CHAPTER 521: CHAPTER 284 BLOOD DEMON HALL_2

"However, after you’ve gathered the Water Spirit Pearl, I’ll need to borrow it for a while. I, too, must break through my cultivation bottleneck."

Su Yao beamed with delight upon hearing Gu Sheng’s agreement.

She nodded repeatedly and said, "Don’t worry, Young Master Gu. I will do everything I can to assist you. As long as we work together, I’m confident we’ll successfully find the Water Spirit Pearl!"

Without delay, the two rested briefly by roasting some food and then resumed their journey.

Dream Lake, shrouded in mist, appeared surreal and enchanting.

Every inch of space brimmed with a mysterious aura, as though an Immortal Realm had descended upon the mortal world.

"Young Master Gu, this is the entrance to the secret realm," Su Yao softly remarked, pointing ahead. Her eyes sparkled with determination, as if she could already see the light of victory.

Gu Sheng nodded, carefully scanning the surroundings with a grave expression. "We must remain cautious and not let our guard down."

Just then, two figures suddenly leaped out from the shadows, blocking their way.

Their appearances were bizarre—gnarled lumps covered their necks, resembling aged tree bark, exuding an eerie ferocity.

"Heh, two mere juniors dare to intrude upon this place?"

One of the Martial Artists, wielding the Sunset Divine Bow, sneered menacingly. His eyes gleamed with greed and cruelty, as if he already considered Gu Sheng and Su Yao his prey.

The other, who held the Heavenly Gang Axe, coldly added,

"This territory belongs to us brothers. If you wish to pass, you’ll have to ask whether our weapons agree!"

Gu Sheng furrowed his brows and sighed inwardly at the trouble ahead. He understood that to enter the secret realm, they would first have to overcome these two Martial Artists.

"Honored seniors, we are merely passing through and mean no harm.

I kindly ask for your understanding to let us proceed." Gu Sheng cupped his hands, opting for diplomacy.

"Passing through? Hmph, as if we’d believe that!"

The Martial Artist with the Sunset Divine Bow snorted, nocking an arrow and launching it with lightning speed. The arrow whizzed through the air with a piercing sound, aimed straight for Gu Sheng’s throat.

Gu Sheng’s figure flickered, evading the lethal strike with astonishing agility.

"Such incredible speed!" He felt a jolt of alarm but grew even more vigilant.

"Whoosh!"

At the same time, Su Yao activated the Water Spirit Pearl, engaging the Martial Artist wielding the Heavenly Gang Axe in fierce combat.

Her movements were swift and graceful, each strike precisely targeting her opponent’s weaknesses, forcing him to retreat continuously.

"The young lady has some skill, I see!"

The Martial Artist with the Heavenly Gang Axe roared in fury, swinging his massive axe toward Su Yao.

The axe sliced through the air, tearing it apart with an overwhelming force.

Su Yao, however, remained unfazed. With a nimble leap, she dodged the axe’s edge and countered with a sword slash aimed at the Martial Artist’s arm.

"Ahh!"

A scream pierced the air as blood gushed from the Martial Artist’s arm, leaving him gravely injured.

Meanwhile, Gu Sheng was locked in an intense battle with the Martial Artist wielding the Sunset Divine Bow.

His Gale Nine Swords technique was both rapid and unpredictable, sometimes as sharp as daggers, sometimes as fluid as silk, catching his opponent off guard.

Although the Martial Artist’s archery skills were exceptional, he struggled to keep up with Gu Sheng’s versatile swordsmanship.

After defeating the two Martial Artists, Gu Sheng and Su Yao’s figures blurred within a teleportation array. In the blink of an eye, they stepped into a whole new world—the secret realm of Dream Lake.

The realm seemed to blend the immortal beauty of Turquoise Pool with the desolation of an ancient battlefield in perfect harmony.

The rippling lake shimmered like a mirror, reflecting the azure sky and pristine clouds. Floating on its surface were lotuses, radiating a faint glow as if imbued with the essence of the heavens and the earth.

In the distance, mountains loomed, their peaks veiled in clouds, emanating an enigmatic aura.

"This... is breathtakingly beautiful!"

Su Yao couldn’t help but exclaim, her eyes brimming with excitement and curiosity, as though she wished to savor every detail of this wondrous realm.

Gu Sheng, too, was awestruck by the scene. Inhaling deeply, he felt the ancient, mysterious energy suffusing the air, almost hearing the drums of primordial war and the cries of heroes.

