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

She looked at Gu Sheng, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

"That's why... I'm determined to take the 'Path of All Beings' to its ultimate level. Only when this forbidden path is truly mastered, possessing countless clones and near-immortality, will it be possible... to have even a little bit of... capital for self-preservation or even for the struggle, in the terrifying storm that may sweep across the five regions in the future."

Her words revealed a profound sense of powerlessness and resolve. Even the Holy Land felt tense and apprehensive in the face of terrifying beings that could span countless ages and orchestrate events for millennia; how much more so would she?

Gu Sheng remained silent for a long time. The information Jin'er revealed was like a boulder thrown into his once calm lake of heart, stirring up a raging storm.

He had always thought that his main enemies were the Myriad Realms Holy Land before him, or other forces in the Central Plains that might covet his "opportunity." But now it seemed that the waters of this world were far deeper and more murky than he had imagined.

With the Styx Monk freed, the ancient secrets and terrifying forces that may be involved behind him are like a huge shadow that has begun to quietly envelop him.

"I understand about this matter."

Gu Sheng finally spoke, his voice returning to calm, but a hint of solemnity appeared in the depths of his eyes.

Thank you for letting me know.

Seeing that he didn't show much panic or ask for details, Jin'er's opinion of him rose even higher.

She stood up, straightened the maid's dress, and her playful smile returned to her face.

“I have said what I needed to say. As for the deeper details and the specific clues I have... you can reveal them all after you have truly decided to accept my ‘pledge of allegiance’ and become my ‘protector’.”

She walked to the door and then looked back at Gu Sheng.

"May you achieve a resounding victory in tomorrow's arena."

After saying that, she opened the door, and her figure disappeared silently as if it had never existed, blending into the shadows of the corridor outside.

Gu Sheng stood alone in the room, gazing at the deep night outside the window, his mind churning. The news Jin'er brought had undoubtedly complicated the situation further.

Tantai Mingjing's gathering of everyone tonight may not be solely for his own affairs and the bet with Tianyuan Holy Land. The chain reaction triggered by Venerable Styx's escape has likely begun to affect Zhongzhou, and even the Holy Land is feeling the tension.

He slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, temporarily suppressing his chaotic thoughts. No matter how the future may change, improving his own strength will always be the foundation for dealing with any situation. Tomorrow's battle with Shi Wufeng is the first hurdle he must overcome.

His gaze fell on the tea table in the center of the room.

There, an exquisite jade tray had been placed there sometime earlier. On the tray lay a simple, antique-style storage ring inlaid with tiny gemstones, and a round bead about the size of a longan, its surface a blood-red hue, yet crystal clear like the finest glass!
On the surface of the bead, there was a faint layer of sealing light, as if it were woven from countless golden runes, which firmly locked the vast and mysterious "Nirvana" Daoist charm inside the bead, preventing its aura from leaking out.

Even so, just by looking at it with the naked eye, one can feel the sacred aura contained within, which seems to be able to revive all things and regenerate the Great Dao!
The Great Dao Nirvana Pearl!
The Burning Heaven Holy Land used this rare treasure to exchange for the "Hundred Phoenix Burning Heaven Slash" Holy Realm ultimate technique!

Gu Sheng walked to the table and picked up the crimson bead. It felt warm and smooth to the touch, as if it had a life of its own, and he could even feel the powerful Daoist energy within it beating gently like a heart.

For ordinary martial artists, even those at the Venerable Realm or those newly entering the Saint Realm, the greatest value of this "Great Dao Nirvana Pearl" lies in its ability to repair damaged "Dao Rhyme." Martial artists cultivate by comprehending the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth and condensing their own Dao Rhyme, but the process is arduous, and it is inevitable that their Dao Rhyme will be damaged or incomplete at times.

The "Nirvana" power contained in this bead can repair such damage, making it an unparalleled trump card for survival. While its value is undoubtedly invaluable, it may still be slightly inferior in the eyes of many compared to a complete Sacred Realm offensive technique that is suspected to be related to an ancient emperor.

This is one of the reasons why, after the Burning Heaven Holy Land brought out this item at the auction, other holy lands gave up bidding – they believed that the Burning Heaven Holy Land had suffered a “loss” by exchanging this pearl for a secret technique.

But Gu Sheng knew that the significance of this "Great Dao Nirvana Pearl" to him was far more than just "repairing the Dao rhythm"!
He is on the path of condensing the "Dao Body"! Taking the laws of the Great Dao he comprehends as the core, he condenses the bones of the Great Dao and forges the body of the Great Dao! With each additional Great Dao he condenses, his Dao Body becomes stronger, which is his greatest trump card besides the Nine Dragons Qiankun Cauldron!

In the previous battle outside the city, he was able to fight against five Heavenly Kings with his seventh-level Sect Realm cultivation and ultimately win. The all-round enhancement brought by his Dao Body was indispensable!

