself, eating enthusiastically.

"Delicious!"

Su Ling’s eyes sparkled; she had never been so uninhibited.

This was the first man who had ever gotten so close to her.

Physically closer, it seemed their hearts were also drawing closer.

"Come, let’s have a toast!"

Meat paired with fine wine—Gu Sheng handed Su Ling a porcelain-white wine cup.

Su Ling, being part of the Demon Sect, rarely had the opportunity for such indulgences. She took the wine cup from Gu Sheng and sipped lightly.

The two drank and ate freely, letting go of all restraints.

After their feast, Gu Sheng took out the Illusion Spirit guqin gifted by Su Ling.

"Ding ding dong dong..."

He played an ancient melody, "Drunken Butterfly," dedicating it to Su Ling.

He even added the word "miss" before Su Ling’s name, making her slightly flushed for the first time.

Gu Sheng caught her reaction out of the corner of his eye and curved his lips with a roguish smile before starting to sing softly.

"No matter how I try, I can’t escape this flowery world. Turns out I’m just a drunken butterfly..."

With spiritual power infused into his singing, the music grew more captivating. Accompanying the song were flowing images that seemed to unfold in the air.

The atmosphere seemed to transform into a new realm.

A butterfly danced lightly, weaving through the flowers. Verdant grass swayed, and petals scattered like a drunkard stumbling into a blooming field...

"Marvelous, truly exquisite!"

Su Ling couldn’t help but exclaim repeatedly. She had never seen such an emotionally resonant performance—an unparalleled masterpiece.

As Gu Sheng’s singing gradually faded, the images dispersed, leaving behind tranquil serenity.

Su Ling gazed at Gu Sheng, her eyes glowing with admiration and fondness.

She realized Gu Sheng was not only a formidable cultivator but also someone who understood life and appreciated beauty.

Gu Sheng noticed Su Ling’s expression and felt deeply content inside.