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

His laughter subsided, and he looked at Gu Sheng with a serious tone.

"Don't worry, now that I've accepted you, I won't do anything to you. After all, my precious granddaughter is still waiting for you to take her to Zhongzhou to find a glimmer of hope."

"Senior will naturally not do anything to me."

Gu Sheng, however, showed no appreciation and directly exposed the truth.

"It's not entirely because of approval, but because the senior dared not and could not. In the Central Plains, the only places capable of resolving the hidden dangers of the Sacred Gu Spirit Body are the Burning Heaven Sacred Land and the Evil Flame Sacred Land, which mainly cultivate fire element techniques."

Sending Miss Yaoyao to the Burning Heaven Holy Land might offer some room for maneuver; but sending her to the treacherous and eccentric Evil Flame Holy Land… given Miss Yaoyao's constitution, whether it would be a blessing or a curse is hard to predict. Senior can't afford to gamble, so, at this moment, I, Gu, am actually the safest choice.”

Qi Diaowu's smile froze instantly, his mind completely focused. His gaze towards Gu Sheng was no longer just one of admiration, but also tinged with apprehension. This young man's meticulousness and precise understanding of people's hearts were simply terrifying! He remained silent for a moment, then tentatively asked...

"Then what you mentioned before... that ancient, early-stage Gu technique inheritance?"

“Of course we can talk.”

Gu Sheng nodded.

"The bento boxes are part of our sincerity in this collaboration."

Without waiting for Qi Diaowu's response, he directly separated a wisp of pure spiritual energy, containing a fragment of memory about the basics and some core mysteries of Gu techniques, which he had selected, and sent it directly to Qi Diaowu's brow.

Without the slightest hesitation, Qi Diao released part of his mental defenses and accepted the spiritual power.

In an instant, an ancient, obscure, yet complete system of knowledge, pointing directly to the Great Dao of Gu Techniques, slowly unfolded in his mind like a scroll.

The concepts, methods, and understanding of the origins of Gu worms were far more profound and sophisticated than what he had inherited from the Five Poisons Divine Sect! Especially when he "saw" the true name mark imprinted at the source of the inheritance—

"Lan Liyue?!"

Qi Diao Wu was as if struck by lightning. His whole body jolted violently, and he abruptly stood up. His pupils suddenly shrank to the size of pinpoints, and his face was filled with disbelief and horror. He stared intently at Gu Sheng, and his voice was distorted with extreme shock.

"You... how could you know His Majesty the Gu Emperor's real name?! This... this is impossible! The Gu Emperor's name is only incompletely recorded on the oldest stone tablet in our sect, long since lost to history. How could you possibly know it?!"

Looking at the distraught Qi Diaowu, Gu Sheng felt a slight ripple in his heart, as a memory from his past life surfaced in his mind.

It happened in a perilous ancient secret realm. He was trapped while exploring a ruin and encountered Lan Liyue, who was also trapped and seriously injured.

At that time, Lan Liyue was already a master of Gu techniques, but her future was uncertain due to incomplete inheritance. The two supported each other in their desperate situation. Gu Sheng, with his knowledge and understanding of martial arts far beyond his time, enlightened her and helped her combine Gu techniques with alchemy, forging a new path and walking her own way.

He learned the essence of Gu magic from her, while she regarded him as both a teacher and a friend. In a sense, Lan Liyue was half a disciple of his.

'The Sacred Gu Spirit Body... its advancement is incredibly difficult.' Gu Sheng sighed inwardly, a hint of regret in his voice. 'Back then, my original elixir fire was not yet complete, so I couldn't help her advance perfectly. I had no choice but to take a risky gamble, throwing her into the alchemy furnace, drawing upon the earth's core fire, and supplementing it with countless spiritual herbs, to perform that heaven-defying method of changing fate...'

Unfortunately, she ultimately failed; she couldn't endure the agony of being engulfed in flames and having her very essence reshaped...

It was precisely because of this experience that Gu Sheng never intended to send Qi Diao Yaoyao to the Burning Heaven Holy Land from the moment Qi Diao Wu mentioned the Sacred Gu Spirit Body. Having ordinary fire element warriors help suppress it was merely treating the symptoms, not the root cause. Only by fundamentally resolving the hidden dangers of the spirit body could the right path be found.

He looked at the shocked and pale-faced Qi Diaowu and slowly spoke.

"How I knew is none of your concern, senior. You only need to know that this inheritance is genuine. Bringing it back to the Southern Frontier can be considered... returning it to its rightful owner and fulfilling a destined connection."

He paused for a moment, then presented his final conditions.

"In exchange for this complete inheritance, your Five Poisons Divine Sect will pledge allegiance to me for ten years! Within these ten years, obey my commands and assist me in my actions in the Southern Frontier."

Ten years from now, you can decide whether to stay or leave, and I will not stop you.

Furthermore, within these ten years, I will personally resolve the hidden dangers posed by Qi Diao Yaoyao's Sacred Gu Spirit Body, without relying on the power of any sacred land. Once the dangers are eliminated and her cultivation is fully accomplished, she can return to inherit your position and take charge of the Five Poisons Divine Sect.”

