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

"If Senior Sister insists on giving it, how about we exchange tokens? This token may not be worth much, but it's something I've carried with me since childhood. Consider it a small gift for you."

Gu Yuanyuan couldn't refuse, and seeing that the wooden plaque was indeed ordinary and not valuable, she carefully accepted it. However, she felt even more guilty, thinking that she had failed as a senior sister and had made a mess of things.

Just then, Gu Sheng's voice rang out, carrying a hint of authority.

"Yuan Yuan".

Gu Yuanyuan felt as if she had found her pillar of support and quickly turned to look at Gu Sheng, her eyes filled with grievance and pleading.

Gu Sheng looked at her calmly, his tone carrying a lecturing tone.

"We must learn from today's events. When dealing with people, we should think thrice before acting, and not make hasty judgments based solely on momentary impulses and appearances. As my personally instructed disciple, you should always keep this in mind."

"Yes, Master, I know I was wrong."

Gu Yuanyuan lowered her head and obediently accepted the instruction.

Gu Sheng then turned his gaze to Qi Diao Yaoyao, his expression becoming more solemn.

"Lacquer carving".

"The disciple is here."

Qi Diaoyao quickly composed herself and respectfully replied.

"Since you have decided to become my disciple, let us perform the apprenticeship ceremony today. Please serve tea."

Tantai Xueli, who was prepared in advance, had already brought over a cup of tea. Qi Diao Yaoyao took a deep breath, straightened her robes, stepped forward, knelt down, took the teacup from Tantai Xueli's hand, raised it high with both hands, bowed her head and presented it to Gu Sheng, her voice clear and solemn.

"Disciple Qi Diao Yaoyao, today I wish to become your disciple, Master. I will follow your teachings diligently and practice assiduously, and I will never dare to fail you! Please have some tea, Master!"

Gu Sheng took the teacup, took a symbolic sip, and then put it aside.

He took out a blank jade talisman that he had prepared beforehand, engraved some information on it with his spiritual power, and handed it to Qi Diao Yaoyao.

"You have three days to digest the contents of this jade talisman. Remember, nothing I teach you must be revealed to anyone, including your grandfather, Qi Diaowu."

Gu Sheng's tone became extremely serious, carrying an undeniable sense of pressure.

"I have planted a 'Divine Lock' in your sea of ​​consciousness. This lock is connected to my mind and spirit. If you disobey my orders and reveal the inheritance without permission, the Divine Lock will instantly detonate and destroy your sea of ​​consciousness. Remember this, remember this!"

Having said that, he flicked his fingers like lightning and gently touched Qi Diao Yaoyao's brow. Qi Diao Yaoyao felt a slight tremor in her sea of ​​consciousness, and an invisible yet unbreakable force of confinement quietly formed, connecting with the origin of her soul, making her feel awe and dare not make the slightest move.

"This disciple swears that I will never reveal the secrets passed down by my master! If I break this vow, may heaven and earth forsake me, and may my soul be annihilated!"

Without hesitation, Qi Diaoyao made a strict martial arts oath on the spot.

Gu Sheng nodded, his expression softening slightly, and began to teach.

"You are born with a sacred Gu spirit body, which is both a blessing and a curse. Today, I will teach you a rudimentary introductory technique from an old friend, specifically designed to deal with this constitution. It can help you temporarily suppress the backlash of the spirit body, alleviate the pain of life slipping away, and initially guide the Gu essence within your body."

What he taught was a simplified and adjusted version of the most basic method of the Sacred Gu Spirit Body from Lan Liyue's inheritance.

Although it's only scratching the surface, it has already cleared the fog and pointed out a practical and feasible path for addressing the problem of spiritual backlash that has plagued Qi Diao Yaoyao for many years.

"As for the deeper levels of inheritance, which concern your future path, I need to observe your character for a period of time before I can impart them to you as appropriate."

Qi Diao Yaoyao listened attentively to Gu Sheng's explanation, becoming more and more astonished and excited! This technique seemed to be tailor-made for her, and many of the questions that had troubled her for years found clear answers and guidance in the technique! She suppressed her overwhelming joy and respectfully kowtowed.

"Thank you, Master, for transmitting the Dharma! I will diligently cultivate and never fail to live up to your high expectations!"

……

After teaching Qi Diao Yaoyao, Gu Sheng told her to step back and try to comprehend it on her own.

Then, he walked over to Gu Yuanyuan, who was watching him expectantly.

“Yuan Yuan, come with your master.”

He was preparing to begin teaching Gu Yuanyuan the top-tier earth-elemental Daoist essence he had obtained from the mysterious stone bead—the Dao of Divine Revelation.

……

As night fell, in Gu Yuanyuan's room on the fourth floor of the Linlang Pavilion.

