CHAPTER 519: CHAPTER 283 WATER SPIRIT PEARL_2

Gu Sheng let out a long roar, his eyes glimmering with an excited light. He felt as if his body had transformed, brimming with power.

Within the underground palace, the sarcophagus emitted another sigh.

This time, the sound was even clearer, as though it resounded directly beside Gu Sheng’s ear.

"It seems this sarcophagus is somehow linked to the advancement of my cultivation."

Gu Sheng pondered to himself, deciding to remain in the underground palace to cultivate further and explore the secrets of the sarcophagus.

Gu Sheng refined three thousand spirit stones once again, and the spiritual energy within his body surged like a mighty river. Yet unfortunately, his cultivation remained stagnant, unable to break through his current realm.

He understood that relying solely on spirit stones for cultivation could gather a large amount of spiritual energy in a short period, but prolonged dependence would weaken his foundation.

Gu Sheng decided to temporarily stop refining spirit stones and turn his focus to other methods of cultivation.

He knew full well that the path of martial arts required trials and battles; only in life-and-death combat could one continuously surpass their limits.

Emerging from beneath the earth, he arrived at a dense white birch forest.

This forest was frequently traversed by ice wolves, making it an ideal training ground. Empty-handed, Gu Sheng entered the woods, preparing to fight the ice wolves.

Before long, a massive ice wolf caught Gu Sheng’s scent. It bared its blood-stained maw, revealing razor-sharp fangs, and pounced toward him.

Gu Sheng’s gaze turned cold. With a swift shift of his figure, he easily dodged the attack of the ice wolf.

He retaliated with a backhanded punch, the force of his fist whistling through the air straight toward the wolf’s head.

The ice wolf displayed remarkable reflexes, sidestepping the blow, and simultaneously swung its sharp claws toward Gu Sheng. Gu Sheng evaded the claw attack once more, delivering a vicious kick to the ice wolf’s abdomen.

"Thud!"

A muffled sound echoed as the enormous body of the ice wolf was sent flying, crashing onto the ground. Struggling to rise, it was immediately immobilized by Gu Sheng’s foot pressing on its head.

"Hmph, nothing more than this." Gu Sheng sneered coldly, stamping down hard, shattering the ice wolf’s skull.

In the moments that followed, Gu Sheng dispatched ice wolves as though slicing through fruits, each encounter effortless.

His figure darted through the white birch forest, each strike precise and ruthless, leaving no chance for the wolves to close in on him.

"Awoooo—"

A piercing wail echoed as an even larger ice wolf king emerged.

Its eyes glowed a violent crimson, emanating a murderous aura as it surged toward Gu Sheng in fury, clearly provoked by his earlier slaughter.

Gu Sheng’s expression became focused; he knew this ice wolf king would not be easy to defeat.

Nonetheless, he did not shrink back and instead met its charge, engaging in a fierce battle with the wolf king.

After a grueling fight, Gu Sheng finally found an opening in the ice wolf king’s defenses, delivering a critical strike with his fist.

The wolf king let out a miserable howl and collapsed to the ground, never to rise again.

Gu Sheng clapped his hands, cleaning up the bodies of thirteen ice wolves.

He stored twelve of them into his storage ring, planning to use them later for crafting pills or artifact refining.

As for the remaining ice wolf, Gu Sheng decided to roast it for a meal.

Finding an open space, he built a bonfire and began grilling the ice wolf meat in various ways.

Sometimes sprinkling seasoning, other times rotating the meat chunks—soon, the air around him was filled with a tantalizing aroma.

"Mmm, not bad. This ice wolf meat is perfectly roasted—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and fragrant to the point of irresistibility,"

Gu Sheng took a bite of the meat, nodding in satisfaction. "Seems my grilling skills have improved quite a bit."

Thus, Gu Sheng continued to refine his skills through training while enjoying the pleasures that cultivation brought him.

A month passed, and once convinced the Ji family had stopped searching for him, Gu Sheng left the underground palace.

Dragged by the green vine demon soul, it floated down along a river’s current. Having just arrived, it had no destination in mind, leaving its path to fate as dictated by the river itself.

Gu Sheng followed the river’s flow for an unknown duration until arriving in a new, unfamiliar world.

Here, he felt the spiritual energy suffusing the air, far denser than in his previous surroundings.

He felt a surge of elation, knowing he had stumbled upon an excellent place for cultivation.

Wandering through the forest, he abruptly heard the sound of battle.

