CHAPTER 547: CHAPTER 297 BIG BLACK DOG

"Oh? A high-stakes gambling event?" Gu Shengsheng raised an eyebrow in intrigue. "What kind of event might that be?"

The middle-aged man chuckled faintly and explained, "This grand event is the annual highlight of our Tian Shuang Gambling Arena, known as the ’Tian Shuang Gambling King Competition.’ Participants must wager a certain amount of Spirit Stones as a bet, then select raw stones for cutting. Whoever unearths the most precious treasure will win all the wagers and be crowned this year’s ’Tian Shuang Gambling King.’"

Hearing this, a flash of brilliance flickered in Gu Shengsheng’s eyes. He knew his opportunity had arrived. This competition was the perfect stage for him to showcase his skills and secure more treasures and Spirit Stones. He nodded decisively and said, "Alright, count me in."

Overjoyed at Gu Shengsheng’s agreement, the middle-aged man quickly helped him complete the registration process. Before long, Gu Shengsheng found himself in the raw stone gambling section, ready to start his venture into stone gambling.

The Tian Shuang Gambling Arena was bustling with noise, teeming with cultivators from all over. Standing amidst the crowd, Gu Shengsheng scanned the lively gambling arena with sharp determination in his gaze.

"This time, I must win to my heart’s content!" thought Gu Shengsheng to himself, his eyes flashing with unwavering resolve.

At that moment, a middle-aged man approached Gu Shengsheng and enthusiastically invited him to join the upcoming Tian Shuang Gambling King Competition. Gu Shengsheng nodded in agreement, his heart brimming with fighting spirit.

As the competition started, Gu Shengsheng utilized the Great Moon Pupil Skill and his extraordinary intellect to select seemingly ordinary raw stones that concealed rare treasures within. With every cut, gasps of astonishment and admiration erupted from the audience. His techniques were precise and decisive, as if he could see through the secrets of every stone he touched.

"Little friend, what sharp eyes you have!" an admiring voice reached Gu Shengsheng’s ears. Turning his head, Gu Shengsheng saw a tall, rugged-looking man beaming at him. The man was dressed in fine robes with a large saber hanging at his waist, exuding an imposing and formidable aura.

"My name is Xing Lie. I’m the leader of a band of mountain brigands. Watching you win repeatedly is truly impressive!" Xing Lie said with a hearty laugh.

Gu Shengsheng gave a faint smile. "Just lucky, that’s all. If Brother Xing is interested, why not join me for a few rounds of betting?"

Hearing this, Xing Lie burst into hearty laughter. "I was thinking the same! I’ll place my bets on the stones you choose, little friend!"

Thus, the two began to collaborate during the subsequent rounds of the competition, securing win after win. Their every move drew gasps and cheers of admiration from the crowd, making them the undeniable center of attention in the gambling arena.

However, their string of victories soon bred jealousy and hostility. Several noble scions and powerful cultivators began conspiring in secret to target Gu Shengsheng and Xing Lie.

"Hmph! Those two are entirely too arrogant to act so brazenly on our turf!" one noble scion snarled through gritted teeth.

"Exactly! Let’s join forces and kick them out of the gambling arena!" another powerful cultivator echoed.

Though their voices were hushed, Gu Shengsheng and Xing Lie heard them loud and clear.

The pair exchanged a glance and sneered faintly. They understood that these noble scions and cultivators, despite their numbers, would find it far from easy to make a move against them.

"Brother Xing, leave them to me. You focus on selecting stones," Gu Shengsheng said nonchalantly, his tone brimming with an unshakable confidence that implied victory was already within his grasp.

Xing Lie nodded at Gu Shengsheng’s words. "Alright! Be careful, little friend!"

With that, he turned and walked toward another section of the stone selection area, continuing his hunt for raw stones. Meanwhile, Gu Shengsheng remained where he stood, calmly awaiting the arrival of the noble scions and powerful cultivators.

He knew that conflict was inevitable and had long since prepared for this moment.

It wasn’t long before the noble scions and powerful cultivators banded together and approached Gu Shengsheng.

Each of them bore terrifying expressions, as if intent on tearing Gu Shengsheng apart.

Yet Gu Shengsheng showed no fear. He stood motionless, calmly awaiting their arrival. As they closed the distance, Gu Shengsheng suddenly sprang into action!

Like a phantom, his figure weaved through their ranks. With every strike, he claimed another enemy’s life! His movements were as quick as lightning, leaving them no way to react!

"Ahhh!"

