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

She paused, then asked.

“That new area was discovered by Yuan Yuan and the others. As their most trusted person, Brother Gu Sheng, would you be willing to be among the first explorers to enter? Although we don’t know the full story of this opportunity, the fact that it is protected by an ancient restriction that our Tantai family has listed as ‘exceptionally strong’ suggests that it is not simple.”

Gu Sheng pondered for a moment.

The arena will be held three days later, followed by the end of the auction. As for the timing… “What about Ning Shuang and Qing Tan?”

He thought of his companions who had come with him.

A hint of helplessness flashed across Tantai Xueli's face.

"When Sister Ningshuang and Sister Qingtan were training in another area, they encountered a group of troublesome 'Bone-Eating Shadow Leopards'. Although they were not seriously injured, they suffered some minor physical injuries and were corroded by Yin energy. They need to recuperate for a few days. Exploring a new area will have to wait until their injuries have healed and they are in the best condition. The estimated time is about three days later."

Three days? Gu Sheng calculated in his mind. The arena was tomorrow, and the auction was tonight. After the auction, there would be a day or two of free time, which was quite suitable in terms of timing.

He nodded.

“That would be excellent. Count me in then. Also, I have some things I'd like to ask you to pass on to Ning Shuang and Qing Tan, which may be of some help to their recovery.”

He was referring to some of the spirit stones he had "won" from Shi Wufeng, as well as some healing pills he had refined himself. He naturally couldn't ignore his injured companion.

"Brother Gu Sheng, you're too kind. Leave this to me."

Tantai Xueli readily agreed.

At this moment, a look of worry resurfaced in her eyes, and she asked softly.

"Brother Gu Sheng, when I came in just now, I vaguely heard some rumors that you and that Stone Saint from the Myriad Manifestations Holy Land... made a duel agreement? For tomorrow?"

Gu Sheng remained calm, raised his hand, and showed the storage ring that belonged to Shi Wufeng.

“He has already sent me the ‘bet’, and since I have accepted it, I must accept the challenge.”

Tantai Xueli's willow-leaf eyebrows furrowed slightly.

“I have heard of Shi Wufeng. Although his character is despicable, his talent and strength are indeed top-notch among the younger generation of the Myriad Manifestations Holy Land. He has already stepped into the Venerable Realm for many years, with a solid foundation and the secret teachings of the Holy Land... Brother Gu Sheng, although you have the ability to fight beyond your level, there is a considerable gap between the Sect Realm and the Venerable Realm, especially since your opponent is no ordinary opponent. Is this battle too hasty?”

Her worry was palpable; it was genuine concern.

Gu Sheng felt a warmth in his heart as he looked at the genuine worry in her eyes, but his tone remained calm.

"It's alright. I've already seen him."

"Ok?"

"They have the realm and power, but they lack the 'ruthlessness' and 'decisiveness' that comes from truly experiencing life-and-death battles and being tempered in desperate situations."

Gu Sheng said calmly, as if he were evaluating an item.

"Flowers grown in a greenhouse, however beautiful, have fragile roots. He may have the upper hand in cultivation, but killing him... is not difficult."

Upon hearing this, Tantai Xueli's delicate body trembled slightly, her beautiful eyes widened, and she stared at Gu Sheng in a daze.

She suddenly realized that the young man in front of her was no longer the boy she had first met outside the Great Wilderness City in the Eastern Wilderness, who needed her secret help and whose cultivation was only at the Yellow Martial Realm.

In a short period of time, he had already reached the seventh level of the Sect Realm, and his strength was unfathomable. In his conversation, he could no longer take a well-known Holy Land Venerable Realm Saint Son seriously! The speed and magnitude of this change were simply astonishing.

As if sensing Tantai Xueli's dazed expression, Gu Sheng changed the subject, his gaze falling on her with a hint of inquiry.

"Your spiritual power seems to be much more solid than when we last met, but it still seems to be a little short of the first stage of solidification."

Tantai Xueli came to her senses, her pretty face slightly flushed, whether from Gu Sheng's sudden attention or from the fact that her cultivation level had been exposed.

She said softly.

"Although the family has abundant resources, the refinement of spiritual power depends more on one's own comprehension and the accumulation of opportunities; it cannot be rushed. I... have indeed encountered a bottleneck."

Gu Sheng nodded and said.

“My spiritual power has now completed its third condensation and has begun to materialize. If you use the ‘spiritual unity’ technique again, I may be able to guide it in reverse, using it as a bridge to help you break through the first condensation barrier, which should save you a lot of time and effort.”

He mentioned this matter with a calm expression, as if he were talking about something very ordinary.

however.

Upon hearing the words "spiritual unity," Tantai Xueli's ears instantly flushed a deeper crimson, and even her fair neck took on a faint pink hue.

The secret technique she had to use to fight a powerful enemy and save Gu Sheng brought about a soul-stirring, unreserved intimacy and a trembling feeling, which remains the deepest secret and ripple in her heart to this day.