She sat cross-legged on the futon, but was somewhat restless. Her mind kept replaying the scene from earlier that day when Qi Diao Yaoyao removed her mask, her own panicked cry and retreat... and her junior sister's face, a mixture of exquisite beauty and ferocity.

"I'm so terrible..."

Gu Yuanyuan awoke from her meditation with a start, her small face filled with regret and self-reproach.

"My junior sister is already so pitiful, and I still acted like that... She must be so sad... I'm such a failure as her senior sister..."

She looked at the Five Poisons Token that she had placed beside her pillow, and her heart was filled with guilt.

……

Meanwhile, in the lobby on the basement level, Gu Sheng and Tantai Xueli were still talking.

Suddenly, as if sensing something, Tantai Xueli waved her hand gently, and a spatial ripple spread out beside her. The next moment, a figure staggered and fell out of the ripple.

This man was about forty years old, and his face vaguely resembled Gu Sheng's, but at this moment he looked quite disheveled, his clothes were somewhat disheveled, his breathing was a little unsteady, and his face showed signs of shock. It was none other than Gu Sheng's father—Gu Lie!
Gu Lie steadied himself, shook his slightly dizzy head, and subconsciously looked up, his gaze instantly locking onto Gu Sheng, who was standing not far away.

When he clearly sensed the undisguised, unfathomable aura of a Grandmaster emanating from Gu Sheng, he was struck dumb, frozen in place!

His eyes widened, his mouth gaped open, and his finger trembled as he pointed at Gu Sheng. His face was filled with extreme shock and disbelief, as if he had seen the most incredible thing in the world. His voice became sharp and distorted due to excessive horror.

"Sect...Sect Realm?! Qingyun...you...how could you possibly have reached the Sect Realm?! This is impossible!!!"

Gu Lie felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles. He suddenly jumped up from his seat, but then seemed to be pressed back down by an invisible force, his bottom carefully touching only half of the chair.

His gaze, like that of a startled rabbit, darted back and forth between Gu Sheng, whose aura was deep and whose face was calm, and Tantai Xueli, whose temperament was aloof and extraordinary. His face was filled with a dreamlike disbelief.

His own son… not only inexplicably appeared in the core area of ​​the obviously high-class Linglang Pavilion, but judging from Miss Tantai's attitude towards him, it even carried a subtle sense of equality, and even a hint of… him taking the lead? What made his heart pound wildly, almost unable to breathe, was—a Sect Realm expert! The undisguised aura emanating from Qingyun clearly indicated that he was a genuine Sect Realm expert!
What... what on earth is going on?! Gu Lie felt that his understanding of things over the past few decades had been completely overturned at this moment.

His Adam's apple bobbed with difficulty, and he forced out a smile that looked worse than a grimace. He cautiously spoke to Tantai Xueli, who had been standing quietly to the side, his voice carrying a humility that he himself was unaware of.

“Miss Tantai, thank you so much for taking in my son and giving him a place to stay.”

Tantai Xueli's clear gaze fell on him, and she did not show any unusual reaction to his unease. On the contrary, her tone was a bit gentler than usual.

“Uncle Gu, there’s no need for such formalities. Linlang Pavilion and Gu… and Qingyun are close friends. Please make yourself at home here.” “Home…”

Gu Lie murmured a repeated sentence, looking at the underground hall around him, which was filled with spiritual energy and elegantly decorated yet exuded an extraordinary atmosphere. Instead of relaxing, he became even more reserved, not knowing where to put his hands and feet.

He suddenly turned his head, as if to vent all the shock, doubt, and worry in his heart. He pretended to be angry, glared at Gu Sheng, and his voice unconsciously rose.

"You brat! What...how did you get this cultivation level?! And what are you doing here? What have you been through in the past six months?!"

However, beneath his feigned anger lay a turbulent and complex mix of emotions.

He subconsciously calculated the time rapidly in his mind—it had only been a little over half a year since Qingyun left the Gu family! In just over half a year, he had soared from the first level of the Acquired Martial Artist realm to… the Sect Realm?!

Breaking through a major realm in a month?! This... this can't be described as genius or a stroke of luck! This is simply a myth! A legend! It took him a full thirty years to stumble and struggle his way from the Acquired Realm to the Yellow Martial Realm! Thirty years! Compared to his son's speed... Gu Lie felt a chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, and his scalp tingled!
Seeing his father's eyes, which were trying to remain calm but couldn't hide the shock and worry, Gu Sheng felt a warmth in his heart and explained in a calm tone.

"Father, it was through a series of fortuitous events, coupled with my own unique approach and subsequent retraining, that I achieved my current level of cultivation. As for this place, the Linlang Pavilion is one of my current foundations."