Turning toward the noise, he saw a beautiful woman locked in combat with a ferocious demon beast.

Her graceful figure was illuminated by spiritual energy as she wielded near-peerless might. Her cultivation had reached the peak of the Golden Bone Realm.

At this sight, Gu Sheng felt compelled to intervene.

Moving swiftly, he charged into the battlefield.

With decisive force, he struck, killing the beast in one swift blow.

The woman appeared surprised, her gaze betraying a flash of surprise before she offered him her gratitude.

As they struck up a conversation, Gu Sheng learned that this woman’s name was Su Yao, a cultivator hailing from the southern swamp lake kingdom.

Gu Sheng and Su Yao continued speaking until the earth beneath them began to quake violently. Out from the soil sprang a colossal octopus, its body spanning dozens of meters, tentacles whipping through the air with gale-like bursts.

The octopus roared ferociously, exuding overwhelming strength as it lunged for Su Yao.

Su Yao dodged its attack with a flash of movement, summoning a magic wand in her hand. The wand’s tip radiated light, which she directed at the octopus.

Light shot toward the creature, and smoke began to rise from its body.

This octopus had consumed some unknown substance, allowing its cultivation to reach the early stage of the Marrow Refining Realm.

Enraged by the pain, it lashed out more fiercely, tentacles flailing madly.

Gu Sheng dashed forward to assist.

Activating his Ancient Sacred Body, his entire form radiated a golden glow, resembling a War God.

He struck out with golden palms, colliding directly with the octopus’ tentacles amidst heavy impacts.

The tentacles snapped apart under the force of Gu Sheng’s golden palms.

Seizing the opportunity, Gu Sheng closed in, his Jade Maiden Sword blazing with light as he aimed for the octopus’ head.

The octopus sensed danger, releasing a jet of black liquid to hinder Gu Sheng. However, Gu Sheng used the Carefree Ascension Step to evade the liquid effortlessly, driving his Jade Maiden Sword into the octopus’ head.

The octopus let out a wail of agony, collapsing and breathing its last. Gu Sheng retracted his sword, mentally relieved to see the beast defeated.

"What magnificent swordsmanship!" Su Yao exclaimed.

"You’re too kind." Gu Sheng smiled in response.

Su Yao’s gaze lingered on Gu Sheng, her eyes gleaming with subtle admiration.

She bit her lip lightly and said, "Gu Sheng, can you do me a favor?"

"What kind of favor?" Gu Sheng asked.

"I’m searching for a treasure called the Water Spirit Pearl, located in an ancient ruins within Dream Lake."

"But the place is guarded by powerful demon beasts—I can’t handle them by myself." Su Yao explained.

Gu Sheng hesitated briefly before responding, "I also have my own matters to attend to, so I may not be able to accompany you."

Su Yao’s expression briefly showed disappointment, but she quickly recovered, her tone calm as she said, "That’s alright, I understand. However, if you ever have the time, you’re welcome to visit me in the southern swamp lake region."

Gu Sheng nodded slightly, "Alright, if the opportunity arises, I will certainly go."

After bidding farewell, Gu Sheng continued to follow the flow of the river.

Though thinking of Su Yao’s request, he also knew he had many tasks ahead of him.

At that moment, Gu Sheng suddenly felt a powerful presence approaching from behind. Turning to look, he saw a man dressed in black standing not far away, his gaze icy and hostile.

"Who are you?" Gu Sheng asked warily.

"I am an emissary of the Blood Demon Hall, sent to claim your life," the black-clad man said coldly.

Gu Sheng’s heart sank. He was aware that the Blood Demon Hall was an evil organization notorious for looting the resources and lives of cultivators.

He hadn’t expected such trouble to find him.

"You’re not qualified to kill me!" Gu Sheng shouted, activating the Gale Nine Swords and charging at the man.

The black-clad man shifted his figure, evading Gu Sheng’s strike.

Drawing a blood-red saber, he slashed at Gu Sheng.

Gu Sheng activated the Shadow Concealment Skill, disappearing from view in an instant.

He reappeared behind the black-clad man, swinging his Thirsty Blood Battle Axe at him.

The man detected Gu Sheng’s movement, spinning to counter with his saber, blocking the axe.

The two exchanged blows, engaging in an intense battle.

Throughout the fight, Gu Sheng noticed the man’s extraordinary speed, making it exceedingly difficult to land an effective attack on him.

Within the dense forest, Gu Sheng and the man in black stood in deadly opposition.