When Gu Sheng brought it up so calmly, and even said he would "guide her in the opposite direction," her heart started racing, her eyes flickered, and she didn't dare to look him in the eye. She just gave a soft "hmm" in response.

Just then, the auction hall outside suddenly went dark!
Most of the lighting arrays went out instantly, leaving only a few soft yet incredibly focused beams of light.

With a "whoosh," it accurately struck the auction platform in the center of the venue, which was several tens of feet in diameter and carved from a single piece of "Starry Warm Jade."

Where the light converged, a woman with a graceful figure and charming appearance walked gracefully onto the high platform.

She wore a striking bright red backless gown that trailed on the ground, revealing her smooth, jade-like back and long, straight legs. Under the spotlight, it shone brightly, instantly attracting the attention of most of the audience.

She first bowed gracefully to all four directions, and then a clear and melodious voice, with an undeniable penetrating power, was amplified and clearly spread to every corner of the venue, even penetrating the soundproofing of the private rooms.

"Distinguished guests, good evening. Welcome to the Wanbaodian Tianyuan Imperial City Branch Hall, the grand auction of the month! I, Hongxiao, am honored to host this auction. I hope that you will all find your favorite treasures tonight, and leave satisfied!"

After a brief opening statement, the auctioneer, Hongxiao, didn't waste any words. With a light wave of her hand, the first item was carried on a jade tray by a graceful maid and placed into the display crystal pillar in the center of the stage.

It was a jade slip in the color of celadon, with faint flame patterns flowing on its surface, radiating a warm aura.

"To get straight to the point, the first item in this auction—" Hongxiao's voice carried a captivating magic.

"It is a secret technique for controlling alchemical fire, created in his early years by one of the leading figures of alchemy in Central China, the founder of the Qingnang Holy Land, and the senior Qingnang Alchemy Saint!"

"Whoosh—!"

A low murmur and commotion immediately arose from the audience. The name of the Qingnang Pill Saint was simply too renowned in Zhongzhou!

Hongxiao continued her explanation, her voice clear.

"Although this technique is a secret method of alchemy and fire, used to control fire to refine pills and extract their medicinal properties, its power is in no way inferior to any exquisite fire-attribute martial art! When cultivated to perfection, the 'Qingnang Li Huo' that is condensed has an instantaneous burst of destructive power comparable to the innate martial art of a Heavenly King Realm expert!"

This is truly a rare treasure for those who cultivate both alchemy and martial arts, or specialize in the fire element! Starting bid—eight million top-grade spirit stones! Each bid must be at least one hundred thousand! The starting bid is eight million! And it's a secret alchemy and fire technique! Yet the atmosphere in the room was instantly ignited. Many alchemists and martial artists who cultivated fire-attribute techniques had their eyes light up. The title of Qingnang Dan Sheng (Alchemy Saint of the Azure Bag) was itself a guarantee of quality!

Inside the private room of Tianjia, Gu Sheng looked at the hustle and bustle outside the crystal curtain wall and casually asked Tantai Xueli beside him.

"This Qingnang Dansheng is so famous in Zhongzhou?"

Tantai Xueli had calmed down a bit by now. Hearing this, she nodded and said seriously.

“Very powerful. There are about two hands' worth of publicly known alchemy masters in the Central Plains, and the Qingnang Alchemy Master is easily among the top three.”

Not only did he reach the pinnacle of alchemy, but he also mastered many rare alchemical formulas that had been lost since ancient times. Using these as the core, he gathered a vast amount of resources and connections, transforming the Qingnang Sect, which was originally just a second-rate sect, into the Qingnang Holy Land it is today.

His influence extends across the five regions, and he is considered a titan among alchemists.

As she spoke, she seemed to remember something, and with a flick of her jade-like fingers, a gentle mental barrier silently enveloped the two of them, preventing their voices from escaping.

She looked at Gu Sheng, hesitated for a moment, and then whispered her suggestion.

“Brother Gu Sheng, you carry the legacy of that one. If you visit the Qingnang Holy Land as the successor of the Emperor, you will surely receive the highest level of courtesy. After all, the Qingnang Pill Saint was once a disciple of the Emperor, so perhaps... he can be of great help to you.”

She put it very tactfully, meaning she was taking advantage of the situation.

Gu Sheng shook his head, his tone flat, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible aloofness.

"No need. Although I have inherited the legacy of my predecessors, I am not their formal successor. Besides..."

He paused.

"As far as I know, Emperor Beichen Dan... is of a detached nature, dislikes ostentation, and detests the behavior of seeking fame and reputation and using the name of his master to enhance his own status."

That Qingnang Dansheng, however, often mentioned his status as the "disciple of the Emperor," and his actions were frequently based on leveraging power. "Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together."

Tantai Xueli was slightly taken aback, then nodded in deep agreement.