The effect of the "Great Dao Nirvana Pearl" on his Dao body is not simply "repair," but rather "promote integration" and "perfect the essence"! It can help him integrate the already condensed Dao bones and Dao body more perfectly with himself, and to a certain extent, make up for any imperfections that may exist in the Dao rhyme, making it closer to "perfection"!
This was of immeasurable value to him! It far exceeded a Saint-level divine weapon or a few Heavenly Profound Dao Fruits! In fact, to a certain extent, it was no less valuable than the "Hundred Phoenixes Burning Heaven Slash" technique itself!
"Four main roads..."

Gu Sheng silently recited in his heart.

He has now successfully condensed the bones of four Great Daos and integrated them into his Dao body. The Dao of Longevity and the Dao of Fate originate from the highest inheritance and are inherently relatively complete.

However, both the Divine Path and the Thousand Illusions Path have certain flaws or imperfections. The Thousand Illusions Path, in particular, was inherited from Donghuang Ling Qingyan. Although it was later improved in the ruins of the Eastern Wilderness Imperial Sect, it is still far from being truly perfect.

"First, repair the Thousand Illusions Path!"

Gu Sheng made a decision instantly. The Thousand Illusions Dao excels in transformation, simulation, and concealment, which greatly assists in combat. If he can use the power of the "Great Dao Nirvana Pearl" to perfect it and make its Dao essence complete, its power will surely reach a new level! At that time, he might be able to deal with experts at the eighth or ninth level of the Heavenly King Realm with even greater ease.

Without further hesitation, he sat down cross-legged and held the "Great Dao Nirvana Pearl" in his palm. From between his brows, materialized spiritual power slowly surged out, like the gentlest tentacles, carefully penetrating the golden sealing runes on the surface of the pearl.

"Om..."

It seemed to sense Gu Sheng's pure and powerful spiritual energy, as well as the mysterious Daoist charm that flowed faintly within him and originated from the same source as the "Thousand Illusions Dao".

The "Great Dao Nirvana Pearl" trembled slightly. The golden sealing runes on its surface faded and dissipated layer by layer, like ice and snow melting away.

The next moment, a pure, vast, crimson light filled with the meaning of "rebirth" burst forth from the sphere like a flood breaking through a dam!

However, it did not spread. Instead, it was precisely guided by Gu Sheng's spiritual power, like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea, all of which entered his brow, followed the meridians, and finally merged into his Dao body, at the location of the Dao bones in his legs corresponding to the "Thousand Illusions Dao"!
"boom--!"

Gu Sheng's sea of ​​consciousness and Dao body trembled violently at the same time!

It was as if parched earth had received sweet rain, or as if a broken puzzle had found its final piece! Under the nourishment and cleansing of the crimson "Nirvana" light, the Daoist bones of the Thousand Illusions Path began to undergo a mysterious transformation!

The subtle, almost imperceptible cracks and flaws on the Dao Bone were quickly smoothed out and repaired! The Dao Bone itself became more crystal clear, and the myriad illusions of Dao flowing within it became clearer, more complete, and more vibrant!
Countless new insights into the fundamental principles of "change," "simulation," "reality and illusion," and "illusion" sprouted like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, rapidly evolving, combining, and perfecting within Gu Sheng's sea of ​​consciousness!
He seemed to see a much broader and more exquisite world of "Thousand Illusions"! This was not a simple increase in power, but a deepening and sublimation of his understanding of the essence of the Great Dao, "Thousand Illusions"!

Gu Sheng immediately focused all his attention on the wondrous process of "perfecting the Daoist essence," carefully experiencing every change and every insight.

While Gu Sheng was in the quiet room of the Wanbao Hall, using the "Great Dao Nirvana Pearl" to perfect the Thousand Illusions Path and make final preparations for tomorrow's battle, about a hundred miles outside the East Gate of Tianyuan Imperial City, on a vast plain that had already been cleared and heavily fortified with defensive and observation formations.

A colossal arena, nine zhang high and a thousand zhang in circumference, constructed entirely of a certain dark blue, hard stone and with countless reinforcing and insulating array patterns carved on its surface, has already stood majestically.

Temporary viewing platforms have been erected around the arena. Although it is late at night, many spies or busybodies from various factions are still loitering in the distance or occupying positions on the platforms, clearly showing their keen interest in tomorrow's life-or-death battle.

On the arena, a lone figure stood.

It was none other than Shi Wufeng, the Holy Son of the Myriad Realms Holy Land.

He was still dressed in white, his white hair fluttering slightly in the night breeze. But at this moment, the gloom and arrogance on his face during the day had been somewhat subdued, replaced by a calm and... subtle solemnity.

He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the distant outline of the imperial city, lost in thought.

