Gou's Liver Experience in the World of Demons and Demons

"good."

Tantai Bingtang nodded.

"The old ghost of the Styx probably didn't harm that holy maiden of the holy land just to vent his anger or leave behind his bloodline."

His true purpose was most likely to obtain some special bloodline power from the Holy Maiden in order to cover up or activate the terrifying bloodline belonging to the Blood Demon in Jin'er's body!
He concealed Jin'er's existence extremely well, even going so far as to create layers of mystery, making everyone believe she was merely his illegitimate daughter who had been living away from home… His schemes were probably far beyond imagination!

She looked at Gu Sheng, her tone carrying a warning.

"This matter is far more complex than you currently understand. Neither Venerable Styx's plan to break the seal nor the existence of Jin'er, a descendant of the Blood Demon, is something a mere alchemist like you can interfere with. You are not qualified yet."

Gu Sheng remained silent. Although Tantai Bingtang's words were harsh, they were the truth.

Whether it was Ye Hanguang, who was at the Earth King Realm, or the unfathomable Tantai Bingtang, they both made him clearly realize the gap between himself and the truly strong.

Not to mention the Styx Venerable who plotted for a thousand years, and the legendary descendants of the Blood Demon.

"I see."

Gu Sheng spoke slowly, his voice calm.

"So, Miss Bingtang just mentioned that I will be going to Zhongzhou later?"

"good."

Tantai Bingtang nodded.

"The Eastern Wilderness is ultimately a shallow shoal. Your talent and potential will only be buried here. The Central Plains are the true stage."

There, you can access higher levels of power and grow faster. Once you have sufficient strength, perhaps... you'll be qualified to know more, or even participate.

She paused and added.

"Of course, this is also for Xue Li."

She heads the Eastern Wilderness branch of the Linglang Pavilion, a weighty responsibility. Your presence by her side is both an asset and… a nuisance.”

She gave Gu Sheng a meaningful look.

Gu Sheng didn't pay attention to the deeper meaning in her words, and simply said calmly.

"What a coincidence. Even without your arrangements, I had already planned to go to Zhongzhou."

Tantai Bingtang raised her eyebrows slightly, seemingly somewhat surprised, but did not ask for the reason.

She stood up gracefully.

"Very well then. Let's end our discussion here for today. Xue Li is still waiting for you downstairs, you may go now."

She walked to the door of the quiet room, opened it for Gu Sheng herself, and gestured for him to enter.

This seemingly polite gesture actually carries an undeniable implication of sending the guest off.

Gu Sheng didn't say much, just nodded slightly to Tantai Bingtang, then turned and walked out of the quiet room.

Following the familiar passage, Gu Sheng quickly arrived at the underground level of the Linlang Pavilion.

Outside the alchemy room, Tantai Xueli was sitting cross-legged on a futon, regulating her breathing.

Her face was still somewhat pale, but her breathing had become much more steady. Ying stood guard beside her.

Hearing footsteps, Tantai Xueli slowly opened her eyes.

Upon seeing that it was Gu Sheng, a barely perceptible glint appeared in her cool eyes, which then returned to calm.

"Are you done talking?"

She stood up and asked.

"Ah."

Gu Sheng nodded and walked up to her.

"How's the injury?"

"It's alright. My mental energy was just depleted. I'll recover in a few days."

Tantai Xueli shook her head slightly, then looked at Gu Sheng with a questioning look in her eyes.

"What did your sister say to you?"

Gu Sheng avoided the main issue and focused on the minor one.

"We talked about Venerable Styx and the follow-up arrangements. Miss Bingtang asked me to tell you to take good care of yourself."

Tantai Xueli seemed to realize that Gu Sheng didn't want to say more, so she didn't press him for details.

She paused for a moment before speaking.

"I plan to take Yuan Yuan and Qing Xuan out in a few days."

"Where?"

Gu Sheng asked.

"A small secret realm controlled by the Linglang Pavilion."

Tantai Xueli explained.

"That secret realm was originally scheduled to open several months later, but recently the spatial fluctuations have been abnormal, and it seems that it may open ahead of schedule."

The environment inside is unique, rich in spiritual energy and imbued with the aura of ancient wilderness, perfect for the two of them to solidify their cultivation levels and hone their combat skills. With me protecting them, they are safe and sound.

Upon hearing this, Gu Sheng thought for a moment and then nodded in agreement.

"Alright. Yuan Yuan has just finished retraining and her foundation still needs to be honed. Qing Xuan also needs practical experience. With you here, I feel at ease."

He paused and added.

"However, safety is the top priority. If any uncontrollable risks arise, we will retreat immediately."

"rest assured."

Tantai Xueli nodded.

"I will protect them."

After a brief conversation about the secret realm and subsequent cultivation arrangements, Gu Sheng took his leave.

He needed to go back and process the information he had gained that day, and prepare for his upcoming trip to Central Plains.