He paused, looking at Gu Lie's still incredulous expression, and added.

"The Sect Realm is nothing special. Perhaps it won't be long before the King Realm is also within reach. Father, please stay here and make this your home."

"The Sect Realm... is that all? The King Realm... is not difficult to attain?"

Gu Lie opened his mouth, feeling his tongue getting tied in knots, and finally let out a long sigh filled with confusion and bewilderment.

He found himself completely unable to keep up with his son's train of thought.

Gu Sheng's gaze darkened slightly as he continued.

"The Gu family's troubles all started because of me. Father, rest assured, I will definitely resolve this matter thoroughly and give the Gu family and those deceased clansmen an explanation."

Upon hearing this, Gu Lie's face flashed with pain, then he shook his head, his voice hoarse and helpless.

"No, Qingyun, it's not your fault. It's because the Gu family... is too weak."

In this dog-eat-dog world, even without you, other troubles might still find their way. The Gu family... isn't good enough for your rapid rise.

His words carried a profound sense of powerlessness and self-reproach.

At this moment, Tantai Xueli, who had been listening silently, spoke up, her voice cool and clear, steer the conversation back to the most crucial matter at hand.

"Qingyun, tomorrow... are you really going to see Xiao Beixuan?"

A cold glint flashed in Gu Sheng's eyes, his killing intent undisguised.

"Of course I'll go."

Since he took the initiative to invite me, this is a perfect opportunity to settle all past grievances!

Tantai Xueli frowned slightly and said.

"I have arranged for two assassins, both of whom are at the initial stage of the Human King Realm. They can accompany you tomorrow and be at your command."

"Early stage of the Human King Realm?"

Gu Sheng shook his head, his tone carrying a calm yet undeniable confidence.

"Too weak a fighting force is of no use and may even become a hindrance."

He looked at Tantai Xueli with a deep gaze.

"Xiao Beixuan dared to challenge him ahead of time, so he must have made thorough preparations and is determined to use the power of the evil cultivator behind him. In my judgment, the combat power he can display tomorrow is conservatively estimated to be at the Earth King level. Going there to the Human King level would only be suicide."

"Earth King Realm?!"

Gu Lie, who was standing to the side, gasped in shock, his face turning deathly pale.

Earth King Realm! That was a legendary existence in his eyes! Xiao Beixuan… that junior who once had to look up to the Gu family, now actually possessed the power of an Earth King Realm expert?! And his own son actually said he wanted to find such a person to settle their scores?!

Looking at Gu Sheng's calm and composed profile, as if he were talking about something trivial, he suddenly realized that he, as a father, had truly grown old, so old that he could no longer understand the madness of this world.

Tantai Xueli fell silent, a layer of heavy frost covering her exquisite face.

Earth King Realm... This is indeed beyond the current limit of power she can directly mobilize.

Gu Sheng stopped discussing the issue of combat strength and instead gave instructions.

"Xue Li, tomorrow, please make sure my father is safe and sound."

Gu Lie was taken aback upon hearing this and looked at Gu Sheng with confusion.

Gu Sheng met his father's gaze, his tone calm, yet carrying an unwavering resolve.

"Tomorrow, I will use Xiao Beixuan's head to pay tribute to the departed souls of my Gu family."

Gu Lie was stunned, staring blankly at his son, his lips trembling, wanting to say something—to dissuade him? To express his concern? To encourage him? A thousand words were stuck in his chest, but in the end, they only turned into a long sigh filled with endless complex emotions. He patted Gu Sheng's shoulder heavily, his voice hoarse and deep.

"Be careful in everything you do."

Seeing this, Tantai Xueli clapped her hands lightly. Two ghostly figures appeared silently in the corner of the hall, their auras obscure, and bowed slightly to Tantai Xueli.

"Take Uncle Gu to the quiet room on the top floor to rest, and protect him well. There must be no mishaps."

"Tantai Xueli gave the instructions."

"Yes, Pavilion Master."

Accompanied by two mysterious guards, Gu Lie walked towards the exit, turning back every few steps. Before leaving, he took one last look at Gu Sheng, his eyes filled with unyielding worry and complexity.

After Gu Lie left, only Gu Sheng and Tantai Xueli remained in the hall.

The solemn expression on Tantai Xueli's face did not fade. She looked at Gu Sheng and asked seriously.

"Qingyun, how confident are you in tomorrow's battle? Should we... ask Elder Xia to secretly accompany us? Although he generally doesn't concern himself with such conflicts, if I were to make the request..."

Gu Sheng pondered for a moment, then nodded.

"Alright. Let Elder Xia oversee things from a distance. If it's only Xiao Beixuan and his cronies tomorrow, there's no need for him to intervene." (End of Chapter)