A noble scion let out a miserable shriek and collapsed to the ground, his chest pierced clean through by Gu Shengsheng’s palm strike!

The others weren’t spared either, many lying on the ground, groaning in agony from injuries inflicted by his Sword Qi.

The sight left everyone absolutely stunned! None had anticipated that Gu Shengsheng would possess such overwhelming strength! Before him, these noble scions and cultivators seemed no more significant than ants!

Watching the scene unfold, Xing Lie’s eyes flashed with a blend of astonishment and admiration. "I didn’t misjudge him after all—Gu Shengsheng is indeed someone worth befriending!"

The competition reached its climax thanks to Gu Shengsheng’s extraordinary performance—the entire gambling arena was whipped into a frenzy! The crowd cheered, roared, and celebrated as if they would tear the place apart in sheer excitement!

Standing amid the chaos, Gu Shengsheng smiled quietly, savoring his moment of glory. He knew this was merely the beginning; his journey on the path to cultivation would be long and arduous. But he was ready to face every challenge the future would bring.

When the competition finally concluded, Gu Shengsheng and Xing Lie walked out of the gambling arena shoulder to shoulder.

Their encounter had been brief, but it forged a deep bond of camaraderie between them.

"Brother Gu, today was exhilarating! I must say, your gambling skills are extraordinary, and your strength is even more remarkable!" Xing Lie laughed heartily.

Gu Shengsheng smiled faintly. "You flatter me, Brother Xing. It was merely a stroke of luck."

The two chatted and laughed as though old friends, brimming with mutual respect.

Both were well aware of the uncertainties and dangers lurking within the cultivation world. To truly establish themselves, greater strength and relentless effort were indispensable.

"Brother Gu, what are your plans moving forward?" Xing Lie asked suddenly.

Gu Shengsheng paused in contemplation before replying slowly, "I plan to delve deeper into the Northern Territory to seek more opportunities and challenges. Only by constantly tempering oneself can one go further on this path."

Xing Lie nodded. "Brother Gu, your ambitions are indeed lofty! Though I’m but a bandit chief, I understand one must always strive on the path of cultivation. Meeting you today has been a tremendous honor! If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to accompany you in your ventures across the Northern Territory!"

Gu Shengsheng was delighted by the offer. "I couldn’t ask for better! With a hero like Brother Xing at my side, how could I fear any obstacle on the road ahead?"

The two grinned at each other, their shared determination and boldness palpable.

They knew that the promise they made that day would solidify into an enduring conviction and an endless source of strength for their journeys.

Xing Lie’s livelihood as a bandit consisted of robbery and thievery, though he often called it "taking from the rich to aid the poor, carrying out justice on Heaven’s behalf."

His targets were usually infamous villains, unscrupulous merchants, or amoral noble families.

As the two wandered through the Northern Territory together, Xing Lie introduced Gu Shengsheng to a number of his roguish friends.

It was around this time they caught wind of unusual activity at the Ancient Mining Site in the Northern Territory—a place where someone reportedly unearthed a being of immense ancient power.

Driven by curiosity and ambition, the duo set off for the Ancient Mining Site without hesitation.

At the Ancient Mining Site

In the Northern Territory, the skies grew heavy, and looming tension filled the air within the Ancient Mining Site.

Xing Lie, with Gu Shengsheng in tow, pressed forward, their eyes flickering with anticipation. "Brother Gu, it looks like we’re about to strike it rich this time!" Xing Lie muttered with a low chuckle, his gaze fixed on the chaotic mining pit ahead.

But Gu Shengsheng merely frowned, offering no response to Xing Lie’s jest. He could sense an overwhelming unease emanating from the depths of the pit—a suffocating aura of formidable power.

The two maneuvered swiftly through the mining area, evading panicked Martial Artists as they made their way to the pit’s edge.

There, they saw a large black dog barking furiously, its claws tearing at the ground with frenzied determination. Deep within the pit, the faint outline of a girl clad in purple robes could be seen. Her presence exuded an aura so overwhelming it made hearts tremble.

"Woof! Woof!" The black dog snarled and bared its teeth at Gu Shengsheng and Xing Lie.

"Heh, this mutt seems to have caught the scent of treasure as well," Xing Lie chuckled and stepped forward, intending to shoo the dog away.

But Gu Shengsheng raised a hand to stop him. "Hold on. Something’s not right."

At that moment, the purple-clad girl suddenly opened her eyes, twin beams of violet light shooting out like piercing blades. Both Xing Lie and Gu Shengsheng instantly felt their hearts tremble, as though their very souls had been laid bare before her gaze.