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

"Who hides his head and shows his tail?!"

A clear, cold voice, seemingly containing the contradictory qualities of millennia-old ice and undying flames, came from the distant horizon.

Everyone looked up and saw a fiery red streak of light, like a meteor falling to earth, with a long tail of flame, streaking across the sky in an instant and landing on the battle platform, right between the Heavenly Star Saintess and Fan Mingli.

The light receded, revealing the figure of a young girl.

She wore a well-tailored, fiery red outfit that accentuated her already slender and shapely figure.

Her face was stunningly beautiful, with exquisite features and skin as white as snow. But what was most striking were her clear eyes, which seemed to hold two clusters of cold flames burning quietly. Despite the fiery aura surging around her, she exuded a cold and aloof aura that kept people at a distance.

Her temperament was extremely unique, a blend of fiery passion and icy coldness, a combination of nobility and aloofness, inspiring awe and making people hesitant to approach her.

"It's you?!"

When the Celestial Star Saintess saw who it was, her pupils contracted slightly, and her tone carried a hint of surprise and apprehension.

"Burning Heaven Holy Land... Holy Maiden? Azure Phoenix Holy Maiden?"

As the Holy Maiden of the Central Plains Holy Land, she naturally recognized beings of the same level. The one before her was none other than the current Holy Maiden of the "Burning Heaven Holy Land," one of the five great holy lands of the Central Plains, alongside the Heavenly Star Holy Land. Legend has it that she possesses some ancient and powerful fire-elemental divine body, with astonishing talent. She has been officially appointed as the successor by the Burning Heaven Holy Lord, holding a revered position and possessing unfathomable strength.

The girl in red—Qing'er, or rather, the current Holy Maiden of Burning Heaven, Qingluan—looked calmly at the Holy Maiden of Heavenly Star, not answering the question about her title, but simply saying indifferently.

"Saintess of the Heavenly Star, what a show of power! With your Heavenly King Realm cultivation, you come to this 'barbaric and remote land' of the Eastern Wilderness to bully a few juniors who have just entered the Human King Realm. Is that interesting?"

The Holy Maiden of Heavenly Stars' face darkened, and she said coldly.

"What do you mean by this, Saintess Qingluan? I was merely invited by the Great Wilderness Holy Academy to engage in normal sparring and exchange. How could this be considered bullying? On the contrary, what is the reason for your sudden attack? Could it be that the Burning Heaven Holy Land intends to interfere in the affairs of my Heavenly Star Holy Land?"

"Don't forget, although you are a Holy Maiden, your cultivation has reached the Venerable Realm, while I am merely at the Heavenly King Realm. If you attempt to bully the weak, my Heavenly Star Holy Land will never let this go unpunished!"

She invoked the background of the sacred site and pointed out the difference in cultivation levels, intending to issue a warning.

However, Qing'er's expression did not change at all.

The surging, suffocating aura of flames surrounding her suddenly receded and subsided like a tide. Under the astonished gazes of everyone, her outward cultivation aura actually suppressed and dropped from the unfathomable Venerable Realm level, eventually stabilizing at... the early stage of the Human King Realm!

"Bullying the weak?"

A faint, yet chilling smile seemed to curve at the corners of Qing'er's lips, her voice remaining indifferent.

"To fight you, the Human King Realm... is enough."

"you!"

Upon hearing this, the Heavenly Star Saintess's chest heaved, clearly indicating that she was quite angry.

As the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Star Holy Land, she held a revered position and possessed extraordinary talent. When had she ever been so disrespected? The other party had actually suppressed their cultivation to a level one major lower than hers—this was nothing short of a blatant humiliation!

"Qingluan! I have no enmity with your Burning Heaven Holy Land. Why have you publicly humiliated me today? If you don't give me a reason, even if you are the Holy Maiden of Burning Heaven, you still need to give an explanation to my Heavenly Star Holy Land!"

The Celestial Saintess suppressed her anger, her voice icy.

Qing'er raised her eyes, and for the first time, those eyes burning with icy flames looked directly at the Heavenly Star Saintess. Her gaze was calm, yet it carried a penetrating power that made one's heart tremble.

Why?

She paused, then spoke clearly, word by word. Her voice wasn't loud, but it seemed to contain some strange power, spreading throughout the silent square.

"My name is Qing'er. I come from the Qin family in the Eastern Wilderness."

"The person you just insulted, regarded as an ant, and unworthy of being called a prodigy—Gu Sheng—is the second young master of my Qin family."

"He is the best person to me in this world."

"Whoever insults him, I will kill. As for life and death... let fate decide."

