CHAPTER 471: CHAPTER 259 MEETING AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE IN A FOREIGN LAND_2

Ancient towering trees blocked out the sun, their dense foliage seeming as if it could devour the entire world.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, forming dappled shadows, giving the forest an enigmatic and unfathomable aura.

"This place truly is extraordinary. Even the aura of the Demon Beasts here is so intense."

Gu Sheng murmured, his piercing gaze sweeping across the surrounding forest.

"Boom!"

At that moment, a deafening tiger’s roar shook the heavens, causing leaves to rustle down in droves.

Gu Sheng looked up and saw a Phantom Saber-Toothed Tiger at the peak of the Golden Bone Realm leap out from the dense forest, its eyes gleaming with a sharp, feral light.

"What a fierce tiger!"

Gu Sheng exclaimed with admiration. At the same time, the Qingvine Demon Soul between his brows trembled slightly, exuding a strong sense of interest.

"Roar~"

The Phantom Saber-Toothed Tiger growled lowly, lunging ferociously at Gu Sheng.

Rather than retreating, Gu Sheng advanced. The Thirsty Blood Battle Axe in his hand flashed with golden light as he met the tiger head-on.

"Bang!"

A thunderous crash resounded as axe and claw clashed, stirring up a gale of energy.

Gu Sheng only felt a tremendous force surge forth, pushing his body involuntarily backward.

"What immense strength this beast has!"

Gu Sheng thought in shock, while quickly regulating his breathing to prepare for another attack.

The Phantom Saber-Toothed Tiger, however, slyly turned into a mirage, slipping past Gu Sheng and darting deeper into the forest.

Seeing this, Gu Sheng grew anxious and was just about to give chase, when he suddenly felt an unusual energy well up from within him.

"Master, I’ll hold it down! Hurry over!"

The Qingvine Demon Soul’s voice echoed in Gu Sheng’s mind.

Stunned for a moment, Gu Sheng quickly grasped its meaning.

Without hesitation, he urged the Demon Soul into action. The Qingvine transformed into a streak of green light, catching up with the Phantom Saber-Toothed Tiger in an instant and burrowing into its abdomen.

"Awooo~"

The Phantom Saber-Toothed Tiger roared in pain, its deafening cries resonating through the forest. It thrashed about wildly, trying to shake off the Qingvine Demon Soul.

But the Qingvine clung to it like an inseparable curse, gnawing relentlessly at its internal organs.

Seeing this, Gu Sheng was overjoyed. Seizing the opportunity, he charged forward with his Thirsty Blood Battle Axe in hand and executed the Vajra Twelve Axes, slamming his axe into the Phantom Saber-Toothed Tiger’s back.

"Bang!"

Another loud crash sounded as the massive body of the Phantom Saber-Toothed Tiger was brought crashing to the ground by Gu Sheng’s strike.

Just as Gu Sheng thought victory was in his grasp, the Phantom Saber-Toothed Tiger suddenly transformed into a phantom once more, slipping out from under his axe.

"What... How is this possible?!"

Gu Sheng stared dumbfounded at the direction in which the tiger escaped, his heart filled with unwillingness.

At that moment, a tender, childlike voice echoed—it was the Qingvine Demon Soul:

"Master, do not fear. I have already devoured nearly all its internal organs. It’s at its last breath. You need only land one more strike to kill it."

Hearing this, Gu Sheng’s spirits lifted. He quickly composed himself and gave chase once more after the Phantom Saber-Toothed Tiger.

After another fierce battle, Gu Sheng finally found the Tiger’s weak spot and chopped its head off with one decisive strike.

"Finally, it’s done!"

Gu Sheng exhaled deeply, a mixture of exhaustion and triumph appearing on his face.

The Qingvine Demon Soul emerged from the Phantom Saber-Toothed Tiger’s corpse and began ravenously consuming its body.

In half a day, the entire tiger had been devoured.

After finishing its feast, the Qingvine Demon Soul became unusually energetic. It flew in front of Gu Sheng and said:

"Master, I feel I’m about to undergo my first mutation.

If I can devour the essence blood of ten more Golden Bone Realm Demon Beasts, I will evolve into something even more powerful."

Hearing this, Gu Sheng was overjoyed.

After a brief conversation with the Qingvine Demon Soul, Gu Sheng understood the immense potential it held. Once it fully evolved, it would undoubtedly become an even greater asset to him.

"Alright! I’ll find more Demon Beasts right away!"

With that, Gu Sheng strode deeper into the forest.

In the days that followed, Gu Sheng roamed the forest searching for Demon Beasts, continuously absorbing their essence blood and energy.