The next morning, the sky was slightly bright.

Three figures quietly appeared at the back door of Linlang Pavilion.

They wore ordinary coarse cloth clothes, and their faces were plain and unremarkable; they were the kind of people you wouldn't notice if you threw them into a crowd.

It was Shen Qingtan, Gu Ningshuang, and Qin Yurou in disguise.

Although their faces were ordinary, the gleam in their eyes was hard to conceal.

Shen Qingtan's gaze was steady, Gu Ningshuang's eyes were clear and bright, while Qin Yurou's were filled with curiosity and anticipation.

Gu Sheng was already waiting there.

He also made a simple disguise, looking like an ordinary manager.

"Are you all ready?"

Gu Sheng looked at the three of them and asked in a low voice.

"Ah."

Shen Qingtan nodded on behalf of the three.

"We can leave anytime."

With a flick of his wrist, Gu Sheng produced three simple-looking jade talismans engraved with intricate spatial runes, which he then handed to the three individuals.

"These are the tokens and map jade slips of the Central Continent's Linglang Pavilion branch. After arriving in the Central Continent, you can use these to contact the people at the branch, and they will arrange your accommodation and follow-up matters."

He looked at the shadow again.

"Shadow, I'm entrusting these three to you. Make sure they are delivered safely."

Ying's figure emerged from the shadows, kneeling on one knee in front of Gu Sheng, his voice flat and emotionless.

"Rest assured, my lord, I will do my utmost to protect the three young ladies."

Gu Sheng nodded; he was confident in Ying's abilities.

His gaze swept over the three of them, finally landing on Gu Ningshuang. His lips moved slightly, and a subtle telepathic message was sent directly into Gu Ningshuang's ear.

"Ning Shuang, once you arrive in Zhongzhou, keep an eye out for... Qing'er's whereabouts. If you have any leads, immediately send a message to me through the channels of Linlang Pavilion."

Gu Ningshuang's body trembled slightly, her eyes filled with understanding and solemnity.

She nodded subtly, indicating that she understood. "Alright, let's go."

Gu Sheng said no more and waved to Ying.

Ying stood up and gestured for Shen Qingtan and the other two to proceed.

The four of them did not linger and quickly disappeared into the street shrouded in the morning mist.

Gu Sheng stood there, watching them leave, his eyes deep in thought.

His journey to Zhongzhou was about to begin. But before that, there were a few things he needed to take care of.

Shortly after seeing off Shen Qingtan and the other two, a group of people arrived at the front hall of Linlang Pavilion.

Leading the group was Xia Fuqu, who was still dressed in an elegant long dress, exuding a gentle and graceful air. Behind her followed two others.

A man dressed in a moon-white robe, with a refined face and gentle demeanor, was none other than Elder Baiyu.

The other person was a young girl dressed in a blue robe, carrying a bundle of old bamboo slips.

The girl had delicate features, an air of scholarly refinement, and calm eyes; she was none other than Xiao Mengling.

Gu Sheng was already waiting in the front hall. When his gaze swept over Xiao Mengling, his eyes paused slightly.

He recognized the woman as Xiao Xuance's daughter from Wanling Palace.

Back in the Wanling Palace, he had crossed paths with Xiao Xuance and had seen this Miss Xiao from afar a few times.

But later, the Wanling Palace underwent a dramatic change, Xiao Xuance died and his lineage disappeared, and the Xiao family also declined. I never expected to see her here again.

Xiao Mengling seemed to notice Gu Sheng's gaze. She tightened her grip on the bamboo scroll slightly and glanced at Gu Sheng.

His eyes were calm and still, showing neither the joy of reuniting with an old friend nor the resentment of past grudges; there was only silence.

Their eyes met briefly in the air before looking away without either of them speaking.

Past grievances and entanglements seemed to be temporarily set aside in this silent exchange of glances.

"Sect Master Gu."

Xia Fuqu stepped forward, gave Gu Shengying a graceful bow, and spoke in a gentle voice.

"Everyone has arrived, we can set off now."

"Thank you for your help, Miss Fuqu."

Gu Sheng nodded, his gaze sweeping over Bai Yu and the pale, haggard woman beside him, Bai Zhi.

Although he had doubts, he did not ask any further questions.

Without much small talk, the group, led by Xia Fuqu, left the bustling Great Wilderness City and headed towards the desolate depths of the mountains outside the city.

The destination is the former outer gate of the Boundless Holy Land.

Today, only ruins remain, overgrown with weeds, telling tales of its former glory and present desolation.

The massive, broken stone pillars of the mountain gate are stuck diagonally in the soil, covered with moss.

Xia Fuqu stopped in front of a relatively flat open space.

She pointed to some extremely complex and mysterious patterns on the ground that had been almost worn away by time, and said to everyone.