“Brother Gu Sheng is right. Xue Li has not considered this carefully.”

She looked at Gu Sheng's calm profile, then suddenly smiled, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes.

"However, Xue Li thinks that Brother Gu Sheng, you are more like the successor of the Emperor than that Qingnang Dan Sheng."

"Oh? Why do you see it?"

Gu Sheng turned to look at her.

"Mysterious Golden Elixir".

Tantai Xueli softly uttered four words.

Gu Sheng's eyes flickered slightly.

"This formula has long been lost. My Tantai family has wealth throughout the five regions and an extraordinary intelligence network. Over the years, we have spent countless manpower and resources searching for ancient books and relics for Sister Bingtang's sake, but we have never found the method."

Tantai Xueli's gaze turned serious and admiring.

“But Brother Gu Sheng, you not only know this pill formula, but you can also personally refine a nine-pattern top-grade pill! In terms of this alone, if we talk about the orthodoxy and completeness of the Pill Emperor's inheritance, Xue Li believes that you are far above the Qingnang Pill Saint. The so-called ‘lost pill formulas’ that he has mastered may not be able to match the value and difficulty of refining the ‘Mysterious Golden Pill’.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Sheng couldn't help but chuckle, shook his head, neither admitting nor denying, but simply said...

"If he finds out that I may be carrying a more complete inheritance of the Pill Emperor than he is, it will probably not be a courtesy, but trouble."

Tantai Xueli's expression hardened, and then a sharp and domineering look, quite different from her usual temperament, suddenly flashed in her gentle and gentle eyes.

She straightened her back, and although her voice was soft, it carried an undeniable determination.

"Brother Gu Sheng is a distinguished guest of the Tantai family, and a close friend of Xue Li and my sister. If anyone dares to harbor ill intentions towards Brother Gu Sheng or commit any improper acts because of the matter of inheritance..."

She paused, then spoke slowly and deliberately.

"My Tantai family will not stand idly by. When the time comes, we will spare no effort, even if it means asking our reclusive ancestor to come out of seclusion and raze that ungrateful holy land to the ground!"

These words, spoken by a gentle young woman, were a stark contrast to her usual demeanor, yet they carried a resolute tone, revealing the profound heritage and power of the Tantai family as a top-tier holy land, and also demonstrating her unwavering commitment to protecting Gu Sheng.

Looking at Tantai Xueli, who had suddenly revealed another side of herself, Gu Sheng felt a warmth in his heart and smiled.

"It seems that my status as an 'honored guest' is quite useful."

The domineering expression on Tantai Xueli's face vanished instantly, and she returned to her gentle and charming demeanor, smiling with pursed lips.

"That's natural."

As the two spoke, the bidding outside was already in full swing. The price of "Qingnang Lihuo Technique" quickly broke through the 15 million top-grade spirit stones mark, driven by several people who were clearly alchemists or fire cultivators, and it was still climbing.

The auction's excitement has only just begun. The two martial arts techniques Gu Sheng has consigned for auction, especially the fragment of the "Hundred Phoenixes Burning Heaven Slash," have yet to appear. Tonight is destined to be anything but peaceful.

Upon hearing this, Gu Sheng looked at Tantai Xueli, who was usually gentle and graceful but now spoke with a firm and resolute tone, revealing a completely different side of herself, and a hint of surprise flashed across his eyes.

He truly hadn't expected that this young lady from the Tantai family, whom he hadn't known for very long and with whom he interacted more as business partners, would express her intention to protect him so directly and forcefully.

Perhaps feeling a little uncomfortable under Gu Sheng's slightly surprised gaze, the blush that had just faded from Tantai Xueli's pretty face quietly crept back up.

She turned her head slightly to avoid Gu Sheng's gaze, and lowered her voice, carrying a hint of barely perceptible shyness.

"Brother Gu Sheng, don't overthink it. You...you are the third master of my Linlang Pavilion. As one of the initiators, Xue Li will naturally...naturally protect you."

She came up with a seemingly reasonable excuse, but her shifty eyes and slightly reddened ears betrayed the slight turmoil in her heart.

A mischievous smile flashed in Gu Sheng's eyes as he deliberately went along with her words.

“I see. Then I thank the Second Pavilion Master for ‘protecting’ me. However, it seems that I do not need the Tantai family to go to great lengths to ‘flatten’ a certain holy land.”

He paused, then his tone became serious.

“Saint Realm experts control the laws and can influence a region at will, which is beyond my current ability to confront directly. A seventh-level Sect Realm expert might be able to stir up trouble in the Eastern Wilderness, but in the Central Continent, where hidden talents abound and traditions are profound, he is really nothing.”

Without sufficient foundation and strength, excessive contact with Saint Realm experts is unwise. Therefore, I have no intention of provoking figures like the Azure Bag Pill Saint for the time being, lest I invite trouble upon myself. (End of Chapter)