Qi Diao Wu Huan was still immersed in the shock brought by the true name of the Gu Emperor, and was stunned when he heard this condition.

Gu Sheng's gaze was piercing, as if it could penetrate people's hearts. He looked at Qi Diaowu, his tone calm but carrying an all-knowing meaning.

“Senior, if I’m not mistaken… your eagerness to arrange a way out for Miss Yaoyao, even going so far as to lower yourself to negotiate with me, a ‘junior,’ is probably not only out of love for your grandson, but more importantly… your own time is also near, isn’t it?”

"what?!"

Upon hearing this, Qi Diaowu's expression changed drastically, as if he had been struck by lightning, and he froze on the spot!
……

Qi Diao Wu was silenced for a good ten breaths after Gu Sheng revealed the secret of heaven.

The shock on his face lingered for a long time. His eyes, which usually seemed cloudy but were actually incredibly sharp, were now fixed on Gu Sheng, as if trying to see through him from the inside out.

"...How did you figure that out?"

His voice was slightly hoarse, and the previous casualness and banter were gone.

Gu Sheng remained calm and said indifferently.

"I guessed. When the senior spoke with me just now, although there was no shortage of calculation in his words, it seemed more like he was... making arrangements for his affairs after death, looking for a reliable person to entrust to the Five Poisons Sect and Qi Diao Yaoyao."

This state of mind is unlike that of those who were at the height of their power during the Spring and Autumn Period.

Qi Diaowu fell silent again, and the wrinkles on his face seemed to deepen at this moment.

He slowly sat back in the rattan chair, as if a heavy burden had been lifted, or as if some of his energy had been drained away. After a long while, he let out a long sigh and admitted it.

"……good.

"This old man... his time is drawing near."

This time, it was Gu Sheng's turn to be somewhat surprised, and he frowned slightly.

"Given your cultivation level of the eighth-level Venerable Realm, your lifespan should be quite long."

Even with some loss, the Southern Frontier is rich in wondrous treasures; surely a way to prolong life cannot be found?

"Extend life?"

Qi Diao Wu gave a bitter laugh and shook his head, his smile tinged with bitterness and helplessness.

"Boy, do you know what the Nine Revolutions of a Venerable One signifies?"

He looked out the window, as if reminiscing about something, and spoke slowly.

"The Venerable One's Nine Transformations are nine rebirths, representing leaps in life level towards higher realms."

Every turn was a desperate attempt to take one's life, fraught with peril.

With each successful transformation, the martial artist's physical body and soul are like precious medicines re-refined by the laws of heaven and earth, becoming increasingly pure and... increasingly difficult to be nourished or sustained by mundane things." He looked at Gu Sheng, his tone carrying a calmness born of having seen it all.

"Ordinary longevity elixirs might be effective for low-level martial artists, but for Venerables who have completed multiple transformations, the effect is negligible, or even nonexistent. Such is the law of heaven and earth; the more powerful a life form is, the more difficult it is to prolong its existence."

I've tried almost every method I could think of... and finally, I've reached my limit.

As Gu Sheng listened to Qi Diaowun's helpless and resigned sigh, a look of understanding flashed in his eyes. He then calmly spoke, breaking the heavy atmosphere.

"Ordinary longevity elixirs are useless, but what about... a divine pill personally refined by a true master of alchemy?"

"A Grandmaster of Alchemy?!"

Qi Diaowu suddenly looked up, his eyes flashing with a terrifying light, as if a drowning person had grasped at the last straw, and asked urgently.

"Do you know any grandmasters of alchemy? Or... do you have connections to get them to help you?"

Gu Sheng simply smiled faintly and did not answer directly. His unfathomable demeanor made Qi Diao Wuxin anxious but helpless.

"Ugh……"

Qi Diao Wu seemed to have all his strength drained away, slumped back down, and said bitterly.

"It's easier said than done. What kind of person is a Grandmaster of Alchemy? In the entire Southern Frontier, only that old fellow from Medicine King Valley has barely touched the threshold of a ninth-grade alchemist, and is still far from the Grandmaster realm."

"In the Central Plains, there may be true masters of alchemy, even legendary saints who cultivate both alchemy and martial arts... but such beings are far beyond the reach of my Five Poisons Divine Sect. Even if we were to exhaust all our resources, we probably couldn't afford the price. Moreover, I would never sell my ancestral legacy to others just to prolong my life."

He shook his head, with a final hint of stubbornness and composure.

"Perhaps... I can hold on for another ten years, or at most fourteen or fifteen years."

Silence fell again in the quiet room.

A moment later, Gu Sheng raised his eyes, his gaze sharp as he looked at Qi Diaowu, his tone carrying an unquestionable certainty.

"Senior, since the road ahead seems to be blocked, are you willing to take a gamble with me?"

"Bet? What to bet?"

Qi Diao asked unconsciously.