"Indeed, this beauty is intoxicating,"

Gu Sheng murmured, his gaze lingering momentarily on Su Yao’s face, as if mesmerized by her radiance. "Su Yao, do you think we can find the Water Spirit Pearl here?"

Su Yao turned to meet his gaze, her eyes resolute. "Young Master Gu, I believe that as long as we work as one, we will definitely find the Water Spirit Pearl!"

Gu Sheng felt a warmth stirring within him at her words.

He extended his hand, gently taking hers. "With you by my side, my confidence multiplies."

Su Yao, feeling the warmth of his touch, blushed faintly.

Lowering her gaze, she softly said, "Young Master Gu, let’s strive together."

Standing side by side, they admired the breathtaking scenery of the secret realm, the bond between them quietly growing stronger.

For a moment, they seemed to forget the chaos and battles of the outside world, wanting only to immerse themselves in this tranquil oasis and cherish the time spent in each other’s company.

On this land filled with mystery and beauty, their journey was just beginning... and the Dream Lake secret realm would bear witness to the entanglement of their emotions and their path to growth.

They ventured deeper, treading carefully as though afraid to disturb the serene magic of the place.

The fish in the lake darted joyously among the lotus leaves, as though sharing some hidden secrets with the two.

From afar, the mountains seemed to beckon, inviting them to uncover more unknown wonders.

"Young Master Gu, look over there!" Su Yao suddenly exclaimed, pointing ahead with surprise and delight.

Gu Sheng followed her gaze to see a towering peak shrouded in mist, its summit seemingly guarding infinite mysteries.

"That mountain peak must be the place we’re searching for."

Gu Sheng’s eyes gleamed with determination as he gripped Su Yao’s hand tightly.

"Let’s go. Together, we’ll unveil the secrets of that peak."

Su Yao nodded at Gu Sheng, her eyes equally resolute. Though her cultivation at the peak of the Golden Bone Realm was lower by one major level compared to Gu Sheng, her fighting spirit was unyielding.

Gu Sheng summoned his Demon Soul, the Green Vine Spirit, which leaped from his body and transformed into a streak of green light, darting through the Dream Lake secret realm in search of treasures.

Before long, the Green Vine Spirit relayed information—it had discovered a towering palace hidden in a dense fog. However, guarding its entrance was a horned Martial Artist.

"I’ll handle this Martial Artist. You focus on assisting,"

Gu Sheng instructed Su Yao, his tone firm and resolute.

Su Yao offered no objections, merely nodding in acknowledgment.

She understood that although her cultivation couldn’t match Gu Sheng’s, the Water Spirit Pearl in her possession was a potent weapon of support.

With it, she could deflect part of the enemy’s attacks while its radiant light disrupted their combat rhythm.

Moving stealthily, they approached the palace. The horned Martial Artist immediately sensed their presence and turned toward them with a piercing glare.

His eyes radiated malice, clearly marking him as a formidable foe.

"Hmph! Just two juniors, and you dare to cause trouble here?"

The Martial Artist scoffed and, in the blink of an eye, became a blur as he lunged toward Gu Sheng and Su Yao.

Gu Sheng, prepared, sidestepped the assault gracefully.

Simultaneously, he unleashed the Gale Nine Swords, striking ferociously. Sword Qi arced like rainbows, slicing through the air with terrifying power as if to rend the space apart.

The Martial Artist smirked coldly. With a swift movement, he vanished underground.

"Watch out!"

Su Yao shouted in warning. No sooner had she spoken than the Martial Artist burst out from beneath Gu Sheng’s feet, launching a surprise attack. But Gu Sheng reacted swiftly—shifting his stance and, with a flick of his storage pouch, summoned the Thirsty Blood Battle Axe, a mystical-tier top-grade treasure, cleaving downward to force the Martial Artist backward several paces.

The Martial Artist steadied himself, a glimmer of astonishment in his eyes.

Evidently, he hadn’t expected Gu Sheng’s response to be so swift and decisive.

Meanwhile, Su Yao wasn’t idle. She activated the Water Spirit Pearl, summoning a clear stream that flowed from her palm, forming a water barrier in front of Gu Sheng.

"Boom—"

The Martial Artist’s attack struck the barrier, significantly diminishing its power.

Seizing the opportunity, Gu Sheng counterattacked. Like a bolt of lightning, he struck with his sword, sending Sword Qi interweaving in all directions and forcing the Martial Artist into retreat once again.