As the last word fell, Qing'er's aura, which had been suppressed to the early stage of the Human King Realm, suddenly erupted! Although it lacked the vast pressure of the Venerable Realm, the crimson-gold flames seemed to possess life and will, burning fiercely and radiating a terrifying power that could burn the eight wastelands and scorch the sky!
The extreme sensations of intense heat and icy cold intertwined and permeated the air, making the temperature of the entire square eerily high. Those who were close by felt as if half of their body was in a furnace and the other half was in an ice cave!
When the Heavenly Star Saintess sensed the pure and domineering killing intent and fiery aura locking onto her, her expression finally changed completely! She clearly felt that although the other party had suppressed his cultivation to the early stage of the Human King Realm.

But the quality of that flame, that fighting spirit, that chilling killing intent that seemed to have been tempered through countless battles, far exceeded her imagination! She had a premonition that if they really fought, she... might die! Even if the opponent only used the power of the "Human King Realm"!

Seeing this, Fan Mingli flashed and appeared between the two, a perfectly timed helpless smile on her face, as she offered words of comfort.

"Holy Maidens, please calm your anger. This is the square of our Holy Academy, where many disciples reside. If you two were to fight here, innocent bystanders would inevitably be affected. I hope you would consider my presence and refrain from further action for now."

Her words gave both sides a way out.

Qing'er's expression remained unchanged, her gaze still fixed on the Heavenly Star Saintess, and her cold voice rang out.

"Apologize. Or, if you refuse to fight, I will kill you by force. You will bear the consequences."

There is no third option! Domineering, tyrannical, and leaving no room for compromise!
The Heavenly Star Saintess gritted her teeth, her beautiful face displaying a complex mix of emotions: shame, humiliation, fear, and resentment.

She stared intently into Qing'er's cold, fiery eyes, as if trying to discern a hint of hesitation or a joke.

However, all she saw was an undeniable determination and murderous intent.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment. The Holy Academy Square was deathly silent. Countless gazes were focused on the two Holy Maidens, and even their breathing unconsciously became softer.

Those disciples of the Great Wilderness Holy Academy who had once followed Xiao Beixuan and harbored hostility or contempt for Gu Sheng were struck dumb at this moment, staring blankly at the fiery red figure on the battle stage, their minds completely blank.

Only now did they realize with horror that Gu Sheng, whom they had once regarded as a "lucky rogue cultivator" and a "kid who got lucky," was backed not only by the Qin family of the Eastern Wilderness... but also by the Burning Heaven Saintess, one of the five great holy lands of the Central Plains!
Moreover, judging from the saintess's attitude, she regarded Gu Sheng as her closest and most important person, and was willing to turn against another saintess from a holy land in public for this, and even threatened to kill him!

Who exactly is this Gu Sheng?!

The long, suffocating eye contact felt like an eternity, yet also like only a few breaths.

Finally, the Heavenly Star Saintess closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and when she opened them again, the humiliation and anger in her eyes had been forcibly suppressed, leaving only a complex weariness and... a pragmatic helplessness. She spoke three words, her voice dry, as if addressing Qing'er, or perhaps the void itself.

"……sorry."

These three words seemed to drain all her strength and pride.

Upon hearing this, Qing'er's cold gaze lingered on her face for a moment before she let out a cold snort and said no more.

The raging flames around her instantly subsided, and the chilling killing intent dissipated as well.

Without even glancing at Tianxing Saintess and Fan Mingli again, she moved, transforming into a streak of crimson light, and soared into the sky, shooting towards a magnificent cloud boat floating high in the distance, its entire body burning with faint golden flames and engraved with the symbol of the Burning Heaven Holy Land.

Just as Qing'er was about to disappear into the cloud boat, the space above the sky rippled slightly, and a blurry figure exuding a vast holy might seemed to want to manifest, vaguely carrying a questioning tone, seemingly from the side of the Heavenly Star Holy Land.

However, another, more majestic and domineering crimson-gold phantom, seemingly capable of suppressing all heavens, appeared above the cloud boat of the Burning Heaven Holy Land first! The phantom's specific face was unclear, but one could sense an unparalleled will that could burn the heavens and boil the seas, and that it was the only one who was supreme!

“My disciple’s will is my will.”

The crimson-gold phantom emitted a grand and majestic voice, like a divine decree, resounding through the heavens, carrying an unquestionable domineering air.

"Those who disobey shall be suppressed."

As soon as he finished speaking, an invisible, overwhelming, and unstoppable holy might swept across the four directions like the collapse of the heavens.

The figure from the Heavenly Star Holy Land that had attempted to manifest let out a muffled groan, its aura rapidly weakening and disappearing, no longer daring to make the slightest move.

Silence fell over the entire assembly. Whether it was the members of the Great Wilderness Holy Academy or the various forces secretly observing the battle, everyone was trembling with fear. The Holy Lord of Burning Heaven had personally manifested his illusory form to support his Holy Maiden, his attitude so firm—who would dare utter another word?
Inside the quiet room of the Burning Heaven Sacred Land Cloud Boat.