"I bet that I, Gu Sheng, will become a Grandmaster of Alchemy within ten years!"

Gu Sheng's voice wasn't loud, but it was like a thunderclap, exploding in Qi Diaowu's ears.

"At that time, I will personally refine pills for you to extend your lifespan! The condition for this exchange is that I want you, Qi Diaowu, and the entire Five Poisons Divine Sect to sincerely submit to me, obey my orders, and help me succeed within the next ten years!"

"Ten years...a Grandmaster of Alchemy?!"

Qi Diaowu's expression changed drastically, his pupils suddenly contracting, almost as if he had misheard! A Grandmaster of Alchemy? That's a realm countless alchemists spend their entire lives trying to reach! How old is this kid? A mere Sect Realm cultivator, yet he dares to claim he'll become a Grandmaster of Alchemy within ten years?! This isn't just arrogance, it's utter madness!

However, looking into Gu Sheng's calm and unwavering eyes, which seemed to contain the vastness of the stars and the sea and boundless confidence, Qi Diao Wuxin's absurd feeling was slowly replaced by a thought that even he himself found unbelievable—perhaps...perhaps this kid can really do it.

He stared intently at Gu Sheng, as if trying to see through his soul. After a long while, Qi Diaowu suddenly slapped his thigh and let out a hearty laugh that carried a hint of desperation.

"Hahaha! Good! Good lad! In all my years, this is the first time I've encountered someone who dares to bet the title of Grandmaster of Alchemy! You're arrogant and bold! Fine! I'll take this bet with you! A bet is a bet!"

His laughter subsided, and he shouted towards the outside of the quiet room.

"Someone! Go and fetch that ancient 'Oath' scroll from my secret chamber!"

Before long, an elder of the Five Poisons Sect respectfully entered, carrying a dark yellow parchment scroll that was old and weathered, exuding an ancient and vicissitudes-like aura.

Qi Diaowu took the sheepskin scroll and addressed Gu Shengdao.

"This object was something I obtained by chance in an ancient ruin more than a thousand years ago. It is a sacred object used by our ancient ancestors to swear an oath with blood. If one breaks this oath, it will trigger a backlash from the Heavenly Dao, and no one below the level of a saint can escape it!"

He pointed his fingers like knives and began to write on the parchment from a distance. The pale golden light outlined the clear words, which were the three things that the two sides had agreed on.

The Five Poisons Cult will pledge allegiance to Gu Sheng for ten years; Gu Sheng will resolve the hidden dangers of Qi Diao Yao Yao's Holy Gu spirit body; if Gu Sheng becomes a Grandmaster of Alchemy within ten years, he will extend Qi Diao's lifespan.

After writing, he tossed the parchment scroll to Gu Sheng.

"Boy, take a look. If you have no objections, then drip your blood on it!"

Gu Sheng took the parchment scroll, scanned it with his divine sense, and confirmed that the contents were correct, the terms were clear, and there were no hidden traps in the text.

Without hesitation, he released his inner energy from his fingertips, slicing his fingertip, and a drop of golden-red blood containing his own aura dripped onto the parchment scroll.

"readily!"

Qi Diao Wu praised it and followed suit, pricking his finger and dripping his own blood into it.

Just then, the elder who had handed over the parchment seemed to hesitate for a moment. He stepped forward and whispered a few words in Qi Diaowu's ear, glancing at Gu Sheng with a hint of worry, as if reminding the patriarch that this move was too risky.

Qi Diaowu's expression shifted slightly, a strange look flashing across his face, but he ultimately shook his head firmly, indicating that the elder need not say anything more.

Now that he's chosen to gamble, he won't look back any longer!
The instant their blood soaked into the parchment scroll—

"Buzz!"

An ancient, vast, and boundless will, seemingly originating from the very source of heaven and earth, suddenly rose from the seemingly ordinary parchment scroll. Though it vanished in an instant, everyone present clearly felt that an invisible yet incredibly strong force of contract had bound Gu Sheng and Qi Diaowu together! Those who break the oath will surely suffer the backlash of the heavens!

The vow is fulfilled!

Qi Diao Wuchang let out a long sigh of relief, as if he had accomplished a crucial task.

He stood up, straightened his robes, and solemnly clasped his hands in a salute to Gu Sheng, saying in a deep voice.

"From this day forward, for the next ten years, my Qi Diao clan and the entire Five Poisons Divine Sect will serve Mr. Gu as our master, obey his commands, and have no disloyalty whatsoever!"

This gesture represents the promise of a venerable one and the submission of a powerful force.

Gu Sheng smiled faintly, stepped forward, and extended his hand in a gesture of support.

"No need for such formalities, Ancestor. In the future, let us join hands and plan great things together."

He flipped his hand and took out a blank jade talisman. His powerful spiritual energy condensed into an invisible carving knife, and he began to carve rapidly on it.

He copied down all the Gu techniques inherited from Lan Liyue that he had in his mind, except for those involving the core secret techniques of the Saint Realm. (End of this chapter)