A gentle breeze blew by, bringing with it the scent of the distant mountains and forests.

"Without a sharp edge".

A peaceful yet supremely majestic voice resounded directly in his mind.

Shi Wufeng's body trembled slightly, and he quickly responded respectfully in his mind.

"Holy Lord".

Shi Wufeng suddenly spoke, his voice sounding somewhat dry in the quiet night.

"Disciple... has to admit that Gu Sheng's combat strength is indeed somewhat... beyond expectations."

Within his sea of ​​consciousness, the divine sense of the Lord of Myriad Manifestations remained silent for a moment, and instead of immediately rebuking him, he calmly said...

"Go on."

"Although I didn't witness the battle outside the city, the energy fluctuations and residual auras I sensed... five Heavenly Kings, including some mid-level and possibly even high-level beings."

Shi Wufeng took a deep breath and spoke slowly.

"If it were me back when I was at the seventh level of the Sect Realm... let alone one against five, even if I faced any one of them at the initial stage of the Heavenly King Realm, I would have no chance of winning. It would have been lucky if I had escaped with my life. This kid... is truly a monster."

His words were tantamount to an admission that he was wary of Gu Sheng's strength.

This was an extremely rare display of honesty from Shi Wufeng, who was always proud and arrogant and considered himself a prodigy of the holy land.

The divine thought of the Holy Lord of All Things seemed to ripple slightly, but it quickly subsided.

He said lightly.

"It's not stupid of you to have this understanding."

Gu Sheng is indeed an anomaly. With a cultivation level of the seventh level of the Sect Realm, defeating a Human King Realm cultivator is already a sign of exceptional genius. But to be able to fight five opponents alone, defeat them, and kill multiple people... such achievements are something that even the top young talents of the Central Plains Holy Land might not be able to accomplish at the Sect Realm stage.

Given time, if he grows stronger and reaches the Venerable Realm, or even... glimpses the threshold of the Saint Realm, it's not entirely impossible.

"A sacred realm?!"

Upon hearing this, Shi Wufeng was shocked and his face showed an expression of disbelief.

He never expected that his master's evaluation of Gu Sheng would be so high! Saint Realm... that was a realm he had always dreamed of, yet knew was incredibly difficult to attain! Gu Sheng... a wild boy from the Eastern Wilderness, actually possessed such potential?
"No need to be surprised."

The voice of the Holy Lord of All Things remained calm, yet carried a coldness that seemed to see through the essence of things.

"My statement is based on the premise that 'he has enough time to grow.' However, in the world of martial arts, geniuses fall like shooting stars. No matter how great the potential, it is meaningless if it is cut short."

He changed the subject, his tone revealing a hint of certainty and reassurance.

"Don't worry. No matter how monstrous Gu Sheng is, he is still only at the Sect Realm. The reason he was able to kill Heavenly Kings one after another is nothing more than his physical strength, which far exceeds that of his peers, his powerful spiritual energy that seems to have materialized, and some mysterious and unpredictable special methods."

But from my secret observation, the maximum combat power he unleashed was at most... equivalent to the peak of the Heavenly King Realm, still some distance from the true Venerable Realm. And you…”

The Holy Lord of All Things intensified his tone with divine thought.

"You are the Holy Son nurtured by my Myriad Manifestations Holy Land. You are at the second level of the Venerable Realm, with a solid foundation, and you also have the secret teachings and treasures of the Holy Land by your side. As long as you remain calm and composed on the arena tomorrow, and perform at your normal level, killing him... will not be difficult."

These words acted as a reassurance, quickly dispelling the wavering in Shi Wufeng's heart caused by apprehension. Yes, he was a Venerable Realm expert! A Holy Son of a Holy Land! No matter how monstrous the opponent was, he was only at the Sect Realm! The difference between the peak of the Heavenly King Realm and the Venerable Realm might seem slight, but in reality, there was a qualitative difference! What did he have to fear?
"Master's teachings are correct!"

Shi Wufeng's spirits lifted, and his eyes rekindled with fierce battle intent and killing intent. He clasped his hands in a fist and solemnly addressed the void.

"I was momentarily overwhelmed by his mysterious methods and almost lost my composure. Please rest assured, Master, I will give it my all in tomorrow's arena and surely slay Gu Sheng's dog head, using his blood to wash away the shame of my holy land! I will also help Master... intercept the 'Great Dao' that may be contained within him!"

He spoke the last sentence very softly, yet it carried a hint of ruthlessness and greed.

He already knew that his master valued Gu Sheng so much, even going so far as to personally visit and try to recruit him, and it wasn't just for the sake of so-called "face." Gu Sheng must possess something that even Saint Realm experts would covet! If he could personally kill Gu Sheng, perhaps... he could also share in a tremendous amount of merit and opportunity? (End of Chapter)