Qing'er stood quietly, the domineering and cold aura from the outside world seemingly subsided considerably. Before her stood a beautiful woman dressed in palace attire, with a gentle and graceful demeanor; she was one of her guardian elders and one of her closest elders within the Burning Heaven Holy Land.

The beautiful woman looked at Qing'er with a hint of worry and helplessness in her eyes, and asked softly.

"Qingluan, you... just for that one sentence, you used the protective avatar bestowed upon you by the Holy Lord, forcibly drawing down a wisp of the Holy Lord's will? Is that... worth it? What about Gu Sheng..."

Qing'er turned around and looked out the window at the receding Eastern Wilderness. The coldness in her eyes melted away, replaced by a faint but real warmth. Her voice regained its girlish clarity, yet carried a firmness and indifference beyond her years.

"Master often said that those who cultivate should know how to repay kindness and clearly discern their true nature."

"If it weren't for the Second Young Master's help back then, how could there be the Heavenly Saintess Qingluan today?"

Even if the whole world is against us... it's worth it.

The beautiful woman looked at the girl's straight back and listened to her calm yet resolute words. She sighed inwardly and ultimately did not try to persuade her any further.

She understood that some things and some people had already been engraved into the child's bones and soul, becoming a part of her Dao heart, beyond question and beyond defilement.

With the scattered Heavenly Demon Vines acting as a watchdog and clearing the way, Gu Sheng and his group cautiously made their way deeper into the secret realm along the edge of this idyllic sea of ​​flowers. The rich floral fragrance in the air contrasted sharply with the previously menacing vine attacks, keeping everyone on their toes.

After passing through a lush thicket of strange bushes with pale silver flowers, the view ahead suddenly opened up.

A hilly area with slightly undulating terrain came into view, with dozens of palaces and pavilions scattered across the hills in a well-organized manner.

These buildings have a simple and grand style. Although they have been through the years, with slightly damaged eaves and tiles, and walls covered with lush green vines and moss, the overall structure remains intact. The flying eaves, brackets, carved beams and painted rafters still faintly reveal the splendor of the past.

The palace complex is built against the mountain, with each level building upon the previous one. At the highest point stands a majestic main hall, which appears particularly solemn and mysterious under the pale purple light of the sky.

"That's it."

Shen Qingtan stopped and pointed towards the main hall at the highest point of the hill, her voice behind the mask carrying a hint of solemnity.

“Last time, when we were chased by the demonic plants, we fled to this area in a panic and saw this palace from afar. According to the fragment of the ancient map in Yu Rou’s hand, this area is very likely the true core of this hidden secret realm, and may contain key clues or treasures related to the ‘Inheritance of the Divine Forger’.”

She paused, then added.

"However, when we approached last time, we disturbed even more demonic plants. Both Ning Shuang and I were seriously injured. In order to save our lives, we had to use the last of our Great Teleportation Talismans and leave the secret realm directly without truly exploring this palace. We have no idea what the situation inside is or whether there are other dangers."

Gu Sheng nodded slightly, his gaze sharp as he scanned the tranquil palace complex and the path leading to the hills ahead. Suddenly, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, and his eyes sharpened.

"and many more."

He spoke in a low voice, stopping the group from moving forward.

"What's wrong, Brother Gu Sheng?"

Tantai Xueli asked softly, her beautiful eyes filled with concern.

Gu Sheng didn't answer immediately. Instead, he closed his eyes, and the materialized spiritual energy between his brows spread out silently like the most delicate ripples, merging into the surrounding space and spiritual energy. After a moment, he reopened his eyes, a trace of solemnity flashing within them.

“There are extremely faint spiritual energy fluctuations in the air. They are not naturally dissipated, but rather 'traces' left behind after someone used movement techniques or slightly mobilized their true energy.”

Gu Sheng said in a deep voice that his Dao of Fate endowed him with far greater insight and perception than ordinary people, especially his extraordinary sensitivity to the trajectory of energy flow.

"Moreover, these traces are very 'new,' and the time they've been there is extremely short, certainly no more than half an hour. Someone else had been here before us, and may have just left, or they may still be here."

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingtan, Gu Ningshuang, Yu Rou, and even Tantai Xueli all changed their expressions!
"Someone's been here? That's impossible!"

Shen Qingtan was the first to speak, her tone certain.

"The entrance to this hidden place is only the incomplete array we triggered last time. After we left, we temporarily sealed it with a secret technique. Apart from the tokens we have and the corresponding incantations, it will be extremely difficult for anyone else to find or open it!"

Tantai Xueli also frowned and added in a firm tone.

"Moreover, the main entrance to this 'Void Profound Secret Realm' is located in the Rift Valley outside Tongtian Imperial City, and has always been controlled by my Tantai family. Although our influence is not as great as in Tianyuan Imperial City, our family has extremely strict rules regarding this secret realm. Each time it opens, those who enter must possess a direct descendant's token and must report in advance. (End of Chapter)"