He encountered Silver Foxes, Mystic Hares, Flying Monkeys, and other Demon Beasts. Each battle brought him significant gains.

As time passed, Gu Sheng’s strength steadily grew.

He could clearly sense the power swelling within his body and the Qingvine Demon Soul’s ongoing metamorphosis.

On the Red Cloud Continent, winds of turmoil surged.

The war between the Chu Country and Liang was like a hanging sword over everyone’s heads, ready to fall at any moment.

In this tense atmosphere, major families and sects began their preparations for the national war.

The Wu family and the Zhou family, prominent forces within the ungoverned zones, had already pledged allegiance to Qi Country, joining together to resist Chu Country’s invasion.

The Mad Saber Sect also followed suit, firmly declaring their stance.

The so-called ungoverned zones were lawless territories where families cultivated warriors for self-defense, passing down their legacy across generations.

Liang and Qi, steadfast allies, had likewise resolved to send troops together to repel Chu Country’s aggression.

The alliance between the two nations aimed to make Chu Country pay a heavy price.

The rallying ceremony was set to be held at the border between Liang and Chu Country.

There, the soldiers of Liang and Qi gathered en masse, their morale soaring.

The Emperor of Qi, Jiang Yuanlong, and Emperor Yun Wu of Chu, both attended personally to bear witness to this monumental event.

At the ceremony, flags fluttered, and war drums thundered.

The soldiers, brimming with spirit, stood tall and resolute.

They knew this battle concerned their nation’s honor and future—they could not afford any mistakes.

Standing atop a high platform, Jiang Yuanlong’s piercing gaze swept across the soldiers below. His voice, loud and powerful, reverberated throughout the venue:

"Today, we gather here to discuss the nation’s destiny. Chu Country has been unjust, continuously encroaching on our borders.

This war is our chance to raise our heads high. I demand you unite as one, face this national crisis together, and show Chu Country that Qi is not to be trifled with!"

Emperor Yun Wu, equally spirited, declared:

"Brother Jiang, our two nations are allies. In this war, Chu Country will give Qi its full support. Let us stand side by side and create a glorious future!"

The rousing words of the two emperors ignited the fervor of everyone present.

Their voices rang out in unison, swearing to fight for their country and honor.

Amid this exhilarating moment, the disciples of the Holy Pill Sect arrived at the ceremony as well. Gu Sheng, Lin Miaomiao, Huang Miaoyin, Chu Haoran, and Mo Buwen—all paragons of the sect—had mobilized for the war.

Gu Sheng, clad in green, exuded an extraordinary aura with his sharp eyebrows and starry eyes.

Amid the crowd, his keen eyes seemed to pierce through all illusions.

At that moment, a woman dressed in purple slowly approached.

Her beauty was breathtaking, and her demeanor exuded nobility—she was none other than Princess Zishuang.

"Gu Sheng, do you understand your mission in this war?" Princess Zishuang’s voice was cold yet resolute.

Gu Sheng nodded slightly and said, "Rest assured, Princess. I am prepared. In this war, I will do everything in my power to defend our nation’s borders."

Princess Zishuang looked at Gu Sheng with a hint of concern in her eyes. "Chu Country is powerful. This war will likely be a fierce battle. Do you have the confidence?"

Gu Sheng smiled faintly, replying, "You need not worry, Princess. We disciples of the Holy Pill Sect are accomplished cultivators. In this war, we will surely shine."

His words carried grand promises, though he left room for humility.

Hearing this, determination flashed across Princess Zishuang’s eyes.

She believed that with Gu Sheng and the others, defeating Chu Country would not come easily.

At that moment, Linghu Qingwan and other esteemed female disciples from various sects also demonstrated their valiant charm on the battlefield.

Some stood poised with swords, others drew bows, their every movement brimming with strength and grace.

Amid the crowd were notables, particularly Lin Tianhao of the Haoyang Sect. Clad in pristine white, he carried an air of transcendence.

Amid the throng, he stood like a radiant sun, drawing countless gazes.

Gu Sheng glanced at Lin Tianhao, a faint smile flickering in his eyes. He knew Lin Tianhao was both his friend and rival. In this war, they would surely fight side by side, carving a legend together.

As the rallying ceremony concluded, the curtain lifted on the national war.

Every corner of the Red Cloud Continent simmered with tension and anticipation.

Within the rallying venue, the atmosphere was clamorous, the war drums deafening.

Gu Sheng’s sharp gaze scanned the bustling crowd, and among the throng, he locked onto a familiar figure—Gu Xiaojiang.

Gu Xiaojiang, a fellow native of Canghe County, stood within the crowd with excitement glowing in his eyes.