"This is it. This is the base of the teleportation array leading to the secret realm. However... the activation method requires Miss Mengling's assistance."

All eyes were on Xiao Mengling.

Xiao Mengling carried the bamboo slips and walked to the center of the array base.

She didn't speak, but slowly closed her eyes.

A calm and ancient aura emanated from her.

She did not use her true energy, but instead began to chant obscure syllables in a peculiar rhythm.

Those syllables were ancient and mysterious, as if they had traversed endless time and space, carrying a power that connected heaven and earth.

As she chanted, the bundle of old bamboo slips in her arms floated up slowly without any wind, unfolding gently in front of her!

On the bamboo slips, the seemingly chaotic engravings now glowed with a faint light, echoing the almost obliterated array patterns on the ground!

The array patterns on the ground seemed to come alive, with faint rays of light shining from the broken patterns, like a sleeping dragon slowly awakening!

The light grew brighter and brighter, eventually weaving into a complex and stable array of light that enveloped everyone!

"Enter the battle!"

Xia Fuqu gave a low shout.

No one dared to delay and immediately stepped into the range of the light array.

The light surged instantly! A powerful spatial pulling force swept through!

The scenery before my eyes suddenly became blurry and distorted, as if I had fallen into a bizarre tunnel.

I don't know how much time passed, or perhaps it was just a moment, but then I felt my feet firmly on the ground.

The light faded, and everyone found themselves in a completely new world.

The sky here has a warm, jade-white color. There are no sun, moon, or stars, but it emits a soft and bright light.

The air was filled with an intense, almost palpable, spiritual energy. One breath was enough to make one feel incredibly comfortable, far surpassing any other cultivation ground in the Great Wilderness City.

Looking out, one sees a vibrant scene. In the distance, the green mountains are like dark eyebrows, while nearby streams murmur, exotic flowers and rare herbs abound, and mythical birds and beasts appear and disappear.

Not far ahead of them stood a simple and elegant manor, with white walls and gray tiles, nestled among lush green trees, appearing peaceful and serene.

"What a rich spiritual energy!"

Bai Yu couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. His younger sister, Bai Zhi, seemed to regain a faint hue on her pale and haggard face under the nourishment of the rich spiritual energy.

"This is a small space that the Holy Lord of the Boundless Holy Land personally created back then."

Xia Fuqu's voice was filled with emotion.

"It was also Senior Situ's... final resting place."

She raised her hand and pointed to the front of the manor, where there was a shimmering, misty body of water.

The body of water was small, but crystal clear, exuding a rich life force and pure spiritual energy, clearly not ordinary water.

That is the 'Fairy Pool'.

Xia Fuqu cast her gaze toward the opposite bank of the Immortal Pool.

The opposite bank was about a hundred feet away from where they were.

There was a huge, pure white rock. On the rock, a figure lay silently.

The man was dressed in a plain-colored robe, tall and slender with a handsome face. He looked to be only about thirty years old, yet he possessed a calm demeanor that suggested he had experienced many hardships.

His eyes were closed, as if he were asleep.

There was no fluctuation of energy around him, as if he were one with the jade stone beneath him.

Faint golden runes swirled around his body, forming a mysterious seal that isolated him from the outside world.

“Situ Qingfeng…”

Gu Sheng looked at the sleeping figure and silently prayed.

This once-renowned prodigy of the Holy Academy is now sealed here, sleeping for a thousand years.

Bai Yu's gaze also fell on Situ Qingfeng, her eyes filled with complex emotions and deep worry.

He instinctively gripped his sister's cold hand.

Gu Sheng withdrew his gaze and looked at Bai Yu and Bai Zhi, who was weak beside him, and finally asked the question that had been bothering him.

"Elder Baiyu, Miss Baizhi's injuries have not yet healed and her vital energy has been greatly depleted. Why bring her into this secret realm? Although this place is nice, the journey will be arduous and may hinder her recovery."

Upon hearing this, Bai Yu wore a bitter smile and a look of helplessness.

He gently patted his sister's hand to reassure her, then looked at Gu Sheng and explained.

"Sect Master Gu may not know this, but opening this secret realm once comes at a great cost. It requires a massive amount of resources and Miss Mengling to communicate with the array spirit using a special technique. It will not be opened lightly unless absolutely necessary."

He paused, then turned his gaze back to the opposite bank of the Immortal Pool, his voice heavy.

"Moreover, the secret realm is not absolutely safe. Although Senior Situ's seal is stable, the spiritual energy here has nurtured some... special spiritual entities over the past thousand years."

They are extremely sensitive to the scent of living beings and are quite powerful. Our mission, besides visiting Senior Situ, is to eliminate these threats and reinforce the defensive array surrounding the seal. Bringing Zhi'er along was truly a last resort.

He changed the subject, looking towards the misty, ethereal pool, a hopeful glint in his eyes. (End of Chapter)